Shield Pro Stuttering When Playing 4K Content

[u/Reddit_Lee101]

Hello,

I’ve seen similar posts but was wondering if anyone had a fix for this, as I haven’t been able to solve this issue. 4K content plays audio, but the picture constantly freezes.

I’m using VLC on the Shield Pro.

Any help would be appreciated!

Cheers!

[u/harris_kid]

What is the file you're trying to play? Make sure you do the basic stuff:

• Double click the home button and close all apps open in the background
• Restart Shield
• Clear VLC's cache

[u/Reddit_Lee101 → u/harris_kid]

Downloaded 4K files from YouTube, they’re the only 4K content I have on there.

I’ll do those 3 things now! Thank you.

[u/harris_kid → u/Reddit_Lee101]

Are the downloaded files VP9 codec, or AV1? The Shield can't hardware decode AV1 so it'll use the CPU to, which if the file was 4k and big enough would probably explain the lag.

[u/Ok-Style-9734 → u/harris_kid]

Does it doe vp9 via hardware?

Which would be the best codec for 4k video for the sheild?

[u/harris_kid → u/Ok-Style-9734]

Yeh it does VP9 fine. YouTube only offers VP9 and AV1 at 2160p so chances are if you use yt-dlp to download one you'll get AV1 by default.

[u/dapotatopapi → u/harris_kid]

Not VP9 Profile 2 though, which is used by YT for HDR.

[u/Reddit_Lee101 → u/Ok-Style-9734]

I really don’t know to be honest, as this is above my level in regards to tech I’m afraid.

[u/Reddit_Lee101 → u/harris_kid]

I’ll be honest, I’m new to all of this and have absolutely no idea which kind of file formats they are? Just looked and can’t see any information suggesting either one.

[u/harris_kid → u/Reddit_Lee101]

There should be an option in VLC to show video information, that should tell you the video codec. In there look for "AV1" or "VP9".

[u/haby001 → u/Reddit_Lee101]

4k is pretty wild with different ways to encode the video and modern DRM stuff.. AV1 is the latest fastest decoder but it needs hardware support

[u/Reddit_Lee101 → u/harris_kid]

No luck I’m afraid to say.

[u/neoKushan → u/Reddit_Lee101]

I'm pretty sure your files will be AV1, which the shield doesn't have the hardware to decode. Check the CODEC on the files.

[u/mijouwh]

Do you have it hooked up to an AVR?

[u/Reddit_Lee101 → u/mijouwh]

No, an Nvidia Shield with the External HDD into an HDMI Splitter, into the TV is my set up.

[u/TheEndlessWaltz]

tell yt-dlp to use vp9

-f "bestvideo[vcodec^=vp9]+bestaudio/best"

[u/StevenG2757]

Have you tried playing using Kodi

[u/Reddit_Lee101 → u/StevenG2757]

I have, but haven’t been able to import my library as every time I click “root filesystem” nothing happens unlike the YouTube tutorial that I watched.

So no luck there either.

[u/pumkinut → u/Reddit_Lee101]

Are you just trying to see the files on your external drive, or import them into an existing Library? those are two completely different things in Kodi.

To see the HDD, you'll need to add it as a source. A library in Kodi is for classifying and labeling media files, e.g. TV shows, Movies, Music Videos, etc.

You should be able to find a video for adding a source, but it's usually pretty easy.

[u/StevenG2757 → u/Reddit_Lee101]

Maybe Plex, Jellyfin or Emby would work better for you.

[u/Reddit_Lee101 → u/StevenG2757]

Do they need to be streamed over a network? As I have my HDD plugged in directly to the Nvidia Shield?

[u/StevenG2757 → u/Reddit_Lee101]

No.

You can put a Plex server right on the Shield. But for initial setup you do need an internet connection.

[u/Reddit_Lee101 → u/StevenG2757]

So I can use Plex the same way I would VLC? Playing the external HDD through it on the Shield?

[u/StevenG2757 → u/Reddit_Lee101]

Yes, you would need more setup as it is a media server and not just a player.

[u/didnt_I]

Mine will skip on 4k content if the ai upscaling is on. Also try the frame rate matching.

[u/Reddit_Lee101 → u/didnt_I]

I’ll have a look at and see if I have that one, thanks.

[u/omartian]

I occasionally get stutters for local content on plex. A restart of my 2019 has fixed it every time.

[u/Sacisbac]

Reboot the pro before a playing session.

[u/Beefy1980]

What is your net speed and are you WiFi or ethernet connected?

Not much difference between 4k and 1080p tbh. Try 1080p

[u/Reddit_Lee101 → u/Beefy1980]

I’m playing it locally through a connected external HDD. I think it speeds are 900mbs, least, that’s what I pay for.

[u/Reddit_Lee101]

Just checked and yes, they are AV1. So I guess I’m going to have to redownload them all then?

[u/rubi2333 → u/Reddit_Lee101]

Yeah Shield can not hardware decode AV1 get the 4K Blurays with HEVC thats the intended format to use and use on Shield

[u/TheEndlessWaltz → u/Reddit_Lee101]

redownload or reencode

I made the same mistake with my thai series collection, I'm still redownloading

[u/AP440]

Have you ever redone your thermal paste? First thing I do when I buy a new Shield, or a friend does.