Chromecast WGTV (4K version) stuttering while direct playing some high bitrate 1080p content

Plex Players Streaming Devices
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Server Version#: 1.29.1.6276 (running in TRUENAS jail)
Player Version#:

I am having an issue direct playing certain high-bitrate 1080p content on my Chromecast with Google TV 4K version. It played 4K MKV files fine (occasional buffering due to WiFi instability), but for some of my 1080p MKV files, it plays back very stuttery. The sound is fine, but it seems to play 1 second, then freeze and skip 1 second. The problem goes away if I transcode them to a lower bitrate. The content also plays fine on my Android phone’s client, cast to an older Chromecast (1080p), as well as the web client, so it isn’t an issue with the file itself, but some sort of interaction of the file and the Chromecast client.

Taking a look at the logs, it is not displaying any errors or warnings when playing on the Chromecast WGTV client, but I can copy them later if that’s helpful.

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maybe similar issues to this?

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Possibly related, but the content does load and play (skimming that topic it seems a lot of content outright will not load or just display black). I’ll read through the thread though, thanks!

Edit: further down some were reporting the same stuttering issue. Thanks again for pointing me in the right direction!

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The issue have also been discussed in this thread:

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This is the exact problem. I will continue to follow that and close this thread. Thanks!

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My Chromecast had the same stuttering issue within the past month or two. I used it last night and noticed the stutter is gone. Also the timeskip graphic is changed, so it appears the Plex client got an update which seems to have resolved the stutter.

If your Chromecast still stutters and has the older timeskip graphic, (Forward/backward arrows which skip ahead/back should now be a white spinning arrow) see if you can force an app update.

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That’s exciting! Unfortunately, can’t figure out a way to force an update :frowning:

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Let’s try this:

Goto settings, Long press the home button on your remote, and hit the Settings gear icon.

Go down to Apps.

Find Plex in the list, just hovering over Plex lists ‘Version 9.17.0.38861’ on the right side of the screen.

If your version listed is older than that, then perhaps an update is available. Try to find Plex in your home page, long press the select button on your remote, which should bring up ‘View details’, that takes you to the App store selection for Plex, which I suspect would give you an update prompt. I’m just guessing here as mine just says ‘Open’.

Let me know what version you have, or if your stutter still persists. I’ve tried several different recordings, all which stuttered before, and they’re all smooth now. Hope you’re able to get yours fixed soon.

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Same version, and no update available unfortunately. The stuttering is mostly on some movie extras I have, the actual movies I care about play fine for now at least.

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No, I’m sorry @thecheatoman1000_gmail_com , I didn’t pay attention to your details. You mention 1080p recordings, now looking back all the videos I were struggling with were 720p, and here’s from Plex’s fix list:

FIXES:

Player: prevent constant drop frames on 720p recordings on Chromecast with Google TV devices.

So apologies for giving you false hope. The update cured my problem, hopefully you’ll find a solution or an update/fix will come your way…

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No worries! I can still transcode and it’ll be fine. It’s just direct play that’s broken for now on GoogleTV

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