video lag - Every 5 seconds a freeze frame when playing video of any source

[Zoltán Süle]

The problem exists for months and I didn't find a good answer on it. It affects many softwares: Cheese, Super Tux Cart, VLC (when I rewind the video the sounds continues, but the video stops), youtube, Hangouts and every software where video is played.

I experienced that there are 2 things that can break it:
 - if I move the mouse out and in on the affected window (it doesn't work in full screen)
 - if I open the system monitor, the problem also disappears

other people also face with this problem:
https://unix.stackexchange.com/questions/447696/ubuntu-16-04-18-04-video-playback-lags-stutters
https://askubuntu.com/questions/1032035/ubuntu-18-04-budgie-desktop-video-lag-youtube-twitch-in-chrome
https://askubuntu.com/questions/1030074/my-video-player-in-ubuntu-18-04-lts-lags/1030194
https://askubuntu.com/questions/1030155/youtube-video-lag-on-18-04

Ubuntu 4.15.0-23.25-generic 4.15.18
it was upgraded from 16.04

ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 18.04
Package: cheese 3.28.0-1ubuntu1
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 4.15.0-23.25-generic 4.15.18
Uname: Linux 4.15.0-23-generic x86_64
ApportVersion: 2.20.9-0ubuntu7.2
Architecture: amd64
CurrentDesktop: ubuntu:GNOME
Date: Sat Jun 16 14:34:26 2018
ExecutablePath: /usr/bin/cheese
InstallationDate: Installed on 2016-08-04 (680 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 16.04.1 LTS "Xenial Xerus" - Release amd64 (20160719)
MachineType: Dell Inc. Latitude E5440
RelatedPackageVersions:
 cheese 3.28.0-1ubuntu1
 cheese-common 3.28.0-1ubuntu1
SourcePackage: linux
UpgradeStatus: Upgraded to bionic on 2018-04-02 (74 days ago)
dmi.bios.date: 05/01/2014
dmi.bios.vendor: Dell Inc.
dmi.bios.version: A06
dmi.board.name: 009TY8
dmi.board.vendor: Dell Inc.
dmi.board.version: A00
dmi.chassis.type: 9
dmi.chassis.vendor: Dell Inc.
dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnDellInc.:bvrA06:bd05/01/2014:svnDellInc.:pnLatitudeE5440:pvr01:rvnDellInc.:rn009TY8:rvrA00:cvnDellInc.:ct9:cvr:
dmi.product.name: Latitude E5440
dmi.product.version: 01
dmi.sys.vendor: Dell Inc.
---
ProblemType: Bug
ApportVersion: 2.20.9-0ubuntu7.2
Architecture: amd64
AudioDevicesInUse:
 USER PID ACCESS COMMAND
 /dev/snd/controlC2: vandor 3436 F.... pulseaudio
 /dev/snd/controlC1: vandor 3436 F.... pulseaudio
 /dev/snd/controlC0: vandor 3436 F.... pulseaudio
CurrentDesktop: ubuntu:GNOME
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 18.04
HibernationDevice: RESUME=UUID=b5a3c617-9443-458f-92a3-63eea1f57d5c
InstallationDate: Installed on 2016-08-04 (681 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 16.04.1 LTS "Xenial Xerus" - Release amd64 (20160719)
MachineType: Dell Inc. Latitude E5440
Package: linux (not installed)
ProcFB: 0 inteldrmfb
ProcKernelCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-4.15.0-23-generic root=UUID=38affd30-88f0-4a36-b9ae-6b5c210844b4 ro quiet splash vt.handoff=1
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 4.15.0-23.25-generic 4.15.18
RelatedPackageVersions:
 linux-restricted-modules-4.15.0-23-generic N/A
 linux-backports-modules-4.15.0-23-generic N/A
 linux-firmware 1.173.1
Tags: bionic
Uname: Linux 4.15.0-23-generic x86_64
UpgradeStatus: Upgraded to bionic on 2018-04-02 (74 days ago)
UserGroups: adm bumblebee cdrom dip docker libvirt libvirtd lpadmin mail plugdev sambashare sudo
_MarkForUpload: True
dmi.bios.date: 05/01/2014
dmi.bios.vendor: Dell Inc.
dmi.bios.version: A06
dmi.board.name: 009TY8
dmi.board.vendor: Dell Inc.
dmi.board.version: A00
dmi.chassis.type: 9
dmi.chassis.vendor: Dell Inc.
dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnDellInc.:bvrA06:bd05/01/2014:svnDellInc.:pnLatitudeE5440:pvr01:rvnDellInc.:rn009TY8:rvrA00:cvnDellInc.:ct9:cvr:
dmi.product.name: Latitude E5440
dmi.product.version: 01
dmi.sys.vendor: Dell Inc.

