I am current running a plex server off of an old laptop and I’m encountering buffering issues.
Before i go out and build a new system, is there a way i can check to see if it is my internet restricting me rather than the laptops cpu?
@Jackerwocky said:
I am current running a plex server off of an old laptop and I’m encountering buffering issues.Before I go out and build a new system, is there a way I can check to see if it is my internet restricting me rather than the laptops CPU?
On what client are you trying to view your media? I am currently running on an old server computer too and I seem to have no errors currently. When I started, however, I had the same buffering issues but I have corrected them since.
If you could provide more information than I can do my best to help you! For example, what are you Plex Server Specs, what clients are you using to view your media, are you local or remote, what is your Download/Upload speed, etc…
@Jackerwocky said:
I am current running a plex server off of an old laptop and I’m encountering buffering issues.Before i go out and build a new system, is there a way i can check to see if it is my internet restricting me rather than the laptops cpu?
If you are running locally, that is your storage you are using is attached to either your server or the local network, then the internet does not have any effect on streaming at all.
The format matters. Look up the device(s) you are using for playback and consider getting all your media in compatible formats.
Look up the CPU in you laptop at PassMark - CPU Benchmarks - List of Benchmarked CPUs and see if it meets the requirements at https://support.plex.tv/hc/en-us/articles/201774043 .
If you decide to get a new server then I recommend:
- Get the best device you can afford
- Use the operating system you know best. There is no real difference in performance.
- Do not use you server for any other regular tasks.
- Get all the storage you need for the foreseeable future. Remember “data grows to fill available space.”
- Get, and use, a UPS. Be sure ALL devices needed to keep your server running are attached to a UPS.
That is my suggestions I am sure others will chime in with theirs.
@eric_grau said:
@Jackerwocky said:
I am current running a plex server off of an old laptop and I’m encountering buffering issues.Before I go out and build a new system, is there a way I can check to see if it is my internet restricting me rather than the laptops CPU?
On what client are you trying to view your media? I am currently running on an old server computer too and I seem to have no errors currently. When I started, however, I had the same buffering issues but I have corrected them since.
If you could provide more information than I can do my best to help you! For example, what are you Plex Server Specs, what clients are you using to view your media, are you local or remote, what is your Download/Upload speed, etc…
Clients being used:
(not all at once, maybe two at a time)
Local PS4
Local Xbox One
Local PC
Remote PC
Server specs:
Processor 4x Intel(R) Core™ i3 CPU M 350 @ 2.27GHz
Memory 3713MB (958MB used)
Operating System Ubuntu 16.04.2 LTS
DL/UL:
16ms | 27Mbps | 8.93Mbps
@Elijah_Baley said:
@Jackerwocky said:
I am current running a plex server off of an old laptop and I’m encountering buffering issues.Before i go out and build a new system, is there a way i can check to see if it is my internet restricting me rather than the laptops cpu?
If you are running locally, that is your storage you are using is attached to either your server or the local network, then the internet does not have any effect on streaming at all.
The format matters. Look up the device(s) you are using for playback and consider getting all your media in compatible formats.
Look up the CPU in you laptop at PassMark - CPU Benchmarks - List of Benchmarked CPUs and see if it meets the requirements at https://support.plex.tv/hc/en-us/articles/201774043 .
If you decide to get a new server then I recommend:
- Get the best device you can afford
- Use the operating system you know best. There is no real difference in performance.
- Do not use you server for any other regular tasks.
- Get all the storage you need for the foreseeable future. Remember “data grows to fill available space.”
- Get, and use, a UPS. Be sure ALL devices needed to keep your server running are attached to a UPS.
That is my suggestions I am sure others will chime in with theirs.
Looks like it has to be storage or internet. I hope it’s storage.
My cpu has a 2295 passmark
Clients being used:
(not all at once, maybe two at a time)
Local PS4
Local Xbox One
Local PC
Remote PC
Server specs:
Processor 4x Intel(R) Core™ i3 CPU M 350 @ 2.27GHz
Memory 3713MB (958MB used)
Operating System Ubuntu 16.04.2 LTS
DL/UL:
16ms | 27Mbps | 8.93Mbps
@Jackerwocky said:
@eric_grau said:
@Jackerwocky said:
I am current running a plex server off of an old laptop and I’m encountering buffering issues.Before I go out and build a new system, is there a way I can check to see if it is my internet restricting me rather than the laptops CPU?
On what client are you trying to view your media? I am currently running on an old server computer too and I seem to have no errors currently. When I started, however, I had the same buffering issues but I have corrected them since.
If you could provide more information than I can do my best to help you! For example, what are you Plex Server Specs, what clients are you using to view your media, are you local or remote, what is your Download/Upload speed, etc…
Clients being used:
(not all at once, maybe two at a time)
Local PS4
Local Xbox One
Local PC
Remote PCServer specs:
Processor 4x Intel(R) Core™ i3 CPU M 350 @ 2.27GHz
Memory 3713MB (958MB used)
Operating System Ubuntu 16.04.2 LTSDL/UL:
16ms | 27Mbps | 8.93Mbps
Your server specs seem to be fine. And your DL/UL Shouldn’t be an issue. I know on the PS4 there is a setting that I changed and it reduced the lag/buffering. It was changing the H.264/5 (I can’t remember which one) to auto and that reduced it.
