4K HDR/Dolby Vision Profile 7 freezing & frame skipping on Shield 2017 + list of affected movies

Server Version#: 1.40.1.8227
Player Version#:

Windows 10 based rack server → PLEX server → MakeMKV 4K Dolby Vision/Atmos movie → Cat5e/6 Ethernet → NVidia Shield 2017 → PLEX player client app → JVC EXOFIELD HDMI control box → Denon AVR-X3400H → Sony VPL-VW360ES 4K projector

I have recorded an analysis I did of recording of James Bond movie “No Time To Die” (copyright MGM) on my own home projection system from NVidia Shield TV 2017 using PLEX media server/client application

Video recording of Premiere Pro analysis of recording I made of playback using iPhone - I play through the entire 2 minutes clip first, then go back and forth through the three glitch points manually and also single step through them.

Recorded from live playback on projection screen using iPhone XS Max

Playback was on Sony VPL-VW360ES in BT2020 HDR10 mode @ 23.96FPS in 4K

Server and Shield are hardwired using Cat5E Gigabit Ethernet network.

Horrible glitches and hiccups very noticeable during entire movie playback making watching on Shield/PLEX

This 2 minute clip contains 3 separate glitches - on slow motion analysis there appears to be two “frame freeze” events where a single frame stops moving for an amount of time, and one apparent “frame skipping” event where the car appears to jump from one position to another.. there were multiple more extremely obvious all throughout the movie every few seconds.

The same problems were noticed on other 4K movies during playback.

I had to stop the movie multiple times to try and fix the problem

  • shutdown/restarted PLEX app - glitches remained after resuming playback
  • shutdown/restarted entire Shield - glitches remained after resuming playback

Server dashboard while playing

Server details

Details of No Time To Die file

General
Complete name                            : E:\Media 2\Video\MKVs\Bluray\Movie\Individual\No Time to Die\No Time to Die (2021).mkv
Format                                   : Matroska
Format version                           : Version 2
File size                                : 68.7 GiB
Duration                                 : 2 h 43 min
Overall bit rate mode                    : Variable
Overall bit rate                         : 60.1 Mb/s
Movie name                               : No Time to Die
Encoded date                             : UTC 2023-01-20 09:47:26
Writing application                      : MakeMKV v1.17.2 win(x64-release)
Writing library                          : libmakemkv v1.17.2 (1.3.10/1.5.2) win(x64-release)
Cover                                    : Yes
Attachments                              : cover.jpg

Video
ID                                       : 1
ID in the original source medium         : 4113 (0x1011)
Format                                   : HEVC
Format/Info                              : High Efficiency Video Coding
Format profile                           : Main 10@L5.1@High
HDR format                               : Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
Codec ID                                 : V_MPEGH/ISO/HEVC
Duration                                 : 2 h 43 min
Bit rate                                 : 56.6 Mb/s
Width                                    : 3 840 pixels
Height                                   : 2 160 pixels
Display aspect ratio                     : 16:9
Frame rate mode                          : Constant
Frame rate                               : 23.976 (24000/1001) FPS
Color space                              : YUV
Chroma subsampling                       : 4:2:0 (Type 2)
Bit depth                                : 10 bits
Bits/(Pixel*Frame)                       : 0.285
Stream size                              : 64.7 GiB (94%)
Language                                 : English
Default                                  : No
Forced                                   : No
Color range                              : Limited
Color primaries                          : BT.2020
Transfer characteristics                 : PQ
Matrix coefficients                      : BT.2020 non-constant
Mastering display color primaries        : Display P3
Mastering display luminance              : min: 0.0001 cd/m2, max: 1000 cd/m2
Maximum Content Light Level              : 1000 cd/m2
Maximum Frame-Average Light Level        : 901 cd/m2
Original source medium                   : Blu-ray

Audio #1
ID                                       : 2
ID in the original source medium         : 4352 (0x1100)
Format                                   : MLP FBA 16-ch
Format/Info                              : Meridian Lossless Packing FBA with 16-channel presentation
Commercial name                          : Dolby TrueHD with Dolby Atmos
Codec ID                                 : A_TRUEHD
Duration                                 : 2 h 43 min
Bit rate mode                            : Variable
Bit rate                                 : 3 057 kb/s
Maximum bit rate                         : 5 397 kb/s
Channel(s)                               : 8 channels
Channel layout                           : L R C LFE Ls Rs Lb Rb
Sampling rate                            : 48.0 kHz
Frame rate                               : 1 200.000 FPS (40 SPF)
Bit depth                                : 24 bits
Compression mode                         : Lossless
Stream size                              : 3.49 GiB (5%)
Title                                    : Surround 7.1
Language                                 : English
Default                                  : Yes
Forced                                   : No
Original source medium                   : Blu-ray
Number of dynamic objects                : 11
Bed channel count                        : 1 channel
Bed channel configuration                : LFE

