High Sierra 10.13.5 video playback issues

It truly is sad. There is something fundamentally wrong with the computer if videos won’t play well in iTunes. Of course Firefox could be a good temporary bandaid, but one’d expect a high end device to be able to play videos at least. Funny thing is, this all happened to me after my keyboard started acting up, so I got it replaced under their new keyboard replacement program. The store that replaced my keyboard “accidentally” tore an important cable, and therefore the whole logic board, Touch ID, battery, SSD, etc. all had to be replaced. The computer was flashed with high Sierra IN STORE. It literally came back to me unable to play videos right out of the store, as an essentially brand new device!!

Well, as long you don't play any videos in Reddit or youtube, or open TwitterBot 3... the stuttering doesn't start. This is awful. It's obscure, hard to describe issue that only a few people have and there is no way to identify the source.

HDCP (High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection) is the standard to protect video piracy. Every time HD content goes from one component to another it is encrypted and decrypted. Safari and iTunes do it this process in the hardware itself while for example Firefox and Chrome use software. It is my theory that Apple has or is using non compatible components and fixed the issue trough PRAM code (non volatile RAM). If for some reason PRAM is reset automatically or because PRAM is reset to solve another issue, the fix is lost resulting in iTunes or Safari no being able to play back HD content entirely or with issues like choppiness. No one except Apple can fix the issue in my opinion. I believe Apple has decided to take the cost to deceive some customers rather than taking the cost to resolve the issue properly.

So, it seems that Apple is not fixing the issue.

Guys, I have a crazy idea, what happens if we call to Apple Support at the same time at the same day with that problem? They will need to fix it.

Other idea, if anyone meet a famous YouTuber or News Webpage Editor, please tell about it to make this issue public.

Ok I just got off the phone with Apple support. After taking a look at my video and captured diagnostic data, the engineers determined that it was a hardware problem that can’t be diagnosed by the Genius Bar. So they’re recommending me to get it fixed at a local store. This doesn’t bode well for all of you who have the issue!!! Although i’m skeptical, I don’t have much choice besides to get the computer “fixed.”

I will definitely keep you posted.

I must say, Apple Support has been very nice and genuinely invested in figuring out what’s wrong.

It’s a strange issue, especially since it seems to be restricted to video in Safari and iTunes, which is—essentially—also a browser.

This has worked out for me. If it works for you never reset NVRAM, PRAM or SMC. There is a risk the issue will be back:

1- Full backup with time machine

2- Internet recovery. This recovery will set your machine to an earlier version of OSX.

3- Create a administrator account just for the sake of starting to upgrade.

4. Enter your Apple ID and sign into the App Store

5. Apply every necessary upgrade one by one

6. Once the computer is up to date open Migration Assistant

7. Recover your Apps, data and setting reestablishing original user/users from your time machine backup

8. Delete the user you created at step 3

9. Log on to your account and test Netflix or Amazon Prime.

10. If it works you can celebrate. If not download Firefox to use your video normally. Only Apple could and should repair the issue.

Well not on my MBP 2017. So sleep trick does not work.

Does not work.

Maybe because i run Sierra and High Sierra is "better"?

Firefox and also Chrome: no problem.

Also the same issue using Itunes video!

Safari and iTunes video issue is back after working well couple of hours.

Ok Apple has no solution.

I'am going to delete my 3 Apple id's.

Yes its over.

Looking for an alternative.

Hi VincentHS,

What do you mean by "no solution"?

They've worked on it and got nothing yet?

-> an easy fix can be found here