Out of your clients, which are experiencing the buffering? (All or just certain ones) Are your client’s wifi or LAN?
Is you server LAN or wifi? If LAN, what are the LAN setting on the laptop? (like what is the port 10/100 or 10/100/1000)
Lastly, what are you using for storage?
@eric_grau said:
@Jackerwocky said:
@eric_grau said:
@Jackerwocky said:
I am current running a plex server off of an old laptop and I’m encountering buffering issues.Before I go out and build a new system, is there a way I can check to see if it is my internet restricting me rather than the laptops CPU?
On what client are you trying to view your media? I am currently running on an old server computer too and I seem to have no errors currently. When I started, however, I had the same buffering issues but I have corrected them since.
If you could provide more information than I can do my best to help you! For example, what are you Plex Server Specs, what clients are you using to view your media, are you local or remote, what is your Download/Upload speed, etc…
Clients being used:
(not all at once, maybe two at a time)
Local PS4
Local Xbox One
Local PC
Remote PCServer specs:
Processor 4x Intel(R) Core™ i3 CPU M 350 @ 2.27GHz
Memory 3713MB (958MB used)
Operating System Ubuntu 16.04.2 LTSDL/UL:
16ms | 27Mbps | 8.93MbpsYour server specs seem to be fine. And your DL/UL Shouldn’t be an issue. I know on the PS4 there is a setting that I changed and it reduced the lag/buffering. It was changing the H.264/5 (I can’t remember which one) to auto and that reduced it.
Out of your clients, which are experiencing the buffering? (All or just certain ones) Are your client’s wifi or LAN?
Is you server LAN or wifi? If LAN, what are the LAN setting on the laptop? (like what is the port 10/100 or 10/100/1000)
Lastly, what are you using for storage?
Everything is wireless and I’m experiencing the buffering on all devices
Storage in an int HDD and x264 is set to very fast
@Jackerwocky said:
@eric_grau said:
@Jackerwocky said:
@eric_grau said:
@Jackerwocky said:
I am current running a plex server off of an old laptop and I’m encountering buffering issues.Before I go out and build a new system, is there a way I can check to see if it is my internet restricting me rather than the laptops CPU?
On what client are you trying to view your media? I am currently running on an old server computer too and I seem to have no errors currently. When I started, however, I had the same buffering issues but I have corrected them since.
If you could provide more information than I can do my best to help you! For example, what are you Plex Server Specs, what clients are you using to view your media, are you local or remote, what is your Download/Upload speed, etc…
Clients being used:
(not all at once, maybe two at a time)
Local PS4
Local Xbox One
Local PC
Remote PCServer specs:
Processor 4x Intel(R) Core™ i3 CPU M 350 @ 2.27GHz
Memory 3713MB (958MB used)
Operating System Ubuntu 16.04.2 LTSDL/UL:
16ms | 27Mbps | 8.93MbpsYour server specs seem to be fine. And your DL/UL Shouldn’t be an issue. I know on the PS4 there is a setting that I changed and it reduced the lag/buffering. It was changing the H.264/5 (I can’t remember which one) to auto and that reduced it.
Out of your clients, which are experiencing the buffering? (All or just certain ones) Are your client’s wifi or LAN?
Is you server LAN or wifi? If LAN, what are the LAN setting on the laptop? (like what is the port 10/100 or 10/100/1000)
Lastly, what are you using for storage?
Everything is wireless and I’m experiencing the buffering on all devices
I strongly recommend that you make the Plex Server connected through Ethernet to use the full potential. Depending on its age of your laptop the ethernet port should support 10/100/1000. This should correct some (if not all) of you buffering issues.
Clients over wifi should be fine over WIFI but speed wise, connecting it with an ethernet cord will make it rock solid.
@Jackerwocky said:
Storage in an int HDD and x264 is set to very fast
I don’t believe that storage is an issue. Rather the server being connected over WIFI rather than LAN.
Yeah, not that I think of it. I believe that’s what I set it too.
@eric_grau said:
@Jackerwocky said:
@eric_grau said:
@Jackerwocky said:
@eric_grau said:
@Jackerwocky said:
I am current running a plex server off of an old laptop and I’m encountering buffering issues.Before I go out and build a new system, is there a way I can check to see if it is my internet restricting me rather than the laptops CPU?
On what client are you trying to view your media? I am currently running on an old server computer too and I seem to have no errors currently. When I started, however, I had the same buffering issues but I have corrected them since.