Audio #2
ID                                       : 3
ID in the original source medium         : 4352 (0x1100)
Format                                   : AC-3
Format/Info                              : Audio Coding 3
Commercial name                          : Dolby Digital
Codec ID                                 : A_AC3
Duration                                 : 2 h 43 min
Bit rate mode                            : Constant
Bit rate                                 : 448 kb/s
Channel(s)                               : 6 channels
Channel layout                           : L R C LFE Ls Rs
Sampling rate                            : 48.0 kHz
Frame rate                               : 31.250 FPS (1536 SPF)
Compression mode                         : Lossy
Stream size                              : 524 MiB (1%)
Title                                    : Surround 5.1
Language                                 : English
Service kind                             : Complete Main
Default                                  : No
Forced                                   : No
Original source medium                   : Blu-ray

Text #1
ID                                       : 4
ID in the original source medium         : 4768 (0x12A0)
Format                                   : PGS
Codec ID                                 : S_HDMV/PGS
Codec ID/Info                            : Picture based subtitle format used on BDs/HD-DVDs
Duration                                 : 2 h 39 min
Bit rate                                 : 35.4 kb/s
Count of elements                        : 4296
Stream size                              : 40.4 MiB (0%)
Language                                 : English
Default                                  : No
Forced                                   : No
Original source medium                   : Blu-ray

Text #2
ID                                       : 6
ID in the original source medium         : 4770 (0x12A2)
Format                                   : PGS
Codec ID                                 : S_HDMV/PGS
Codec ID/Info                            : Picture based subtitle format used on BDs/HD-DVDs
Duration                                 : 2 h 15 min
Bit rate                                 : 449 b/s
Count of elements                        : 95
Stream size                              : 444 KiB (0%)
Language                                 : English
Default                                  : No
Forced                                   : No
Original source medium                   : Blu-ray

Menu
00:00:00.000                             : en:Chapter 01
00:07:00.837                             : en:Chapter 02
00:12:06.142                             : en:Chapter 03
00:18:16.095                             : en:Chapter 04
00:27:19.179                             : en:Chapter 05
00:32:48.591                             : en:Chapter 06
00:43:55.174                             : en:Chapter 07
00:57:52.844                             : en:Chapter 08
01:04:15.601                             : en:Chapter 09
01:13:15.766                             : en:Chapter 10
01:22:37.827                             : en:Chapter 11
01:33:58.382                             : en:Chapter 12
01:41:17.362                             : en:Chapter 13
01:52:46.593                             : en:Chapter 14
01:58:39.779                             : en:Chapter 15
02:05:43.994                             : en:Chapter 16
02:14:04.202                             : en:Chapter 17
02:24:08.640                             : en:Chapter 18
02:29:19.659                             : en:Chapter 19
02:37:01.161                             : en:Chapter 20

List of 4K movies on my server which are in Dolby Vision Profile 7 (Base HDR10 + Enhancement layer) which Shield cannot play with freezing multiple times a minute.

All other 4K movies are in standard HDR10 (SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible) which do not freeze and play perfectly.

General Movie Video 0 HDR_Format/String
Apocalypse Now - Final Cut - UHD Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
Pulp Fiction Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug (Extended) Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
Supermanâ„¢: The Movie Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
Saving Private Ryan Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
2001: A Space Odyssey Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
Titanic Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE - DIRECTOR’S EDITION Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
The Fifth Element - 4K UHD Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
The Batman Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
John Wick 3: Parabellum Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
Dune Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
The Matrix Reloaded Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
No Time to Die Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (Extended) Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
Dungeons and Dragons - Honor Among Thieves Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
The Matrix: Resurrections Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
Top Gun: Maverick Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
Ready Player One Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
Bullet Train Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (EXT.) PT. 2 Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (EXT.) PT. 1 Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (EXT.) PT. 2 Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (Extended) Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
Aquaman Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (EXT.) PT. 2 Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (EXT.) PT. 1 Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
The Core (Remastered) Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
The Last Jedi Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
The Running Man Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (EXT.) PT. 1 Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
The Matrix (Trilogy) Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
The Matrix Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
Skyfall Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
IT Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
Rocky Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
Quantum of Solace Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
Spectre Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
The Matrix Revolutions Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
Fast & Furious 8 Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
MARVEL’S BLACK PANTHER Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
A Quiet Place Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
War of the Worlds Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
Spider-Man: Homecoming Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
Last Night in Soho Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
Total Recall Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
Casino Royale Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
Joker Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
Venom (2018) Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
Uncharted Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
A Quiet Place Part II Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
Annihilation Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
The Wicker Man - Disc 2 Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
The Hunt For Red October Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
Rockyâ„¢ IV Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
The Meg Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible
Alita: Battle Angel Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2094 App 4, Version 1, HDR10+ Profile A compatible
The Shining Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2094 App 4, Version 1, HDR10+ Profile B compatible
Doctor Sleep Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2094 App 4, Version 1, HDR10+ Profile B compatible
Fast and Furious: Hobbs and Shaw Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2094 App 4, Version 1, HDR10+ Profile B compatible
Jaws Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2094 App 4, Version 1, HDR10+ Profile B compatible
IT Chapter Two Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2094 App 4, Version 1, HDR10+ Profile B compatible
1917 Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2094 App 4, Version 1, HDR10+ Profile B compatible
The Suicide Squad Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2094 App 4, Version 1, HDR10+ Profile B compatible
Wonder Woman 1984 Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2094 App 4, Version 1, HDR10+ Profile B compatible
Godzilla: King of the Monsters Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2094 App 4, Version 1, HDR10+ Profile B compatible
Gemini Man Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.09, BL+EL+RPU, Blu-ray compatible / SMPTE ST 2086, HDR10 compatible

