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.

[TonyMy01]

For me, the issue isn't about micro stutters where frame rates mismatch, as our broadcaster, streamer and standards here for sport are 50fps, the issue seems more about memory or CPU usage on a long uptime Chromecast causes large hesitations, particularly during large scene charges such as camera panning which happens very often in motorsport.  Restart the device, and it is perfect again until the next day.  My previous Chromecast was microUSB and could be powered by the TV so it was getting regularly switched off, this one is powered by the USB-C wall supply and so always stays on. 

Consistent microstutters would be bearable, you NTSC people lived with it for decades with 3:2 pull-down for movie material at 60 fields per second.  But having random jerkiness depending on material watched is terrible. 

[BK]

I think you are right about this. The frame rate mismatch issue combined with this makes for a truly terrible experience. As everyone notes, there are workarounds but they are frustrating. The Tizen system on my Samsung TV is, sadly, the way I watch most content these days. 

[Ejessen]

Like I said, if you have any PTO/Vacation saved up and wanna come by. The heat is on its way out and Sedona is BEAUTIFUL this time of year 😉

[mortz]

Would love to but i'm all the way in the UK haha, got some of my team in LA at the moment so you never know, but perhaps one day.

[Arken]

Work good now when Netflix updated their app support for Varible refreshrate . Buts other apps still stutters . Talked with google and they say its the apps makers who need too update their apps too work . So contact the streaming services you have problem with 🙂

[claridagio]

Google themselves don't offer this functionality with movies and TV shows purchased through Google TV, so that's just nonsense. Fair enough, Disney+ and all the others need to follow Netflix's lead, but to suggest that this is the consumer's responsibility when it's a flaw with their hardware is just ridiculous.

[Arken]

Yepp Google in a nutshell .... 

[mortz]

Yup, for me its specifically about the codecs they are using to stream, either the audio or video bitrate is too high for the device to handle which would explain why re-encoding through transcoding works either way i'm looking at the DLNA stuff this weekend (for plex users) so hopefully i'll soon have a solution but for the likes of netflix etc i don't think i can help.

[mortz]

or if its not the bitrate it is just the library support used to play the stream (in my case .ts with aac_latm) is the problem, yet transcode to mkv/mp4 with opus audio and the problem disappears completely.

[dextorboot]

Yup. We've known the issue was the variable refresh rate support for a long while now. Google enabled this with an update with expectation that app developers would update their apps. That would've been fine if in the coming weeks they did but, as claridagio said, not even Google did it. Here we are nearly a year later and some of the major apps are starting to be updated. If the app developers (including Google) weren't ready to support variable refresh rate then it shouldn't have been rolled out.

[mortz]

Totally, looks like they've recently binned efforts for android 13 so the only fix they could roll out is an update to exoplayer or android 14. Failing that all that's left for me is to try with plex is DLNA profiles. (fingers crossed)

[cgtvdude]

I tried the manual 24 setting and it did help some apps BUT at least as of tonight Netflix won't provide 4K for me (only HD) unless I set it back to 60. I called Netflix and they couldn't figure it out and then remembered I changed this about a week ago so set it back and BAM, that was it. Dam Google get this sh1t fixed already

[JGDB]

Looks like a Netflix issue to me. My Netflix also says HD and not 4K while HBO does work in 4K/DV. I called Netflix and they assured me the problem would be fixed. Still doesn't show 4K a few weeks later. My tv only works at 30hz with 4k and Dolby Vision. In the Netflix app on the tv 4K works, but then I don't have Dolby Atmos. It seems that I have to choose between better image quality or better sound.

[NikoKk]

The fact that the issue has not been fixed in over half a year is a pretty good indication that the issue is on the backlog with low priority. With that being said, I have opted to stop using my Chromecast altogether, and I don't think I'll ever buy one again without looking at a reasonable android alternative, that actually does the job.

[amh15]

I thought my Chromecast would be my go-to TV device. But mine too is now barely used since I replaced my TV (the new one has its own apps which don't suffer from stutter). The only use case now for the Chromecast is YouTube/Google Play content which plays in 480p on the TV.

[NikoKk]

Exactly the same for me. I hate using the TVs apps because the UI always seems slow, but when it comes to playing videos (what really matters), the tv does best. I honestly can't believe that a Chromecast would suffer this bad, this long, at its primary function

[mortz]

I also just saw an announcement for the new google chromecast device (upcoming), which would explain the discount they applied on the current 4k and hd models.

Looks to me like they're getting rid of the broken backlog to fund the new device that probably wont suffer the same issue. Shame on google if so.

In terms of functionality i tried the sparkle tv app to test and that has a function in settings called amlogic fix, that seems to fix the stutter issue, however sparkletv requires lots of other things being setup like epg etc for dvr's. I managed all this and it appears to be the successor to live channels, but regardless that seems to be partly the culprit.

Would like google to add an amlogic fix to the devices or investigate what that is, if its relevant as that could potentially fix the issue.

