Laggy screen sharing in Zoom, Google Meet, and Skype

[guigui3000]

Hi all, long-time lurker, first-time poster.

While working with students I usually share my screen to display websites and sometimes videos. My Dell XPS 9350 (i7 6500U, HD 520 graphics) running Win 10 was capable of pushing the video or sharing static pages from my screen without a hitch. However, I've recently switched to LM 20.3 and unfortunately I cannot for the life of me share my screen in any meaningful way with people on my calls. If I share video, participants see a video with missed frames. Scrolling while sharing a website looks like screen tearing.

On LM 20.3 I've tried screen sharing using Google Meet on Firefox, Vivaldi, and Chrome without success. I've tried screensharing using Zoom from the Software Manager also without success. I also tried screensharing using Skype from the Snap store and that failed miserably as well.

I noticed a few posts here and on the web about problems with Zoom and Intel chips, but I haven't been able to understand what the actual problem is or if there is a solution.

Perhaps someone might be kind of enough to take the time to offer some clarification.

I posted below my

Code: Select all

inxi -Fxxxrz

if it can be of help.

Thanks so much for any information--or solution!--you can provide.

Code: Select all

System:
  Kernel: 5.13.0-27-generic x86_64 bits: 64 compiler: N/A 
  Desktop: Cinnamon 5.2.7 wm: muffin 5.2.0 dm: LightDM 1.30.0 
  Distro: Linux Mint 20.3 Una base: Ubuntu 20.04 focal 
Machine:
  Type: Laptop System: Dell product: XPS 13 9350 v: N/A serial: <filter> 
  Chassis: type: 9 serial: <filter> 
  Mobo: Dell model: 0PWNCR v: A00 serial: <filter> UEFI: Dell v: 1.13.0 
  date: 02/10/2020 
Battery:
  ID-1: BAT0 charge: 42.4 Wh condition: 56.0/56.0 Wh (100%) volts: 8.4/7.6 
  model: LGC-LGC7.790 DELL 90V7W type: Li-ion serial: <filter> 
  status: Charging 
  Device-1: hidpp_battery_0 model: Logitech Performance MX serial: <filter> 
  charge: 70% (should be ignored) rechargeable: yes status: Discharging 
CPU:
  Topology: Dual Core model: Intel Core i7-6500U bits: 64 type: MT MCP 
  arch: Skylake rev: 3 L2 cache: 4096 KiB 
  flags: avx avx2 lm nx pae sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 sse4_2 ssse3 vmx 
  bogomips: 20799 
  Speed: 600 MHz min/max: 400/3100 MHz Core speeds (MHz): 1: 600 2: 600 
  3: 600 4: 600 
Graphics:
  Device-1: Intel Skylake GT2 [HD Graphics 520] vendor: Dell driver: i915 
  v: kernel bus ID: 00:02.0 chip ID: 8086:1916 
  Display: x11 server: X.Org 1.20.13 driver: modesetting 
  unloaded: fbdev,vesa resolution: 3840x2160~60Hz 
  OpenGL: renderer: Mesa Intel HD Graphics 520 (SKL GT2) v: 4.6 Mesa 21.0.3 
  direct render: Yes 
Audio:
