Why is watching videos on YouTube in 720p/1080p so slow and choppy/laggy?

[Blu-21]

Hi guys

Whenever I watch 720p or 1080p HD videos on YouTube or any other video streaming site the frame rate is just so slow and choppy, and its even worse with the higher resolutions like 1080p, 720p 60 and 1080p 60, especially in full screen mode which is completely unbearable.

I have a HP Pentium Duel-Core CPU 64-bit operating system with Windows 7 Home installed. I have tried disabling 'Hardware acceleration' on both Flash Player itself and on both my browsers which are Modzilla Firefox and Google Chrome. I've also tried disabling the 'PepperFlash Adobe Flash Player plugin in Google Chrome which is the ONLY Adobe Flash Player plugin I have on Chrome, and it doesn't really improve things.I have the most updated version of Flash too, and I have a unlimited broadband internet connection.

I only have 2 GIGS of installed memory/RAM on my computer. Would buying and installing an extra 2 GIGS of RAM, as well as getting a basic new graphics card with HDMI improve my problems? Does anyone else have some advice/tips for helping me to improve video performance?

[Icemouth]

What's your internet speed?

[sk33tr]

Originally Posted by Icemouth

What's your internet speed?

that's the important question, right there.

i also have a dual core processor and a 64-bit os. i do have more RAM, but it's more about the internet speed.

[chip75]

I have a single-core with 3GB of RAM and HD video usually plays fine with me. I just can't playback 1080p with iTunes or UltraViolet DCs because they use a lot of system resources. I can play a 25GB MKV perfectly depending on the software.

I did have the issue with stuttering video with Firefox and I went to about:config in the address bar, scrolled down to dom.ipc.plugins.flash.disable-protected-mode and changed it's value to True. I don't think I've had an issue since, bear in mind only Firefox was affected, Internet Explorer didn't have the stuttering issue. You shouldn't turn off Hardware Acceleration, it's generally needed unless it's causing an issue!

At the moment I get the error message saying Flash is an "unsafe plug-in"!

Your PC could do with some more RAM, but check that you don't have to many programs running when playing videos, a virus-scan will kill HD video playback on a modest PC. Keep everything to a minimum when playing videos and try not to have many background tasks running.

If you can download a 1080p trailer off YouTube or wherever and play it back, if it still stutters you know it's not your internet connection (or you can wait until the entire video has buffered). Also if you're not using wireless turn off that function, it can sometimes cause issues, when you're using a wired connection.

[DVD Phreak]

Originally Posted by chip75

At the moment I get the error message saying Flash is an "unsafe plug-in"!

Firefox has blocked Flash plugins. You have to re-enable them manually every time you play a Flash video.

When Flash is disabled, Youtube switches to HTML5. So the OP's problem may not be a Flash problem.

[Blu-21]

Originally Posted by Icemouth

What's your internet speed?

Originally Posted by sk33tr

that's the important question, right there.

i also have a dual core processor and a 64-bit os. i do have more RAM, but it's more about the internet speed.

If you can download a 1080p trailer off YouTube or wherever and play it back, if it still stutters you know it's not your internet connection (or you can wait until the entire video has buffered). Also if you're not using wireless turn off that function, it can sometimes cause issues, when you're using a wired connection.

I don't think it's my internet connection guys. I did a test and my average download speed is 28.64 Mbps.

My brother does use a router connected to the same modem to use a wireless connection, but how would I go about turning off the function anyway?

I did have the issue with stuttering video with Firefox and I went to about:config in the address bar, scrolled down to dom.ipc.plugins.flash.disable-protected-mode and changed it's value to True. I don't think I've had an issue since, bear in mind only Firefox was affected, Internet Explorer didn't have the stuttering issue. You shouldn't turn off Hardware Acceleration, it's generally needed unless it's causing an issue!

I tried changing the value of that setting to True but it did not do anything. I actually should clarify a detail in my OP, turning off Hardware Acceleration in Flash and via Firefox's advanced settings actually does help a little bit in regards to the playback frame rate. 720p is slightly smoother in a small and medium sized YouTube player, but 720p in full screen and 1080P (and higher) in general is still completely sluggish and choppy which is very frustrating.

Avast and MalwareBytes are my virus/malware pieces of software, and although admittedly it was only a couple of weeks ago that my PC was swarming with viruses/malware, I got a professional to delete them all, but even long before that I've always been having these frame rate issues with HD videos on streaming websites like YouTube. Now my PC is practically clean/protected when it comes to viruses and malware but still the problem persists.

I should note downloadable HD videos are not so much effected when it comes to the frame rate issues I'm having.

[Carlanga]

I used to have similar issues, I’m running a macbook from 2007 w 3gb of ram

any-who:
Go to youtube.com/html5 and either check or uncheck html5 depending what you are showing originally.

I know flash needs to be updated due to the issues of late so update that as well.

