Can the 17" MacBook Pro play 1080p mkv files smoothly?

[kurtster]

The other day I tried watching a 1080p mkv file on my 2008 unibody MacBook connected to a 30" display via the miniport cable. Although I didn't have the picture at full screen size, the constant stuttering made it impossible to watch. Would, say, the current model 17" MBP be able to handle playback of 1080p files (connected to the 30" display) without issue?

Also, although not the right forum, would the ATV2 be up to the task as well?

 

[mac00l]

Since my 2011 13" is able to handle 1080p mkv files completely smoothly, the 17" should be even more than capable.

 

[MagicBoy]

Depends on what's in the MKV file - it's just a container.

My old 2006 15" MBP Core Duo played most 1080p H.264 MKV files just fine through VLC, although it did make the fans ramp up. Files with silly high bitrates would stutter or drop the occasional frame.