[Cash]

I'm trying to setup a couple ATV2s at first i couldn't find the shares for 2 hours, got that sorted out but now it only plays a few videos good (No Lag)
When bad the audio gets choppy and the video as well. I will mentio these all work fine with XBMC on a windows htpc.

I know atv2 says it wont play anything over 720, but that dosent mean it wont play the file at all correct? It just wont play that high quality of it or am I way off here?

Anyways i included the log below, any help would be great.
I also included some more data I compiled on some files that work and some that didn't.

My Log File
http://pastebin.com/download.php?i=hWQerbfF

My data i compiled.. codecs, movie size title, audio codec etc etc that I tested.
http://pastebin.com/download.php?i=V1QgBKX8

Like is there optimal settings i should be changing?
Thanks

USING Windows 7, Videos shared with SMB

[Ned Scott]

It can play the high quality, but only with the h.264 codec. For any other codec it probably won't work past SD resolutions. If any of the content is interlaced it will have issues regardless of codec.

[Memphiz]

Its not that high quality avi/divx/xvid movies won't work in the sense of "not starting". They wark as you have experienced it - stuttering audio and video due to CPU overload.

So for a thumbs rule:

1. SD works with all codecs as long as its non-interlaced/progressive
2. HD works with H.264 as long as its encoded in the specs (i've played 1080p upto 20mbit/s datarate)
3. Interlaced material might work or might not.

[Cash]

Ok maybe I'm just really out in left field but I just tried encoding like 20 vids to h.264 but it still is doing the same thing. Here is the video info of one file. Maybe I missed something?
Is this not what I'm looking for? Writing library : x264 core 112
Thanks again for the helps guys.

General
Complete name : D:\Movies\50 First Dates (2004)\Monsters, Inc. (2001) 1080p.Bluray.DTS.x264-Z@X-1 DOT mp4
Format : MPEG-4
Format profile : Base Media / Version 2
Codec ID : mp42
File size : 3.81 GiB
Duration : 1h 32mn
Overall bit rate mode : Variable
Overall bit rate : 5 919 Kbps
Encoded date : UTC 2012-01-23 18:34:48
Tagged date : UTC 2012-01-23 20:47:11
Writing application : HandBrake 0.9.5 2011010300

Video
ID : 1
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : [email protected]
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, ReFrames : 4 frames
Codec ID : avc1
Codec ID/Info : Advanced Video Coding
Duration : 1h 32mn
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 5 754 Kbps
Width : 1 920 pixels
Height : 1 040 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16:9
Frame rate mode : Variable
Frame rate : 23.976 fps
Minimum frame rate : 23.810 fps
Maximum frame rate : 24.390 fps
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.120
Stream size : 3.71 GiB (97%)
Writing library : x264 core 112
Encoding settings : cabac=1 / ref=2 / deblock=1:0:0 / analyse=0x1:0x111 / me=hex / subme=6 / psy=1 / psy_rd=1.00:0.00 / mixed_ref=0 / me_range=16 / chroma_me=1 / trellis=0 / 8x8dct=0 / cqm=0 / deadzone=21,11 / fast_pskip=1 / chroma_qp_offset=-2 / threads=6 / sliced_threads=0 / nr=0 / decimate=1 / interlaced=0 / constrained_intra=0 / bframes=2 / b_pyramid=2 / b_adapt=1 / b_bias=0 / direct=1 / weightb=0 / open_gop=0 / weightp=2 / keyint=240 / keyint_min=23 / scenecut=40 / intra_refresh=0 / rc_lookahead=40 / rc=crf / mbtree=1 / crf=20.0 / qcomp=0.60 / qpmin=3 / qpmax=51 / qpstep=4 / ip_ratio=1.40 / aq=1:1.00
Encoded date : UTC 2012-01-23 18:34:48
Tagged date : UTC 2012-01-23 20:47:11
Color primaries : BT.709-5, BT.1361, IEC 61966-2-4, SMPTE RP177
Transfer characteristics : BT.709-5, BT.1361
Matrix coefficients : BT.709-5, BT.1361, IEC 61966-2-4 709, SMPTE RP177

Audio
ID : 2
Format : AAC
Format/Info : Advanced Audio Codec
Format profile : LC
Codec ID : 40
Duration : 1h 32mn
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 160 Kbps
Maximum bit rate : 315 Kbps
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Channel positions : Front: L R
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Compression mode : Lossy
Stream size : 105 MiB (3%)
Language : English
Encoded date : UTC 2012-01-23 18:34:48
Tagged date : UTC 2012-01-23 20:47:11

[Memphiz]

Could you try with AC3 pass through instead of AAC Audio?

[Cash]

Could you try with AC3 pass through instead of AAC Audio?

Yes I will, so I did this right then the Video is in h.264 format then correct?

I guess I should just ask what is the OPTIMAL video format for atv2? And im fine using SMB for networking thats not messing anything.

I will read the wiki again but were do i find the best settings to pick in the system menu of xbmc on the atv2? Like enable dxva and all those settings?

[Cash]

Ok shoot I just saw in Handbrake it has apple tv 2 presets in it, could these be considered optimal? Lemme know your thoughts but in the mean time I'm gonna try it.

[Ned Scott]

I'd go with the Apple TV 2 preset or the High Profile preset. The ATV2 should handle either just fine.

[mcage]

Well there's definately à bug ei beta 2 and HD video. Ever since i moved to beta2 all my HD video's play choppy on my Apple tv's. All sd video files gave no problem
Same HD video's and network worked fine with beta 1 so..