I am currently working on a training that includes a large number of short mp4 video sequences. Unfortunately, the videos frequently stutter when they start running, which is extremely annoying. This happens regardless of the quality settings. Is it possible to preload/cache all videos of a training into the RAM before launch in order to achieve smooth playback?
The problem occurs with both settings. Adaptive might be slightly better but still way too choppy to be imposed on the customer. Playback is smoother when repeated, so I hope that preloading the clips will fix the problem. Most clips are only 1-2 seconds long and 150 KB to 1 MB in size, so I didn't expect any issues.
I agree that using the adaptive video quality setting should help here since it will allow a preloaded, low-quality version of your videos to load for learners with slow internet speed.
thank you for your advice, but the problem does not appear to be related to internet speeds. The stuttering of the first video frames also occurs when I run the published course locally.
When restarting the slide once or twice, playback is smooth without the initial jittering. This leads me to believe that Storyline does not properly fill the browser cache in the beginning. I need to find a way to get this done before running the training.
Hi Ron, most videos were rendered in Keyshot, some in Premiere Pro. I've already tried to make the files as small as possible using Handbrake but that does not appear to have any effect on playback.
It looks as if the first couple of frame jump back and forth before a clip actually start playing. That's a huge problem for me since the training relies on seamless transitions between product views.
Hi Ron, I have put together a sample file with three tiny mp4 video clips. Note the annoying stuttering that occurs at the beginning of each clip. It appears to be more severe in Firefox than in Chrome/Edge but in neither case can the customer be expected to accept this.
The first clip in your video actually shows the stuttering, the second and third run smoothly.
The problem is that my customer sees the stutter, too. On different machines at different locations. So do all my colleagues. I must therefore assume that this is a widespread issue that needs fixing.
15 Replies
Hello Christoph
Are you using the Adaptive or Static Quality settings?
Th adaptive setting may help here.
Hi Ron,
thank you for your feedback!
The problem occurs with both settings. Adaptive might be slightly better but still way too choppy to be imposed on the customer. Playback is smoother when repeated, so I hope that preloading the clips will fix the problem. Most clips are only 1-2 seconds long and 150 KB to 1 MB in size, so I didn't expect any issues.
Any other tips?
I really need to find a solution for this.
Hi Christoph,
I agree that using the adaptive video quality setting should help here since it will allow a preloaded, low-quality version of your videos to load for learners with slow internet speed.
Since you've already tried using that option, you can check out additional tips for working with a video-heavy course here:
Additionally, you'll also want to test your course in a different environment to see if the loading issue is only present in your course hosting platform. If you can replicate the behavior in SCORM Cloud, please open a case with our support team here so we can check how your course is currently set up.
Hi Jose,
thank you for your advice, but the problem does not appear to be related to internet speeds. The stuttering of the first video frames also occurs when I run the published course locally.
When restarting the slide once or twice, playback is smooth without the initial jittering. This leads me to believe that Storyline does not properly fill the browser cache in the beginning. I need to find a way to get this done before running the training.
the video preload is set correctly in the Storyline web player
that's all you can do
I am sure this is frustrating. How were the videos created? I wonder if rendering them in a tool like Handbrake could help.
Hi Ron, most videos were rendered in Keyshot, some in Premiere Pro. I've already tried to make the files as small as possible using Handbrake but that does not appear to have any effect on playback.
It looks as if the first couple of frame jump back and forth before a clip actually start playing. That's a huge problem for me since the training relies on seamless transitions between product views.
Are you able to share one of the videos for testing purposes?
Hi Ron, I have put together a sample file with three tiny mp4 video clips. Note the annoying stuttering that occurs at the beginning of each clip. It appears to be more severe in Firefox than in Chrome/Edge but in neither case can the customer be expected to accept this.
Please find attached the story file.
An online version (published with adaptive quality) can be viewed here:
https://360.articulate.com/review/content/58363cd6-ad26-4749-9702-dc9cca633134/review
I just played the video and don't see the stuttering in Chrome.
Hi Richard, thank you for testing. I've attached an OBS capture of what the published slide looks to me in Chrome.
Yes, I see the stutter in your capture. Here is my video capture but with no stutter. Very strange.
The first clip in your video actually shows the stuttering, the second and third run smoothly.
The problem is that my customer sees the stutter, too. On different machines at different locations. So do all my colleagues. I must therefore assume that this is a widespread issue that needs fixing.
this is a common browser problem with starting videos - independent of storyline
even the video player app of windows 10 (Film&TV) has the stuttering problem
that's why you never build videos so that they have visible movements for the first frames