If you could provide more information than I can do my best to help you! For example, what are you Plex Server Specs, what clients are you using to view your media, are you local or remote, what is your Download/Upload speed, etc…
Clients being used:
(not all at once, maybe two at a time)
Local PS4
Local Xbox One
Local PC
Remote PCServer specs:
Processor 4x Intel(R) Core™ i3 CPU M 350 @ 2.27GHz
Memory 3713MB (958MB used)
Operating System Ubuntu 16.04.2 LTSDL/UL:
16ms | 27Mbps | 8.93MbpsYour server specs seem to be fine. And your DL/UL Shouldn’t be an issue. I know on the PS4 there is a setting that I changed and it reduced the lag/buffering. It was changing the H.264/5 (I can’t remember which one) to auto and that reduced it.
Out of your clients, which are experiencing the buffering? (All or just certain ones) Are your client’s wifi or LAN?
Is you server LAN or wifi? If LAN, what are the LAN setting on the laptop? (like what is the port 10/100 or 10/100/1000)
Lastly, what are you using for storage?
Everything is wireless and I’m experiencing the buffering on all devices
I strongly recommend that you make the Plex Server connected through Ethernet to use the full potential. Depending on its age of your laptop the ethernet port should support 10/100/1000. This should correct some (if not all) of you buffering issues.
Clients over wifi should be fine over WIFI but speed wise, connecting it with an ethernet cord will make it rock solid.
@Jackerwocky said:
Storage in an int HDD and x264 is set to very fastI don’t believe that storage is an issue. Rather the server being connected over WIFI rather than LAN.
Yeah, not that I think of it. I believe that’s what I set it too.
I know LAN is obviously better but i didn’t think it would be the root cause. I will report back after trying LAN
If PMS is trying to transcode you media when streaming it across your local network… then chances are that’s where the problem lies. PMS isn’t very good when it comes to transcoding… it struggles to cope with x265 media I have found. The solution to optimize into a more easily stream format isn’t an acceptable solution for a home network… it’s a way of avoiding fixing the issue that other similar systems don’t have. Emby kicks PMS backside when it comes to transcoding my media… but PMS looks so much better and has a far easier layout and is easier to use… Emby looks like it was designed for the internet of 15yrs ago… Optimising may be ok for when you want remote access and can set them up beforehand though.
If it’s not transcoding, then it’s a bandwidth issue… are you pulling media from multiple external sources? if that’s the case, it’s got to access the other location and stream it through to your device for viewing… Is it over a wired or wifi connection… , 10/100mbps or gigabit lan… 2.4ghz or 5ghz wifi. All of these will have an effect on your ability to stream smoothly.
Lastly… your hardware is more than capable of playing HD content… but I’m not sure it is enough to transcode larger bitrate files. I’m no expert on the older generation of I3 CPU’s… Always build AMD here because of the better value for money.
Ram could be an issue too… if the OS is a 32bit one then more than 3Gb ram is gonna be an issue, and it’s also likely to be sharing that ram with graphics… all of that will impact on it’s ability to do the task.
I’d always recommend a purpose built mediaserver with plenty of storage… Get the best you can afford and put everything in one case… a UPS is nice but not absolutely essential for a basic setup… Surge protectors are though.
You don’t need to break the bank to build one either… I would however wait a couple of months and see what the new AMD line can do… New socket coming soon… all new lines of chipsets, boards and CPU’s and more than likely a shift to DDR4. If the rumours are anything to go by… AMD could be back on the ball with some tasty gear to give Intel something to worry about.
If you want to buy/build now… remember that it’s not gonna be future proof with the new socket refresh… What you get now will probably be it until a complete rebuild further down the road instead of incremental updates. So get something with a 990 chipset and an 8core CPU like the 83xx range… if you pick those up around the time of the new gear coming out… you may see some heavily discounted prices as vendors try to shift stock that’s about to become hard to sell.
No idea on currency you prefer… and assuming you’ll need a case, PSU, ram, CPU, MB… video card could be optional depending on the MB and CPU/GPU you go for… the AMD FM socket range is a combined chip that could provide cost savings… But I’ve never used them or built a system with them… so my knowledge ends with the marketing blurb.
£300-400 would see a very nice full system built from scratch that will see you good for a few years yet… obviously storage requirements will be different depending on the size of your library and how quick it’s expanding. I’m adding roughly 2TB a year to mine. Just expanded my setup to 18TB last Nov. So by Xmas this year I’ll be looking to replace my smallest 3TB drives with at least 6TB ones as my MB is maxed out and no PCIe slots left for a SATA expansion card… May have to repurpose an old Phenom II X4 955BE and build a NAS box… Build a raid 5 array out of all my old drives as that would give me another 4-5TB of storage… and could also be expanded.
@Jackerwocky said:
@eric_grau said:
@Jackerwocky said:
@eric_grau said:
@Jackerwocky said:
@eric_grau said:
@Jackerwocky said:
I am current running a plex server off of an old laptop and I’m encountering buffering issues.Before I go out and build a new system, is there a way I can check to see if it is my internet restricting me rather than the laptops CPU?
