Jerky Video Playback in Mac Mini

[Paulino]

I have been using Mac systems for a long time now but I haven't faced such problems in the Mac system before. I have recently bought a Mac mini which was installed with Mac OS X 10.5 which I later updated to Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard. I have some music videos on my Mac mini which I used to watch. All the videos worked fine but now after the operating system update all the videos give Jerky Video Playback in Mac Mini. This problem is faced while playing the Videos of all format. I cant figure out what is the reason behind the problem and hence need your help in finding the answer. Is it because of the operating system? or is there some hardware problem in Macmini.

[Deep23]

Check if the videos which are watching are proper. It happens that the files on the computer get corrupted. If the file itself is corrupt then the user will face problems while playing or opening the files. Before doing any troubleshooting procedure, check the performance of the videos on some other Mac system and see if they work properly. If the file itself is corrupt then it will be played with frame loss in the other system also. If the files work properly on the other system then there is some problems with the Mac mini which you are using.

[Halina]

Have you tried doing a PRAM reset? Many times it happens that invalid entries get stored in the RAM. This invalid entries may create problem while smooth running of the application or the operating system. This invalid entries should be removed from the RAM for proper and smooth working of the computer. To delete all the invalid entries PRAM reset is done. Follow the steps to perform the PRAM reset.
1. First locate and find the following keys ( Apple, Option, R and P)
2. Now press and hold the following keys while pressing the power button.
3. Hold the keys till three start up chimes are heard.
4. Once 3rd Start up chime is heard, release the keys and let the system boot normally.

[Barclay]

It could be because of the update procedure which you carried out on the computer. While updating the operating system, the older files are replaced by some new files. If an application requires a particular file to be used and if due to updating the file has been replaced then the application will not work properly. Also if there are some problems while updating of the operating system then the files are not replaced properly which will create problems in smooth running of operating system. Hence I would suggest you to reinstall the operating system again on the computer and then see if the videos work properly or not. You can select the Install/Archive mode to install operating system which will enable you to use the applications installed on the previous operating system.

[Theodot]

I think there is some problem with the Videos drivers which are installed on the computer. If the drivers of the device is not installed then the device will not work properly. Hence check if the drivers of the Video card are installed properly and are working. As you have also updated the operating system hence you will have to install a new drivers for the video card which will be supported by the current operating system which you are using. Go to the official website of the manufacturer of the graphic card which you are using and then download the drivers which are latest and supported by the operating system which you are using. Installing updated drivers will solve the problem.

[Tomaz]

Open the activity monitor from the apple menu and check the running processes while the video is being played. There is high possibility that there are many processes running in background when the Video is being played which takes up all the CPU usage. If the CPU usage is high then it is bound to create a Jerky playback in Video as the CPU will not be able to process the video at same speed. Terminate all the unwanted processes while playing the Video and then see if the video is being played properly.

[Gonzo]

The GPU of the MAC MINI is getting heated up and hence you are facing problems while playing the Videos. Check if the cooling fan of the Mac Mini is working properly or not. If the fan is covered with dust, then clean it as dust may be blocking the Airflow. If the fan is working properly, then the GPU must be having some problems and needs to be replaced. Take the Mac mini to the nearest Apple care center and get the Mac mini tested. The technician at the care center will check the Mac mini and will list all the problems in it. If the mini is under warranty then no charges will be levied on the replaced parts.