4K video shot using GoPro Hero 4 or GoPro Hero 5 showing choppy playback issues while playing on VLC. Though VLC is one of the best media players for playing all types of video clips, sometimes you may face choppy issues, while playing 4K video recorded using GoPro Hero 4. You may encounter this issue even when you play 4K video directly from your camera memory card. Hence, first copy your video to computer, then open it using VLC Media Player. If problem still persists, then try the methods mentioned below-
Workaround #1: Enable GPU Accelerate Decoding in VLC
You can’t play 4K video on the VLC media player as it needs massive processing power. So, you need to enable GPU to accelerate decoding feature in VLC. It works on theory where processing power of graphics card lightens the load on the processor of the system.
Steps to enable GPU accelerated decoding-
Go to VLC media player and click on Tools
Then, select Preferences or else press Ctrl + P at a time to open settings
1. If you are using simple settings interface
- From the left sidebar of the Settings window, select the option Input and codecs
- Under Codecs from the right hand of the screen, select Use GPU Accelerated decoding
2. If you are using all interface
- Navigate to Input and codecs -> Video Codecs-> FFmpeg-> Hardware decoding instead of GPU accelerated decoding
- After enabling GPU accelerated decoding, click on Save button
Now, play your 4K video and check whether it still has choppy or lagging issue. If not, keep the settings as it is. If the problem still exists, then undo the settings. Try the next method.
Workaround #2: Reduce Resolution of 4K video to 1080P
If you want to play 4K video in VLC rather than using any other media player, then you need to compress your 4K to 1080p. Compressing 4K to 1080P resolves choppy or logging issues which arise while using VLC. Thinking why? Well! 4K videos have higher resolution than 1080p video (Superior up to 4X times pixels compared to 1080p videos), with new codec named H.265, which is not supported by VLC. Therefore, you need to compress your 4K video to 1080p.
There are many software’s available in the market for compressing 4K to 1080p. Choose the best one to compress your 4K video.
Workaround #3: Use Video Repair software
If your 4K video shows choppy playback issue even after compressing it to 1080p, then try to fix choppy video using Remo Repair software. It repairs converted video that is showing choppy playback issues on Windows and Mac in few simple clicks.