Stuttering playback over VPN (1 Viewer)

[mtp3]

MediaPortal Version: 1.2.1
MediaPortal Skin: default and wide
Windows Version: 7sp1 x86 and x64
CPU Type: q6600
HDD: lots
Memory: ddr2 4gb and 16gb
Motherboard: gigabyte
Video Card: nvidia 9600gt amd 4550 nvidia 8600gt
Video Card Driver:
Sound Card:
Sound Card AC3:
Sound Card Driver:
1. TV Card: hauppauge 1100
1. TV Card Type: dvb c dvb t
1. TV Card Driver:
2. TV Card:
2. TV Card Type:
2. TV Card Driver:
3. TV Card:
3. TV Card Type:
3. TV Card Driver:
4. TV Card:
4. TV Card Type:
4. TV Card Driver:
MPEG2 Video Codec: varies
MPEG2 Audio Codec:
h.264 Video Codec: coreavc 2.6
Satelite/CableTV Provider:
HTPC Case: antec solo
Cooling:
Power Supply:
Remote:
TV:
TV - HTPC Connection: hdmi dvi-hdmi

I have a setup that includes a VPN to a central media server. Speed across the VPN tunnel is approx 10Mb/sec with latency of 70ms to 120ms. When I try to play a file with MediaPortal that resides on the server, I get lots of stuttering which I attribute to latency issues. (as an example I can ftp or file copy a 1 hour long mkv file in about 15 minutes from the server to the local machine but I can't play it directly without it stuttering) I believe I have ample bandwidth, but due to latency/ buffering issues, I get the stuttering. Is there a way to increase the size of the buffer? I am using LAV associatiated with SAF6.02.

Thanks in advance

mtp

 

[mm1352000]

Hi mtp

Is there a way to increase the size of the buffer?

For video/movie playback? I don't think it is possible. The files are not buffered by MP (unless you're talking about playing TS files via RTSP). They're accessed directly, so really you would need to try to improve the access and buffering of the underlying access to the files (shares, mapped drive etc.).

Having said that, personally I would say 10 Mbps is not necessarily enough bandwidth. I guess it depends on the content bitrate but my experience has been that you need at least a little overhead for streaming to be reliable. Are you sure you're not talking about 100Mbps => ~10 MBps.

mm

 

[mtp3]

mm thanks for your reply.

I am talking about 10Mbs. but it is only used for non critical viewing (mostly childrens' TV recorded from SD sources - recorded at a bit rate <2500Kbs). On a case by case basis, I can set it up and stream it (using server 2008 media services) with acceptable results, but I would rather not spend ten minutes of setting up a remote stream every time my daughter wants to watch a 10 minute video.

I can get almost acceptable results with the haali splitter if I max out the buffers (one stutter every 2 or 3 minutes), but with avi's (LAV or quartz splitter), I really have problems. Note that the .mkv videos played with haali are at a much higher bit rate than the avi's.

mtp

 

[mm1352000]

Okay, thanks for the extra info.
I think you're checking the right sorts of things. I take it you've already looked at increasing the speed and lowering the latency of the VPN?
Without logs I can't tell whether it is the renderer or something else that is actually dropping the samples/frames...

mm

 

[mtp3]

Thanks mm.

I do not have the option of increasing the speed or latency of the VPN. On the receiving end, I am stuck with ADSL, which is limited by my being a long distance away from the switch, and on the sending end, I would need to switch to a business package for internet services .... not really something I want to do so my daughter can watch videos.

I'll take a look at the logs myself ... I always find the debugging process to be educational and fun.

mtp

 

[mm1352000]

I do not have the option of increasing the speed or latency of the VPN. On the receiving end, I am stuck with ADSL, which is limited by my being a long distance away from the switch, and on the sending end, I would need to switch to a business package for internet services .... not really something I want to do so my daughter can watch videos.

Understood.

I'll take a look at the logs myself ... I always find the debugging process to be educational and fun.

As you prefer. I would be looking at the renderer statistics (press shift + 1 - the exclamation mark) to see them in full screen and see if the renderer is dropping frames. Also check the evr/vmr log file to see if there is anything suspicious.

Good luck - I hope you manage to find a solution!
mm