A "buffering" issue

Dev Community Apps & Creations
1

Hi. I've been using plex via a MBP plugged into my HDTV for some time but plexconnect seems like a more efficient package.

 

Install was fine. Initial run wasn't smooth with the grey buffer not doing its job and not getting far enough ahead of the blue playback diamond..thing. A restart of all hardware and software cured this (figured it was a caching issue after updating the atv to latest). The problem came back the next day, so I restarted, no joy this time. Left it 24hrs, then it worked again. Now its not working again. What was a healthy buffer of a 1080p movie now barely gets 20 seconds into a SD TV show before tripping over itself (think youtube on a bad internet connection). Sometime I cant even get it to load! What I did notice that when it was working, serveal DNS requests were being made every few 20 30 seconds or so and when it isnt working, no DNS requests. Thoughts? I've looked all over the forum but cant seem to find a similar problem.

 

Setup:

 

  • ATV3 5.3 (6105) Build (latest at time of publish)
  • DNS: 192.168.1.50
  • Macbook Pro 2010 2.66 GHz 8GB Ram, OSX Version 10.8.4. WD 1TB in router via USB. Everything wifi there after. I know this sounds slow, but the mbp with plex was fine and the atv with plexconnect has worked, just not everytime, hence the post.
  • MBP IP: 192.168.1.50
  • PMS installed on the same MBP machine
  • PMS Version: 0.9.7.28.33-f80a4a2
  • PlexConnect Version: Friday 16th August 13:52
  • Settings CFG Content:
    • [PlexConnect]
      logpath = .
      enable_dnsserver = True
      ip_webserver = 0.0.0.0
      prevent_atv_update = True
      enable_plexconnect_autodetect = True
      port_pms = 32400
      port_webserver = 80
      ip_plexconnect = 0.0.0.0
      ip_dnsmaster = 8.8.8.8
      loglevel = Normal
      ip_pms = 192.168.178.10
      enable_plexgdm = True
  • PlexConnect.log http://pastebin.com/EcH3wJxR couldnt edit the cfg to do a high priority. Didnt have permission?

I honestly hope someone can help me as this is a great solution to my problem. There are beer tokens to whoever answers my problem! 

 

Adam.

2

Try changing the google DNSmaster (8.8.8.8), in settings.cfg, to your router IP DNS and see what happens.

3

Google was having some DNS issues late last week that may have been causing your issues. Have you tried it this week?

4

As suggested, changed my DNSmaster to my router IP and saw good results i.e no buffering. I was greeted with "Accessing Trailers" between transitions of movie view>pla movie more than before but we'll see.

I'll see if I can get some consistent performance over the next day or 2 and report back. If all is good, beer tokens will be heading over to institute11!

Also, why is this a solution? What makes it work?

5

The google DNS usually works well but can result in slower loading because it stops your computer from using the closest Akamai server when routing your Internet calls, the result being that your packets have to take a more circuitous route than they would otherwise. This is more of a problem for nonUS users but I have seen the issue arise on these boards for a variety of situations. At least that is one theory.

6

After initial success based upon institue11's recommendations it seems Im back at square one...but only with certain files. 

A 114mb mp4 of a successful cartoon show buffers within seconds and is fully loaded before the credits are over with.

A 244mb mkv of a successful 90s sitcom doesnt load at all

A 5.4gb mkv buffers "just in the nick of time" 

All files play fine through plex app on the laptop.

I may try some other DNS Servers and see what happens.

Thanks to Institute11 for their help, much appreciated so far! any more thoughts!? Is NOBODY else experiencing this kind of issue?

PS, I'm from the UK so the DNS thing still may be true.

7

To me "only with certain files" implies encoding and transcoding issues rather than DNS issues.

8

...also, if it happens to locally stored content, the google DNS Server can't do any harm.

Have you tried to move the movies to you local Mac HD? I have heard, USB connections on some Routers might not be the fastest.

9

I'm all too prepared for the answer of "usb HDD into a router" is the problem as I was always expecting it. slow connections. Just with Plex Desktop taking it in its stride i figured the step to apple tv was the same difference.

Just watched a feature length 720p mkv. buffered for 3-5 seconds towards the end but played fine for the rest. Went to the suspect SD mkv and it wouldn't have it so in that case, may be it is a transcoding issue.

I will investigate further on my part by moving some items to the mac HD and seeing what happens that way. I'll report back.

10

Adamskii, it sounds like you had the same problem that I am having. Where you ever able to find a solution?

11

Just thought I'd come back this. It turned out some files i was trying to play were corrupted but that aside, I was still getting the problem on 'certain files'. I can only put this down to the USB>router>laptop>apple tv. all be it Plex desktop is fine, the next hurdle really slows things down. My theory, a NAS via data cable, not USB.

12

If it is certain files it could be transcoding issues, as I said earlier.

13

I’ve tried the same solutions and it might be certain files as I’ve been having the same issue witha 1.7GB 1080p file, even though I am running Apple TV 2nd gen.


I’ll try encoding the file that is more compatible with the Apple TV and report back.


Let me know what you guys find, thank you Adamskii and Institute11 for all the answers.

14

I've tried the same solutions and it might be certain files as I've been having the same issue witha 1.7GB 1080p file, even though I am running Apple TV 2nd gen.

I'll try encoding the file that is more compatible with the Apple TV and report back.

Let me know what you guys find, thank you Adamskii and Institute11 for all the answers.

15

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