[kaunis]

Hi there folks,

Problem: HVEC/h265 video playback lags/is very slow
OS: macOS 10.15.7
Kodi: 18.9.0
Logs: https://paste.kodi.tv/muyowapico.kodi
Kodi setup location: Mac SSD
Kodi media location: Attached HDD storage

As the title reveals I'm having playback issues. I've just got the Kodi server set up so surely there's a config mistake somewhere. Why is 4k content lagging when playing? Playing 1080p is fine, and playing the 4k HVEC content through VLC is fine.

[Klojum]

Logs

2020-12-22 16:42:43.511 T:4718779840 NOTICE: Disabled debug logging due to GUI setting. Level 0.

Please enable debugging for a more detailed log file.

[kaunis]

Logs

2020-12-22 16:42:43.511 T:4718779840 NOTICE: Disabled debug logging due to GUI setting. Level 0.

Please enable debugging for a more detailed log file.

[kaunis]

I shall do so and return ASAP good sir.

[kaunis]

Debug log: https://paste.kodi.tv/afegopafax.kodi

I also activated some component specific logs, such as audio and video, in case that'd be helpful.

[kaunis]

Probably solved it.

[kaunis]

Or not. I turned off hardware acceleration in Settings > Player, which I mistakenly thought made it better for a moment. The file still lags alot while playing. 

Anyone able to help?

[kaunis]

Bump. 

Hello?

Optimal video settings for low end Macs, anyone?!

[jools5000]

Avoid H265 on such an old CPU, HEVC wasn't added in its most basic form until Skylake (6th gen)

You should be ok with H264 though

[kaunis]

Avoid H265 on such an old CPU, HEVC wasn't added in its most basic form until Skylake (6th gen)

You should be ok with H264 though

I will. But for interests sake, what would the settings be that are most merciful to old CPUs?

Worth noting that my Mac can play most of these files well with for example VLC.

[jools5000]

Avoid H265 on such an old CPU, HEVC wasn't added in its most basic form until Skylake (6th gen)

You should be ok with H264 though

I will. But for interests sake, what would the settings be that are most merciful to old CPUs?

Worth noting that my Mac can play most of these files well with for example VLC.

If you're going via a software decode it will be heavily dependent on the combination of CPU and application/files you are playing.  Some years ago I found one system would play HEVC at 720p and low bit rates fine but not handle anything more.  I suggest you do some experimenting to find the capabilities of the system. 

Modern systems can pretty much all do HEVC in hardware, even a Raspberry Pi.  Its worth considering if you are finding it difficult to play your media to consider an upgrade