Re: Why can't N900 play videos smoothly?
 

Oh, nononono, don't get me wrong, is just that when I did my powersearch, I got a lot of newer threads, like this one were I posted my problem:

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=39299

Starting new threads for old known problems is not good |:)

Re: Why can't N900 play videos smoothly?
 

can any one else confirm this ? 1st time video plays smoothly ,as that is just a flv song not a HD song ,but with the time passage video lags behind.why so ?
is it a pixel issue ?
flv file format issue ?
flash player issue ?
OR WHAT ?
this is really an obnoxious thing on my N900.unbelievable .seriously .

Re: Why can't N900 play videos smoothly?
 

Just one question: Are you playing it with SiB or Kmplayer?

MPlayer is/was known to do that in some flv videos.

Re: Why can't N900 play videos smoothly?
 

i tried that in KM player ,obviously media player isnt capable of performing sucha thing ,i tried to play smooth videos through every player ,server
osso media server
g-streamer
m player
i currently have media player and Km player .
any solution ?

Re: Why can't N900 play videos smoothly?
 

can any one make a new thread ?as i dont know how to do that .thanks in advance .
title should be ( slow flv videos solution ? )..
hope issue is debatable and needs a solution .

Re: Why can't N900 play videos smoothly?
 

how to get over this slow video playback on flv files ?
for example i have a flash video ,trying with km player ( 21.7 MB ) but video lags behind the voice .Can any one help ?

Re: Why can't N900 play videos smoothly?
 

Is there anyone who can explain this?

Few days after I bought my N900 I tried to play few movies with SiB (Mplayer interface). They worked great. Everything was great with stock cpu clock. Few Days ago I tired to play exactly the same video files with SiB and this is disappointing! My CPU is now overclocked to 850Mhz and I can't play those videos correctly! I try it also with better overcloking, and without it, with stock frequency. Few seconds video goes nice, then it suddenly stops for short moment, and speeds up, and than again goes nice, stops, speeds up. I tried different video players including built in one or KMplayer. Those players don`t have problems like SiB, but framerate is very low (15fps max). Is there any solution for this? I don`t want to change phone because of one unexplain problem, that shouldn't exist! Do you think it can be caused by kernel for power user? My phone can hadle full version of big facebook page, but can`t plays videos smoothly?!

One more thing. When I try to play Videos from youtube using MicroB Browser, they work great even on full screen. When I download this video and try to play it all of my players can`t handle this! I also tried to convert those videos, but still problem is the same!

Re: Why can't N900 play videos smoothly?
 

You did not say how much time passed between "few days after you bought your N900" and "few days ago", nor have you specify how much extra software, widgets and daemons you have installed in between. The most obvious answer suggests itself: something is stealing your CPU cycles. Either that or your eMMC is heavily fragmented. I've heard that this might affect disk read performance though I've never seen it myself. Another culprit is tracker. How long after you add a new video do you try playing it? It's just a speculation but it also might explain your online vs offline experience. While watching the video in your browser, it is streamed straight to the screen, perhaps via some temporary buffer on rootfs (I may be talking BS here, I do not know for sure where the browser keeps is temporary files, I only assume it is in /tmp) which is not watched by tracker but MyDocs (which I assume is where you keep your offline videos) is.

Re: Why can't N900 play videos smoothly?
 

and every video whether its normal or hd, damn it takes minutes to load. that suckssss. it kills me everytime

Re: Why can't N900 play videos smoothly?
 

Many things could be going on. I personally think that the N900 handling of videos is great, and have had almost no problems.

Maybe when someone has a problem with a video they should post it (or attempt to extract an excerpt from it using something that will not transcode it, like mencoder or ffmpeg with the appropriate parameters (see here: http://askubuntu.com/questions/59383...e-line-command).

What pichlo said is spot on though. What else is going on in the N900 in terms of running processes, and the state of the source as far as fragmentation goes is important.

Also, If you can live with it, try experimenting with frame dropping in mplayer and see if that helps.

I personally can't believe how much stuff you can run on a N900, even stock (including video wallpapers). But just because you can it doesn't mean you should. ;)

Re: Why can't N900 play videos smoothly?
 

That's not normal. It usually takes 2-3 seconds for large videos to load for me. Smaller videos load in less than 1 second.

Re: Why can't N900 play videos smoothly?
 

no man really, it takes much time to load videos and also it gets hot soon

Re: Why can't N900 play videos smoothly?
 

I have no problems with loading videos, it takes 2-5 seconds.

Installed software have nothing to do with that. I`ve already tried to remove everything and that didn`t help. Framedropping doesn't help either.

How much time passed? No more than 5 mounths.

Also I tried to remove all widgets and even shortcuts for desktops.

Problem with playing exist when I try to play it from memory card. I also tired to format this card, copy one movie and play it - same problem.

I was trying to play "Freshly copied" files - same problem.

I also have to correct myself. When playing videos online my problem appears, but only few times watching 5 minutes video. Also this is not that noticeable as it is when playing with SiB.
Second correction. Problem doesn't touch the sound. When image is the problem, sound form movie is all right (No stops etc). Also when I'm playing my mp3s problem does not appear, everything is ok.