  Device-1: Intel Sunrise Point-LP HD Audio vendor: Dell 
  driver: snd_hda_intel v: kernel bus ID: 00:1f.3 chip ID: 8086:9d70 
  Sound Server: ALSA v: k5.13.0-27-generic 
Network:
  Device-1: Intel Wireless 8265 / 8275 driver: iwlwifi v: kernel port: f040 
  bus ID: 3a:00.0 chip ID: 8086:24fd 
  IF: wlp58s0 state: up mac: <filter> 
Drives:
  Local Storage: total: 4.10 TiB used: 923.29 GiB (22.0%) 
  ID-1: /dev/nvme0n1 vendor: Samsung model: SSD 950 PRO 512GB 
  size: 476.94 GiB speed: 31.6 Gb/s lanes: 4 serial: <filter> rev: 2B0QBXX7 
  scheme: GPT 
  ID-2: /dev/sda type: USB vendor: Western Digital model: WD4000F9YZ-09N20L1 
  size: 3.64 TiB rotation: 7200 rpm serial: <filter> rev: 01.0 scheme: GPT 
Partition:
  ID-1: / size: 466.30 GiB used: 83.70 GiB (18.0%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/dm-1 
  ID-2: /boot size: 704.5 MiB used: 340.4 MiB (48.3%) fs: ext4 
  dev: /dev/nvme0n1p2 
  ID-3: swap-1 size: 980.0 MiB used: 27.5 MiB (2.8%) fs: swap dev: /dev/dm-2 
Sensors:
  System Temperatures: cpu: 61.0 C mobo: 49.0 C sodimm: 55.0 C 
  Fan Speeds (RPM): cpu: 3614 
Repos:
  No active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list 
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/google-chrome.list 
  1: deb [arch=amd64] https://dl.google.com/linux/chrome/deb/ stable main
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/megasync.list 
  1: deb https://mega.nz/linux/MEGAsync/xUbuntu_20.04/ ./
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/official-package-repositories.list 
  1: deb https://ftp.fau.de/mint/packages una main upstream import backport
  2: deb http://mirrors.ircam.fr/pub/ubuntu/archive focal main restricted universe multiverse
  3: deb http://mirrors.ircam.fr/pub/ubuntu/archive focal-updates main restricted universe multiverse
  4: deb http://mirrors.ircam.fr/pub/ubuntu/archive focal-backports main restricted universe multiverse
  5: deb http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ focal-security main restricted universe multiverse
  6: deb http://archive.canonical.com/ubuntu/ focal partner
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/protonvpn-stable.list 
  1: deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/protonvpn-stable-archive-keyring.gpg] https://repo.protonvpn.com/debian stable main
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/spotify.list 
  1: deb http://repository.spotify.com stable non-free
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/vivaldi.list 
  1: deb [arch=amd64] https://repo.vivaldi.com/stable/deb/ stable main
Info:
  Processes: 314 Uptime: 26m Memory: 7.63 GiB used: 3.27 GiB (42.8%) 
  Init: systemd v: 245 runlevel: 5 Compilers: gcc: 9.3.0 alt: 9 Shell: bash 
  v: 5.0.17 running in: gnome-terminal inxi: 3.0.38

