Watching an episode takes ages to start playback (wo/ logs) (1 Viewer)

[JackTramiel]

Got no internet connection (using my mobile right now), so cant easily upload logs.
Sometimes starting playback of an episode of any series takes ages to start.
The share is available. I am having this issue since some time, but since today
it just takes too long.

Couldnt find any error msg inside the logs.
Movies or music do work fine.

Its the latest version before august, but the issue persist longer. Updates never cured it.

Thought about deleting the db and rescan, but wo/ internet....
(Would be great if the plugin could read the data emm generates.)

Since i cant provide logs i know support isnt really possible.
Anyway every "offline" hint is welcome.

 

[RoChess]

The fact you have no internet might cause delays when MP-TVSeries or any other MediaPortal plugin tries to obtain updated information. So be sure to check all the options on such things as import scan and disable those.

As for delay before playback starts, especially one via network is usually related to three main reasons:

#1. MediaInfo is having trouble to read the file. MediaPortal right before playback starts will check the mediafile via MediaInfo to obtain tech info, so it can be used to adjust refresh rate for example when you have the MePo option enabled to adjust your TV/monitor to use 24Hz on a 24fps movie. If the mediafile has issues and MediaInfo has to for example copy the entire file to get the info, then imagine the delay this would cause before playback can start.

Solution: updating the MediaInfo DLL to current version might resolve it, or otherwise disable the DLL totally for the time being if you have stumbled upon a new bug.

#2. You have a bad splitter+codec setup. The time between pressing 'Ok' to start playback and MP-TVSeries handing over control to MediaPortal to play the file, which then fires up the DirectShow chain to play the file is almost always in a fraction of a second (assuming #1 is not an issue). After that it is all about the splitter to read the mediafile and the codecs to actually play them. If you have a misbehaving setup, then that's where you should focus on.

Solution: LAVfilter for example is the new default splitter+codec solution that MediaPortal will install for you. First make sure if that is updated via the MediaPortal Extension Installer shortcut on your desktop and manually download an updated list of new MPEI versions (last tab). If you are running latest version and still have issues, then my only suggestion is to switch to the Standalone MPC-HC splitters+codec solution as it is a much more mature solution and the codecs are actually multi-threaded optimized (unlike LAV).

You have to download the 32-bit codec zip pack (even on 64-bit OS as MediaPortal is 32-bit) from the official website (via SourceForge), unzip it, and move the folder to a location you prefer. Then via elevated command prompt (Run as Admin) you need to register the splitters and codecs you wish to use.

Example: regsvr32 "C:\Program Files\Media Player Classic - Standalone Filters\MPCVideoDec.ax"

The main AX files you want to register are:

• MP4Splitter.ax (for MP4s)
• MatroskaSplitter.ax (for MKVs)
• FLVSplitter.ax (for OnlineVideos, etc)
• MpaDecFilter.ax (for most audio codecs)
• MPCVideoDec.ax (for most video codecs)

You do not need to register AviSplitter.ax and such because the default Windows support in XP+ is more then sufficient for that. My preference is to install the least amount needed and when a file does not play to find out what filter it needs and then register that one versus jamming up the registry with stuff you will never use.

Via MediaPortal config you then have to adjust the codec section to actually use these codecs, such as "MPC Video" for video, etc.

#3. You ran into something new, in which case the only way to help you *IS* to look at detailed debug-enabled log files on everything.

 

[JackTramiel]

Thank you. We have moved to our new house, had internet before and will get it again. Tried to disable the internet lookups, did not help.
If i let the plugin update the mediainfo from the configuration it works fast - still would need to try your suggestion.
LAV filter is used already.

I will try to get full logs somehow and post them.

 

[RoChess]

LAV filter is used already.

That's the thing, LAV can be the source of the problem, so try MPC-HC.

Fixed an alike issue for somebody else by having them switch.