Chromecast w Google TV frame rate stutter

[salputrid]

This happens across all apps some more than others.

I am using the Google TV interface.

This was not an issue with the Chromecast 3rd gen when I cast from my iphone.

[cgtvdude]

incredibly unlikely, they broke it with an update so they can fix it with an update.  Previously I was only getting frame drops on 4K content but in the last couple of weeks noticing it on just regular HD content too (ex. watching Peacock last night, HBO Max previous night).  I think I am just going to unplug this and go back to only using the TV apps until they do something to fix this, I will lose my Dolby Atmos streams because my TV can't pass that to my receiver but that is nothing like the herky jerky frame rate mess we have now for video.

[mghughes]

Ah yeah, I was forgetting it affected the 4K Chromecasts too, I bought the HD one a few months ago when it was launched, and it’s been broken since the start.

[dfluff]

FYI: I found the behaviour different depending on if I had launched a streaming app/content from the device itself using the remote control or if I had Cast the content from an app on an Android phone/tablet.  For example, BBC iPlayer has bad dropped frames and even occasional black-frames if I watch via the BBC iPlayer app on the Chromecast itself, but if I watch an iPlayer programme on my Android tablet and then cast it to my Chromecast I get zero black frames and the frame dropping is not quite as bad (although it definitely is still there).  Similarly Disney+ is not quite as bad if we cast from another device compared with using the native AndroidTV app on the Chromecast.  Other services are BETTER (still not great!) when using the AndroidTV app compared to casting from another device.

To be clear, this 100% does NOT fix the issue, it's still very much dropping frames, but experiment and you might be able to make it slightly less bad until the time when (hopefully!!) the issue is fixed for both playback methods.

[amh15]

Just to add some additional context, I tried to investigate whether the problem is related to thermal CPU throttling (overheating). I checked my setup and the Chromecast pokes out the back of an AV cabinet and is mostly surrounded by room air, so it's not exposed to the warmth of the AV amplifier inside the cabinet. I tried gripping the Chromecast and it's mildly warm to the touch but certainly not hot. I downloaded a benchmark app that monitors temperature to see if I could get an actual temperature measurement, but the Chromecast seemed to be reporting nonsense results and may not have temperature sensing onboard.

So not a load of extra evidence, but if the problem is only being seen by some users, poor air flow is probably not the connecting factor.

Alan

[cgtvdude]

Nice idea. My 4K CCGTV is never more than lightly warm and is in the open, well ventilated. While it is helpful to reduce possible failure points, it is incredibly in unlikely that ALL of our HARDWARE (purchased from various supply chains around the country and used in dissimilar operating environments) simultaneously failed in the exact same manner in the past 2 months after operating properly for over a year. While subjective, it sure seems unlikely that there could possibly be any common change to all our devices in this short window OTHER than Google SOFTWARE update. 

[amh15]

Hi @cgtvdude ,

My thought process was that the software update created a problem, but not for everyone. Why? It might have been that the new code caused the device to run hotter due to some inefficient coding, or a functionality upgrade like the adaptive frame rate business demanding more CPU cycles. If that were the case, the problem would be seen most by people whose device is poorly cooled.

I don't believe overheating is the cause in fact, but there might be some other common factor between the people that see the problem. Like running through an older HDMI spec TV or AV amplifier maybe.

Do you think everyone sees the problem?

Alan

[cgtvdude]

Fair point, software bug causing hardware impact totally possible.

IDK about anyone but me but if others are like us, it takes a long time of putting up with small glitches like this until eventually one day you just realize you are seeing it all the time on most sources whereas it was never an issue before. Took many weeks for us. So aside from realizing it is reoccurring, I think a lot of people just aren't so picky about their video quality or don't care enough to find/ join an obscure forum that promises no resolution, just to discuss it. Ha maybe we are the crazy ones ha. 

[Iskijana]

I still have this issue on all 3 devices in the family

[L0L0]

Why do you think not every affected?

No excessive temperature here. « Old » Philips TV with normal HDMI (not 2.1)

Please fix it... See this bug every day. Jenny? No support return?

[amh15]

I suspect not everyone's affected on the basis that if everyone saw the problem, surely the Google product team would know about it. Surely most of them and their families must be users and would have seen the problem.

[Rbn]

I believe it's very common but people don't have the time to report it. It is almost unwatchable.

It drops frames so often.

[Ljandi3]

@JenniferV any updates for us on the solution to this?

[JenniferV · Accepted solution]

Hi folks,

I'm sorry for the late response. This has been forwarded to the team and they're looking into this. I'll loop back in once we have an update about this.

Best,

Jennifer

[havsgaard]

Hi

I have just received an email from support, asking to return the product.

Thank you for the complete details. It's clear that the device itself is doing this randomly. It may be working well with certain apps but when it runs with apps (Disney+, Prime Video, etc) with heavier content (display wise), it seems that there are struggles in bringing the desired output. Right now we will check the warranty of this device.

So I will just have to confirm if this is also what you - Jennifer - is also informed about ?

I mean, if this can be fixed via a software update, then in my head that would be better instead of all the time spend by shipping-controlling-returning new items, etc..

Vkr.

/Heino

[salputrid]

They were in touch with me too; I have been sending them product and event info. It remains a serious issue and no resolution in sight.

