Help w/ stutter when playing at native refresh rate, no change to set up, issue started 2 month ago

Plex Players Streaming Devices
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Server Version#: 1.32.8.7639
Player Version#: 10.8.0.5554 (86193d4)

So for context, I’m running my server on Windows 10, Ryzen 5 2600 - and playing the content through Plex on Chromecast. Never had a slight issue, up until a couple of months ago out of the blue. To note, nothing in my set up has changed.

I’ve found that content is stuttering when set up for the TV to match refresh rate (this setting has always been active and was never a problem). When this setting is inactive, no stutter but of course not as smooth at 60hz as it’s not divisible by 24fps.

I’ve tried all sorts, running through the native Plex app, running through Kodi add on, adding an ethernet adapter to the Chromecast. Transcoding Vs direct play, side loading an older version of Plex app on Chromecast from before the issues began. Played with all the settings, io, max bandwidth etc. Nothing is fixing the issue.

I’m hoping someone can guide me here as I’m at a complete loss. Thanks.

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Do you have the 4k or regular version of Chromecast/Google TV? Which brand TV is it connected to?

Our qa team could not repro on their device at 60. We may need to look at the Android TV logs

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Thanks very much for your reply.

My Chromecast version is STTL.231114.004.11218674. model GZRNL which I believe is 4k enabled, however as i have a 1080 TV it’s hard to check for sure.

Usage and diagnostics was set to off on my Chromecast so may need to play some more before I can provide the logs.

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Are you guys familiar with this thread over here? It sounds like OP has stumbled on the thing we all stumbled on a couple months ago: A recent update to Chromecast w/ Google TV has made it necessary for users to go into the dev mode and turn off HW Overlay in order to stop Plex from dropping frames.

@theonematt - try accessing the developer’s menu on your Chromecast w/ Google TV, go into those settings, find “Disable HW Overlay” and tick that setting. Chances are pretty good you’ll have smooth playback again. The downside is this setting does not survive reboots or power-offs, meaning if your chromecast gets turned off, you have to go into the dev menu and reselect “Disable HW Overlay” to get Plex to work as intended again.

1 Like
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I was not. thanks for the link to the thread

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You’re a life saver. This fixed it thanks!

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Yes, I have this problem too. It is fixed by setting disable HW overlay in Dev settings.

Disable HW overlay is a dev setting that resets each reboot. Is this a problem that will eventually be addressed in an app update?

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