[chip75]

You could try running a trace test. Click Run and type cmd. Type tracert http://www.youtube.com (don't bother with the http:// bit this site added it to the post, just have a space after the tracert) report back what your numbers are (first three columns), we don't need to know your IP address. Mine are in the low 30s for YouTube.com. Someone smarter than me will decipher them!

[Blu-21]

Originally Posted by Carlanga

I used to have similar issues, I’m running a macbook from 2007 w 3gb of ram

any-who:
Go to youtube.com/html5 and either check or uncheck html5 depending what you are showing originally.

I know flash needs to be updated due to the issues of late so update that as well.

I went into that address, but it doesn't allow me to check or uncheck HTML 5 player (or anything else on the page). Nothing seems to be clickable. Here is a screenshot:



Flash is fully updated on my PC according to adobe.com

You could try running a trace test. Click Run and type cmd. Type tracert http://www.youtube.com (don't bother with the http:// bit this site added it to the post, just have a space after the tracert) report back what your numbers are (first three columns), we don't need to know your IP address. Mine are in the low 30s for YouTube.com. Someone smarter than me will decipher them!

Well chip here goes nothing:

1 <1ms <1ms <1ms

2 10ms 7ms 8ms

3 9ms 9ms 9ms

Obviously I don't have the slightest idea if those numbers are meant to be good or bad, but I hope it goes someway to helping me targeting the issue(s) to resolving this video streaming problem.

[chip75]

Those ping numbers are very good (as far I know), I don't think it's a internet issue.

I think you could try removing Flash completely and try running HTML, in Firefox you can remove the plug-ins and for Chrome you have to remove the program itself through your Control Panel, then check to see if HTML plays any smoother.

[Blu-21]

Originally Posted by chip75

Those ping numbers are very good (as far I know), I don't think it's a internet issue.

I think you could try removing Flash completely and try running HTML, in Firefox you can remove the plug-ins and for Chrome you have to remove the program itself through your Control Panel, then check to see if HTML plays any smoother.

I tried this and it's bascially no different in terms of frame rate performance on both Chrome and Firefox. I think I'm going to buy an extra 2 gigs of RAM and a better graphics card (unless you have any other suggestions?)

What type of graphics card would you recommend thats under the $100 price mark? The one on my motherboard isn't great, and the graphics card I am currently using lacks HDMI and has a loud fan which is annoying. I want to be able to hook up my tower to my monitor via HDMI instead of VGA.

[chip75]

Originally Posted by Blu-21

I tried this and it's basically no different in terms of frame rate performance on both Chrome and Firefox. I think I'm going to buy an extra 2 gigs of RAM and a better graphics card (unless you have any other suggestions?)

What type of graphics card would you recommend thats under the $100 price mark? The one on my motherboard isn't great, and the graphics card I am currently using lacks HDMI and has a loud fan which is annoying. I want to be able to hook up my tower to my monitor via HDMI instead of VGA.

For about $100 US, you can get a 4GB Nvidia card like this:



Just make sure you have the right cables ready as some have mini-HDMI connectors. Going from a on-board GPU to a dedicated card will certainly help your PC's performance. The one pictured is a budget card, but it has decent reviews on Amazon.com.

I'm still slightly puzzled as to why your PC can playback HD material, but struggles to stream HD. Your connection seems fine.

The other thing I'd suggest is to go to your PC's motherboard's website and see if there's any issues in the FAQ with other users experiencing the same problems (your BIOS might need updating), also make sure your PC inside is clean and free of dust, it's amazing what a good clean can do to a PC, build ups can affect performance and cause overheating, if your fan has become louder it might be an issue.

[Carlanga]

Originally Posted by Blu-21

I went into that address, but it doesn't allow me to check or uncheck HTML 5 player (or anything else on the page). Nothing seems to be clickable. Here is a screenshot:



Flash is fully updated on my PC according to adobe.com



Well chip here goes nothing:

1 <1ms <1ms <1ms

2 10ms 7ms 8ms

3 9ms 9ms 9ms

Obviously I don't have the slightest idea if those numbers are meant to be good or bad, but I hope it goes someway to helping me targeting the issue(s) to resolving this video streaming problem.

your image is missing a button under "The HTML5 player is currently used when possible.” the button should say: “use the default player” maybe you have some pop up blocker enabled or maybe that option is only for osx.

[Blu-21]

Originally Posted by chip75

For about $100 US, you can get a 4GB Nvidia card like this:



Just make sure you have the right cables ready as some have mini-HDMI connectors. Going from a on-board GPU to a dedicated card will certainly help your PC's performance. The one pictured is a budget card, but it has decent reviews on Amazon.com.

I'm still slightly puzzled as to why your PC can playback HD material, but struggles to stream HD. Your connection seems fine.

The other thing I'd suggest is to go to your PC's motherboard's website and see if there's any issues in the FAQ with other users experiencing the same problems (your BIOS might need updating), also make sure your PC inside is clean and free of dust, it's amazing what a good clean can do to a PC, build ups can affect performance and cause overheating, if your fan has become louder it might be an issue.