[Kamstaw1]

Hi. You are forwarding and forwarding and google team is solving this issue for weeks already. Lets be more precise : what actions are being executed now by google team - technically, what is clue of the issue and WHAT IS EXPECTED DATE TO FIX IT finally ? Users need DATES, DETAILS etc...

[Kamstaw1]

Hey Lady, r u there ? More and more ppl are reporting stutter issue. Where are you and "your almighty team" with solving this problem ?

[salputrid]

Hi Jennifer, I started this thread in November. Everyone here paid for a dongle that is broken. Will Google provide an update or announce that there is no fix. This silence is really inconsiderate.

[Princesss]

Hey folks, 

We're sorry for the inconvenience that this has caused you. Our team is already aware of this and still investigating this issue. We'll keep this thread open and we'll make sure to chime in once we have some news to share.

Best,

Princess

[Stefan3]

Is there any news you can share? I think people in this thread are happy to help troubleshooting.

Can you give us some insights in when they would be able to bring out an update on this? (Are there planned update release cycles during the year etc.)

[Arken]

Hope it gets fixed soon watched Day after towmorrow on disney+ unwatchable at 4k 60hz had too look at 4k smpte or what is called . And the lag goes away .

[Layler]

Obviously the device has too many bugs. It's not ready for release.

[claridagio]

Hi - is this still being looked at? It's 23 June 2023 and I'm having the same micro stutters with my Chromecast with Google TV (4K) - particularly the Disney+ app. Motion smoothing is disabled, internet connection is fine (150Mbs), native TV apps work fine etc. I've disabled seamless transitions for content frame rate matching which seems to have fixed 50hz content on BBC iPlayer, but there's still issues with stutters. Any updates would be appreciated, thanks.  

[Ejessen]

It's literally has zero to do with any of that. Tv settings, Internet etc. 

Before watching Disney Plus go to Chromecast settings , display, resolution, and manually switch it to 4k 24hz. Approve the change and than watch your content. 

If you go back to regular TV just switch it back to 4k 60hz. 

That's the only solve for now. 

[Synthyyy]

@JenniferV what's the update? Why are we not hearing anything?

[CliveC]

hi @JenniferV  You mentioned you had kindly shared this to 'the team' and thatthey are looking into it 4 weeks ago.   Could you find out the latest for us please?

[Jaxione]

I am so disappointed of Google. This is unacceptable.

[Stefan3]

Maybe we just need to contact the DEV guys directly, seems quite of them having a LinkedIn profile..

@JenniferV You have an update for us?

[Arken]

Yeah contact support directly by mail.. Talking too them right now . 

[pspsk]

Hi,

I found solution for this stutter issue.

Whoever is watching tv in Movie or Filmmaker mode please switch it to Standard mode and turn off motion smoothing from TV’s picture clarity settings.

[Old-Superhet]

@pspskThat's not a solution, it's a workaround and I haven't seen a workaround on this forum that has worked for everyone. We need a fix from Google!

[pspsk]

Same issue is going on with Apple tv 4k latest 3rd gen and that’s the only solution so far I found that switch it to standard mode with motion smoothing off. Believe me I am doing this from last 2 months and finally I got solution. It will work for everyone.

[whispy_snippet]

No, that's not a solution. It actually makes things much worse. I have a 2020 Samsung Frame TV. It has two sliders - judder and motion blur. Motion blur has basically no impact but if you turn judder to 0 motion looks absolutely awful and very stuttery. Around about 5-7 is the most natural looking but it still doesn't eliminate what is a miss match in frame rate and refresh rate using my chromecast with Google TV 4k. The picture still stutters. If I use the native YouTube app on the TV I can get a completely smooth picture using the same image settings but with the CC it's very hit and miss depending on the frame rate of the original content. I am having to constantly dig into the CC settings to switch between 60hz and 50hz. It shouldn't be this way.

[NikoKk]

Hi Jennifer. Has there been any update on this? This bug is making me consider moving away from chromecasts entirely, as I've been watching this thread for months in hope of an update. 

[CPU_hog]

The latest update STTE.221215.004.A1. Downloaded and installed fine on my 4K device. I haven’t  tested it beyond that. I then hooked up my HD device that’s been in a box since I bought it back in November because it had video issues with Peacock TV shows.  I explained details in previous posts. Anyway the down load started, I closed my eyes for a few minutes, opened them and was greeted with my Samsung “signal lost” screen. I figured it updated and shut down without rebooting. Pressed the power button on the remote. Nothing. Checked the HD device and no Power light.  Replugged it back in, nothing.  Plugged my 4K device back in.  It powers up fine.  I decided to try the HD device on the power adapter and cable that came with it.  Nothing. I tried it again after 24 hours, still dead.  So I can only conclude that this update bricked my HD device.  Jennifer, how do I get this replaced under warranty?

[Stefan3]

If it out of warranty, you’re f-ed. that was what went with mine….

[Vintage]

Why would you want a replacement for a device that doesn't work properly anyhow? If you can get anything, get your money back.

[Stefan3]

Let’s see. I contacted multiple youtubers as well as linus tech tips about this.

hoping one of them would address this issue.

[SuperPele]

Any update here? I have been having the same issues since the "match content framerate" feature was added. It has had the exact opposite effect and made it so that all content (especially from Disney and Plex of the apps I use) have stuttering periods throughout. Very frustrating and none of the options in the "match content framerate" restore the quality of streaming before this "feature" was added

[Arken]

Report it too google support . No fix yet .