[HAWR]

Hello guigui3000,

from your system informations I can't see a reason of your problem with screen sharing. And as you write, it fails all the ways you have tried it, led my eyes on your VPN. I can imagine, that there can be problems with the internet when using VPN's. Have you tried screen sharing without VPN enabled?

[guigui3000]

Hiya,

No, I don't run a VPN while on meetings and there shouldn't be any problems with the internet connection since I'm on fibre.

Any other thoughts? Is it a driver issue?

[wallyUSA]

@guigui3000,

I have been using Zoom (from Zoom.us; .deb install) on XPS 13 for over a year. I screen share with as many as 20 people at a time. No issues.

My machine is older than yours and I will share my inxi with you if you’d like to compare. I keep Zoom app up to date (frequent updates) and try to minimize the system load when I plan to Zoom.

Do you have any other apps that may be using some of your resources?

Wally

Code: Select all

wally@wally-XPS-13-9343:~$ inxi -Fxxxrz
System:
  Kernel: 5.4.0-96-generic x86_64 bits: 64 compiler: gcc v: 9.3.0 
  Desktop: Cinnamon 5.2.7 wm: muffin 5.2.0 dm: LightDM 1.30.0 
  Distro: Linux Mint 20.3 Una base: Ubuntu 20.04 focal 
Machine:
  Type: Laptop System: Dell product: XPS 13 9343 v: N/A serial: <filter> 
  Chassis: type: 9 serial: <filter> 
  Mobo: Dell model: 0WF2C3 v: A00 serial: <filter> UEFI [Legacy]: Dell 
  v: A20 date: 06/06/2019 
Battery:
  ID-1: BAT0 charge: 47.0 Wh condition: 47.0/57.5 Wh (82%) volts: 8.7/7.6 
  model: SMP DELL JHXPY53 type: Li-poly serial: <filter> status: Full 
  Device-1: hidpp_battery_0 model: Logitech Wireless Keyboard 
  serial: <filter> charge: 55% (should be ignored) rechargeable: yes 
  status: Discharging 
CPU:
  Topology: Dual Core model: Intel Core i5-5200U bits: 64 type: MT MCP 
  arch: Broadwell rev: 4 L2 cache: 3072 KiB 
  flags: avx avx2 lm nx pae sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 sse4_2 ssse3 vmx 
  bogomips: 17560 
  Speed: 1373 MHz min/max: 500/2700 MHz Core speeds (MHz): 1: 2294 2: 2464 
  3: 2467 4: 2377 
Graphics:
  Device-1: Intel HD Graphics 5500 vendor: Dell driver: i915 v: kernel 
  bus ID: 00:02.0 chip ID: 8086:1616 
  Display: x11 server: X.Org 1.20.13 driver: modesetting 
  unloaded: fbdev,vesa resolution: 1920x1080~60Hz, 1920x1080~60Hz 
  OpenGL: renderer: Mesa Intel HD Graphics 5500 (BDW GT2) v: 4.6 Mesa 21.0.3 
  direct render: Yes 
Audio:
  Device-1: Intel Broadwell-U Audio vendor: Dell driver: snd_hda_intel 
  v: kernel bus ID: 00:03.0 chip ID: 8086:160c 
  Device-2: Intel Wildcat Point-LP High Definition Audio vendor: Dell 
  driver: snd_hda_intel v: kernel bus ID: 00:1b.0 chip ID: 8086:9ca0 
  Sound Server: ALSA v: k5.4.0-96-generic 
Network:
  Device-1: Intel Wireless-AC 9260 driver: iwlwifi v: kernel port: f040 
  bus ID: 02:00.0 chip ID: 8086:2526 
  IF: wlp2s0 state: up mac: <filter> 
  IF-ID-1: vmnet1 state: unknown speed: N/A duplex: N/A mac: <filter> 
  IF-ID-2: vmnet8 state: unknown speed: N/A duplex: N/A mac: <filter> 
Drives:
  Local Storage: total: 238.49 GiB used: 137.50 GiB (57.7%) 
  ID-1: /dev/mmcblk0 model: GD4QT size: 119.25 GiB serial: <filter> 
  scheme: MBR 
  ID-2: /dev/sda vendor: LITE-ON model: L8H-128V2G-11 M.2 2280 128GB 
  size: 119.24 GiB speed: 6.0 Gb/s serial: <filter> rev: 10A scheme: MBR 
Partition:
  ID-1: / size: 116.38 GiB used: 86.36 GiB (74.2%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda5 
Sensors:
  System Temperatures: cpu: 66.0 C mobo: 58.5 C 
  Fan Speeds (RPM): N/A 
Repos:
  No active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list 
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/gezakovacs-ppa-focal.list 
  1: deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/gezakovacs/ppa/ubuntu focal main
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/google-chrome.list 
  1: deb [arch=amd64] http://dl.google.com/linux/chrome/deb/ stable main
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/official-package-repositories.list 
  1: deb http://packages.linuxmint.com una main upstream import backport #id:linuxmint_main
  2: deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal main restricted universe multiverse
  3: deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-updates main restricted universe multiverse
  4: deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-backports main restricted universe multiverse
  5: deb http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ focal-security main restricted universe multiverse
  6: deb http://archive.canonical.com/ubuntu/ focal partner
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/teamviewer.list 
  1: deb https://linux.teamviewer.com/deb stable main
Info:
  Processes: 274 Uptime: 4d 2h 52m Memory: 7.40 GiB used: 2.64 GiB (35.7%) 
  Init: systemd v: 245 runlevel: 5 Compilers: gcc: 9.3.0 alt: 9 Shell: bash 
  v: 5.0.17 running in: gnome-terminal inxi: 3.0.38 
wally@wally-XPS-13-9343:~$ 

[guigui3000]

Hi Wally! Thanks for sharing the inxi.