On what client are you trying to view your media? I am currently running on an old server computer too and I seem to have no errors currently. When I started, however, I had the same buffering issues but I have corrected them since.
If you could provide more information than I can do my best to help you! For example, what are you Plex Server Specs, what clients are you using to view your media, are you local or remote, what is your Download/Upload speed, etc…
Clients being used:
(not all at once, maybe two at a time)
Local PS4
Local Xbox One
Local PC
Remote PCServer specs:
Processor 4x Intel(R) Core™ i3 CPU M 350 @ 2.27GHz
Memory 3713MB (958MB used)
Operating System Ubuntu 16.04.2 LTSDL/UL:
16ms | 27Mbps | 8.93MbpsYour server specs seem to be fine. And your DL/UL Shouldn’t be an issue. I know on the PS4 there is a setting that I changed and it reduced the lag/buffering. It was changing the H.264/5 (I can’t remember which one) to auto and that reduced it.
Out of your clients, which are experiencing the buffering? (All or just certain ones) Are your client’s wifi or LAN?
Is you server LAN or wifi? If LAN, what are the LAN setting on the laptop? (like what is the port 10/100 or 10/100/1000)
Lastly, what are you using for storage?
Everything is wireless and I’m experiencing the buffering on all devices
I strongly recommend that you make the Plex Server connected through Ethernet to use the full potential. Depending on its age of your laptop the ethernet port should support 10/100/1000. This should correct some (if not all) of you buffering issues.
Clients over wifi should be fine over WIFI but speed wise, connecting it with an ethernet cord will make it rock solid.
@Jackerwocky said:
Storage in an int HDD and x264 is set to very fastI don’t believe that storage is an issue. Rather the server being connected over WIFI rather than LAN.
Yeah, not that I think of it. I believe that’s what I set it too.I know LAN is obviously better but i didn’t think it would be the root cause. I will report back after trying LAN
I know, It may not seem like a good answer but from a networking perspective, it’s just better to have it over LAN rather than WIFI. Plus, having it over LAN allows for greater speed.
@HecklerUK said:
If PMS is trying to transcode you media when streaming it across your local network… then chances are that’s where the problem lies. PMS isn’t very good when it comes to transcoding… it struggles to cope with x265 media I have found. The solution to optimize into a more easily stream format isn’t an acceptable solution for a home network… it’s a way of avoiding fixing the issue that other similar systems don’t have. Emby kicks PMS backside when it comes to transcoding my media… but PMS looks so much better and has a far easier layout and is easier to use… Emby looks like it was designed for the internet of 15yrs ago… Optimising may be ok for when you want remote access and can set them up beforehand though.If it’s not transcoding, then it’s a bandwidth issue… are you pulling media from multiple external sources? if that’s the case, it’s got to access the other location and stream it through to your device for viewing… Is it over a wired or wifi connection… , 10/100mbps or gigabit lan… 2.4ghz or 5ghz wifi. All of these will have an effect on your ability to stream smoothly.
Lastly… your hardware is more than capable of playing HD content… but I’m not sure it is enough to transcode larger bitrate files. I’m no expert on the older generation of I3 CPU’s… Always build AMD here because of the better value for money.
Ram could be an issue too… if the OS is a 32bit one then more than 3Gb ram is gonna be an issue, and it’s also likely to be sharing that ram with graphics… all of that will impact on it’s ability to do the task.
I’d always recommend a purpose built mediaserver with plenty of storage… Get the best you can afford and put everything in one case… a UPS is nice but not absolutely essential for a basic setup… Surge protectors are though.
You don’t need to break the bank to build one either… I would however wait a couple of months and see what the new AMD line can do… New socket coming soon… all new lines of chipsets, boards and CPU’s and more than likely a shift to DDR4. If the rumours are anything to go by… AMD could be back on the ball with some tasty gear to give Intel something to worry about.
If you want to buy/build now… remember that it’s not gonna be future proof with the new socket refresh… What you get now will probably be it until a complete rebuild further down the road instead of incremental updates. So get something with a 990 chipset and an 8core CPU like the 83xx range… if you pick those up around the time of the new gear coming out… you may see some heavily discounted prices as vendors try to shift stock that’s about to become hard to sell.
No idea on currency you prefer… and assuming you’ll need a case, PSU, ram, CPU, MB… video card could be optional depending on the MB and CPU/GPU you go for… the AMD FM socket range is a combined chip that could provide cost savings… But I’ve never used them or built a system with them… so my knowledge ends with the marketing blurb.
£300-400 would see a very nice full system built from scratch that will see you good for a few years yet… obviously storage requirements will be different depending on the size of your library and how quick it’s expanding. I’m adding roughly 2TB a year to mine. Just expanded my setup to 18TB last Nov. So by Xmas this year I’ll be looking to replace my smallest 3TB drives with at least 6TB ones as my MB is maxed out and no PCIe slots left for a SATA expansion card… May have to repurpose an old Phenom II X4 955BE and build a NAS box… Build a raid 5 array out of all my old drives as that would give me another 4-5TB of storage… and could also be expanded.
