Challenge (1 Viewer)

[osmyth]

I really want to use MP, but unfortunately if I can't resolve this problem by next Sunday night then I am giving up. My wife has commented numerous times about the amount of money and time I'm spending on this!
So, the challenge for anyone is to assist if possible and keep a newcomer (and his wife!) happy.

I have built an htpc which is running MP (server and client). Everything seems fine on that one (only using it for Live and Record TV so far).
The next step was to buy a Gigabyte Brix to use as a client in the bedroom.
I am trying to play Live TV and recordings from the server, and this is where the problem is.

I have attached the zip file from debug mode on the Brix client. The first part was watching Live TV, the middle was playing a copy of a video (on the client) and the last part was playing the original recording but from the server.
The middle part seemed to play ok.
The first and last, i.e. streaming from the server, gives stuttering and pixellation on Live TV and a black screen when trying to view the recording. Some of the other recordings will play but have stuttering, smearing and pixellation.

Any help gratefully received.
Thanks.

 

[osmyth]

Refresh graph attached.
HD channels seem to be worse than SD.
Thanks.

 

[mm1352000]

Hello osmyth

I accept your challenge!

I can see the problem on the client, but it isn't clear whether the problem originates from the server, is limited to the client, or relates to the link between the two (ie. the network).

Could you please also supply the corresponding logs from the server?
Also, could you please tell us about your network - is the client connected to the server using wireless, wired or powerline networking?

Thanks,
mm

 

[mm1352000]

One thing I can say while waiting for your response: don't use the MediaPortal audio renderer for TV. It is not ideal for that. Default directsound would be better.

 

[UNOPARATOR]

Regarding the network connections between the server and the client:
- Make sure that the "Jumbo Packet" is set as 9KB in both PC's adapters!

 

[osmyth]

Thanks for the responses.
Have been doing some more testing and I think things have improved.

I had been doing most of the testing using wireless as that has been easier to do. At one point I did test using the existing powerline plugs but that IIRC only improved things very slightly.
After that and before the thread I changed settings based on
http://wiki.team-mediaportal.com/1_MEDIAPORTAL_1/16_Support/Troubleshooting/Stuttering_Playback?highlight=stuttering playback
and
Settings for best playback
https://forum.team-mediaportal.com/threads/guide-perfect-playback-display-calibration.119610/
After your post mm, I went back and tried the powerline plugs again (as this will be the end picture, i.e. replacement of the Humax boxes).

This time (and probably with some of the settings changes) the picture is infinitely better (incl HD Live TV and recordings).

I plan to do some more testing tonight/tomorrow and will post the logs if you could please check if they contain anything untoward.

Will also look at the 9k setting, thanks.

Thanks very much.

 

[osmyth]

From what I can see (but not conclusive) the jumbo packet thing is for gigabit ethernet and above.
I'm using 200Mbps homeplugs (100Mbps socket) at the moment so that won't come into play I assume.
However, I will look at 500 Homeplugs with a gigabit socket, if it will mean a more stable stream.
I tested the existing 200 ones and it transferred at around 50Mbps from server to client.
Thanks.

 

[mm1352000]

Glad to hear you're making progress.
Just to note: consistent latency is as or more important than bandwidth. Powerline is probably better than wireless, but IMO neither can hold a candle to a proper wired ethernet connection.

 

[osmyth]

Probably won't get round to wired ethernet, would have to do it outside.

Just to add the main thing that seems to reduce the pixelation/stuttering is having the IP address of the TV Server in the tv settings on the client, rather than the network name of it. Don't know if there is any known logic to this?

 

[mm1352000]

Don't know if there is any known logic to this?

No... unless your DNS is very very slow/bad.