I noticed you're running kernel 5.4 so I went ahead and booted from that, but the issue persists.
I ran Zoom from the deb on their website. I'm sharing my screen at about 11 frames per second, which makes any video sharing difficult.

I'm stumped. It feels like there's no hardware acceleration.

Any other thoughts or diagnostics I could run to figure out what's going on?

[wallyUSA]

Hi Wally! Thanks for sharing the inxi.

I noticed you're running kernel 5.4 so I went ahead and booted from that, but the issue persists.
I ran Zoom from the deb on their website. I'm sharing my screen at about 11 frames per second, which makes any video sharing difficult.

I'm stumped. It feels like there's no hardware acceleration.

Any other thoughts or diagnostics I could run to figure out what's going on?

Hey gui,
I am not a tech so I can not help much w/diagnosis. My guess it is something to do with the graphics driver or the set up in Zoom.

Are you sure there are no other contending programs in Mint (using too many resources)?

Have you tried re-booting to make sure there are no other programs running?

Could try a diff browser to show video?

A couple things to check. May or not help but who knows?

There is a setting in screen share to optimze clips - turn it on?

optimize clip.png (22.8 KiB) Viewed 2501 times

In the Zoom Video settings, play with the frames per second.

10 fps.png (22.17 KiB) Viewed 2501 times

If you use Virtual Background, try turning it off.

virtual BG.png (35.96 KiB) Viewed 2501 times

These are things I would try but I have no idea!?

Good luck

[Petermint]

I run Cinnamon with Effects off to reduce the overhead of Cinnamon. My old machine with limited resources worked better that way for Skype. I also made sure optional background services started manually when needed, instead of automatically at boot. As an example, I had Apache installed at the time and changed that from auto to manual start only when needed. Run the top command to see what is active.

You can also start System Monitor to see active packages. Make sure it is set to display all. While looking at that, look at memory and paging use. Start the display before you start Zoom. Watch the changes when Zoom starts sharing a video.

Another resource hog often mentioned is Chrome. People complain about performance then discover they have 768 Web pages open. You could run a video sharing test straight after a reboot before starting anything else.

[wallyUSA]

Hi gui,
Do you have laggy when you are attending or just when you are presenting?

I can share a screen share video with you if you want to test. Or you have someone there test it with you.

PM me if you want to test. My time zone is UTC-5.

[guigui3000]

Hi all,

So, the problem is just when I'm presenting. And it's not a Zoom issue per se. It's really any time I'm sharing a screen via any browser, Vivaldi, Chrome, Firefox doesn't work. Sharing videos is terrible. A static page results in some tearing when scrolling. There are plenty of resources available too, so that isn't an issue. But I did try removing apps at startup and running Google Meet on Chrome at startup with similar negative results.

I did have a suspicion that the problem was that the hardware wasn't doing its job. So I checked chrome://gpu and noticed that pretty much everything was on "Software Decode. No Hardware Acceleration." which only uses the CPU not the GPU.

After reading through a bunch of stuff on the Arch Wiki and Manjaro Wiki, I ran Chrome like this:

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google-chrome-stable --use-gl=desktop --ignore-gpu-blocklist --enable-gpu-rasterization --enable-zero-copy --enable-features=VaapiVideoDecoder

And don't you know: I can present a video on Google Meet without a problem. It runs smoothly. You can find out more about the flags here: https://forum.manjaro.org/t/howto-enabl ... sers/51895

But now, what I'm wondering, is:
1- how do I activate something like this across the system. If I share the screen through the Zoom application, for example, there is still no hardware acceleration. Why can't the system use the GPU?
2- currently, I'm running Chrome with flags via terminal. Is there a way to make the changes permanent? (I'm not quite following the discussion in the link above about altering a .config file since I don't see any for Chrome in my file system).

Thanks for all your help so far. And thanks Wally for the offer. I'll definitely take you up on the offer if it comes down to it. But I wouldn't want to impose more than I am already.

[wallyUSA]

gui,

So glad you found a workaround. I am here to help any time but I am not a tech person so probably can not help with ".config stuff".

Let us know what happens for a system wide fix!

Good Luck!