Playing Blu-rays on PC: how to minimise stutter

Thirith

I've posted before about the HTPC I've put together, and I'm still trying to iron out the remaining kinks. One thing I'm finding pretty annoying is this: when I play Blu-rays on the PC, there are occasional stutters. They're not particularly frequent, but even if they just happen once every 15-20 minutes and are over in a couple of seconds, it bothers me as a film geek.

Does anyone know how they can be reduced or removed entirely? I've looked around on Google and haven't found any immediate solutions.

My setup is as follows:

ASUS VivoMini UN62-M094T (Intel i3-4030U)
8 GB RAM
Samsung SE-506CB Slim external drive
Windows 10
PowerDVD 15 Ultra
AnyDVD HD
(I try to have as few programs running in the background as possible.)

wunderbar

the only thing I can think of is the external drive. an i3 should have no issue with 1080p video.

Handgimp

I've tried various bluray software over the years on way-OP hardware, and I've always had issues. At this point I just rip the discs or watch via PS3/PS4. Bluray on PC is just ten kinds of aggravating.

Thirith

Yeah, that's what I was kind of worried about. I put together the HTPC primarily because I wanted a device that could play Blu-rays from all regions - I live in Europe but am a huge Criterion addict - and I thought that this was a better option than one of those overpriced Oppo players. Right now I'm not so sure any more... (If these issues persist, I'm actually thinking of getting an import US Blu-ray player; not that I'm all that keen on one more device, but I'm less keen on the stutters.)

Erlkönig

I haven't had any stuttering issues with playback (in 3D or standard 2D) with either WinDVD or PowerDVD...but my system is just a bit massively OP and uses an internal drive.

My best guess is in line with Wunderbar in thinking it's the external nature and the USB interface.

Thirith

Thanks for your replies. I had originally thought of putting together a heftier HTPC, but all the pages I looked at suggested that the system I've got now (including external BR drive) would be more than enough for my needs. My impression at this point is that most HTPC guides simply don't prioritise Blu-ray because ripping and streaming are a thing, but as a collector/Criterion fan based in Switzerland (which reduces the legal streaming options) the one thing that's most important to me is what works least smoothly. Meh.