Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 jerky video playback

[edbain 1]

Hi

I'm having an issue since the second last update where playback within Emby is 'jerky', this has continued through an update today so I'm posting. Every few seconds of video there's a fraction second jerk, which doesn't feel like a dropped frame or stutter- it's like it fast forwards very, very briefly. 

The issue is limited to one device - all others seem fine. 

I suspect it's related to hardware acceleration - because if I enable external players, and choose VLC with hardware acceleration set to decoding only, it plays video fine (but frequently loses audio). If it's on automatic or full, I get the same problem as in Emby. If it's disabled, I lose audio. Audio loss coupled with trouble with it reporting back play states, I'm therefore struggling with using VLC as a workaround. 

There is not an option within the Emby Android app to toggle hardware acceleration, or globally via the tablet. 

I have tried toggling the quality of playback, refresh rate switching, video resolution matching, same issue. 

I have app and server logs available, as required. Not posting publicly, as per the info. 

 

Emby Server Ver 4.9.3.0 (Up to date)

Emby Android Ver (Tab S8/SM-X700) 3.5.28
(This is the one having problems)

S8 Software, freshly updated:
One UI 8.0
Android 16

Emby Android Ver (Pixel) 3.5.28 (same)
(This works fine, is also up to date)

Edited February 12 by edbain

[Luke 42077]

 

Hi there, let's look at an example. Please attach the information requested in how to report a media playback issue. Thanks!

 

[edbain 1]

Hi, didn't think video would  explain it better and screenshots aren't going to, but maybe it's because I'm coming at this with more context than you are:

On 12/02/2026 at 22:42, Luke said:

 

Hi there, let's look at an example. Please attach the information requested in how to report a media playback issue. Thanks!

 

 

Hopefully this helps. Can be seen more strongly in panning shots and in the coffin shot. It's the same on all files, with transcoding or direct play. 

 

Edited Tuesday at 09:12 PM by edbain
Add info

[ebr 16169]

Hi.  If you bring up stats for nerds does it say frames are being dropped?

[edbain 1]

Didn't know it could- but not that I can see. 

 

Just checked- stats show the same whether or not display refresh rate switching/resolution matching is toggled. 

Edited Tuesday at 09:20 PM by edbain
Wouldn't let me add the extra info on settings in a new comment.

[ebr 16169]

Okay, it isn't dropped frames.  It is frame judder due to the media frame rate of 25 and your display refresh rate of 60.

[edbain 1]

Ok, do you know how I fix this? It hasn't always done it, just fairly recently. And as I say, it doesn't do it with external apps.