[Ubuntu Kernel Bot (ubuntu-kernel-bot)]

This bug is missing log files that will aid in diagnosing the problem. While running an Ubuntu kernel (not a mainline or third-party kernel) please enter the following command in a terminal window:

apport-collect 1777238

and then change the status of the bug to 'Confirmed'.

If, due to the nature of the issue you have encountered, you are unable to run this command, please add a comment stating that fact and change the bug status to 'Confirmed'.

This change has been made by an automated script, maintained by the Ubuntu Kernel Team.

[Zoltán Süle (zoltan-sule)]

apport information

[Zoltán Süle (zoltan-sule)]

apport information

[Zoltán Süle (zoltan-sule)]

apport information

[Zoltán Süle (zoltan-sule)]

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[Zoltán Süle (zoltan-sule)]

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[Zoltán Süle (zoltan-sule)]

apport information

[Zoltán Süle (zoltan-sule)]

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[Zoltán Süle (zoltan-sule)]

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[Zoltán Süle (zoltan-sule)]

apport information

[Zoltán Süle (zoltan-sule)]

apport information

[Zoltán Süle (zoltan-sule)]

apport information

[Zoltán Süle (zoltan-sule)]

apport information

[Zoltán Süle (zoltan-sule)]

apport information

[Zoltán Süle (zoltan-sule)]

apport information

[Zoltán Süle (zoltan-sule)]

apport information

[Joseph Salisbury (jsalisbury)]

Did this issue start happening after an update/upgrade? Was there a prior kernel version where you were not having this particular problem?

Would it be possible for you to test the latest upstream kernel? Refer to https://wiki.ubuntu.com/KernelMainlineBuilds . Please test the latest v4.17 kernel[0].

If this bug is fixed in the mainline kernel, please add the following tag 'kernel-fixed-upstream'.

If the mainline kernel does not fix this bug, please add the tag: 'kernel-bug-exists-upstream'.

Once testing of the upstream kernel is complete, please mark this bug as "Confirmed".

Thanks in advance.

[0] http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v4.18-rc1

[Zoltán Süle (zoltan-sule)]

Yes, this issue started after I upgraded my ubuntu from 16.04 to 18.04. I didn't experience it with 16.04.
I also have a newly installed 18.04 on a very same notebook and that one is also affected.

For the record: the youtube videos' lag issue was fixed weeks ago. I just mentioned it, because I had a feeling that that was a similar bug.

I installed the '4.17.0-041700-generic' kernel. It fixed the problem partially:
- Cheese still stuck sometimes (very very rare), but continues in less than a second without interaction
- I cannot reproduce the issue with VLC and hangouts any more
- Super Tux Cart still affected (it might be a different issue?)

What should I do? Cheese works much better with the mainline kernel, but it still stops sometimes for a moment.

[Zoltán Süle (zoltan-sule)]

I decided I add the tag: 'kernel-fixed-upstream', because I couldn't reproduce it when I tested it 2nd and 3rd time for minutes.

[Zoltán Süle (zoltan-sule)]

since the last gstreamer update the situation is much worse than before, so I removed the "kernel-fixed-upstream" tag.

