[sualfred]

As a final comparison, here is the same thing but with IncludeWidgetLayout.xml from version 2.0.10 with *_empty.pngs removed and banner layout added (as requested above):

Out of all the ones I tested, this runs the smoothest (as good as the original fTV).

Interestingly the only lag happens when navigating up from row 3 to row 2. Navigating down is fine and all other rows are fine. This only affects menus with banners. When I go to Movies where there is no banner, it's smooth.

I’ve tried different menus with different widgets and it’s always rows 3 to 2. Could there be something in that? Or is it just a case of nearer the top is where the banner is loaded?

Also, as requested, here is modified 2.0.10 with banner added:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/6x5c4tjeb6tgt5...r.zip?dl=0

I can do logs of all 3 versions if it helps.

Just a quick reply before I go back to the hospital to my girls .

Could you test this one?:
http://pastebin.com/EC4U4bFn

This will remove the no focus overlay animation.
If it doesn't help, the lag is caused by the $PARAM function. That's the main difference to mine.