Major MP4+subs/ MKV video playback problem

Added by Jacopo Cardo about 2 years ago

Hello everybody,

I have a major issue with video playback on my system. Now I have Mac OS 10.6.2 but it was the same with previous version of Snow Leopard as well. I've checked it with a lot of movies and a lot of subs, and it's still the same. Surprisingly, my friend with the same os and also on Mac Book Air do not have these problems.

While playing MP4+ subs /MKV with subs MPLAYER OS X extended, rev12, from time to time the the video starts to slow and lag and then the sound anticipates the video. Sometimes it's possible to watch the whole 30 mins file without any problem, but in order to do this I have to first delete MPLAYER, then logout, login, install it again and run.

In DivX player the video can be opened, but playback hangs in the first seconds, no matter with or without subs.

PLEX opens and plays smoothly without the subs. If the subs are present, loading takes around a minute, and during the playback the subs are not shown. Actually, the are partly shown - like in the opening of the series, there's a karaoke and it's shown. But nothing after.

Quicktime opens and plays MP4 video smoothly, but it do not support ASS/SSA subs for MP4, even with perian. It also can play any MKVs (with perian help) but a bit slow.

VLC perfectly plays MP4 and other files of any quality without ANY problem, but can't open the same file if it's accompanied by subtitles. I've tried all of the tricks mentioned on the board but with no success. When it hangs trying to open the file with subs the CPU usage goes up to 100%, VLC stops to "reply to the system" and I have to terminate it manually. Same with MKV files with subs.
Also there's a problem with youtube videos - just opening the youtube.com eats out 100% of CPU. Same in Safari and Firefox. BUT! Sometimes it work.

Please help me with any ideas or considerations. I bought this expensive Mac not thinking that it will work as 80486 Dx-2 66

Let me know!


Replies (1)

RE: Major MP4+subs/ MKV video playback problem - Added by Adrian Stutz about 2 years ago

Your system seems to have serious problems and the many of applications affected point to hardware problem.

Here are a few tips I can give you:
  • Run the hardware test from the installation dvd (by pressing D when the computer starts up and the dvd is in the drive). Take the extended test, which can take up to a couple of hours. I suspect the RAM could have issues and this will throughly test it.
  • Install a clean system one way or another (on an external drive, a new internal partition, etc) and check if you still have the problem.

If the test shows any errors or the system still misbehaves after a clean install, bring you computer to the repair. You can try getting support from Apple before that but the steps above are clear indicators that your computers needs to be fixed.

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