[L0L0]

Hello, 

On Netflix, it’s ok now, thanks Netflix.

Seems app must update but for prime or Disney, see nothing.

have you good news?

[Arken]

In have mailed prime disney hbo . But no response. You can try too contact them we all should do that. 

[havsgaard]

This problem is Googles - caused entirely by them period.

I do not see why I should waste my time on writing the individual service providers due to a issue caused by google alone. The device was working perfectly -  'without any issues prior their faulted software'

However they (Google) are completely ignorant on the topic - unprofessional in all aspects.

#Ignorant #Unprofessional #LackOfQualityControl

[m4rvell0us]

I agree. Since I purchased this device, this issue has not been resolved. I think it's been almost a year. It has been put up for sale at auction since yesterday. Let someone else suffer now...

[MrShadyShades]

I pre-ordered the GoogleTV (new generation ChromeCast) and actually got it early in October 2020 with pre-release software. I had it exchanged 3 times and was promised an upcoming update would address the stuttering/frameskipping issues 4 times over 6 months. In the meantime Google has discontinued support for their Google Play TV & Movies apps on major platforms like Roku and Samsung which means my purchased 4K HDR content is locked to their GoogleTV device that simply cannot properly playback the content. Sure I can watch them on YouTube but that's locked to 720p SDR.

Just plugged it back in last week, updated it and ran tests, same issues, dozens of updates later. Google is unwilling to confront customers and they can't seem to provide a fix yet they continue to sell content consumers are unable to watch (though I've heard some TVs with built-in GoogleTV don't have this issue but do I have to buy new TVs to watch my content??)

Honestly deplorable. A class-action lawsuit may be necessary to remedy the situation

[bertarada]

I have stopped using the two I have. Now I use the Amazon firestick 4k max and it works great. I don't buy any more chromecasts because they don't provide support or fix the problems.

[mortz]

Think i might be joining the ebay crew at this rate with selling the two i have as well, can i ask have you tried .ts format mpeg2video format on your 4k amazon firestick and if so whats the playback like? any dropped frames or lagging?

[mortz]

Update: I've sold my two Chromecast hd's in favour of 2x apple tv 4th gen from ebay (recommended by the guy who built plex dvr....) suffice to say instant fix direct playback on a vbox and a hdhomerun quatro, no stutter, or playback issues.

Personally not an apple fan but cant fault them they work flawlessly, so i guess i will slowly be eradicating my network of google equipment as i can't support a company that doesn't support it's consumers. Good luck all.

[L0L0]

Think same, buy apple tv and sold chromecast but Last hope is Android tv 14 Last q23 no?

[mortz]

Supposedly, but given that others have been waiting years for a fix and that the beta of android 14 can only be currently run in the android sdk currently, i wouldn't hold your breath tbh.

[claridagio]

I've also given up on mine. I have a lot of movies that I've purchased on Google Play/TV and this seemed like a good solution for accessing them and consolidating my different streaming subscriptions (Netflix, Disney+ etc), as opposed to using my TV's built-in YouTube app and other native apps. But the performance is too poor - and it introduces too many issues that aren't there with the native apps. 

[Arken]

Have a new Update now . Crossing my fingers and hope its better or fixed 

[mortz]

Will check my devices also, fingers crossed i have an update also and that it's fixed will post back later.

[mortz]

no update for me, will check again tomorrow.

[L0L0]

Stop to dream, solution comes from apps creator like netflix. In more than one year google ignore our problem. Update Never fix it. Wait android 14.... Last chance.

Buy apple tv but 2022 device....

Wait a little for New amazon stick but only prime have fonctionnal frame rate matching i have read. 

[mortz]

I've heard from others that apple tv delivers for plex mpeg2video direct play (which would as a minimum solve my problem) but im skeptical, i just wish google would just step up to what was promised at purchase or at least allow users to rollback firmware to android 10 which i'm 99% certain at this point doesn't suffer the same problem. Especially given that my android 10 projector works fine without fault.

[L0L0]

Sure on adroid 10 no problem 

Roll back is impossible. We all ask to google since more than a year

[Arken]

Fixed my stutter framerate lag on my chromecast 4k with google tv.  Changed res too 4k smpte . But I had the change the zoom on my tv manually .. very annoing ....

[Dirk1986]

This fixed it for me as well, but I have small borders on the sides of my screen now. Still a good temp solution though.

Although if I this issue isn't fixed anytime soon I will probably replace my chromecast with something else.

[Arken]

You can fix it by change the aspect on your tv manually 😊

[pendragon]

Just remember that with this setting you will lose 4k in Netflix and everything is in 24p. 

[fabdsp]

4k 24hz will give you the same without the border - smpte is 4096x2160 @24hz (and uhdtv1 is 3840x2160).

The best is to choose 4k 120hz if you TV accept it - @120hz you can play any video with no stutter @24, 25, 30, 60 fps

[havsgaard]

1 year later and the all knowing google with all of their expertise - still haven't found out how to solve an issue which they themselves broke. Really fantastic 😕