Minor Video Stutter

So, I did as Apple asked, but the Organiser in Xcode doesn't even give me the 'Console' output!? I think their instructions are incorrect. Tried it various times, but nothing comes up!

Here's what I did:

1) Installed Xcode 4.0.2 with iOS 4.3.

2) Plugged the ATV2 into the mains, and into the TV via HDMI.

3) Played a few video files via Home Sharing.

4) Once the stuttering happened, I paused the movie.

5) Unplugged the HDMI, and plugged in the USB cable (attached to the Mac). I have to do this as both will not fit into their respective ports on the ATV2.

6) Ran Xcode 4.0.2 and brought up the Organiser window.

7) The ATV was listed in the sidebar, but no 'Console'. So NO LOG!

I've replied to the bug tracker, as their instructions were ambigious anyway, so I'm wondering if they just did a cut and paste job in their reply. Other iOS devices bring up a 'Console' section in the Organiser, but not the ATV2.

So much for their help...

In case anyone's interested, Apple just released 4.2.2 today. However, this has not fixed the issue! Not that I'm surprised really...

Yep, updated ATV2 and still same issue.

Have not heard from bug report submission since 6th May so not sure they are taking it seriously.

I know that some people do not really care that their ATV2 stutters, but come on people this is a real issue and can be very annoying for some of us, everyone should submit a bug report at http://bugreport.apple.com/ whether or not they can live with it.

Still nothing from Apple, they posted the instructions to download the console log and then have not replied since. I keep leaving small messages like "hello, is anyone there?" but nothing yet.

Would be nice if they told us if anything is being done about it or are they just ignoring us?

I'm also observing the stuttering.

A first step would be adding proper 24p output to the ATV2.

Come on Apple! Please listen to your customers!

Chris

Okay I finally got around to playing with the picture settings on my UK Sony Bravia 46W4500. Turned Motionflow off and changed Film mode from Auto1 to Auto2 (from an AVF review "the “Auto1” Film Mode setting combines cadence detection and occasional Motionflow-style interpolation. “Auto2” is classic cadence detection without any interpolation, and “Off” forces Video mode deinterlacing at all times").

At last, everything is nice and smooth! Will crack on ripping more DVDs.

I was annoyed at not having any contact from Apple so I waded through their hefty customer support system and requested support without a charge considering it a hardware problem.

This only resulted in an option of me giving them a call when it "was convenient to me", in the email they sent through it only showed U.S. phone numbers. So after searching their support pages I found a UK 0844 number and rang it.

I explained everything and was transferred to someone who tried to deal with it who then said they would ring me back.

Have now had two calls from Apple support, very nice of them to reply to me at last.

They have, as expected, blamed my Toshiba TV and said they were being helpful to me in trying to resolve the problem with that TV, even though it was not their problem as far as they were concerned.

Told me it was the Toshiba's Cinema Mode causing the problem. Toshiba disable the Cinema Mode when in use with HDMI input so this is not true, as there is no control of this when using HDMI signals.

We rented Tangled at the weekend, very funny, but this showed the stutter more so than any previous videos, so I have told them this and that I will not be renting any further videos on this device and also will not be purchasing Apps for my iphone or itunes again until it is resolved.

They have now passed on my details to a "Senior Engineer" and I am awaiting their response again.

We live in hope but I am not optimistic in this case and am beginning to wonder if they cannot fix it how difficult will it be to get my money back as I have had the device since December now...

Having fixed mine, I am certain there is going to be a setting somewhere in your TV you can change that will fix yours. From what I quickly googled Cinema mode is not disabled if you use HDMI. I can't easily cut and paste in to here though. Basically try & turn off all interpolation for your ATV input and see what happens.

Hi Jaunty,

Would be good if you could supply a link to the feature, as I have tried everything with my Toshiba to turn off everything related to the HDMI input.

Looking at the settings it shows a Cinema Mode which can be switched on and off, except when plugging in HDMI, this then is greyed out so nothing can be done with it.

Any ideas would be gratefully received, link to articles.

Thanks for the hope.

I just had another response from Apple Support, finally asking me what the model number of my Samsung TV is (LA46A550P1R if anyone's interested!).

I've also noticed that switching 'Entertainment' mode from 'Game' to 'Cinema' and back again also fixes it temporarily. This seems to work in between switching between HDMI channels, but on occasion it comes back again (not sure what causes this), so I have to do the same again. This is different to before when I switched 'Movie Plus' on and off again, which would 'reset' everytime I either swittched HDMI channels, or either the TV or ATV2 went to sleep.

Anyway, all these settings on your TV is just a work around. Not the solution. The problem is with the ATV2. It's the ony device that is causing this issue. All my other devices connected via HDMI work perfectly, including my Media Centre PC (which is rarely used now, in favour of the ATV2! Although, tempted to switch back 🙂)

My telly doesn't have any of these 'detelecine' settings (Pioneer Plasma 5090).

The ATV2 really should have true 24p!! This whole 24p to 60p/50p conversion thing doesn't make sense to me.

Saying this, I will not use the ATV2 for renting movies anymore.

Chris

Well Apple have contacted me several times and tried to talk me through changing settings with no luck.

They said this was not an Apple TV issue but they were being kind in helping me to find a solution for my TV! Not a good response if they are not taking responsibility for produing something that is sub standard!

Rented Tangled and this showed a huge problem with panning in all directions and nearly every scene. Told Apple but no response.

Not happy now as the last conversation I was told the engineers are still looking into issues with my TV.

Not heard from them in 2 weeks now!

I don't think it is going to be an easy option to get a refund either as it was a christmas present and is now 7 months old. Amazon are good but I don't think they would allow a 7 month old refund.

I have 11 movies in my wish list waiting to be rented, not going to happen until it is fixed.

That's peculiar. They've just emailed me back since I gave them my model number, and have said it's a known problem and they're working on it!

I got the following mail:

"This is a follow up to Bug ID# 9574764. After further investigation it has been determined that this is a known issue, which is currently being investigated by engineering. This issue has been filed in our bug database under the original Bug ID# 9363496."

Bug closed. No fix.

I don't even think that Apple has understood the problem, since they tell some people that it's a telly problem...

I'm pretty sure that everything would work fine if the ATV spits out the movies exactly in the same frame rate they were filmed in.

Cheers,

Chris

To the mods: Are censoring this thread? If so, it's very disappointing.

Thanks for the details, nice to know they are finally admitting it is them and not us.

Not sure what is going on though, other than they are probably working hard on making a nice new Apple TV 3 and not worrying about the problems on this model!

Will email my contact at Apple and asked for confirmation that it is a known fault and asking for a full refund as I have had enough of this now.