I experience stuttering while watching videos using VLC.
I experience stuttering while watching videos using VLC.
Since acquiring my new laptop, playback has consistently experienced stuttering every few minutes during videos of any resolution. This issue hasn’t occurred with my previous machine at all. Using MPC-HC and browser-based videos has been smooth. Various fixes I attempted on Google included adjusting caching values, modifying the skip loop filter for H.264 decoding, enabling speed tricks in FFmpeg settings, disabling hardware decoding, switching to DirectX Video Acceleration (DXVA) 2.0, changing video output modules, updating threads for FFmpeg, and restarting VLC after each adjustment. Despite these changes, the stuttering persisted, lasting approximately 3 to 6 seconds.
I purchased this laptop a year ago, initially assuming the problem was related to the current VLC version or graphics drivers. I opted for MPC-HC instead. However, after waiting a year with driver and system updates, including regular VLC installations, the issue remained unchanged. I’m now considering alternatives since continuing to rely on MPC is not ideal. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
VLC 3.0.16 Vetinari
Laptop Specifications
Processor Intel® Core™ i7-9750H @ 2.60GHz / 2.59 GHz
Installed RAM: 16.0 GB
System: 64-bit operating system, x64 architecture
Graphics: lntel® UHD Graphics 630
Driver Version: 27.20.100.8729
NVlDlA GeForce GTX 1660 TI with Max-Q Design
Driver Version: 30.0.14.9613
OS
Version: Windows 10 Pro, Edition 21H1
Build: 19043.1288
Experience: Windows Feature Experience Pack 120.2212.3920.0
Adjusting the file caching value to 1000 limits buffering to 1 second. Experiment with 20000 to extend it to 20 seconds, and observe the results.
There are multiple caching options available (disk, file, etc.), which have you adjusted?
Your laptop features both built-in and dedicated graphics cards; consider assigning one card first, then the other...to determine if that resolves the problem.
What format are you using (MP4, MKV, WMV, etc.)?
Does this issue occur with all media types?
Is it limited to streaming content or also local files?
If it occurs during streaming, what is your internet speed?
After changing the caching value from 600 to 1000, did the stutter intervals stay consistent?
Have you tried removing and reinstalling VLC?
Thank you for your message. The caching configuration I adjusted concerns local file caching, under all settings > Input / Codecs > advanced > first option: File caching (ms). I set it to 600 then 1000 but no changes occurred. I also attempted to assign 'high performance' from the Graphics settings in Windows and 'power saving', yet nothing altered. VLC works in Nvidia GeForce Experience even though neither high performance nor power saving was selected for it in Graphics settings, but there are no adjustable options in that menu. This issue occurred with MKV and MP4 formats, which are the ones I use most. I have never tried streaming and only play local content. I believe the problem remains unchanged after modifying the caching value, possibly occurring randomly—sometimes intervals range from 2 minutes to 20 minutes without any settings changed, leading me to think it might be resolved but then another stutter would follow. I also checked reinstalling VLC, thank you again.
Adjusting the file caching value to 1000 will limit buffering to just one second. Experiment with 20000 to extend it to 20 seconds and observe the effect. Modifying the application that uses a GPU should be handled via Windows Graphics Settings or the NVIDIA Control Panel.
Note: Nvidia GeForce Experience may cause problems in media player applications. Consider disabling Hardware Decoding. Open VLC, go to Tools > Preferences, and under Input and Codecs, turn off the Hardware-accelerated decoding option. If issues persist, consider using an alternative video player such as GOM Player.
The issue has been resolved. Appreciate the help.
Edit: However, could there be a method to reduce the "side effects" when adjusting that setting? I think fast forwarding and rewinding aren't as seamless anymore, and subtitles may lag or fail to display immediately after changes.
Yes, moving quickly past the 20 seconds won't be as seamless and that is a recognized drawback. If you're experiencing problems with all videos, it might relate to how they are encoded. Try using VLC to change one of the video files and check if the issue persists after conversion.