I have the same problem. Vlc 3.0.4 does not work on my 4gb early 2010 dual core 2.7ghz Mac mini.it stutters terrible. But 2.2.8 is smooth!
Yet 3.0.3 in my other home was working smoothly on my 8gb late 2010 dual core 2.7ghz Mac mini.
Can somebody tell me a way to sort out my first machine's problem?