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[Sky King]

I am still on version 32 and running a MC client on a Windows 11 HTPC connected to a Sony Bravia 9 television via HDMI.  I can pretty much count on at least one instance a viewing session where the video being played from a NAS by another computer running an instance of MC server starts to falter with jerky video and the audio being replaced by a mid to low frequency buzzing noise.  Most times I can mouse up to the top, stop the video and restart the video to resolve the issue but sometimes I can't and need to reboot the little HTPC.

I think it may have to do with the audio device that MC is using (currently a WASPI device for the Sony TV).  Is WASPI the best device to choose or is something like default audio device (direct sound) or default audio device (WASPI) a better choice.

Is there a way to troubleshoot or trap what's causing this interruption to normal playback?

Thanks for your thoughts.

[JimH]

It could be the NAS drive. Try playing from a local Drive.

[datdude]

I am still on version 32 and running a MC client on a Windows 11 HTPC connected to a Sony Bravia 9 television via HDMI.  I can pretty much count on at least one instance a viewing session where the video being played from a NAS by another computer running an instance of MC server starts to falter with jerky video and the audio being replaced by a mid to low frequency buzzing noise.  Most times I can mouse up to the top, stop the video and restart the video to resolve the issue but sometimes I can't and need to reboot the little HTPC.

I think it may have to do with the audio device that MC is using (currently a WASPI device for the Sony TV).  Is WASPI the best device to choose or is something like default audio device (direct sound) or default audio device (WASPI) a better choice.

Is there a way to troubleshoot or trap what's causing this interruption to normal playback?

Thanks for your thoughts.

Wasapi can cause problems if other programs are trying to access the audio device at the same time. You might get better overall stability using Direct Sound and let Windows handle it. Also check in MC under Options > Audio > Device settings and make sure you are using the recommended buffer size for the device. Also think about Bitstreaming from MC if your bravia supports it and see if that helps. Does the Bravia have passthrough enabled in the audio?

Also how are you streaming the video to the MC client? I was a little confused about your description. Are you running MC on two different machines and streaming from one client to the other? Setup your NAS drives as local drives on the computer running MC you want to back to your Sony on. Import the files from the drives to that MC client to avoid any other network issues and see if that helps. If you are streaming from an MC server, try turning off any video transcoding (conversion).

[Sky King]

Wasapi can cause problems if other programs are trying to access the audio device at the same time. You might get better overall stability using Direct Sound and let Windows handle it. Also check in MC under Options > Audio > Device settings and make sure you are using the recommended buffer size for the device. Also think about Bitstreaming from MC if your bravia supports it and see if that helps. Does the Bravia have passthrough enabled in the audio?

Also how are you streaming the video to the MC client? I was a little confused about your description. Are you running MC on two different machines and streaming from one client to the other? Setup your NAS drives as local drives on the computer running MC you want to back to your Sony on. Import the files from the drives to that MC client to avoid any other network issues and see if that helps. If you are streaming from an MC server, try turning off any video transcoding (conversion).

MC server is running on one machine and the files are mapped to a subdirectory on "Z".  The client is on a different PC feeding the Bravia and those same files referenced by MC Server are mapped to the same drive and subdirectory on the client PC.  It's my understanding, that when the proper option is set, the client PC will pull files directly from the NAS and does not rely on MC Server to "serve" the files streamlining things.

I will put the same files on a USB-connected drive suggested by Jim H and will also try and find out if bitstreaming or Direct Sound audio device provides any relief and I will post my findings.

Thanks to you both!

[JimH]

A USB drive still isn't a great test.  Files on an internal drive would be.

And the option you're talking about assumes the files exist on the client, not on a network drive.

[Sky King]

I can do that.

[Sky King]

Thanks for correcting my erroneous understanding about how drive mapping works.

I tried playing files from files stored locally on the computer's internal NVME SSD with similar issues.  I also tried selecting various sound device options including several iterations of Direct Sound and WASPI with no "joy".

The last time this happened, which was a few minutes ago, the little PC crashed and restarted itself and first ran the disk check and repair utility that pops up if errors are detected on the disk.  I may consider a reinstallation of Windows 11 if I can't get to the "root cause" of this.

[tzr916]

May be taxing the GPU/overheating causing crash?
Have you tried content frame rate matching, in stead of locking output at 60Hz?
Are you using JRVR?
Did you try Hardware Acceleration?
What if you choose a lower default JRVR quality preset, like "performance" or "balanced"?

[Sky King]

Thanks @tzr916.

I brought up task manager to monitor GPU utilization and found that the usage was at about 10% on peaks.  And the GPU is an Intel "Iris" built into the CPU.

The HDMI port on the TV I was using was set to the enhanced mode that would allow for 4k/120hz signals and I placed it in the standard mode which disallows 4k/120 hz.  All of the files that I have are 23.xx or 24 hz refresh rate as determined by MC.

JRVR was set to Red October as recommended.  I will try and change that if changing the TV's HDMI settings does not help.

Hardware acceleration was turned off by default.  I will leave it off at this point.

After these changes to the HDMI port, the system was stable last night but will be monitoring.

Thanks again.

[datdude]

I have an Intel NUC similar to you with Iris XE graphics. I am running 4k 120 HZ 10 bit RGB with zero issues from a nas with mapped drives to the NUC.  I find Hardware acceleration is essential to be on. I am also using the JRVR Use Presentation Queue option which allows me to play back all movies at 120hz with zero frame drops and low CPU usage.

[Sky King]

Roger that on your ability to run your system at 4k 120 HZ without issues.  My TopGro NUC, I am assuming it's an Intel NUC, with the Iris XE should be capable enough with no strain at all.  I suspect it's something in my Windows installation that is causing the kerfuffle and or/system restart.

I noticed the installed video driver as updated by Windows 11 was dated in October 2024 and I found the latest generic driver on Intel's website dated a week or so ago and installed that version as a test.

Thanks for the info!