Vero freezes on fast forward or refresh database during playback

Dear Sam,
Going into week 10. Feeling like holding a monologue here.

Decided to do some additional testing today. As mentioned in topic 2569, my Vero is usually connected to the NFS server through a GbE switch and two Powerline adpaters.

Router --- GbE Switch -+- Powerline Adapter --- Powerline Adapter -+- Vero
                       +- Ubuntu Server NAS                        +- RPi
                       +- ...

Today I connected Vero directly to the router and a HDMI display w/o any audio and CEC capability (in another room; not a permanent option).
When playing back or fast forwarding through the two samples from my previous post, Vero does NOT freeze even with debug overlays and all. The FF video is very choppy, though. And the video buffer (according to default skin visuals) always fills to a degree and then abruptly drops back to the current video position (i.e. buffer is emptied!?).

Attaching a full log w/ debugging enabled. Video playing from 12:16:58+ and 12:18:08+. HTH.
http://paste.osmc.io/asajowomuj.vhdl

Thanks for your help!