Smooth Playback Freeze?

[maago]

I encoded a movie using DivX 5.02 and got very frustrated when the movie froze at a certain frame and would stay stuck until reopening the file. Then I came here and searched for "freeze frame" and found the solution: to turn off the Smooth Playback feature in the decoding filter.

I have a very fast computer (AMD 2000+ with 512MB DDR and ATI 7500 AIW) so I dont think this could be the problem. Especially since its only at that exact frame that it happens and is not recoverable unless you close the playing application and reopen it, it just sticks at that frame with the audio going on in the background.

I also opened the file in Virtual Dub and VDub did not report any errors. The frame causing this may or may not be a key frame, I cannot really tell. I am guessing that most likely it is.

Also...as for encoding parameters I used 891 kbps with light preprocessing and light psychovisuals, gmc, and b-frames.

My question (being curious) is: why does this happen? And secondly, can it be fixed so that everyone who views this file doesn't have to turn off Smooth Playback?

Best Reguards,
Maago

[Fox Mulder]

Smooth Playback is not enabled by default I think.

[theReal]

The Smooth Playback is AFAIK only intended for slower machines and it does reduce quality to maintain smooth playback if the cpu power isn't sufficient (something like this).
It's off by default and you shouldn't use it anyways if your computer is fast enough.

[maago]

Ahhhhhhh ok. I thought this was a special filter or something that made the video look smoother than normal. Thanks for answering my question.