Thanks for all of that! I am trying to avoid buying anything for the moment.
PMS is currently running over WLAN 2.4. Media is stored locally and i have 4GB of RAM in the machine.
@eric_grau said:
@Jackerwocky said:
@eric_grau said:
@Jackerwocky said:
@eric_grau said:
@Jackerwocky said:
@eric_grau said:
@Jackerwocky said:
I am current running a plex server off of an old laptop and I’m encountering buffering issues.Before I go out and build a new system, is there a way I can check to see if it is my internet restricting me rather than the laptops CPU?
On what client are you trying to view your media? I am currently running on an old server computer too and I seem to have no errors currently. When I started, however, I had the same buffering issues but I have corrected them since.
If you could provide more information than I can do my best to help you! For example, what are you Plex Server Specs, what clients are you using to view your media, are you local or remote, what is your Download/Upload speed, etc…
Clients being used:
(not all at once, maybe two at a time)
Local PS4
Local Xbox One
Local PC
Remote PCServer specs:
Processor 4x Intel(R) Core™ i3 CPU M 350 @ 2.27GHz
Memory 3713MB (958MB used)
Operating System Ubuntu 16.04.2 LTSDL/UL:
16ms | 27Mbps | 8.93MbpsYour server specs seem to be fine. And your DL/UL Shouldn’t be an issue. I know on the PS4 there is a setting that I changed and it reduced the lag/buffering. It was changing the H.264/5 (I can’t remember which one) to auto and that reduced it.
Out of your clients, which are experiencing the buffering? (All or just certain ones) Are your client’s wifi or LAN?
Is you server LAN or wifi? If LAN, what are the LAN setting on the laptop? (like what is the port 10/100 or 10/100/1000)
Lastly, what are you using for storage?
Everything is wireless and I’m experiencing the buffering on all devices
I strongly recommend that you make the Plex Server connected through Ethernet to use the full potential. Depending on its age of your laptop the ethernet port should support 10/100/1000. This should correct some (if not all) of you buffering issues.
Clients over wifi should be fine over WIFI but speed wise, connecting it with an ethernet cord will make it rock solid.
@Jackerwocky said:
Storage in an int HDD and x264 is set to very fastI don’t believe that storage is an issue. Rather the server being connected over WIFI rather than LAN.
Yeah, not that I think of it. I believe that’s what I set it too.I know LAN is obviously better but i didn’t think it would be the root cause. I will report back after trying LAN
I know, It may not seem like a good answer but from a networking perspective, it’s just better to have it over LAN rather than WIFI. Plus, having it over LAN allows for greater speed.
Totally understand, i just don’t see how it’s going to help.
It might help with one user but as soon as another device starts streaming I’m going to have the same issue.
@Jackerwocky said:
@eric_grau said:
@Jackerwocky said:
@eric_grau said:
@Jackerwocky said:
@eric_grau said:
@Jackerwocky said:
@eric_grau said:
@Jackerwocky said:
I am current running a plex server off of an old laptop and I’m encountering buffering issues.Before I go out and build a new system, is there a way I can check to see if it is my internet restricting me rather than the laptops CPU?
On what client are you trying to view your media? I am currently running on an old server computer too and I seem to have no errors currently. When I started, however, I had the same buffering issues but I have corrected them since.
If you could provide more information than I can do my best to help you! For example, what are you Plex Server Specs, what clients are you using to view your media, are you local or remote, what is your Download/Upload speed, etc…
Clients being used:
(not all at once, maybe two at a time)
Local PS4
Local Xbox One
Local PC
Remote PCServer specs:
Processor 4x Intel(R) Core™ i3 CPU M 350 @ 2.27GHz
Memory 3713MB (958MB used)
Operating System Ubuntu 16.04.2 LTSDL/UL:
16ms | 27Mbps | 8.93MbpsYour server specs seem to be fine. And your DL/UL Shouldn’t be an issue. I know on the PS4 there is a setting that I changed and it reduced the lag/buffering. It was changing the H.264/5 (I can’t remember which one) to auto and that reduced it.
Out of your clients, which are experiencing the buffering? (All or just certain ones) Are your client’s wifi or LAN?
Is you server LAN or wifi? If LAN, what are the LAN setting on the laptop? (like what is the port 10/100 or 10/100/1000)
Lastly, what are you using for storage?
Everything is wireless and I’m experiencing the buffering on all devices
I strongly recommend that you make the Plex Server connected through Ethernet to use the full potential. Depending on its age of your laptop the ethernet port should support 10/100/1000. This should correct some (if not all) of you buffering issues.
Clients over wifi should be fine over WIFI but speed wise, connecting it with an ethernet cord will make it rock solid.
@Jackerwocky said:
Storage in an int HDD and x264 is set to very fastI don’t believe that storage is an issue. Rather the server being connected over WIFI rather than LAN.
