WD Play dropping frames, hitchy video

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1

I just wanted to check in and make sure my expectations where set correctly.

Fresh out of the box WD play has the latest firmware.

My goal is to play a loop of a mp4 file continuously.

I have noticed during pan or credits scrolling (white text on black background) there is a significant hitch.

it appears to be dropping frames and is only really noticeable during these moments.

I have tested multiple video files, and extensions, mostly AVI and MP4. All video’s play fine on a computer, so I know it’s not the rip. I have several different resolutions that I have ripped to test with this device. 1080p, 720p and lower res.

I have changed the hdmi settings nothing really seems to have an effect.

Another test, was to play HD video’s on Youtube. Same issues appear there. artifacting and dropped frames and present.

Does this sound standard? Or did I get a bad unit?
Or are there settings I need to change that I haven’t found yet?
Playing on a 60" sharp via HDMI.

Thanks in advance.

2

I have been reading some other threads, and have some more data to offer.

this is a mediainfo of the hitchy video

VLC 720p
General
Complete name : C:\buffer\BOI\mp4\vlc\720p.mp4
Format : MPEG-4
Format profile : Base Media
Codec ID : isom
File size : 94.1 MiB
Duration : 8mn 3s
Overall bit rate : 1 634 Kbps
Encoded date : UTC 2013-12-12 22:06:19
Tagged date : UTC 2013-12-12 22:06:19
Writing application : vlc 2.1.2 stream output

Video
ID : 2
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : High@L3.1
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, ReFrames : 4 frames
Codec ID : avc1
Codec ID/Info : Advanced Video Coding
Duration : 8mn 3s
Source duration : 8mn 3s
Bit rate : 1 435 Kbps
Width : 1 280 pixels
Height : 720 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 4:3
Frame rate mode : Variable
Frame rate : 29.970 fps
Minimum frame rate : 29.962 fps
Maximum frame rate : 29.971 fps
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.052
Stream size : 82.7 MiB (88%)
Source stream size : 82.7 MiB (88%)
Language : English
Encoded date : UTC 2013-12-12 22:06:19
Tagged date : UTC 2013-12-12 22:06:19
mdhd_Duration : 483149

Audio
ID : 1
Format : MPEG Audio
Format version : Version 1
Format profile : Layer 3
Mode : Joint stereo
Codec ID : 6B
Duration : 8mn 3s
Source duration : 8mn 3s
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 192 Kbps
Maximum bit rate : 10.2 Mbps
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Sampling rate : 44.1 KHz
Compression mode : Lossy
Stream size : 11.1 MiB (12%)
Source stream size : 11.1 MiB (12%)
Language : English
Encoded date : UTC 2013-12-12 22:06:19
Tagged date : UTC 2013-12-12 22:06:19
mdhd_Duration : 483163

This is a media info of another rip that seems to work well by dvdfab.

fab mp4
General
Complete name : C:\buffer\BOI\mp4\MP4_BOI_YOUR_GLOBAL_CONNECTION_2010.Title1.mp4
Format : MPEG-4
Format profile : Base Media / Version 2
Codec ID : mp42
File size : 80.3 MiB
Duration : 8mn 3s
Overall bit rate mode : Variable
Overall bit rate : 1 395 Kbps
Encoded date : UTC 2013-12-11 22:57:36
Tagged date : UTC 2013-12-11 23:03:35

Video
ID : 1
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : Main@L3.0
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, ReFrames : 1 frame
Format settings, GOP : M=1, N=15
Codec ID : avc1
Codec ID/Info : Advanced Video Coding
Duration : 8mn 3s
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 1 329 Kbps
Maximum bit rate : 1 972 Kbps
Width : 720 pixels
Height : 406 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16:9
Frame rate mode : Variable
Frame rate : 29.970 fps
Minimum frame rate : 29.970 fps
Maximum frame rate : 90.000 fps
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.152
Stream size : 76.5 MiB (95%)
Encoded date : UTC 2013-12-11 22:57:36
Tagged date : UTC 2013-12-11 23:03:28
Color primaries : BT.601 NTSC
Transfer characteristics : BT.709
Matrix coefficients : BT.601

Audio
ID : 2
Format : MPEG Audio
Format version : Version 1
Format profile : Layer 3
Mode : Joint stereo
Codec ID : 69
Duration : 8mn 0s
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 64.0 Kbps
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Compression mode : Lossy
Stream size : 3.67 MiB (5%)
Writing library : LAME3.98.4
Encoded date : UTC 2013-12-11 22:57:36
Tagged date : UTC 2013-12-11 23:02:38

This gives me hope, but now I’m a little confused as to why the MP4 ripped with VLC (first one) is hitchy.

Can someone that knows what their looking at give me a clue?

Thanks!