Question Could non-compatible RAM frequency be cause of video lag ?

[MatteKalle]

Hi,
I have a long going problem with streaming 1080p and 5.1 videos on my Nuc5I5Ryk. Although he problem only occurs in some instances.
I have tried updating every driver, bios and reinstalling graphic drivers among other things.

What now appeared occurred to me is that the RAM i bought is 1866MHz and my board only supports 1333 and 1600.
Although I also found this information about my RAM so I think it should work anyway (or?) - ” SPD - 1600 MHz - 1.35 / 1.5 V - CL10 - 10-10-10”

I can see in the BIOS that the board set it to 1600 although tcl, trcd and trp was set to 9. I changed them to 10 but it did not make any difference to the video playback.
Should I change some other RAM value in the BIOS, do I have to buy a new RAM or is it not even possible that this has something to do with the problem that I am experiencing ?

Not working:

• Netflix app (1080p + surround)
• Netflix through Edge (1080p ).
• Disney+ app (1080p)

Working:

• 1080p and 5.1 through Kodi.
• Disney + through Edge (1080p).
• Netflix through Firefox + 1080p add on.

Specs:
Intel Nuc Kit Nuc5I5Ryk bought dec 2016.
Processor: Intel Core I5-5250U
RAM: Fury Black DDR3L 1866MHz 2x4gb
Graphic: Intel HD graphics 6000
SSD: Samsung 850-series EVO 120GB M.2
HDMI-cable: Deltaco mini HDMI>HDMI (Version 1.4)
OS: Windows 10 Pro 64bit (version 21H2)

Picture of RAM settings:

https://imgur.com/XXX8Vpa

View: https://imgur.com/XXX8Vpa


Video showing Netflix app playback:

https://imgur.com/Rb9FEiv

View: https://imgur.com/Rb9FEiv

 

[Nighthawk117]

I was going to say Firefox and Chrome are capped at 720p but I see you've changed that. Some silly questions:

1. Do you have subtitles enabled?
2. Does it stutter with both 2.0 and 5.1 audio?

Task Manager will tell you what the CPU clock speed is.

 

[MatteKalle]

1. Yes but I have tried without it also and no change.
2. Yes. Netflix through browser only seem to work with Stereo. I am only getting 5.1 with the Netflix app.

See picture off Task Manager when playing -

https://imgur.com/jH07gEU

View: https://imgur.com/jH07gEU

 

[MatteKalle]

Today I tried choosing low playback setting in Netflix and when playing through Edge I can see that it is using 720p AVC1. And it is still lagging the same way.

 

[MatteKalle]

Some breakthrough news regarding this subject.
Today I talked to netflix support and got Netflix stream working in without lag in Edge by navigating to edge://flags and setting Playready to disabled and Widevine to Enabled.

Sadly the same setting is not possible to make in the app. And it is the app I want to be using to get 5.1 sound.

But this tells me that my computer do not handle Playready drm content very well. The question is if we can find an answer to why and maybe even a possible solution.
Is there a setting on my computer that I can change or is it a hardware incompatibility. Or is it something else?

 

[Nighthawk117]

That's interesting, Playready DRM is hardware based where Widevine is software. If it's the case that your hardware doesn't play well with the version of Playready that Netflix is using then I get the impression there's not much you can do. I can't see any references to DRM support on the chip you have though.

I don't know what version of Playready Netflix uses. Intel introduced support for Playready 3.0 in 2016 on 6th gen Intel but that should only be required for 4k playback.

Very surprised your having an issue with 1080p but it does sound like it's this DRM thing messing you up.

 

[MatteKalle]

Did some google:ing and found this post - https://www.thegreenbutton.tv/forums/viewtopic.php?t=6769
Seems like some stuff that I could try out.

 

[Nighthawk117]

What a bloody pain, I think I read somewhere you were using an adapter? Is there any alternative connection that you can use that doesn't require one. Sometimes they can cause problems as well.

 

[MatteKalle]

Not sure what kind off adapter you are reffering to. I don't know that I have mentioned anything about an adapter =).

 

[Nighthawk117]

Not sure what kind off adapter you are reffering to. I don't know that I have mentioned anything about an adapter =).

I think it was mini HDMI adapter.

 

[MatteKalle]

I do not have a mini HDMI adapter.
My device has a mini HDMI and a mini DP port so it is connected to the TV with a mini HDMI to HDMI cord.

 

[Nighthawk117]

I do not have a mini HDMI adapter.
My device has a mini HDMI and a mini DP port so it is connected to the TV with a mini HDMI to HDMI cord.

Ah I see, ok that sounds fine then.

 

[Nighthawk117]

I know not necessarily the solution you want, but if your unable to resolve this you could always get an Amazon Fire Stick 4k Max.

 

[MatteKalle]

Getting more confused again =/.
I found som sites to test Playready and with playready activated in Edge I get no problem playing these test videos. So if it has something to do with Playready it only seems to effect Netflix.
bitmovin.com/demos/drm
https://testweb.playready.microsoft.com/Content/Content4X

 

[MatteKalle]

I know not necessarily the solution you want, but if your unable to resolve this you could always get an Amazon Fire Stick 4k Max.

Yeah, I will be looking at this if/when I give up on finding a solution to this problem. Really frustrating though because I feel that I payed more then necessary when buying this NUC as a HTPC. The idea about this device is to be able to have Kodi, Netflix and Disney Windows apps and direct links to other streaming sites available from Windows desktop. The NUC is then connected with HDMI to my Receiver so that I can get surround sound. I am not sure that a Kindle or any other solution will be able to match the convenience off this setup. And also I am not that happy to plunge out a lot off money for a new solution.

I have bought some second hand RAM now just to be able to rule that one out. I can resell it again without any big loss if that is not the problem. After that I think I am out off Ideas so if nothing else comes up I will have to start looking for alternatives.

 

[Nighthawk117]

Yeah I know what you mean, I use PC for everything as well, it's a pain when it doesn't work. When you tested with the monitor, did you have it plugged into the HDMI receiver or directly into the PC?

 

[MatteKalle]

I have ruled out the receiver by connecting the HDMI directly to the TV. Also connected it directly to my new computer monitor with the same result.

 

[Nighthawk117]

Oh ok, thought so but just thought I'd ask. Just out of curiosity, you said you tried on another machine and that was fine. Was that using a CPU older than 6th gen?

 

[MatteKalle]

The Netflix app works without problems on my new computer with a Intel Core i5-11400F Processor and ASUS GeForce RTX3060 Phoenix V2.

 

[Nighthawk117]

Nice machine, not of the same vintage though, so different hardware DRM support.

 

[MatteKalle]

I also have a work computer and it has a 8gen processor - intel Core i5-8350U.

 

[Nighthawk117]

I use an i5 8250U regularly for Netflix app, but again that has more up to date hardware DRM support.

 

[MatteKalle]

The new RAM did not do any difference.
Noticed today that when switching to watching a new show (that I have not watched before) it worked as it should for a minute or so, then the TV went black for a second and when the picture came back again it started lagging again. So something is happening there.
I think I will buy a new HDMI cable as a last test.

 

[Nighthawk117]

Well I suppose that's one thing off the list. Have you at all checked CPU temps just to rule out throttling?

 

[MatteKalle]

As far as I can tell there is no high cpu temp -

https://imgur.com/6qvHWmL

View: https://m.imgur.com/6qvHWmL

 

[Nighthawk117]

Yeah nothing to worry about there. Thought it was unlikely but seem odd post with Nuc's throttling due to temp issues, rules it out anyway.