Yeah, not that I think of it. I believe that’s what I set it too.I know LAN is obviously better but i didn’t think it would be the root cause. I will report back after trying LAN
I know, It may not seem like a good answer but from a networking perspective, it’s just better to have it over LAN rather than WIFI. Plus, having it over LAN allows for greater speed.
Totally understand, i just don’t see how it’s going to help.
It might help with one user but as soon as another device starts streaming I’m going to have the same issue.
WIFI is a tricky area, the speed/throughput an Ethernet connection over a WIFI connection is much greater. It all comes down to your specs, the WIFI connection on your laptop (a/b/g/n/ac [or whatever the options are]) and then the same specs on your router. Also, you have to take into account the distance from the WIFI source point. If it right beside or is it in the basement, etc… Once connected through Ethernet, you should see a difference on all clients.
Also, once connected through Ethernet, open a terminal session on the laptop and run these commands (disregarding the $):
- Install Ethtool in Ubuntu - if you don’t already have it installed ----
$ sudo apt-get install ethtool - Check what Ethernet interface you are using - to find the Ethernet interface/port you are using (look for something that looks like “enp#s0” or “eth#” ----
$ ifconfig - Run Ethtool on interface to view specs ----
$ ethtool [interface - from 2 (above)]
From the output of ethtool on your interface, could you include a screenshot in a reply? This will show all of your Ethernet interface/port specs and help understand more of your server setup.
WiFi is subject to many many things that cause dropped packets and even packet loss. Interference is the most common problem people encounter.
Generally wireless is fine for clients but much of the time local streaming issues stop when servers are changed from wireless to wired.
A general rule of servers is that a server, except for some under very low load like those serving text type information, should never be wireless. This is particularly true when the data being served, like video, needs to be as smooth as possible.
Connecting a Plex server wirelessly just begs for trouble and it is something that I recommend never be done.
Hi guys i think I’ve narrowed down the issue.
Streaming to a pc is flawless however streaming to a media device xbox/ps4 is terrible.
All my files are .mkv. This is making me thing this is more transcoding than network related.
@eric_grau said:
@Jackerwocky said:
@eric_grau said:
@Jackerwocky said:
@eric_grau said:
@Jackerwocky said:
@eric_grau said:
@Jackerwocky said:
@eric_grau said:
@Jackerwocky said:
I am current running a plex server off of an old laptop and I’m encountering buffering issues.Before I go out and build a new system, is there a way I can check to see if it is my internet restricting me rather than the laptops CPU?
On what client are you trying to view your media? I am currently running on an old server computer too and I seem to have no errors currently. When I started, however, I had the same buffering issues but I have corrected them since.
If you could provide more information than I can do my best to help you! For example, what are you Plex Server Specs, what clients are you using to view your media, are you local or remote, what is your Download/Upload speed, etc…
Clients being used:
(not all at once, maybe two at a time)
Local PS4
Local Xbox One
Local PC
Remote PCServer specs:
Processor 4x Intel(R) Core™ i3 CPU M 350 @ 2.27GHz
Memory 3713MB (958MB used)
Operating System Ubuntu 16.04.2 LTSDL/UL:
16ms | 27Mbps | 8.93MbpsYour server specs seem to be fine. And your DL/UL Shouldn’t be an issue. I know on the PS4 there is a setting that I changed and it reduced the lag/buffering. It was changing the H.264/5 (I can’t remember which one) to auto and that reduced it.
Out of your clients, which are experiencing the buffering? (All or just certain ones) Are your client’s wifi or LAN?
Is you server LAN or wifi? If LAN, what are the LAN setting on the laptop? (like what is the port 10/100 or 10/100/1000)
Lastly, what are you using for storage?
Everything is wireless and I’m experiencing the buffering on all devices
I strongly recommend that you make the Plex Server connected through Ethernet to use the full potential. Depending on its age of your laptop the ethernet port should support 10/100/1000. This should correct some (if not all) of you buffering issues.
Clients over wifi should be fine over WIFI but speed wise, connecting it with an ethernet cord will make it rock solid.
@Jackerwocky said:
Storage in an int HDD and x264 is set to very fastI don’t believe that storage is an issue. Rather the server being connected over WIFI rather than LAN.
Yeah, not that I think of it. I believe that’s what I set it too.I know LAN is obviously better but i didn’t think it would be the root cause. I will report back after trying LAN
I know, It may not seem like a good answer but from a networking perspective, it’s just better to have it over LAN rather than WIFI. Plus, having it over LAN allows for greater speed.
Totally understand, i just don’t see how it’s going to help.
It might help with one user but as soon as another device starts streaming I’m going to have the same issue.
WIFI is a tricky area, the speed/throughput an Ethernet connection over a WIFI connection is much greater. It all comes down to your specs, the WIFI connection on your laptop (a/b/g/n/ac [or whatever the options are]) and then the same specs on your router. Also, you have to take into account the distance from the WIFI source point. If it right beside or is it in the basement, etc… Once connected through Ethernet, you should see a difference on all clients.
