For a few weeks, maybe months now, I have had problems with my 8K TV - 75" Q900RA (2018) - with the 4K content on YouTube. The 1080p. works fine without any problems, so it is only 4K and 4K60Hz videos that does play but often stops and starts to buffer and then play and then stops again, and then plays and stops....
Furthermore, what is strange that I also have some permanent picture problems with 1080p. videos on a specific YouTube channel that has been mentioned in here - it is on the official Conan O'Brien YouTbue channel, and the Chuck Norris interview - in which also have the same picture problem on the TV's own internet browser, but NOT when playing on my MacBook in the same WiFi network !
I also notice when I am experiencing problems with the 4K content on YouTube that the manoeuvring the menu to check the resolution settings, or just stopping or pausing takes some seconds before the TV responds.
The problem with the 1080p on that one YouTube channel is disturbances in the picture that keeps popping up... Here is the video that describes the exact same problem I have on my TV, which is not a problem when watching the 1080p. on my MacBook.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUmosxTDohg
...and here is a link to the actual Chuck Norris video on the offical Conan O'Brian YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SE2ZrK7A4TI
I check the internet speed - through the TVs own internet browser and the download is over 100 Mpbs - and upload over 10 Mpbs. - and as mentioned no problem when watching 4K on the TVs own internet browser.
I have the 1334.0 version on the TVs own firmware - and the YouTube app-version is web_20230628_10_RC00 - plus I have the YouTube Premium subscription.
Also do not reply that I need to get a Apple TV or Chrome-cast when watching YouTube - as they have still not released 8K version to this date (July 2023), and it seems to not be planned in the nearest future either.... The TV has an built in YouTube app, which should function well with my internet speed and paid subscription.
I am speculating now, but can this issue be related to the built in HVEC H.265 codec hardware which my TV has -it does not have the AV1 codec - which used to only be a problem when trying to watch 8K content on my 8K TV, as it was impossible when YouTube started showing 8K videos on their platform with the AV1 codec only ? Can this HVEC/H.265 codec be the root of the issue I am experiencing ?
My 8K TV have to this date NEVER played 8K, and been up until recently only a functional 4K60Hz TV at its max - but now even the 4K videos on YouTube are messing up again.
Now for some strange reason the 4K and 4K60Hz. on my TV's YouTube app is back up and running smoothly agin, after being impossible to watch in other than 1440p. for several months (I think since around May 2023) - and also the app does not freeze up when I have a video running in a 4K setting, it even took long time to just pause or stop the video. I noticed there is good space on the "timeline" thing - seeing where you are in the video in terms of running time and how much of the video has been downloaded while watching.
I checked the the firmware on my TV and it is still 1334.0 - and it hit me today that I should have keep checking for which YouTube app version I have had (it also updates automatically). Right now I have web_20230813_10RC00 which I assume was released on the 13th. August 2023.
Version: web_20230814_08_RC00
Device: TV (PLATFORM_DETAIL_TV), Samsung/QE75Q900R/KANTM2/2018, Cobalt (20.Its.3.244012-gold), KANTM2 (1334.0)
Language: en-GB
Geo: NO
Client: xxxx
I have not factory reset my TV lately, nor the YouTube app, which was a possible fix mentioned in the Nordic Samsung forum - so this must have fixed itself, though I seem to remember reporting this issue about a month ago to YouTube. As mentioned the 4K was working when running YouTube on the TV's own internet browser in these months
I have had the setting on the YouTube app to be permanently max 1440p for several months - so today I checked by coincident a 4K video on the official Warner Brothers (film studio) YouTube channel and the 4K worked. The 1080p. Chuck Norris interview on the official Conan O'Brian YouTube channel still have the picture issue with the squares blinking on the top and bottom of the picture - so that is still an issue on my Q900RA (2018) TV....
Fingers crossed my TV does not screw up again.... I do not mind minor hick-ups, but when it goes over many months it takes a toll on my patience.
EDIT: Today, Friday the 8th. September 2023, I am experiencing some problems with the 4K60Hz videos in which the video stops with picture and also there are some freezing up when I manoeuvring around (stoping video, click on menu of the video both while freezed and when I am at "home", etc.). YouTube app: web_20230905_10_RC00 - However I have had some slow internet connection in the last couple of days, so I hope that it might be the problem.
Sunday, 10th. september 2023: 4K 60Hz and 4K videos are slow when starting - black screen for a few seconds (up to 10 sec) before the video starts. The menu and manoeuvring also slow when running 4K60Hz and 4K YouTube videos as it all freezes.... These video keeps stoping and then play, then stop, play, stop.... So can't watch videos in this resolution when this TV keeps "pausing"... 1440p.60Hz. seems to work well. Nothing wrong with my internet speed, as the download. is 89.31-98, upload is 9:44-10:29 - which should be more than enough. YouTube app version has changed: web_20230906_10_RC00 - so maybe that is the reason ?
Sunday, 17th. September 2023: 4K works flawlessly again... Also, no freeze in the app when manoeuvring - reaction right away when clicking on the remote control. YouTube app: web_20230913_08_RC00
Tuesday, 19th. September 2023: 4K60 and 4K still works - really good "buffer"-space (play+uploaded). No problem with manoeuvring or stopping the video. YouTube app version: web_20230917_10_RC00 - and the internet download speed is 90.73 (100 max) and upload speed is 10.05 (10 max).
