This is a new issue for me and I’m not sure if its a file encoding/codec issue or something with my config – or a bug in the system. I have been running this Vero V for almost a year now with this same hardware setup and no issues.
On certain video files the video plays but the audio will either cut in/out, not play at all or stutter horribly. SOMETIMES this can be resolved to changing to passthrough, or by rebooting the device – but not always.
Vero 5 connected to an Onkyo AVR and then a TCL Series 6 screen. I haven’t run into any video formats that are not compatible. I’ve always tried locking my audio to Fixed @ 48hz and Optimized. Doesn’t appear to make a difference.
logs here: https://paste.osmc.tv/baquvimici
Why don’t you always use passthrough?
Does your Onkyo not support certain file types?
Should have been more clear… Sometimes toggigling passthrough off will fix it. I do try to always use passthrough.
Still fighting this. Any chance it could be a bad or failing HDMI cable? Not sure why a reboot would correct that but I’m grasping at straws…
How old is the Onkyo? This brings back memories from a decade ago…
But if it only started happening recently then I’m not sure what the issue may be.
If you have a spare hdmi it wouldn’t hurt.
Swapped out the HDMI earlier and didn’t make a difference. Rebooting the Vero does seem to pretty reliably fix the problem… But only temporarily. A few hours later and I’ll start running into issues again. Some files play fine and then others really struggle. I was watching a movie earlier and was also having random video drop outs… Rebooted and it played fine again.
I remember issues with 2013-14-15 Onkyos
What else is connected to the Onkyo?
Can you disconnect it temporarily?
Sam
It’s the only thing connected. I could try another port, maybe? I also have an older Vero 4k I could bring back to see if it starts having issues.
I’ve been using the Onkyo since 2018 and this is the first time I’ve had any issues and it’s been running since the V was released. Very weird!
I am still having this issue. I’ve gained some additional insight through complete trial and error. I’m now basically at the point where if a file doesn’t play correctly (either no audio or glitchy audio) I can reboot the Vero 5 and as long as the problem file is the first one I play, it will play correctly. If I play something else and then go to that file, it will fail. This indicates to my small brain that it’s a bug of some kind.
One additional clue is that some series will play fine and other series will have issues but it’s not random from episode to episode. That gives me hope that there could be an indicator in the metadata?
I’ve logged the mediainfo output of playing and non-playing files over the last week. It’s not a huge sample size but you can review here:
nonworking
working
I couldn’t come up with any obvious explanations but I fed them into an AI and it came back with an interesting analysis.
| Characteristic |
Working File |
Non-Working File |
| Frame Rates |
Variable (23.976, 25, 29.97 FPS) |
Consistent 23.976 FPS |
| Bit Depth |
Mix of 8-bit and 10-bit |
Predominantly 10-bit |
| HDR/Color |
Various (Dolby Vision, HLG, BT.2020, BT.709) |
Not specified |
| Audio Bitrate |
128-640 kb/s range |
256 kb/s or 640 kb/s only |
| Audio Features |
Some with Dolby Atmos |
Standard E-AC-3 configuration |
Sure enough, when I look at the non-working files they seem to all be missing these properties:
Color range : Limited
Color primaries : BT.2020
Transfer characteristics : HLG
Matrix coefficients : BT.2020 non-constant
I’ll continue to collect my data and post if I come up with any other clues but do these additional details provide any other clues that could lead to a solution?
From the logs
Mar 24 23:24:44.448659 osmc kernel: EARC fe333800.earc: HDMITX cable is plugout
...
Mar 24 23:24:45.168702 osmc kernel: EARC fe333800.earc: HDMITX cable is plugin
...
Mar 25 18:54:35.638642 osmc kernel: EARC fe333800.earc: HDMITX cable is plugin
...
Mar 25 18:54:36.888609 osmc kernel: EARC fe333800.earc: HDMITX cable is plugout
...
Mar 25 18:54:38.311457 osmc kernel: EARC fe333800.earc: HDMITX cable is plugin
...
Mar 25 18:54:40.110764 osmc kernel: EARC fe333800.earc: HDMITX cable is plugout
If that wasn’t you then it must be some kind of HW issue. I suggest to start with a cable replacement. Try HDMI Premium High Speed or even HDMI Ultra High Speed cables.
… or even some simple contact cleaner (‘DeOxit’ for example)
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This is an interesting catch but why would a finicky HDMI cable only effect specific files or groups of files?
My HDMI is buried in the wall. I could run a temporary one to troubleshoot.
It could be simply a bandwidth problem and only occurs on very high data throughput peaks like watching 4k video material with high frame rate and with TrueHD or DTS HD audio. Could be also a HW problem of the AVR. All pure speculation …
edit: ignore this post (for now) – the file I was testing with in the below log appears to be corrupt. I’ll need to spend some time with the new hdmi cables to see if the issue returns.
removed post
Update: Replaced both HDMI cables today and no improvement. In fact, I have a new symptom. This file plays audio correctly but the video never fully initiates (for lack of a better term.) It briefly shows the Kodi loading circle and then just causes the entire screen to jitter and shake but never begins the video stream. I can pause/play or return to the menu without any issues. (I tried with both the old and new HDMI cables.)
https://paste.osmc.tv/epadalurid
I also tried this with the Vero 5 connected directly to my display. Eliminating the Onkyo altogether. Makes no difference. So this is definitely a Vero issue.
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