Also, once connected through Ethernet, open a terminal session on the laptop and run these commands (disregarding the $):
- Install Ethtool in Ubuntu - if you don’t already have it installed ----
$ sudo apt-get install ethtool- Check what Ethernet interface you are using - to find the Ethernet interface/port you are using (look for something that looks like “enp#s0” or “eth#” ----
$ ifconfig- Run Ethtool on interface to view specs ----
$ ethtool [interface - from 2 (above)]From the output of ethtool on your interface, could you include a screenshot in a reply? This will show all of your Ethernet interface/port specs and help understand more of your server setup.
HI dude, i thought pasting might be easier…
nikuya@PLEX:~$ sudo apt-get install ethtool
[sudo] password for nikuya:
Reading package lists… Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information… Done
ethtool is already the newest version (1:4.5-1).
ethtool set to manually installed.
0 to upgrade, 0 to newly install, 0 to remove and 5 not to upgrade.
nikuya@PLEX:~$ ifconfig
enp1s0 Link encap:Ethernet HWaddr 88:ae:1d:66:09:59
inet addr:192.168.0.126 Bcast:192.168.0.255 Mask:255.255.255.0
inet6 addr: fe80::a67:21fa:236e:51a0/64 Scope:Link
UP BROADCAST RUNNING MULTICAST MTU:1500 Metric:1
RX packets:3267 errors:0 dropped:1 overruns:0 frame:0
TX packets:3721 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
collisions:0 txqueuelen:1000
RX bytes:818639 (818.6 KB) TX bytes:1566228 (1.5 MB)
Interrupt:16
lo Link encap:Local Loopback
inet addr:127.0.0.1 Mask:255.0.0.0
inet6 addr: ::1/128 Scope:Host
UP LOOPBACK RUNNING MTU:65536 Metric:1
RX packets:4148 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
TX packets:4148 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
collisions:0 txqueuelen:1
RX bytes:2866713 (2.8 MB) TX bytes:2866713 (2.8 MB)
nikuya@PLEX:~$ ethtool enp1s0
Settings for enp1s0:
Supported ports: [ TP MII ]
Supported link modes: 10baseT/Half 10baseT/Full
100baseT/Half 100baseT/Full
1000baseT/Half 1000baseT/Full
Supported pause frame use: Symmetric Receive-only
Supports auto-negotiation: Yes
Advertised link modes: 10baseT/Half 10baseT/Full
100baseT/Half 100baseT/Full
1000baseT/Half 1000baseT/Full
Advertised pause frame use: Symmetric Receive-only
Advertised auto-negotiation: Yes
Link partner advertised link modes: 10baseT/Half 10baseT/Full
100baseT/Half 100baseT/Full
Link partner advertised pause frame use: Transmit-only
Link partner advertised auto-negotiation: Yes
Speed: 100Mb/s
Duplex: Full
Port: MII
PHYAD: 1
Transceiver: external
Auto-negotiation: on
Cannot get wake-on-lan settings: Operation not permitted
Current message level: 0x000000ff (255)
drv probe link timer ifdown ifup rx_err tx_err
Link detected: yes
nikuya@PLEX:~$
@Jackerwocky said:
@eric_grau said:
@Jackerwocky said:
@eric_grau said:
@Jackerwocky said:
@eric_grau said:
@Jackerwocky said:
@eric_grau said:
@Jackerwocky said:
@eric_grau said:
@Jackerwocky said:
I am current running a plex server off of an old laptop and I’m encountering buffering issues.Before I go out and build a new system, is there a way I can check to see if it is my internet restricting me rather than the laptops CPU?
On what client are you trying to view your media? I am currently running on an old server computer too and I seem to have no errors currently. When I started, however, I had the same buffering issues but I have corrected them since.
If you could provide more information than I can do my best to help you! For example, what are you Plex Server Specs, what clients are you using to view your media, are you local or remote, what is your Download/Upload speed, etc…
Clients being used:
(not all at once, maybe two at a time)
Local PS4
Local Xbox One
Local PC
Remote PCServer specs:
Processor 4x Intel(R) Core™ i3 CPU M 350 @ 2.27GHz
Memory 3713MB (958MB used)
Operating System Ubuntu 16.04.2 LTSDL/UL:
16ms | 27Mbps | 8.93MbpsYour server specs seem to be fine. And your DL/UL Shouldn’t be an issue. I know on the PS4 there is a setting that I changed and it reduced the lag/buffering. It was changing the H.264/5 (I can’t remember which one) to auto and that reduced it.
Out of your clients, which are experiencing the buffering? (All or just certain ones) Are your client’s wifi or LAN?
Is you server LAN or wifi? If LAN, what are the LAN setting on the laptop? (like what is the port 10/100 or 10/100/1000)
Lastly, what are you using for storage?
