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 1TB external HDD movie playback, MPC, VLC random freeze/stutter

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TSSpikeTwo
post Nov 9 2013, 09:50 AM, updated 13y ago

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Hi. I just bought a 1TB transcend external HDD storejet. i used it to play movie directly through my lappie. I noticed there's some random freeze/stutter/jerk when I play mkv movies through media player classic with latest codecs. I tested with VLC too still encountered some random stutter. WHen it happens, the computer doesnt hang, just the video seems to stuck while audio jerks a little and Media player hangs a bit, after a few secs it will return to normal state and continue playing. or i have to slide forward or reverse then it will be normal again. No fixed time it will occur, and i have been trying to look online and havent found any working solutions.

i have done defrag, updated my drivers, updated my codecs, used other players (VLC seems to play better but still stuck a lil tho less frequent), rebooted, bla bla. I will try to copy the movie and play directly using the internal drives and see how. anyone have encountered this before or please shed some lights as it has been quite frustrating as i doubt the lappie is underpowered. It is lenovo Y510p gaming series and the hardware should be sufficient plus the media is played thru USB 3.0.

thanks sifus! notworthy.gif notworthy.gif notworthy.gif
l4nunm4l4y4
post Nov 9 2013, 10:04 AM

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Some questions:

1. How's the cable connection?
I had problem with a Samsung G2 where sometimes only would the HDD detected. At HDD end, there was a slight bend which was rectified by using sturdier cable head.

2. Have you tried other players?
I am currently using BS-Player after years using GOM and VLC. Tried XBMC but felt sluggish which could be due to my mid range laptop.

I will always play from a laptop rather than direct access to the HDD - Habit of mine.
kingkingyyk
post Nov 9 2013, 11:11 AM

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Which OS that your lappy is running on? smile.gif
TSSpikeTwo
post Nov 9 2013, 11:48 AM

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the HDD detection so far no issue. transfer rate also around USB 3.0 speeds like 90+mb/s. it is a very thick and hard usb3.0 cable. how did u fix the cable head?

i tried VLC only. it gives better performance as in not so frequent stutter per movie (whereas MPC has like 3-6 stutters per movie, VLC has 1~2). corei7 with nvidia card should have no problem with LAV or ffdshow codecs right?

i used to copy movies to play from lappie, but i tot usb3.0 should supply enough bandwidth for mkvs. hmmm...
TSSpikeTwo
post Nov 9 2013, 11:49 AM

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QUOTE(kingkingyyk @ Nov 9 2013, 11:11 AM)
Which OS that your lappy is running on? smile.gif
*
its running on windows 8 64bit that comes with the lappie. havent upgraded to the free 8.1 yet. hehe...
kingkingyyk
post Nov 9 2013, 03:08 PM

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Can you please check the Disk Active Time on it when you are playing video in it? (Task Manager > Performance > Ext HDD)

There is a bug on Windows 8 / 8.1 that causes the Disk Active Time to go 100% for unknown reason and halt the HDD for few seconds...

This post has been edited by kingkingyyk: Nov 9 2013, 03:09 PM
fotosintesis
post Nov 9 2013, 03:46 PM

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nope, even through usb 2.0 itself wont cause any stuttering while playing the video

just to make sure, is the video played smoothly on the other lappy?
TSSpikeTwo
post Nov 9 2013, 06:19 PM

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QUOTE(kingkingyyk @ Nov 9 2013, 03:08 PM)
Can you please check the Disk Active Time on it when you are playing video in it? (Task Manager > Performance > Ext HDD)

There is a bug on Windows 8 / 8.1 that causes the Disk Active Time to go 100% for unknown reason and halt the HDD for few seconds...
*
yeah i just checked, it goes up to 100% for a short period of time, causing the stutter. any fix for this bug? even it inherits to 8.1? oh damn. rclxub.gif shocking.gif
i think this might be it as i scratch my heads wonder what's wrong with it...

QUOTE(fotosintesis @ Nov 9 2013, 03:46 PM)
nope, even through usb 2.0 itself wont cause any stuttering while playing the video

just to make sure, is the video played smoothly on the other lappy?
*
i havent tested on other lappy. but if i run from the lappie itself last time no such issue. sweat.gif
1024kbps
post Nov 9 2013, 06:37 PM

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Try play with MPC first, press SHIFT + F10 and copy the media info text and past here, most new lappy can play bluray video without the problem, but culprit is, you never know the encoder used what compression option during transcoding, like Hi10p + 16 reference frames, such video does not work with Dxva and will cause playback become sluggish because cpu struggling to decode it at real time.
abubin
post Nov 10 2013, 12:06 AM

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First thing that you need to do is to find out whether the problem is with playing videos from USB or the USB HDD itself giving problem. Once you narrow down the problem then only you find solution to it.

