Judder or Lag while watching HD content

Joe_Soap

I have noticed that while watching HD (720p) content, from a ~4.5 GB .mkv file ( i have tried with several different files), that there is a judder or lag in parts of the on-screen content, or in some cases there is a slow-motion like effect for a couple of seconds. Anyone got any suggestions about getting rid of this judder/lag? I have the files on an external-hd, and have tried copying it to the internal drive and watching if from there but with no improvement.
I built my HTPC last year with 2GB of ram, a ATI Radeon 2600XT HD card and an intel dual core processor. I am using a 26 inch HD ready tv.

RuggieBear

what player? vlc?

Joe_Soap

I've tried vlc, km player, and GOM player.

RuggieBear

hmm...

any chance it errors within the file itself?

Joe_Soap

I doubt it. I have tried several different files, and they all have it.

L31mr0d

what OS do you have installed? I've noticed that if I have dreamscenes enabled in Vista that it causes stuttering in 1080p MKV files.

Also your codecs might be out of date. Try getting this version of ffdshow and installing it

http://www.afterdawn.com/software/video_software/codecs_and_filters/ffdshow.cfm

subway

is PIO or DMA enabled on the hard drive / ide channel ?

Joe_Soap

L31mr0d wrote: »

what OS do you have installed? I've noticed that if I have dreamscenes enabled in Vista that it causes stuttering in 1080p MKV files.

Also your codecs might be out of date. Try getting this version of ffdshow and installing it

http://www.afterdawn.com/software/video_software/codecs_and_filters/ffdshow.cfm

Thanks, I installed the latest version, and there is a definite improvement. Every so often there is still an very slight lag, but then again im aware of them now.

Joe_Soap

subway wrote: »

is PIO or DMA enabled on the hard drive / ide channel ?

I have DMA enabled on the drive.

L31mr0d

Joe_Soap wrote: »

Thanks, I installed the latest version, and there is a definite improvement. Every so often there is still an very slight lag, but then again im aware of them now.

having too many codecs can wreak havoc when playing movie files. Its better to just stick to one pack. Personally I use ffdshow and MPC as the player. Some other people will probably recommend VLC and maybe the CCCP.

Either way, find a combination that works best and stick with it. What i'd do is uninstall all your codecs and packs, including xvid and divx if they where installed seperately, also anything like matroska splitter. Do a restart, install the latest ffdshow, then do another restart (i've found this second restart to be important) and then try and play the file with the latest version of whatever player you are using.

subway

Joe_Soap wrote: »

I have DMA enabled on the drive.

sticking with the basics,
what does the taskmanager show when you play the file?
any processor / ram spikes?

Joe_Soap

L31mr0d wrote: »

having too many codecs can wreak havoc when playing movie files. Its better to just stick to one pack. Personally I use ffdshow and MPC as the player. Some other people will probably recommend VLC and maybe the CCCP.

Either way, find a combination that works best and stick with it. What i'd do is uninstall all your codecs and packs, including xvid and divx if they where installed seperately, also anything like matroska splitter. Do a restart, install the latest ffdshow, then do another restart (i've found this second restart to be important) and then try and play the file with the latest version of whatever player you are using.

Downloaded MPC and not a sign of lag/judder. Fantastic. Thanks L31mr0d!