I'm also impressed how much stuff I can do with my n900. Everything works great (Browser, Games emulators, and more). That's the main reason why I don't want do change my n900, I like this tablet a lot. I only want my n900 be able to play videos correctly :)

Re: Why can't N900 play videos smoothly?
 

@Ridd92

You've got all codecs and extra codec packages installed?
If so, your best bet would be to play your file from the command line, with only mplayer itself, not with a GUI. It's by far the best way to play video, unless you insist onn hardware acceleration.

If that doesn't work well, try adding framedrop to your parameters.

Re: Why can't N900 play videos smoothly?
 

I have all the codecs. I already tried to remove it and it changed nothing.

How can I play videos from command line, and how to add framedrop to my parameters?

I can make a video to show how the problem looks like exactly.

Re: Why can't N900 play videos smoothly?
 

Also I'm going to try reflash my tablet, but I'm not sure I can do that. I'm running Windows 7 64 on my computer, so this is going to be super hard. And the most important part, will this help?

I'm going to try something else. My dad have n900 to, but with normal kernel and stock cpu (never overclocked etc), but his tablet is older than mine. We shall see..

Re: Why can't N900 play videos smoothly?
 

install mplayer for the commandline (Use FapMan or on the terminal

Try playing it first without framedropping. If you still need that, try framedropping (or hardframedrop), but that only works if the videoformat allows you to.

The mplayer manual can be found here:

http://tivo-mplayer.sourceforge.net/...layer-man.html

Re: Why can't N900 play videos smoothly?
 

I never overclock any other way than using QCpuFreq and have used my N900 a lot in combination with the TV-out.

Re: Why can't N900 play videos smoothly?
 

I can find only two possibilities

1. I'm doing something wrong
2. Problem is different

I`m using QCPUFreq too.

Re: Why can't N900 play videos smoothly?
 

I am not too sure about that. Might be the file after all.

Could you try and start that file with

Re: Why can't N900 play videos smoothly?
 

Mplayer turns with the same error.

Different files, the same problem.

Mplayer from command line can`t play file with low resolution I just converted. SiB on the other hand plays, but with the same issue I mentioned before.

Re: Why can't N900 play videos smoothly?
 

I just checked my dad`s n900. After few problems at start i set SiB with hard framedropping, and video was playing perfectly fine!!!

I also found my dad's n900 to be faster and more stable than mine, what is wrong?! Even opening menu was smooth. Coping files to his tablet from pc is 2 times faster than coping to mine...

I have no idea what is going on, but something is wrong for sure, perhaps it's fragmentation problem after all? I thought that this problem does not exist on linux...

Re: Why can't N900 play videos smoothly?
 

Good you have a second device at hand!

I bought a second hand N900 a while ago, that also suffered from playback trouble and a reflash did wonders. No idea what the owner before me had put on the device, but a reflash might solve your problems.

Re: Why can't N900 play videos smoothly?
 

That reflash you mentioned may be in order. Remember that you can use a linux boot disk to create an environment from which to flash, if you fear using Win7

Re: Why can't N900 play videos smoothly?
 

I choose to keep reflashing my n900 for the end for something like last chance.

I just updated my device with Nokia Software Update. It seems to solve my problem. I already checked two files, and everything is all right.

I decided to follow my steps to rebuild my n900 the way I like it, but now I will check my tablet after installing new software.

I now believe that I installed something that wos wrong for my tablet.

Thank you guys for all your patient and help. If I find app that causing the problem I will post it here.

Thanks again, have a nice day!

Re: Why can't N900 play videos smoothly?
 

To play videos that are not supported by the stock mediaplayer I use SiB or smplayer from a debian chroot image.

EDIT: I do always convert videos to gsmformat

Re: Why can't N900 play videos smoothly?
 

seriously i never faced this problem.. i have clocked my phone to 900mhz(500mhz-900mhz).. i have video (xvid) with bit rate of 18000kbps audio rate of 48khz and resolution of 840x480.. it plays smoothly.. no lags.. and i use openmediaplayer to play'em..

to others who complain about lags try installing extra codec+thumb0 in HAM

cheers..

EDIT: i have also installed 720p update files..

Re: Why can't N900 play videos smoothly?
 

I have one more question. Can someone tell me what program I should use to convert files for my n900? I found some movies that does not work well. I already tried app called "Handbrake", but it doesn`t work well. I need something that will convert files the way n900 will paly it smoothly. I don`t care abuout the qualitly. To be honest, I prefer something that will decrease the qualitly, but also will reduce file size.

Re: Why can't N900 play videos smoothly?
 

i use 4videosoft convertor.. its awesome.. u can specify the output file u need with bit rate audio rate resolution fps etc.. try that..

Re: Why can't N900 play videos smoothly?
 

When I used my Zaurus (small Linux PDA which you might not be familiar with from a few years ago), AVI used to be too taxing for the CPU even overclocked, so I used to convert the video to a low rate MPEG which was perfectly fine, and which could pack a full 2 hour movie in 250 MB or less.

Why don't you attach a small video file and I'll convert it, then post the command I used to convert?