Try to transfer the video and play directly in your lappy. Does it lag in this way?

When transferring a big file to your lappy, does the transfer lag as well?
1024kbps
post Nov 10 2013, 12:24 AM

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QUOTE(abubin @ Nov 10 2013, 12:06 AM)
First thing that you need to do is to find out whether the problem is with playing videos from USB or the USB HDD itself giving problem. Once you narrow down the problem then only you find solution to it.

Try to transfer the video and play directly in your lappy. Does it lag in this way?

When transferring a big file to your lappy, does the transfer lag as well?
*
He mentioned its USB3 with 90Mb/s speed(equal to 720mbps, bluray max data rate is 36-54mbps), its more than enough to play bluray without keep buffering.
Either codec related or poorly muxed video.

This post has been edited by 1024kbps: Nov 10 2013, 12:24 AM
fotosintesis
post Nov 10 2013, 07:55 AM

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QUOTE(SpikeTwo @ Nov 9 2013, 06:19 PM)
i havent tested on other lappy. but if i run from the lappie itself last time no such issue.  sweat.gif
*
as for me, best simple way is to restore ur laptop 1st
just to make sure that the culprit which exist lately is related to some setting/software stuff smile.gif

perhaps u could done this 1st
abubin
post Nov 10 2013, 10:45 PM

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QUOTE(1024kbps @ Nov 10 2013, 12:24 AM)
He mentioned its USB3 with 90Mb/s speed(equal to 720mbps, bluray max data rate is 36-54mbps), its more than enough to play bluray without keep buffering.
Either codec related or poorly muxed video.
*
transfer rate is 90mb/s but is it consistent? Still, does the video jerks when played directly from local hdd? These still need to be tested to be conclusive. A good technical support does not make unnecessary assumptions.

This post has been edited by abubin: Nov 10 2013, 10:46 PM
1024kbps
post Nov 10 2013, 11:08 PM

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QUOTE(abubin @ Nov 10 2013, 10:45 PM)
transfer rate is 90mb/s but is it consistent? Still, does the video jerks when played directly from local hdd? These still need to be tested to be conclusive. A good technical support does not make unnecessary assumptions.
*
Well, you do have a point, but even USB2.0 Bandwidth is already more than enough to playback bluray video smoothly, it's impossible for Harddisk on USB3 become jerky, Unless the harddisk is dying, bad sector will affect data transfer date, and the video will become corrupted, ended abruptly, or visual artifacts will appear, which TS didnt mention any.

I always play my video from my low end HTPC which both are connected to GBE lan port(is slower than USB3), i never encountering any issue because i know how to configure my video player setups.

My guess is still codec/splitter related problems.
abubin
post Nov 10 2013, 11:23 PM

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QUOTE(1024kbps @ Nov 10 2013, 11:08 PM)
Well, you do have a point, but even USB2.0 Bandwidth is already more than enough to playback bluray video smoothly, it's impossible for Harddisk on USB3 become jerky, Unless the harddisk is dying, bad sector will affect data transfer date, and the video will become corrupted, ended abruptly, or visual artifacts will appear, which TS didnt mention any.

I always play my video from my low end HTPC which both are connected to GBE lan port(is slower than USB3), i never encountering any issue because i know how to configure my video player setups.

My guess is still codec/splitter related problems.
*
i am not saying usb2 or usb3 is not fast enough for making a smooth video playback. I am saying problematic transfer that could be the culprit. Like faulty cable or usb drive or drivers issue and so on. That is why he need to first eliminate the possibility of usb hardware issue from the equation.
TSSpikeTwo
post Nov 11 2013, 08:47 AM

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the external hdd is a new one. the sngle large file transfer speed is consistent 80-90mb/s while many smaller files would drop the speed to 40-50mb/s. I havent really test the movie full run, only played it like 10-20 mins from lappie HDD, seems ok so far. cant really conclude yet as the movie stutter occurs intermittently. will get more to that when I'm off work. i have updated to latest intel usb3 driver instead of using the microsoft win8 ones because I cant flash my phone with microsfot drivers. tongue.gif

any idea that mcafee real time scan might be the culprit? i will also try to disable it while watching movie tonight.

here's the media info:

» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «


This post has been edited by SpikeTwo: Nov 11 2013, 08:55 AM
anzvampire
post Nov 11 2013, 10:21 AM

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Top 3 reason caused this.

