Any hope that MBA 1.0 will ever run video smoothly?

[netdog]

We have two first gen MBAs, an SSD and a HD model. Both stutter when watching DVDs and even videos bought from iTunes. This seems to be a problem with most of the first generation models and the firmware upgrade did nothing to correct it.

Anybody think there is any hope that they can get the thermal issues sorted with the Rev. A MBAs or will these machines never run video reliably?

 

[six.four]

I've never had a problem with running any video smoothly on my MBA - even 1080p and 720p MKV files. Granted, I never use iTunes for videos. I use VLC player.

Same can be said for 1080p trailers from the the apple website. No problems running any of them smoothly.

 

[netdog]

VLC may be more efficient, but it won't play iTunes-bought video.

Do you ever run DVD's off the external drive?

 

[john-]

for me the major issue is the unability to watch flash movies. this may have gotten better with updates but it's still far from what it's supposed to be. to be specific, since day one i have been struggling with interruptions every ten seconds or so, let alone complete stuttering when using full screen. i just can't believe i'm buying one of the most expensive pieces of hardware and can't use youtube with it. apple, please.

 

[leodavinci0]

Maybe you have too many processes running in the background. I've found folks who have several gadgets running that suck up CPU and that was actually causing the stuttering video. My friend and I use his MBA to watch Veoh, Guba, Youtube and Hulu videos all the time with no stuttering, and the CPU isn't even maxed. Although, we also make sure to close all programs when we do this. Considering my old PB stutters only in full screen on Youtube (and that also depends on the video, sometimes it's near fine), there must be something else going on if your MBA is stuttering.

I've also used my old PB to watch iTunes rented movies, with no stuttering; DVD's are also fine. BTW, I'm running Leopard.

 

[buckawheat]

How else to test for core shutdown

I ran the 90 minute 3rd presidential debate on my R1 1.6 air last night occasionally checking Istat pro and the activity monitor.

Both cores functioned the same (seen in activity monitor), the temperature on the processor climbed to 68C, but then the fan revved up from 2500 to 6200 about 20 minutes in for the remainder of the video, which brought the processor temp down to 64 - 65. It was sitting on a desk for the duration of this test.

No stuttering, no shutdown of cores (that I saw), etc. Is there another way to check this or am I doing the right thing and just got one that doesn't have the issue? I have not run any itunes movies as I always use VLC (I don't purchase movies from itunes)

 

[Heavenkittykat]

I have never had a problem playing videos bought in itunes, DVD playing from external superdrive, youtube videos, higher resolution videos from imeem and veoh player, hulu videos and movies with my MBA since the first day I bought it in March.

Also, many people complained that their fans run 6200rpm after 3 minutes of video, mine doesn't. I finished the whole episode of dragonball z with my fan at 3500 rpm. I never had core shutdown problems whatsoever.

So there you have it, not all MBA rev A have problems

 

[Thorbjorn]

Mine runs video smoothly both from iTunes and from the attached superdrive. I think it's running better/less warm since I disabled Dashboard. (I used Onyx.) I've heard installing Flash 10 helps, too, although I haven't done that yet. Got my MBA last Friday at Best Buy--for $1299 and deferred interest for 18 months. Love this machine! No regrets.

 

[daneoni]

I have not this issue either, i watch a lot of HD video podcasts, Youtube videos...other flash videos as well as 720p trailers from Apple.com and the Air chews right through them. Granted the fans come on fairly quickly but i dont get any slow downs, core shutdowns or stuttering. To even test the Core shutdown issue i ran my processor at max for 30 minutes and none of the cores shutdown

RevA 1.86/SSD model knock on wood

 

[buckawheat]

Source of the issue

People seem to mostly complain about core shutdown when they are using this on something soft like a blanket or when they hook up an external monitor. I don't do either of these things, so I hope I don't ever see the issue.