Everything is wireless and I’m experiencing the buffering on all devices
I strongly recommend that you make the Plex Server connected through Ethernet to use the full potential. Depending on its age of your laptop the ethernet port should support 10/100/1000. This should correct some (if not all) of you buffering issues.
Clients over wifi should be fine over WIFI but speed wise, connecting it with an ethernet cord will make it rock solid.
@Jackerwocky said:
Storage in an int HDD and x264 is set to very fastI don’t believe that storage is an issue. Rather the server being connected over WIFI rather than LAN.
Yeah, not that I think of it. I believe that’s what I set it too.I know LAN is obviously better but i didn’t think it would be the root cause. I will report back after trying LAN
I know, It may not seem like a good answer but from a networking perspective, it’s just better to have it over LAN rather than WIFI. Plus, having it over LAN allows for greater speed.
Totally understand, i just don’t see how it’s going to help.
It might help with one user but as soon as another device starts streaming I’m going to have the same issue.
WIFI is a tricky area, the speed/throughput an Ethernet connection over a WIFI connection is much greater. It all comes down to your specs, the WIFI connection on your laptop (a/b/g/n/ac [or whatever the options are]) and then the same specs on your router. Also, you have to take into account the distance from the WIFI source point. If it right beside or is it in the basement, etc… Once connected through Ethernet, you should see a difference on all clients.
Also, once connected through Ethernet, open a terminal session on the laptop and run these commands (disregarding the $):
- Install Ethtool in Ubuntu - if you don’t already have it installed ----
$ sudo apt-get install ethtool- Check what Ethernet interface you are using - to find the Ethernet interface/port you are using (look for something that looks like “enp#s0” or “eth#” ----
$ ifconfig- Run Ethtool on interface to view specs ----
$ ethtool [interface - from 2 (above)]From the output of ethtool on your interface, could you include a screenshot in a reply? This will show all of your Ethernet interface/port specs and help understand more of your server setup.
HI dude, i thought pasting might be easier…
nikuya@PLEX:~$ sudo apt-get install ethtool
[sudo] password for nikuya:
Reading package lists… Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information… Done
ethtool is already the newest version (1:4.5-1).
ethtool set to manually installed.
0 to upgrade, 0 to newly install, 0 to remove and 5 not to upgrade.
nikuya@PLEX:~$ ifconfig
enp1s0 Link encap:Ethernet HWaddr 88:ae:1d:66:09:59
inet addr:192.168.0.126 Bcast:192.168.0.255 Mask:255.255.255.0
inet6 addr: fe80::a67:21fa:236e:51a0/64 Scope:Link
UP BROADCAST RUNNING MULTICAST MTU:1500 Metric:1
RX packets:3267 errors:0 dropped:1 overruns:0 frame:0
TX packets:3721 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
collisions:0 txqueuelen:1000
RX bytes:818639 (818.6 KB) TX bytes:1566228 (1.5 MB)
Interrupt:16lo Link encap:Local Loopback
inet addr:127.0.0.1 Mask:255.0.0.0
inet6 addr: ::1/128 Scope:Host
UP LOOPBACK RUNNING MTU:65536 Metric:1
RX packets:4148 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
TX packets:4148 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
collisions:0 txqueuelen:1
RX bytes:2866713 (2.8 MB) TX bytes:2866713 (2.8 MB)nikuya@PLEX:~$ ethtool enp1s0
Settings for enp1s0:
Supported ports: [ TP MII ]
Supported link modes: 10baseT/Half 10baseT/Full
100baseT/Half 100baseT/Full
1000baseT/Half 1000baseT/Full
Supported pause frame use: Symmetric Receive-only
Supports auto-negotiation: Yes
Advertised link modes: 10baseT/Half 10baseT/Full
100baseT/Half 100baseT/Full
1000baseT/Half 1000baseT/Full
Advertised pause frame use: Symmetric Receive-only
Advertised auto-negotiation: Yes
Link partner advertised link modes: 10baseT/Half 10baseT/Full
100baseT/Half 100baseT/Full
Link partner advertised pause frame use: Transmit-only
Link partner advertised auto-negotiation: Yes
Speed: 100Mb/s
Duplex: Full
Port: MII
PHYAD: 1
Transceiver: external
Auto-negotiation: on
Cannot get wake-on-lan settings: Operation not permitted
Current message level: 0x000000ff (255)
drv probe link timer ifdown ifup rx_err tx_err
Link detected: yes
nikuya@PLEX:~$
With what you posted, it looks to be fine. You are running Ethernet at 10/100/1000 meaning ~100Mb/s which is good! Yeah, having those files make the computer/plex transcode them and that can be an issue while playing back media.
There is a Plex Server setting that you can change to allow plex to transcode/buffer X (time) before playback. Also, it wouldn’t hurt to transcode your media. Try placing the PS4 on Ethernet and see if that makes a difference.
Is it this top setting, do i want to increase the time?
My PS4 is already wired 