The last time my BIOS were updated was in 2009 according to my PC. As simple as it sounds to download/update the BIOs myself, I am kind of skeptical of doing it because I hear that a lot of problems can occur if you don't download the exact right ones. I'm taking my PC to a computer repair shop so he can install an extra 2 GIGs of RAM anyway, so I'll also ask him to update the BIOS for me as well, and I'll let you know if that helps.

[chip75]

Originally Posted by Blu-21

The last time my BIOS were updated was in 2009 according to my PC. As simple as it sounds to download/update the BIOs myself, I am kind of skeptical of doing it because I hear that a lot of problems can occur if you don't download the exact right ones. I'm taking my PC to a computer repair shop so he can install an extra 2 GIGs of RAM anyway, so I'll also ask him to update the BIOS for me as well, and I'll let you know if that helps.

I was quite anxious about updating BIOS, but modern motherboards are a lot simpler to do, usually there's a program you can run from the desktop and the newest BIOS update on the manufacturers website, so in the end it was no more difficult than updating Flash player.

It's the same with the RAM, they're easy to install and I often take my PC apart to give it a clean, but like a lot of things the more you do them the more accustomed you become to them. Hopefully the shop doesn't charge too much if you're buying RAM from them!

Hopefully the RAM will help, I forgot to ask you to check that it's running smoothly, sometimes they fail and can cause issues. Ask them to blast the dust out with an air canister whilst it's on the bench.

[Hatter]

Originally Posted by Blu-21

The last time my BIOS were updated was in 2009 according to my PC. As simple as it sounds to download/update the BIOs myself, I am kind of skeptical of doing it because I hear that a lot of problems can occur if you don't download the exact right ones. I'm taking my PC to a computer repair shop so he can install an extra 2 GIGs of RAM anyway, so I'll also ask him to update the BIOS for me as well, and I'll let you know if that helps.

You would give a shop money to install memory? It's the easiest upgrade to do yourself and you'll save a fair amount of money doing it.

[sk33tr]

Originally Posted by Hatter

You would give a shop money to install memory? It's the easiest upgrade to do yourself and you'll save a fair amount of money doing it.

basically what i was thinking when i read what he posted.

[Blu-21]

Just an update guys.

I got my new NVIDIA GEFORCE GT 730 graphics card installed today and now I can hook up my tower to my monitor via HDMI (unlike before where it was only via VGA with previous cards), however the graphics card hasn't helped at all with regards to the stuttering frame rate I get when watching online web videos. I don't have the extra 2 GIGs of RAM installed yet (which he said he'd install for free later on), but unfortunately for the moment I'm still experience the same issue that I've been trying to so badly to fix

Also has YouTube permanently defaulted to using the HTML5 player for playback? Because if anything as strange as it may sound, I think HTML5 might even be worse than Flash player for me when it comes to stuttering (and both are bad, especially with anything HD).

chip, I asked him about updating the BIOS before doing anything, but he said that he has had bad experiences doing that in the past for people in regards to updating the BIOs affecting general performance for whatever reason. He also said that the BIOS is most likely not connected with the stuttering frame rates I'm getting with web videos.

Hopefully you guys have some more suggestions that I can try out to resolving the issue, otherwise I will re-update this thread one way or the another when I get my extra 2 GIGs of RAM installed.

[chip75]

The graphics card should have made a huge difference, do you feel an improvement using it elsewhere?

Did the PC guy have a good look at your PC? It might be worth checking all the components. You can run CPUID, do check them here, but there's a lot of numbers. But you can check to see that your CPU and RAM are running properly and they're in the right slots.

Can you list your motherboard too? as well as your display settings?

[Blu-21]

Originally Posted by chip75

The graphics card should have made a huge difference, do you feel an improvement using it elsewhere?

Did the PC guy have a good look at your PC? It might be worth checking all the components. You can run CPUID, do check them here, but there's a lot of numbers. But you can check to see that your CPU and RAM are running properly and they're in the right slots.

Can you list your motherboard too? as well as your display settings?

In general I'm not noticing a great deal of difference in terms of performance. I do prefer this current card for one reason though and that's because of the silent fan but other than that, no. The web videos like I said stutter just as badly as before, especially with anything HD.

Overall I think the RAM will help performance regardless. I'm hoping it fixes the core web video stuttering issues, but my PC is really running slowly in general, so the extra RAM should help speed things up.

I emailed you my Motherboard details. I did that in case it was risky posting the details here.


My display settings were 1680 x 1050 because I was having trouble displaying 1920 x 1080 for some reason with this graphics card via HDMI (even though I had no problem displaying 1920 x 1080 before with my on board card and my old graphics card via VGA), but 1680 x 1050 was causing some slight stretching issues, so now the display setting is at 1082 x 1026 which I made fit the screen via the NVIDIA Control Panel by "resizing" it.

Is there a online program version of the CPUID which I could use that I do not have to download? I'm skeptical on downloading programs at the moment as my PC is running slow enough as it is.

I really appreciate your patience chip in trying to help me out, it isn't going unnoticed.