Start-Date: 2018-06-29 02:57:21
Commandline: apt upgrade
Requested-By: vandor (1000)
Upgrade: bolt:amd64 (0.2-0ubuntu1, 0.3-0ubuntu0.1), gstreamer1.0-alsa:amd64 (1.14.0-2ubuntu1, 1.14.1-1ubuntu1~ubuntu18.04.1), networkd-dispatcher:amd64 (1.7-0ubuntu3, 1.7-0ubuntu3.2), python-gst-1.0:amd64 (1.14.0-1, 1.14.1-1~ubuntu18.04.1), gstreamer1.0-plugins-base-apps:amd64 (1.14.0-2ubuntu1, 1.14.1-1ubuntu1~ubuntu18.04.1), update-notifier-common:amd64 (3.192.1, 3.192.1.1), gstreamer1.0-tools:amd64 (1.14.0-1, 1.14.1-1~ubuntu18.04.1), gstreamer1.0-plugins-good:amd64 (1.14.0-1ubuntu1, 1.14.1-1ubuntu1~ubuntu18.04.1), gstreamer1.0-plugins-bad:amd64 (1.14.0-1ubuntu1, 1.14.1-1ubuntu1~ubuntu18.04.1), gstreamer1.0-plugins-base:amd64 (1.14.0-2ubuntu1, 1.14.1-1ubuntu1~ubuntu18.04.1), gstreamer1.0-plugins-base:i386 (1.14.0-2ubuntu1, 1.14.1-1ubuntu1~ubuntu18.04.1), apache2-data:amd64 (2.4.29-1ubuntu4.1, 2.4.29-1ubuntu4.2), libgstreamer-plugins-good1.0-0:amd64 (1.14.0-1ubuntu1, 1.14.1-1ubuntu1~ubuntu18.04.1), gstreamer1.0-pulseaudio:amd64 (1.14.0-1ubuntu1, 1.14.1-1ubuntu1~ubuntu18.04.1), libgstreamer-gl1.0-0:amd64 (1.14.0-2ubuntu1, 1.14.1-1ubuntu1~ubuntu18.04.1), libgstreamer-plugins-base1.0-0:amd64 (1.14.0-2ubuntu1, 1.14.1-1ubuntu1~ubuntu18.04.1), libgstreamer-plugins-base1.0-0:i386 (1.14.0-2ubuntu1, 1.14.1-1ubuntu1~ubuntu18.04.1), gstreamer1.0-x:amd64 (1.14.0-2ubuntu1, 1.14.1-1ubuntu1~ubuntu18.04.1), gir1.2-gst-plugins-base-1.0:amd64 (1.14.0-2ubuntu1, 1.14.1-1ubuntu1~ubuntu18.04.1), gstreamer1.0-libav:amd64 (1.14.0-1, 1.14.1-1~ubuntu18.04.1), apache2-bin:amd64 (2.4.29-1ubuntu4.1, 2.4.29-1ubuntu4.2), gir1.2-gstreamer-1.0:amd64 (1.14.0-1, 1.14.1-1~ubuntu18.04.1), gstreamer1.0-vaapi:amd64 (1.14.0-1, 1.14.1-1~ubuntu18.04.1), apache2:amd64 (2.4.29-1ubuntu4.1, 2.4.29-1ubuntu4.2), apache2-utils:amd64 (2.4.29-1ubuntu4.1, 2.4.29-1ubuntu4.2), libgstreamer-plugins-bad1.0-0:amd64 (1.14.0-1ubuntu1, 1.14.1-1ubuntu1~ubuntu18.04.1), update-notifier:amd64 (3.192.1, 3.192.1.1), libgstreamer1.0-0:amd64 (1.14.0-1, 1.14.1-1~ubuntu18.04.1), libgstreamer1.0-0:i386 (1.14.0-1, 1.14.1-1~ubuntu18.04.1), gstreamer1.0-gl:amd64 (1.14.0-2ubuntu1, 1.14.1-1ubuntu1~ubuntu18.04.1), gstreamer1.0-plugins-ugly:amd64 (1.14.0-1, 1.14.1-1~ubuntu18.04.1)
End-Date: 2018-06-29 02:57:36

[Boris (vivafelis)]

The lag is everywhere for me, not just in video. Screen scrolling also has this stutter.

[Boris (vivafelis)]

After posting the above, I found https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIQZv6MXzno.

The first solution (uncheking v-sync, log out, log in) seems to be working.

[Zoltán Süle (zoltan-sule)]

Thanks Boris! The video was taken in 2012, but I experience these kind of problems since the upgrade from 16.04 to 18.04.
I had 10.04, 12.04 and 16.04 before without these issues.

