Level 2

204 points

Minor Video Stutter

Just connected the new ATV(2), and watched a few free TV shows...I'm noticing some slight playback stutter (video only) - seems more like an encoding issue than streaming - wired connection, and had no pauses or audio stutters.

It presents sort of like dropped or missing video frames...Curious if any others are noticing this. I'm watching on a projection system (missing the 1080!) so perhaps this issue is exaggerated for me, but it's clearly there...

iMac i7, Mac OS X (10.6.4), 8 gb RAM

Posted on Oct 1, 2010 5:35 AM

308 replies

Mar 25, 2011 4:54 PM in response to sti571

Sadly I have tried to tweak my TV and I am still getting the issue. I should not have to tweak my TV to play simple HD content that my other equipment has no problem with (including the Apple TV 1 and the previous Apple TV 2 firmware) I have contacted Apple through their Apple TV feedback form.

I hope we get a fix for this soon.

Mar 28, 2011 10:55 AM in response to Greg Bastug1

Is anyone in here the one who created the bug that Apple's using in their bug reporter? I reported awhile back and it was marked as a duplicate of another bug, but it won't let anyone but the creator check the status of that issue.

veritas1

Level 1

0 points

Mar 29, 2011 10:28 AM in response to Greg Bastug1

+1
This is really frustrating now. I have had my atv2 since january, like most people here I have send a feedback form to apple. But this is something that should not be taking so long - it should be pretty high on their priorities!!
People need to keep posting in this thread over and over till apple gets the message.

veritas1

Level 1

0 points

Apr 1, 2011 11:17 AM in response to Greg Bastug1

Same as some other people have reported - adjusting TV settings can help.

I have a LG 42" LED with TruMotion - I turned the settings on TruMotion up to 10 (highest) - it had been on 3 previously - and it helped A LOT!! - not saying it is 100% perfect but it is definitely much much better.

sti571

Level 1

0 points

Apr 3, 2011 1:43 AM in response to Greg Bastug1

i am wondering whether this phenomenon is related to a NTSC/PAL framerate conflict? has anyone investigated this?
anyway it is a huge pain.

Apr 6, 2011 7:25 AM in response to Greg Bastug1

Add me to the list of people suffering from this bug. Any HD content (iTunes purchase, Netflix...), especially when panning, is susceptible to a minor, regular stutter. Just enough o really distract you.

I've tried playing with settings (wired, wireless, modem settings, TV settings [Sony KDL-46Z4100]), all to no avail. I'm convinced at this point this is an aTV problem.

Apr 8, 2011 10:58 PM in response to Greg Bastug1

Just got my atv2 today. There is definitely a framerate issue when I stream from netflix. Audio is fine. Netflix streams just fine on my ps3, xbox360, wii, iPad, and ipad2. Apple needs to address this problem. It hurts my eyes to watch.

Tomarina

Level 1

10 points

Apr 11, 2011 12:27 AM in response to Commonwheel

I have the same problem with my ATV2. When playing a 24p Airvideo clip on my Ipad, i see no stutter, but when I send the clip to my ATV2 via Airplay; stutter. I believe that this is because that ATV2 can only output 50 Hz (in EU, 60 Hz in US I guess) and has to convert 24p (23.976 Hz) to 50 Hz and then adds frames (it doubles some frames).

Some TV:s, like Sony and Toshiba, can do a "reverse pulldown" that recreates the 24p and thus removes the stutter. But it is still a ATV2 specific problem that Apple really should fix; *make ATV2 24p compatible!* I've had an Toshiba Regza LCD, but now own a Pioneer G9 that can't do "reverse pulldown".

What really baffles me is that a photo slideshow on ATV2 also stutters! I have an Ipad, Iphone and an Imac and have never seen such a choppy playback of a slideshow on them. I have an EU ATV2 and it looks like the slideshow is made i 60 Hz by the ATV2 and then converted to 50 Hz when output to my TV, so it has to remove frames.

ATV2 is actually the first Apple product that has made me disappointed.

DocJoa

Level 1

0 points

Apr 15, 2011 7:49 PM in response to Greg Bastug1

Hi all

I posted above about problems with the regular micro stutter using Netflix (and others) thru the AppleTV2 on my Sony KDL-46Z4100. Following up on earlier comments in the thread about 24p being potentially problematic, I turned off the "True Cinema" function of the TV that automatically detects if the video signal should be pulled down to 24p. It solved my problem. Netflix now works like it should.

I'm no expert, but it seems to me that the AppleTV2 signal might be confusing TVs that then think they need to (or can) pull down to 24p. Whether or not it's a TV or AppleTV2 ptroblem I can't say...