1. Cable - check your cable connection properly.

2. Damaged Hard Disk - maybe your hard disk got damaged.

3. LOW DISK RPM - if your disk rpm is low, and you trying to play HD movies sometime it will stuck.
anzvampire
post Nov 11 2013, 10:24 AM

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it is better for me do not use the McCafee =_="
they contain malware. use Eset nod32 or SmaDAV is better than it.

1024kbps
post Nov 11 2013, 11:45 AM

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QUOTE(SpikeTwo @ Nov 11 2013, 08:47 AM)
the external hdd is a new one. the sngle large file transfer speed is consistent 80-90mb/s while many smaller files would drop the speed to 40-50mb/s. I havent really test the movie full run, only played it like 10-20 mins from lappie HDD, seems ok so far. cant really conclude yet as the movie stutter occurs intermittently. will get more to that when I'm off work. i have updated to latest intel usb3 driver instead of using the microsoft win8 ones because I cant flash my phone with microsfot drivers.  tongue.gif

any idea that mcafee real time scan might be the culprit? i will also try to disable it while watching movie tonight.

here's the media info:

» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «

*
Not Hi10p 1080p, yup do not let other software utilize too much cpu time, it will cause your video playback stuttering, unless your video playback is accelerated by GPU/Dxva.
TSSpikeTwo
post Nov 11 2013, 01:10 PM

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my video is accelerated by CUVID (GPU/DXVA) which i can see from the nvidia gpu activity. even if use CPU should be that much of a problem right? for a core i7 system.

the mcafee comes free 3 years with my lappie so i just simply use first. haha...free mah. tongue.gif i will try to play a full movie with mcafee scan disabled.

the external HDD is a new unit, cable connection should be no problem because it is inserted properly. the rpm i think is 5400 but also shouldnt be a huge issue since the transfer rate is quite ok? i see the benchmark review not bad le. rclxub.gif sweat.gif

hmm...what that leaves me with? haha...the windows 8 100% activity bug haunts me? sweat.gif

This post has been edited by SpikeTwo: Nov 11 2013, 01:16 PM
h@ksam
post Nov 11 2013, 11:47 PM

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QUOTE(SpikeTwo @ Nov 11 2013, 01:10 PM)

hmm...what that leaves me with? haha...the windows 8 100% activity bug haunts me?  sweat.gif
you need to check what process is using 100% in Task Manager under Disk column
sotong168
post Nov 12 2013, 12:16 AM

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is your storejet comes with y cable? do u plug in both data & power to your lappy
TSSpikeTwo
post Nov 12 2013, 09:26 AM

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QUOTE(h@ksam @ Nov 11 2013, 11:47 PM)
you need to check what process is using 100% in Task Manager under Disk column
*
the problem is nothing there. while on the performance tab can see the external drive shoots up to 100% out of nothing. lol rclxub.gif sweat.gif

QUOTE(sotong168 @ Nov 12 2013, 12:16 AM)
is your storejet comes with y cable? do u plug in both data & power to your lappy
*
no Y cable. it comes with one big ass usb3 SS cable with single USB plug.
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post Nov 12 2013, 10:08 AM

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1. Cable - check your cable connection properly.

2. Damaged Hard Disk - maybe your hard disk got damaged.
h@ksam
post Nov 12 2013, 11:03 AM

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QUOTE(SpikeTwo @ Nov 12 2013, 09:26 AM)
the problem is nothing there. while on the performance tab can see the external drive shoots up to 100% out of nothing. lol  rclxub.gif  sweat.gif
no Y cable. it comes with one big ass usb3 SS cable with single USB plug.
*
does the 100% happen in other PC's/laptops?
SUSifourtos
post Nov 13 2013, 01:34 PM

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QUOTE(SpikeTwo @ Nov 9 2013, 09:50 AM)
Hi. I just bought a 1TB transcend external HDD storejet. i used it to play movie directly through my lappie. I noticed there's some random freeze/stutter/jerk when I play mkv movies through media player classic with latest codecs. I tested with VLC too still encountered some random stutter. WHen it happens, the computer doesnt hang, just the video seems to stuck while audio jerks a little and Media player hangs a bit, after a few secs it will return to normal state and continue playing. or i have to slide forward or reverse then it will be normal again. No fixed time it will occur,  and i have been trying to look online and havent found any working solutions.

i have done defrag, updated my drivers, updated my codecs, used other players (VLC seems to play better but still stuck a lil tho less frequent), rebooted, bla bla. I will try to copy the movie and play directly using the internal drives and see how. anyone have encountered this before or please shed some lights as it has been quite frustrating as i doubt the lappie is underpowered. It is lenovo Y510p gaming series and the hardware should be sufficient plus the media is played thru USB 3.0.

thanks sifus!  notworthy.gif  notworthy.gif  notworthy.gif
*
MAKE SURE YOUR EXTERNAL HDD PLUG INTO

USB 2.0

OR BETTER USB 3.0

USB 1.0 SPEED TOO SLOW...
MakNok
post Nov 13 2013, 01:40 PM

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Use PotPlayer
it from Korean developer.

