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Level 1

0 points

Safari Can't Handle Moving GIFs

Since upgrading to Safari 4 a while ago, Safari simply hasn't been able to handle moving GIF images. While one is on the screen, it lags out the browser (which otherwise works quite well). Even once the spinning beach-ball of doom goes away, the GIF still plays really slowly and continues to lag out the browser until it is no longer on the visible page.

The same GIFs work without issue or lag on Firefox, and I believe that they worked fine on the old version of Safari.

I have tried Golden Shoes' suggestions posted on many topics for enhancing the speed of Safari, and none of it has worked, though I think that those were more for overall performance rather than this specific issue.

Any suggestions? Is this a fundamental issue with Safari's programming? Because I'd really rather not have to switch over to Firefox for my primary browser if I don't have to.

Black Mackbook August 2006, Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Aug 10, 2009 4:12 PM

25 replies

DaveLCX

Level 1

0 points

Sep 21, 2009 8:57 AM in response to RafiB

I concur! Safari 4 does indeed have problems rendering GIF files! Do a Google Search and you'll see that we're not alone! I've switched to Firefox for viewing animated satellite images on WGN's web site; a page I visit often before heading out on extended bicycle rides ...

http://weather.wgntv.com/US/Region/Midwest/2xpxVisSatellite.html

In Safari, this image loads but doesn't always animate as it should. When it does decided to animate, it takes 10 seconds plus.

In Firefox, after 3 seconds the GIF cells quickly load and begin the animation process in under 5 seconds. (Much like Safari 3.x did)

Also, Safari jumps to 69% of CPU, Firefox uses only 5% of CPU.

This weather page link demonstrates that Safari's usage as a web browser is restricted by its problems rendering a file format that's been around since Jesus walked the earth. Well, almost that old 😉

Apple? Are you listening? FIX SAFARI POR FAVOR!

Klaus1

Level 9

52,749 points

Sep 21, 2009 9:02 AM in response to DaveLCX

No problem watching those clouds move whatever.

Oct 1, 2009 9:44 PM in response to sjs43

The topic is actually what prompted me to join this forum. I just recently updated to Safari 4 as well and gif's freeze my laptop constantly...but I'm updating as we speak so hopefully this gets fixed because it was never an issue before.

Oct 15, 2009 11:47 AM in response to RafiB

I'm using a pretty robust system and I have the exact same issue with Safari. Hope you get it sorted out

DanjaD

Level 1

0 points

Nov 10, 2009 1:49 PM in response to RafiB

I have a still-modern MBP, with plenty of RAM and disk space available. Everything it patched up and ship-shape.

The GIF below, with a grand total of 4 colours, and <400Kb, grinds Safari to a halt. After about 20sec of viewing this GIF, the animation progressively slows down, and finally stalls completely, at which point the browser becomes totally unresponsive to any input and the beach ball appears for 30sec or so, then the browser will respond slowly for a few seconds before going into the downward spiral again. Repeat ad infinitum until Safari either crashes, or the offending image is moved out of view. When this happens one CPU core becomes completely saturated (100%). Memory usage appears normal.

<a class="jive-link-external-small" href="http://">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Translational_motion.gif

Seriously, this is unacceptable.

Klaus1

Level 9

52,749 points

Nov 10, 2009 2:49 PM in response to DanjaD

What gif?

cecemf

Level 1

31 points

Nov 11, 2009 3:41 PM in response to Klaus1

I have the same issue, some gift animated show some snow and other not, on that screenshot I took all the gift you see are animated and only few show some snow .

http://i82.servimg.com/u/f82/09/02/92/27/screen57.png

With Firefox, Opera or IE show them fine.

Nov 11, 2009 5:03 PM in response to cecemf

Same issue on my fairly new iMac (Aluminum 24") - Just applied updated Safari (4.0.4) and those images just sit there while CPU churns.

DanjaD

Level 1

0 points

Nov 22, 2009 5:22 AM in response to Klaus1

Apologies, this URL should have come through with my earlier post:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6d/Translational_motion.gif

Jan 15, 2010 9:46 AM in response to DanjaD

Has anyone found a solution to this issue?

Safari Can't Handle Moving GIFs