Solving playback issues

[RkkMe]

Have been waiting for software fixes for my Ultra 2020 (4800X) device for a while, but the overreaching problem I have always had is still present. This device does not stream large 4K HDR MKV files (from plugged in USB drive) without stuttering or dropping frames. It is very noticeable to the point where you just want to stop watching the movie after only a few minutes due to frustration. The same files stream and play fine on the Ultra 2018 and 2019 devices with their steady 24p mode using the same setup, with just switching out the different Roku devices. It's like 24p mode is broken on the 2020 Ultra device or the device does not have the same processing power to stream the files smoothly . Anyone else not having these problems with a similar setup? This has always been the case and has relegated the newer device to being the least used of all, 'demoted' to stay on my third-best TV to just play 1080p content. I am just playing the files through the Roku Media Player app.

[RkkMe]

Anyone else having unsmooth video playback using 24fps 4K HDR files over USB?

[Audfilm]

Yes, came here to see if others were having this problem. It's across all apps for me.

[atc98092]

The Ultra does have a setting under the Advanced Display Settings to enable framerate matching. You could try changing that setting to see if that cures the stutter you're seeing. 

Just as a reminder, a ripped UHD movie disc is going to have an average video bitrate of 70 Mbps or greater, with peak rates well over 150 Mbps. Depending on the MKV file, the Roku might simply not be able to keep up. I gave up watching my UHD rips on a Roku, partially because the network connection isn't fast enough but also because it doesn't support the lossless audio tracks that virtually every UHD movie uses. For that use case, you can't beat the Nvidia Shield. It has a Gigabit network connection, and will bitstream all of the lossless audio codecs for the AVR to process. And it also supports the type of captions that DVDs and Blu Ray discs use, which the Roku does not support. This is one place that I wish Roku would release a new flagship player with all of this stuff supported. 

[RkkMe]

Understand this, but the previous older devices played them fine from USB with none of the stutter that was present in the 2020 device, even when testing my 3 2018/2019/2020 Ultra devices at the same time with the same file on the same TV (until Roku Media Player app broke that playback as well in later updates). It was literal frame stutter that happens when the device/source is not locked in at 24p and it's trying to sync/add in frames to match 30fps/60fps/120fps etc. I now instead stream with Plex, requiring a computer up and running, and they play fine in the same Roku box via the Plex app or running a Plex app straight from TV (not needing Roku). All of this worked prior to certain firmware / Roku Media Player software updates that broke this functionality, on not only the 2020 device, but now similar MKVs that have played prior, but will now not open in Media Player across all devices, even though I have watched them on that same device prior.

[atc98092]

Yes, there are issues with RMP. There hasn't been any updates since Aug/Sept. The 4800 uses a completely different processor than the previous players, and my guess is that RMP hasn't been optimized for that CPU.

Plex is working well for you because it's transcoding the video, and likely lowering the bitrate being sent. While I have Plex on my media server, for my home use I instead use a DLNA compliant server (Serviio), which provides me with much better control over how and when my media is transcoded.

Disclaimer: while I don't work for Serviio, I am the author of the Roku profiles that are included with Serviio, and I am a moderator on their forum. 

[RkkMe]

Plex is working fine sending the full source, no transcoding, and I have transcoding disabled. The Roku is hardwired into my network. The files (I have watched several) play fine in the Roku box via the Plex app at the full source with no transcoding, with no problems. Roku Media Player introduces all problems.