More information from https://forum.makemkv.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=152119#p152119 about Dolby Vision format.

By the way this same problem with Dolby Vision content happens if played from other apps, not just PLEX so the problem appears to be low level inside the Shield playback hardware itself.

I played back the exact same same Titanic movie on Disney+ (4k HDR Dolby Vision Profile 5 format) and 4K Bluray ripped MKV in PLEX (4k HDR Dolby Vision Profile 7 format) and the exact same frame freezing and skipping appears in both when playing on Shield.

In human words:
BL(base layer): an HDR10 2160p YCbCr 4:2:0 10-bit video.
Dolby Vision fall back to this when not supported.

EL(enhancement layer): an HDR10 1080p YCbCr 4:2:0 10-bit video.
Supported device use BL and EL to mux a final 4:2:2 12-bit video.

RPU(reference processing unit): To indicate how filmmaker would like the video to be separately shown on 100nitSDR/600nit/1000nit/10000nit display. (despite the actual brightness record in BL)

There are basically 4 types of Dolby Vision video:
Profile 5(streaming): ICtCp 4:2:0 10-bit video + RPU.
It uses a more efficient color coding, but appear green and purple on non support device.

Profile 8.1: BL+RPU
Profile 8.4: Dolby Vision shot on iPhone, HLG BL+RPU

FEL(Full Enhancement Layer)
Profile 7 DT_DL FEL: BL in one video track, EL+RPU in another video track.
Profile 7 ST_DL FEL: BL+EL+RPU in one same video track.

MEL(Minimum Enhancement Layer)
Profile 7 MEL: BL+RPU same as 8.1 just in bluray container.

Are all of your tests with subtitles on? The playback dashboard screen you posted has PGS subtitles and those would need to be burned in for a lot of clients, which uses the CPU.

You aren’t showing CPU usage in any of your screenshots. What does the load look like? That’s a first generation Core series CPU from almost 15 years ago, so would be interested to see if CPU usage is maxed out.

Thanks for reply.

No I don’t generally use subtitles in any movie unless there is some section where they speak in some other language and then I would try and turn on the forced subtitles track only. I didn’t notice the PLEX Dashboard saying subtitles there - are you sure it doesn’t just show subtitles in that list always, even if they are turned off?

I will try some playback tests with subtitles off and see if it still appears here in Dashboard.
I will also try to monitor CPU and see what it looks like while playing.

As far as I was aware in “Direct Play” mode, the server does nothing except read the file from disk and stream it over the Cat5e ethernet port to the Shield. I make sure not to have to do any sort of transcoding on the fly - any time there is some video transcoding, the playback stutters - I know this old CPU can’t handle any sort of on-the-fly video transcoding, especially in 4K, so I make sure to never force server/PLEX to playback any format that the Shield cannot play natively in Direct mode (for example using the 420 only trailers instead of 422 from movie trailers website).

Anyway, this problem appears only for Dolby Vision titles, any normal 4K HDR10 titles (SMPTE ST2086, HDR10 compatible) don’t have this problem - even ones with higher bitrates.

Also this problem, as I said, also happens in Dolby Vision titles streaming directly from Disney+ which does not go anywhere near this PLEX server, so it appears the problem is in the Shield hardware/software itself, and not actually the higher level PLEX system.

I googled nvidia shield Dolby vision not working, and saw several posts. One from Reddit last year:

To get DV to work, four things need to be True.

Client must support DV

Your TV must support DV

Your hdmi cable needs to be at least v2.1

You must configure the client to play DV.

