xbmc/xbmc — pull request #598 by a11599 (2011-12-29 16:59:09+00:00)
Title: [fixed] Stutter with auto refresh change and Aero enabled

This PR fixes the heavy video stutter caused by fake fullscreen mode with Aero and auto refresh rate enabled.

It seems the composition rate in DWM is not updated after ChangeDisplaySettingsEx(). The only known workaround I found is to show a window after the refresh rate change. This does some magic within Windows and makes DWM update the composition rate. Fortunately the window can be positioned offscreen so this will not disturb the user experience. I found a similar workaround in MediaPortal as well.

This is a known issue and it is not XBMC's fault (other players suffer as well), but if one must use fake fullscreen (this is also the default setting of the OOTB installation), disabling Aero (as suggested by the Wiki) is usually not an option because it results in massive tearing in most cases.