How to fix choppy sound replay with VLC

I've got a problem with vlc playing some file formats, for example mkv or m2ts (I didn't notice this problem with avi though). The sound plays ok, than dissappears for a second or two, than re-appears. It occurs around once every 10 seconds. This is really annoying and prevents me from using VLC for those files, which, by the way, play completely ok in Media Player.

Here's what I already tried to do about it:

1. Change VLC sound output method
2. Re-install k-lite codec pack
3. Re-install/upgrade VLC

My configuration is:

1. Soundcard: Asus Xonar Essence
2. Operating system: Windows 7
3. Codecs: K-Lite

What else could I try to fix this issue?

7

4 Answers

in VLC... Tools – Preferences - Select Input & Codecs option ... Look for "Skip the loop filter for H.264 decoding " or “Skip H.264 in-loop deblocking filter” and select ALL from the drop down list.

Save the preference and play the video.

6

Open VLC Tools->Preferences->Audio->Output->Output Module

Select a different output module, then Save

Repeat until the problem goes away.

1

I've continued to have problems with VLC audio cutting out. Recently I discovered the problem goes away if I close all, or nearly all, my Chrome web browser tabs. This is puzzling; resource utilization doesn't seem to be the issue, as going from 30 to 5 open Chrome tabs had little effect on resources other than memory, and no effect on VLC's behavior, while going from 5 to 3 tabs eliminates the problem entirely--regardless of which 3 tabs I leave open.

I can still watch VLC videos if I use Firefox instead.

I'm using Windows 7 64-bit and Chrome Version 58.0.3029.110 (64-bit).

2

If the answer is to listen to the video, rather that resolve the VLC problem, I have a couple of workarounds; essentially, open it in something else. I have some .ts files recorded with a (perfectly good) Hauppage USB stick tuner using NextPVR, with a poor antenna connection. The picture breaks up occasionally (whatever the viewer). but in VLC 3.0.8 the sound cuts out intermittently. I think it's been said that the sound is OK in Firefox (on a PC?); I confirm this, but add that it's fine when opening the file in Kodi on an Android phone (I make a network connection, without copying the file, and open it by clicking on it in Total Commander for Android with LAN plugin, and selecting Kodi). No need for Kodi unapproved addons.

From this and other comments, this looks like something for the VLC developers to look into.