I recently reinstalled the Windows 7 OS on my computer, and am now having extreme buffering issues on my ATV3. Previously, before redoing the system everything worked fine, as long as I forced transcoding on the ATV. I backed up the previously working PlexConnect folder, as well as the cert files, and copied them onto the new OS in the same locations. I then re-installed the plex server. After re-installing the cert file in windows, I loaded up the trailers app on the ATV, which worked. I am able to view the plex server running on my computer, and all available files.
The issue: Even with transcoding forced to 2Mbps within the trailers app on the ATV, any movie I try and play buffers about every 1-2 seconds. I previously always used the wifi connection, but to rule this out I have connected the ATV directly to an ethernet cable.
I've tried everything I can possibly think of, and nothing seems to fix the issue. I've downloaded the newest version of PlexConnect, installed updated network/motherboard/etc drivers, made sure the transcoding path in the plex server is set (and verified files populating there), etc. I'm entirely clueless, and increasingly desperate/frustrated with the fact that I cannot watch a single thing on my ATV using PlexConnect anymore!
Can anybody please help offer suggestions on anything that might help fix the issue?
Why are you forcing transcoding? Try it set to auto.
I forced transcoding with hopes to solve a BW related problem, if that was the issue, but it doesn't seem to be.
I've set transcoding on the ATV back to auto, and the issue persists. Within the first 2 minutes of a movie there were over 4 interruptions for buffering. Any other ideas?
no settings changed in PMS ? (ie. transcoding: make my CPU hurt?)
After setting the transcoding path in PMS I've previously tried the 'make my CPU hurt' setting, as well as the 'Prefer higher speed encoding' setting and nothing has made a difference.
Are you getting the same issue with other Plex clients?
I have not tried any other plex clients. I'm fairly new to plex/atv so I'm actually not aware of them. The part that bothers me the most is that previous to my OS reinstall, everything worked! No hardware changed, so I believe it has to be some software issue.
I had a similar issue when the media index feature was released. My computer went into overdrive creating them and at the same time Windows was trying to index my external drive which holds the files.
As you've done a fresh install is it possible you've got the same situation going on?
Yeah I am just trying to isolate wether it is an OS/unrelated software/Plex media server/PlexConnect issue
To help rule out the PMS, I have installed Plex Home Theater on my laptop. PMS is on my desktop hardwired, laptop is connected via wifi. I have absolutely no issues streaming the same movie on my laptop via PHT. I'm not sure what this means we can rule out at this point, except maybe the PMS. I have 2 aTV's and both have the same issue. So...any idea what the next step is?
I had a similar issue when the media index feature was released. My computer went into overdrive creating them and at the same time Windows was trying to index my external drive which holds the files.
As you've done a fresh install is it possible you've got the same situation going on?
By default "Generate media index files automatically" is unchecked. I double checked this to be sure.
Thanks everybody for the responses so far. I absolutely love Plex, and my aTV, but they're pretty much useless right now which is quite depressing. Any other suggestions?
So I've updated the aTV, which apparently did not have the newest software update. After which I've tried loading videos with both Netflix and YouTube, and both work perfectly fine with no buffering issues. It seems to only be when I watch a movie through PlexConnect. Does anybody else have any ideas about this?
What is your network setup from the PC to the atv(s) wireless, wifi, router type etc. What is the hardware specs of your PC to the network including the actual hardware of the PC such as ram, hd type/speed, CPU, mem, etc.
Also details of the firewall rules you setup for Python and ensure you reboot your router and any power line adapters you are using (sometimes they can get flaky after a few months of heavy use)
What is your network setup from the PC to the atv(s) wireless, wifi, router type etc. What is the hardware specs of your PC to the network including the actual hardware of the PC such as ram, hd type/speed, CPU, mem, etc.
I have one ATV wired, and one connected through wifi. PC is connected via wired connection through the wall. I have AT&T U-Verse router/modem model 3800HGV-B.
PC is running Windows 7 Professional 64-bit, 2.8GHz i5, 8GB RAM. 6x 2tb HDDs using RAID5 on EVGA p55 motherboard. OS is on on a 250gb partition, with the rest of the space allocated to storage of media. PlexConnect runs off of the system drive.
Also details of the firewall rules you setup for Python and ensure you reboot your router and any power line adapters you are using (sometimes they can get flaky after a few months of heavy use)
I've reset all wall power line adapters, as well as the router. For the sake of troubleshooting, I have disabled windows firewall.
An additional note: Although I mentioned I ran Plex Home Theatre on my laptop (windows OS) and was able to stream a movie wirelessly, last night I installed PHT on a mac mini that is connected to the TV, and saw buffering issues identical to what I'm seeing on the ATVs. The mac mini is also connected via wifi.
colfcoffeecup - I also have this same issue, and have done all the same troubleshooting as yourself. My ATV is connected via Ethernet to the router, which has a Powerline connection to the media PC. I get a much better experience if I run the Samsung Plex app, which currently connects to the router via wireless! I have also tried connecting via wireless on the ATV, but it doesn't make any difference.
I am thinking of ditching the ATV and getting a roku 3, as my NowTV box is also a much nicer experience.
colfcoffeecup - I also have this same issue, and have done all the same troubleshooting as yourself. My ATV is connected via Ethernet to the router, which has a Powerline connection to the media PC. I get a much better experience if I run the Samsung Plex app, which currently connects to the router via wireless! I have also tried connecting via wireless on the ATV, but it doesn't make any difference.
I am thinking of ditching the ATV and getting a roku 3, as my NowTV box is also a much nicer experience.
Thanks for the response. Although it sucks to hear that this has happened to you as well, it's good to know I'm not the only one having this issue.. I just don't understand what changed. For months now I have been using Plex via my ATV and had no real issues. All of a sudden after reinstalling Windows 7 this issue pops up and renders it useless. It just makes no sense... what changed?!
It is definitely a windows or PMS issue, especially if getting the same buffering when using PHT. Try creating an OUTGOING firewall rule for Python.exe (disabling firewalls doesn’t always seem to work, whereas creating specific rules usually does).
It is definitely a windows or PMS issue, especially if getting the same buffering when using PHT. Try creating an OUTGOING firewall rule for Python.exe (disabling firewalls doesn't always seem to work, whereas creating specific rules usually does).
Wow... it works. Thanks so much for the continued support! I can't even tell you how happy I am to be able to go back to using my ATV w/ Plex again!
it is crazy that disabling the windows firewall does not really disable it!