I've been trying to get video files to work on my Columbus Infotainment system in my Kodiaq Edition. I must be getting bored during the lockdown! I see that mp4 files must be saved in a resolution 720x576 or under. I managed to get an mp.4 file (640x480 - an old 4:3 programme I had) to play from an SD card but that didn't fill the full height of the screen.  The same file would only play the audio from the usb slot using a flash drive.  I've now downloaded a programme called Handbrake after seeing a You Tube video on how to convert files to work with the Columbus screen resolution to fill the screen.  It seems to take it's time to do the job so I'll continue my quest later today or tomorrow. 

 

Whilst I've seen a number of posts about video files on this forum I haven't seen any about what the different media inputs should do.  If I put the converted video mp4 files onto a DVD will they play or will they just play the audio like the usb flash drive or not play at all (I wasn't driving at the time).  Indeed should you be able to play video files from all the different inputs or is it just from an SD card, the manual doesn't seem very clear on this point or maybe I've missed it.  The DVD drive plays mp3s on a cd can it play even more mp3s on a DVD?  Why would you, you may ask but I just want to know what it's capable of doing.

 

Maybe I'm just nit picking but I'm curious now and I don't want to start burning DVDs with mp4s if I would be wasting my time.  Does anyone know the answer?

Edited 3 June, 20206 yr by Lorian
Correct some typos

Having been playing some more with this I think I've solved my own problem.  The files amended using Handbrake worked using an SD card but initially I found I had the same problem as when using the Flash drive - when I touched the green play symbol next to the file name only the audio played.  When I pressed a larger play symbol at the top of the screen the file played properly.

 

I went back and loaded some Handbrake files onto the flash drive and tried the USB port again. Press the green play symbol next to the first file and only audio but press the larger play button (which I hadn't noticed first time round) and the first file played.  When you press the large play button  it plays the first file no matter what file is highlighted so to get to the file you want you have to press on fast forward to reach it.  Maybe there's another way of doing it that I haven't figured out yet.

 

The size of the pictures were the same whether they were 720x576 or 640x386.  I think the difference is the number of pixels that are displayed.  In practice I didn't notice any difference between the same file recorded in the two resolutions.

 

I now presume you can transfer video files onto a DVD and play them via the DVD player. I'll try that once I've converted enough to fill a DVD.  Why would I do that?  Well you are limited to about 10,000 files per SD card and I've got about that on the two cards in there at the moment,  I've never used the CD/DVD player, I was trying to think of a way to use it.    

 

I did try to use the Jukebox once but I couldn't seem to save files on it and the tracks seemed to save in a random order so I just deleted them, It's another feature that goes unused.

I think I've done as much as I'm going to do now.  I tried a DVD with a number of video files but the Columbus only wanted to read the first two.  It seems the best place is to put video files is on an SD card and leave the DVD player to DVDs. It does play DVDs recorded in my Panasonic DVD recorder.

 

You can select individual files but you have to select the rounded arrows at the top right of the screen after pressing the file you want rather than the large play button.  Not very intuitive. I uninstalled Handbrake as it seemed to mess up my laptop's display.  It did work but I'll stick with my existing software.

 

After all that I might watch a video when i'm waiting to pick up my daughter but chances are I'll only use it when demonstrating to someone else what the infotainment system can do. 

 

 

Thanks for taking the time to post your findings. I haven’t tried any video in my Kodiaq, but know a lot more now. 👍

I know that you have only one USB socket in UK, but have you tried that?

I have 2 USB sockets and both play video files (mp4, mkv, you name it) from USB stick.

 

P.S. I use also Handbrake to convert files to 576 resolution.

8 hours ago, Lorian said:

.......... I've never used the CD/DVD player, I was trying to think of a way to use it.    

 

I did try to use the Jukebox once but I couldn't seem to save files on it and the tracks seemed to save in a random order so I just deleted them, It's another feature that goes unused.

I just keep a music video in the slot for those times when I’m waiting for someone.  Happens to be a live informal Meat Loaf session at the moment which is quite a change from all his normal concert stuff.

 

Other music videos are available.

 

ps - my jukebox is full of old junk from my old iTunes stash. Plus I now carry bundles of Radio Paradise music cached onto my phone and play it via BT. I use BT for simple occasional phone calls. No CarPlay phone stuff at all.

1 hour ago, linni said:

I know that you have only one USB socket in UK, but have you tried that?

I have 2 USB sockets and both play video files (mp4, mkv, you name it) from USB stick.

 

P.S. I use also Handbrake to convert files to 576 resolution.

 

My single usb socket works fine now that I've worked out which buttons to press - large play top left for first file or selected file and rounded arrows top right for a particular file.   I might convert a few more music DVDs as you can always listen to them when the screen goes off when driving.

I am not suggesting, just pointing:

https://www.kufatec.com/en/dvb-t-tv-accessories/video-in-motion/video-in-motion-for-vw-discover-pro-composition-media-audi-mmi-skoda-columbus-seat-39960