Video playback issues on digital signage usually come down to codec incompatibility, excessive bitrate, or resolution mismatch. SpinetiX players support a defined set of video codecs and specifications. Videos that play perfectly on a laptop may stutter, freeze, or fail on a player because the laptop uses software decoding (CPU-intensive) while the player uses hardware decoding (specific codec support). The fix is almost always: re-encode the video to the correct specification.
Supported Video Specifications
| Parameter | Recommended | Supported | Not Supported |
|---|---|---|---|
| Codec | H.264 (AVC) | H.265 (HEVC) on newer models | VP9, AV1, MPEG-2 |
| Container | MP4 | MKV, MOV | AVI, WMV, FLV |
| Resolution | 1920×1080 | Up to 3840×2160 (model-dependent) | Non-standard resolutions |
| Bitrate (1080p) | 8–15 Mbps | Up to 30 Mbps | Above 40 Mbps |
| Frame rate | 30 fps | 24, 25, 30, 60 fps | Variable frame rate |
| Audio | AAC | MP3, PCM | AC3, DTS, FLAC |
Troubleshooting by Symptom
Video Stutters or Freezes
- Check bitrate — if above 20 Mbps for 1080p, re-encode at 10–15 Mbps
- Check codec — re-encode H.265/VP9 content to H.264
- Check player storage — near-full storage causes read performance issues
- Check if multiple videos play simultaneously — multi-zone video layouts multiply decode load
Video Stretched or Cropped
- Verify video resolution matches display (1920×1080 for Full HD)
- Check aspect ratio — 4:3 video on 16:9 display causes distortion
- Use Elementi scaling options: fit, fill, stretch, or letterbox
No Audio
- Display volume turned up and not muted?
- HDMI cable carries audio? (verify cable type)
- Audio codec is AAC or MP3? (re-encode if AC3/DTS)
- Player audio settings configured correctly?
Key Parameters
| Parameter | Value | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Optimal codec | H.264 / AVC | Universal hardware decode support |
| Optimal bitrate | 10 Mbps (1080p) | Quality/performance sweet spot |
| Frame rate | Constant (CFR), 30 fps | VFR causes sync issues |
| Container | MP4 | Best compatibility |
| Audio | AAC, stereo, 128 kbps | Universal audio support |
Common Mistakes
- Using videos straight from a camera. Camera files are often high-bitrate, wrong aspect ratio, and Variable Frame Rate. Always transcode camera footage to the player specification before publishing.
- Multi-zone video layouts. Playing two 4K videos simultaneously in a split-screen layout exceeds the player's decoding capacity. Limit to one high-resolution video zone; use images or simple animations in other zones.
- Screen recording from a laptop. Screen recordings are often VP9 or H.265 in WebM containers — formats not universally supported. Re-encode to H.264 MP4 before using on signage.
- iPhone/iPad videos. iOS devices record in HEVC (H.265) and MOV by default. These may not play on all SpinetiX models. Convert to H.264 MP4 before publishing.
SpinetiX Reference
Supported video formats, encoding guidelines, and playback troubleshooting.