At this point, if anyone is having this micro stutter problem, I'd suggest to try turning off any "Cinema" mode your TV might have on that input.

Thanks again to all community members for helping to set me on the right track.

Cheers!
Denis

tnaseem

Level 1

4 points

Apr 23, 2011 9:56 PM in response to StuartDonaghy

Same here.

The 'Movie Plus' on/off cycle on my Samsung works for me, but doesn't last.

I've noticed that if either the TV and/or AppleTV go into standby and back on again, the problem comes back. I have to change the setting again each time. Same with removing the HDMI cable, which I did as a test.

Pain in the bum, having to do this every time!

DrAdept

Level 1

0 points

Apr 30, 2011 8:28 AM in response to Greg Bastug1

Am having the same problem, seems like there is an extra frame copied or filled in which is more noticeable during panning.

This was definitely not occurring prior to the last updates so it must be something to do with the latest iOs.

Does Apple actually read these forums and do anything about the problems or do I need to contact them direct, how do you report these problems to Apple? Not had to do that before...

This problem has stopped me renting or buying any new itunes video so Apple should sort it out quick.

tnaseem

Level 1

4 points

Apr 30, 2011 3:50 PM in response to DrAdept

I'd send the report in to Apple. The more people do it, the more likely (we hope!) they'll look into the problem. I've sent in a feedback report on the issue I'm having, so be good to get some back up 🙂

DrAdept

Level 1

0 points

May 1, 2011 6:22 AM in response to tnaseem

Thanks for encouragement, have now filled in a bug report at http://bugreport.apple.com with any luck this will be fixed soon, as I will definitely not be buying any new video content from itunes until it is.

tnaseem

Level 1

4 points

May 5, 2011 3:40 PM in response to DrAdept

I just received a reply from Apple, asking for further information. They're asking me to send them logs:

Please provide a system log from when you are experiencing this issue:

1) Connect a micro USB cable to the Apple TV.

2) Reproduce the issue and after it happens connect the Apple TV to your Mac using the micro USB cable.

3) Launch Xcode with the current iOS SDK. Under the Organizer window click the "Console" tab and copy the content of the Console tab and attach it to the bug report.

This was in reply to my bug report, below:

I have an AppleTV2, with the latest firmware installed, connected to my Samsung TV (Series 5) via HDMI.

Video playback occasionally stutters. Happens every 20seconds or so, and lasts a few seconds. Happens on downloaded and streamed content from iTunes Home Sharing. Happens on both HD and SD content.

It has something to do with the framerate between the AppleTV and my TV. It's quite distracting.

This issue has been there even before the 4.2.x updates.

Others have experienced this issue too, if you look at the Apple discussion forums. As an example, here's one such discussion:https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2599423?start=0&tstart=0

Steps to Reproduce:

Just watch a video/movie on the ATV2 with a Samsung/Sony/Toshiba TV

Expected Results:

Video stutter, as if the movie goes into 'slow motion' for a number of seconds (around 5 or 6) and goes back to normal again for 20-30seconds before repeating. Obviously, it should be smooth playback! 🙂

Notes:

I have found that if I set and unset the 'Movie Plus' setting on my Samsung TV, the issue resolves itself. I have to do this even if the setting is already off in the first place. However, after the ATV2 comes back on after a Sleep, the problem is back, and I have to do the set/unset again.

No other HDMI device experiences this problem. I replaced my trusty old Media Centre PC with this new AppleTV 2. The MCE PC never had any issues like this.

It has nothing to do with my connectivity, which I have tested extensively. By looking at what's going on, it's definitely a framerate or related issue between the AppleTV and the TV.

Please look into this! I know you have now had a number of reports from people on this issue!

So, for anyone experiencing the same issue, please file a bug report to Apple at http://bugreport.apple.com and send them the log files when they request them. Takes a few days for them to reply.

DrAdept

Level 1

0 points

May 6, 2011 12:55 AM in response to tnaseem

Same here:

Pease provide a system log from when you are experiencing this issue:

1) Connect a micro USB cable to the Apple TV.

2) Reproduce the issue and after it happens connect the Apple TV to your Mac using the micro USB cable.

3) Launch Xcode with the current iOS SDK. Under the Organizer window click the "Console" tab and copy the content of the Console tab and attach it to the bug report.

I have replied that I find it incredible that they expect someone who owns an Apple TV to be able to do this or even have the cable and know how, and how can they expect people to own a Mac, it is just a TV unit.

I will not be supplying this information to them as to do this I would have to pay for and watch a movie hoping that the problem occurs so I can send them the report.

Ridiculous.

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Minor Video Stutter