Choppy Itunes Video Playback - MBA

[bobovic64]

I have a Rev A MBA but for the first time I just downloaded a TV show from Itunes and tried watching it back. It was very jumpy, freezing and video and audio were sometimes out of sync. I turned off all other applications, which improved it, but did not solve it. I tried downloading a second one and had the same problem.

Is this common? I would have thought of all applications to work well, Itunes should be one of them.
Thanks,

 

[Scottsdale]

I have a Rev A MBA but for the first time I just downloaded a TV show from Itunes and tried watching it back. It was very jumpy, freezing and video and audio were sometimes out of sync. I turned off all other applications, which improved it, but did not solve it. I tried downloading a second one and had the same problem.

Is this common? I would have thought of all applications to work well, Itunes should be one of them.
Thanks,

Nope. I don't think so. Normally iTunes works fine for video playback even on the original MBA. The common video problems are playback within a browser requiring a plug-in.

Have you tried CoolBook and reapplying thermal paste? Since turning off other apps helps it tells you the MBA is possibly being overworked or overheated. Are the vents blocked?

Does it normally work for you? Sorry if you mean first time you downloaded video... I couldn't tell if that was first or the first time stuttering with iTunes.

Sorry I cannot help more. Good luck with it.

 

[gglockner]

Is it an HD program? You might try with some video podcasts like those on Revision3.

 

[bobovic64]

This is the first time I have downloaded video (an episode of Lost) and the first time playing Itunes video. I had it sitting on a pillow, which may have affected the vents, I will try moving it to a different surface.

I have not tried coolbook but could add it.

 

[Scottsdale]

This is the first time I have downloaded video (an episode of Lost) and the first time playing Itunes video. I had it sitting on a pillow, which may have affected the vents, I will try moving it to a different surface.

I have not tried coolbook but could add it.

OMG... it's absolutely the pillow. That's bad with a rev 2,1 MBA, but it can probably start a fire with the original... Seriously, avoid that or you could trash your house if not just your MBA. Always set it on a book or magazine while on a soft surface, especially when playing an HD video. Always ensure the vents are clear.

BTW, I watch those on Hulu.com all the time with no problems on my rev 2,1 MBA. At hulu.com you have to watch 2.5 minutes of commercials to watch Lost for free (44 minutes of Lost and 2.5 minutes of commercial vs. the time it takes to go buy an episode on iTunes plus the cost). When you have Internet access, I would try hulu.com rather than spend the money for iTunes. Now if I plan to travel or be away from the Internet, I will pay money and buy some video content on iTunes. Just an idea... I don't know if it will play on an original MBA, but it probably would if you installed CoolBook - and you would have to ensure a book is underneath the MBA or you will fry something.

 

[bobovic64]

Thanks, I'll try to be more clever. Hulu not an option as I'm in Haiti right now.
Cheers,

 

[Scottsdale]

Thanks, I'll try to be more clever. Hulu not an option as I'm in Haiti right now.
Cheers,

Are you there to visit or support with relief?

 

[bobovic64]

working.

 

[skate71290]

Rev A MBA Is Lame

Hi, i probably have the same laptop as you.. Custom Small Sized Intel Processor @ 1.6GHZ, 80GB PATA Drive? if so, HD programs will not work (needs at least a 2GHZ Processor) and as dumb as this sounds, download VLC/Use Quicktime X and find the Movie File in your iTunes Media Folder (wherever that is set, Default: Music->iTunes->iTunes Media->Movies) it may work properly then, best of luck, and in future try to stick to standard resolution files, or download the file from iTunes, then download a SD file from a Torrent.... defeats the objects though

 

[Scottsdale]

Hi, i probably have the same laptop as you.. Custom Small Sized Intel Processor @ 1.6GHZ, 80GB PATA Drive? if so, HD programs will not work (needs at least a 2GHZ Processor) and as dumb as this sounds, download VLC/Use Quicktime X and find the Movie File in your iTunes Media Folder (wherever that is set, Default: Music->iTunes->iTunes Media->Movies) it may work properly then, best of luck, and in future try to stick to standard resolution files, or download the file from iTunes, then download a SD file from a Torrent.... defeats the objects though

Oh, that is true, iTunes says minimum of 2 GHz. But it always worked fine on my 1.86 GHz rev B.

 

[skate71290]

Oh, that is true, iTunes says minimum of 2 GHz. But it always worked fine on my 1.86 GHz rev B.

and as retarded as this sounds, let the movie/film play through in Quicktime/VLC all choppy and what not, then play it again, it runs fine for me then... again defeats the object lol, and i think the biggest issue is the heat which slows the processor down even more and the "custom size".... why they just couldn't use the original size in the first place i don't know

 

[Scottsdale]

and as retarded as this sounds, let the movie/film play through in Quicktime/VLC all choppy and what not, then play it again, it runs fine for me then... again defeats the object lol, and i think the biggest issue is the heat which slows the processor down even more and the "custom size".... why they just couldn't use the original size in the first place i don't know

You have an HDD then... an SSD wouldn't do that. This is my bet, but I could be wrong. I am considering the shaded bar which also shows the timeline of the video during playback. With a large file that shaded bar sometimes shows when the file is "loading." If play before it completes, it will stutter. After it "loads" fully, it will play fine the second time. I would bet this is an HDD problem, unless of course you have an SSD, then my whole theory is full of *****!