The best player to date
Download english version from this website
http://www.videohelp.com/tools/PotPlayer
TSSpikeTwo
post Nov 14 2013, 04:43 PM

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QUOTE(ifourtos @ Nov 13 2013, 01:34 PM)
MAKE SURE YOUR EXTERNAL HDD PLUG INTO

USB 2.0

OR BETTER USB 3.0

USB 1.0 SPEED TOO SLOW...
*
bro...no offence, but you need to get your eye sight checked. I have stated through USB 3.0 and i am not a total noob in PC stuff. I know what is blue socket SS (superspeed) for on my laptop, and it is a freaking core i7 with 2 blue USB 3.0 ports with latest drivers + windows 8.1 64bit, latest klite codec packs with media player classic, GT750M with latest drivers latest directX 11 and boosted playback with DXVA (CUVID). and if that laptop still comes with USB 1.0, i musta been crazy to buy a gaming laptop with stoneage ports.

Please do not ask me to check my cable again. thanks for the tips, but as I said, not a total noob here. I know if the connection is bad and hard disk damaged or not. And i have already swapped another USB3.0 cable for testing. It is a new HDD few weeks old, rarely traveled with it and i have done defragging, formatted NTFS, ran a chkdsk, no error no problem no abnormality in file transfers, freaking usb3.0 speeds with 90mb/s for single large files.

tried with mcafee real time scanning off too still stutters some time into the movie (intermittent, 3-5 times within a full length movie, continues playback normal after disk active time dropped from 100% to normal rate of 0-6%). power settings USB selective has turned to off. Now i try to look into windows 8 superfetch to see if it cures the problem and i will test run the movie on the same HDD on another new lappie with lower specs. movie seems to play no problem thru a 500GB portable HDD with USB3.0 so i guess maybe the codecs are not the issue here. although after tested with VLC (havent tested with others) the stutter seems to have reduced.

and thanks a lot for those who helped, more inputs are still welcomed..... maybe a tiny fix i have overlooked somewhere. rclxub.gif sweat.gif notworthy.gif
TSSpikeTwo
post Nov 15 2013, 08:31 AM

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update: testing on other lappie running windows 8 64bit also having stuttering issue, with the same latest k-lite codec packs.

followup tests: play movie in high performance power plan.
PJusa
post Jan 8 2015, 09:58 AM

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QUOTE(kingkingyyk @ Nov 9 2013, 03:08 PM)
Can you please check the Disk Active Time on it when you are playing video in it? (Task Manager > Performance > Ext HDD)

There is a bug on Windows 8 / 8.1 that causes the Disk Active Time to go 100% for unknown reason and halt the HDD for few seconds...
*
I know this is a very late reply but anyway: i am suffering from the same bug apparently for my 4 HDD USB 3.0 bay. Sometimes can move 5 Gb without issue, sometimes its a rollercoaster. annoying issue.

tried the USB selective power management (offed it), ensured the power management doesnt allow to ports to power the device down and placed the correct DeviceHackFlag (400) in the reg for the HUB (Archgon MH-3642JSC). Sometimes can run a whole day or more, sometimes it hits me every few minutes.

Is there anything I can do? I can confirm that active disk time shoots to 100% but in taskmanager i cant see any app that is using a lot of the disk. How to trouble shoot this? The external disk is pure media storage and no virus scanner/indexer etc. runs on the disk. Only serviio hits it every 4 hrs (which is not the case when the problem occurs).

Any suggestions would be much appreciated!

My windows 8.1 64 bit is fully updated so i am not sure what else I can do. Only thing I noticed is that the bay runs on an old driver (seems correct though): USBSTOR.SYS Version: 6.3.9600.16384 (winblue_rtm.130821-1623) from 2006? (edit: time stamp is Aug 2014)

This post has been edited by PJusa: Jan 8 2015, 10:08 AM
kingkingyyk
post Jan 8 2015, 03:25 PM

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Could you try the harddisk in another PC? smile.gif
mrbob
post Jan 8 2015, 04:06 PM

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Try the storejet ext HDD on Win 7 PC. Could be a Win 8/8.1 bug. No fix for this bug yet.
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