If you can’t configure your shield to play DV (option doesn’t exist), then your TV doesn’t support it or if you know for a fact your TV supports it, then the issue will be the hdmi cable.

Why did you google “Dolby vision not working”? That is not what this problem is about. As you can see in my recording I can play it. The problem is it is randomly freezing and skipping frames during playback.

I am playing Dolby Vision format 4K Bluray remuxes from the server to a native 4K Sony projector. No projector directly supports Dolby Vision. But all devices are supposed to fallback to regular HDR10 base layer in this case and that is what 100% of projector have to do. The Dolby Vision extra layer/information is just ignored in this case.

I don’t want or expect Dolby Vision on the projector - I just expect it to play the fallback base layer of the file without problems - just like all 4K Bluray players do (like my Panasonic) when they play these Dolby Vision discs.

If I could buy non-Dolby Vision 4K Blurays I would - but I have no choice in what they are now putting on disc, so that is what I have to rip to MKV and put on media server.

And I am using Ultra HD (8K) capable HDMI 2.1 Certified cables from Shield to Denon AVR to Sony projector.

I think you are correct the “NVidea Shield 2017” is the cause of your issues. But the 2017 Shield does not support “Dolby Vision”. You are assuming that it can just ignore the extra DV meta data that DV add to base HDR10 data. TVs and Projectors can ignored the extra data, but is that always true of the Rendering platform (Sheild2017) ? Not sure.

If it helps PLEX on the “NVidea Shield 2019 Pro” does not stutter. Just checked the scene before they are on the train platform in above clip, there is no stutter playing remux mkv in DV or HDR10 on my Sony OLED xr-55a95k.

The “NVidea Shield 2019 Pro” supports Dolby Vision and when first starting up asks if you wish to change to this format. It’s also in the Display setting menu to change at your discretion.

If you can afford that amazing projector might be worth a couple of hundred $/£ and upgrading to a Shield 2019 Pro. :smile: might seem like a waste of money as you will not use the DV with a projetor, but it does not stutter decoding DV and displaying HDR.

Thanks for checking on your setup

Yes, it’s possible that this is only on 2017 model, but I thought I read online other people complaining about same/similar stutter who used Shield 2019 Pro model, but maybe they are imagining things or they are not clearly stating which model they have (maybe they had that tube version).

I just did not want to “upgrade” to an already old (ish) model when its likely there will be a new model in next year or two (whenever Nintendo get their act together). They still are not that cheap for a near five year old device.

Anyway before I do that extreme solution, I have a few more tests to do when I get a chance, including checking whether that server admin console always says subtitles when they are off… and also try and see if this stuttering is also happening when I redirect the output from the Sony projector to the LG CX OLED TV instead - since that does support Dolby Vision, I’d like to see if that has any affect on the problem or not.

Oh, by the way I did go to the trouble of completely disassembling the Shield to clean out the dust from the fan assembly and all the way to putting new thermal compound on the CPU/heatsink block in case anyone thinks I did nothing about this!

Interesting that those blocks of metal (layers of thin sheet) were added to left side there just to add weight to the thing, and nothing else! In fact most of the weight of it is those 5 strips of metal.

I connected the Shield directly to the LG OLED with single HDMI 2.1 cable… nothing between them… and tried same movies on PLEX… the freezing and skipping still happened. It is slightly harder to notice on the small screen unless you are watching very carefully compared to projected on 3m wide screen - which might be why many people don’t notice it.

And it was even worse sound wise… the Dolby Atmos sound kept starting/stopping continuously for some reason.

I then reconnected the Denon AVR between the Shield and LG OLED… same skipping and glitching again. Was very messy trying to get the Atmos to be recognized by AVR again though… had to turn on/off various things multiple times - HDMI and its related bull security HDCP is such a pain in the ass!

Anyway, long story this rules out some problem with the Sony projector as a cause, and also the JVC EXOFIELD control box in HDMI chain too (forgot to mention that) as a cause.

So anyway I have decided to try and buy the Shield 2019 version, and see if that does any better. I did read somewhere that Profile 7 Dolby Vision (from disc based sources) is still not officially supported (since its not a legitimate source) so we shall see…

Just a final update here… I went to the trouble & expense (€200+) of buying the 2019 version of Shield Pro… and can confirm that the problems I was having above with all these Dolby Vision format 4K disc rips does NOT happen on this model. I am able to play all these without any glitches/freezes/frame skipping at all.

So the solution for anyone using 2017 Shield is - you need to upgrade to play these even on non Dolby Vision displays like projectors and older TVs - seems the processing still needs to be done even if display is not Dolby Vision… and older Shield is not fast enough to do it.

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