I experience more problems with the kernel 4.15.0-30 and it looks much better with kernel 4.17.0-x. Some upgrades make it better, some upgrades make it worse.

I also run a Debian test system without these issues.

[Zoltán Süle (zoltan-sule)]

the situation is much better after unchecking v-sync, but still not perfect.

[Boris (vivafelis)]

Hi Zoltan. This computer (HP Envy 17 Leap Motion SE) is a fresh install of 18.04. I upgraded my Dell Inspiron from 16.04 and don't have the issue. Very weird.

[Jon Delano (jd31068)]

Something to try, run system monitor. If I have it open I don't have any issues playing videos. Strange but true.

[Boris (vivafelis)]

After a couple of weeks without issues, thanks to changing the v-sync in compris, it is back and getting progressively worse.
Will try running system monitor and see if this helps.

[Boris (vivafelis)]

Running the system monitor as suggested by Jon had no effect.
Doing a cold boot reduced the problem tempoarily.

[Boris (vivafelis)]

This is getting really bad. I can't even type without the screen freezing momentarily!
What information would be most useful to diagnose the problem? How do I collect it? How do I add it to the ticket?

[Zoltán Süle (zoltan-sule)]

@Boris
You should determine which package/application affected and report it as a new bug.
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/ReportingBugs

Check the instructions of these paragraphs:
- Reporting non-crash hardware and desktop application bugs
- Collecting information from a specific package
- Collecting information about a program with a window open
- Collecting information from a currently running program
- Filing a general bug against no particular package
- Complete the bug report filing process

when you created a bug report, launchpad will inform you what else you have to do, like run this or that command..

[Damiön la Bagh (kat-amsterdam)]

Another thing to note. The stutter (every 5 seconds a freeze frame) is consistently reproduce-able on Gnome on Ubuntu 18.04 but when you switch to Unity there is no stutter the video at all. So suspect that Gnome could also be playing a part in this issue.

[plum (plumlis)]

Same here.
Ubuntu 18.04.2
Youtube / VLC / SMPLAYer affected.
Lagged every 5 sec

[Teeedubb (teeedubb)]

Hi,

I haven't read through this entire report, but I stumbled across it when searching for 'stutter every 5 sexonds'. I too had the issue, across many distros + compositors with Kodi (I didn't really test anything else). I have enabled the tear free option in a xorg.conf and the issue has disappeared. Might be worth you guys trying.

https://askubuntu.com/questions/1066722/intel-screen-tearing-ubuntu-18-04

[Teeedubb (teeedubb)]

I can't see a option to edit posts, but the gpu I am using is an Intel from a j4105 CPU

[shankao (shankao)]

In my case, the culprit was have running indicator-multiload on gnome. Thanks to this post I tried to quit it and the shuttering went away; it goes back by starting it up again. Do you guys happen to have it installed too? If so and stopping the program fixes it, I'd reconsider to change the package for this bug report

See https://dragoshmocrii.com/ubuntu-20-04-stuttering-animations-video/

[nvrmndr (nvrmndr)]

The issue is still here, I'm on 20.04 and kernel 5.10
The issue goes away after a reboot, then comes back randomly. It could come back on the same day, or take a month, it's impossible to detect a pattern.

[janesmith (janesmith321)]

It is often discussed among the masses about the freely available user-friendly media players and mostly we come across VLC as an unbeatable media player among its competitors. Despite the competitive advantage not only it plays up files to discs, webcams, streams but also works with odd codec encrypted files one downloaded from random websites in Eastern Europe. Though, it mostly runs on every platform like Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, iOS, Unix, and also in Android applications. However, one amazing feature of VLC is that it offers Frame by Frame VLC that enables you to play through a video one step at a time. This indeed can prove to be helpful in capturing snapshots from videos or if one wants to thoroughly go through and examine every frame of that insane BMX bicycle flip jump captured on the personal camera. Go to view and then click on advanced controls to turn it on. Another popup line of player controls will appear. Play a video with VLC player and press the very last button in the advanced controls to lets <a href="https://technumus.com/frame-by-frame-vlc/">FRAME BY FRAME VLC</a>VLC frame by frame play the video

[ankit (ankit-yadav-aj)]

The issue is still there.

[ankit (ankit-yadav-aj)]

Help anyone