A few things based on my experience:
1. Scaling usually can affect performance. This was very true in the Zaurus, but I'm not sure it is true of the N900, as it might scale in hardware. What this means is that usually I would convert the video to be in the native resolution of the screen, or an exact divisor of it (2 times smaller, for example). This also meant that for videos with different aspect ratio than the native one, I would add black bars on top and bottom. This is very easy to do in ffmpeg.

2. Like I said, in the Zaurus I used to convert to MPEG, but I think AVI will be perfectly fine for the N900. The key will be to keep the bitrates low, probably.

3. Transcoding is a pain, because it takes time and effort for every single video. If you could figure out what's wrong with your N900, and / or what videos you can play on it, it would be much better.

Re: Why can't N900 play videos smoothly?
 

Hah, what I just found, guys...

I read the visN900 post and I decided set new overclock profile for my tablet which is from 500Mhz to 900Mhz. Every video that I`m trying to play works perfectly!

But when I change profile to 250-900, half of my videos does not want to play smoothly...

I have only one explaintaion. Our N900 trying to be economical and didn`t set right lowest frequency for played movie.

Try this on your tablets and tell how it works:

Have fun!

Re: Why can't N900 play videos smoothly?
 

Try to play 720p high bitrate mp4 streams and see what happens. If you were having problems due to low frequency, you might want to try to get lower bitrate videos instead of increasing your low working frequency. I bet you will see no appreciable quality difference by using the more processor intensive videos, but your battery will run out much faster and your N900 will probably run warmer too.

Re: Why can't N900 play videos smoothly?
 

25 degrees now, when playing video never gets over 35, so I believe it`s ok. I will stay with better overclock profile, because I like comfort. I don't like to convert video everytime I want to watch something on n900. I would like to copy it, or download from web and watch at sight.

Also I'm spending a lot of time outside, because of the work which including long breaks and waiting time. I'm connecting my tablet to free wi-fi or GSM internet, download something and I can watch it without any doubts.

Battery isn`t a problem. I have car charger, mobile charger (2800mah) and second, fully charged battery :)

Re: Why can't N900 play videos smoothly?
 

In that case, I agree with you. Whatever works better!

Talking of which, I got my first spontaneous reboot today :o

My N900 is overclocked only to 805 Mhz, but it was very hot inside the car (around 100 F) and I keep it in an aluminum case which conducts heat very well. So I suppose it was very hot.

Re: Why can't N900 play videos smoothly?
 

My Phone Gets Too Hot While Watching Music Videos And Then Ting Tong "Battery Low", I Think There is Nothing Exact Solution For Video Playing For Nokia N900, Cuz I Think Its All Like "Beta" Damn

Re: Why can't N900 play videos smoothly?
 

Reflash it go to 720p thread follow it.
Thats it !
100% n900 leveraged to video capablites.)

Re: Why can't N900 play videos smoothly?
 

Yeah, thats great. After few days of better working problem appeared again. I did not install new apps. Now can't get any better idea over changing my phone... :/

(Edit)

Now I'm confused. I just removed "Advanced Clock Plugin" and problem disappear. I'm confused because I checked my N900 few times with this app installed and videos worked ok...
I will install it again an check this out...

(Edit 2)

Ok, first check shows that the Clock plugin caused this problem. I will test my N900 for next few days and we will see.

(Edit 3)

I just checked my dad n900 with installed "Advanced Clock Plugin" and his tablet was able to play the same video nice, with small issue (Sometimes video runs slower than it should) but it's hard to see. Uninstalling the Advanced Clock does not change antything.
I think it's time to clarify this. N900 is not tablet for watching videos, if you need phone for watching videos n900 is not the one you're looking for.

Re: Why can't N900 play videos smoothly?
 

I am unsure of a diagnosis but if you are running the 720p modded libs know that the DSP can experience voltage issues and need a reboot in order to reset. I generally have to reboot after a day or two and even within a day if I am watching vids intensively. I fact, I believe the advice for watching HD was to fresh boot.

Prolly of no use to you but...

Re: Why can't N900 play videos smoothly?
 

Reflash the damm thing you have messed it up.:)
i bet n900 videos an similar are less strainy for the eyes than the amoled os similar types:)

Re: Why can't N900 play videos smoothly?
 

I am having a similar issue. I have 2 N900s, and playing the exact same file from kmplayer (using mplayer) in one of them produces a smooth video, whereas the other plays with a peculiar "sine-wave-like" playback where playback slows down cyclically every 1 or 2 seconds, then speeds up, then slows down, etc. Very annoying.

Here's my observations so far:
- Different hardware revisions (smooth playback is 2204, other one is 2104).
- Different kernel and firmware (smooth is PR1.3.1 with stock kernel, weird playback is CSSU-Thumb with KP 52).
- Same kmplayer and mplayer versions.
- In system with weird playback, playing from mplayer in the terminal produces smooth playback. I couldn't find any kmplayer options that may be affecting this. /home/user/.kmplayer only has the xml file which holds the list of recent videos.

Right now I'm copying the file to the eMMC in both systems (it's in micro SD storage at the moment) to see if it makes any difference.