PlexConnect stutters on large files

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1

Hi

 

First of all, in this post when I talk about stuttering I mean buffers (time bar appears with a rotating loading-circle to the left).

 

I am running Plex Media Server and PlexConnect on an Linux machine running Ubuntu 12.04 LTS, 2GB RAM, Intel® Pentium® D CPU 2.80GHz, 64bit. I have been experiencing a lot of stuttering when playing large files (e.g. one 4.7 gb mkv file and also a 14.1 gb mkv file). Both the Linux Machine and ATV3 are connected via ethernet cable to the router so the signal strength is not a problem.

 

Your ATV model (2 or 3) and firmware version (found under the ATV settings > general > about > Apple TV software):

  • ATV 3, 6.0.2 (6646.81.1)

  • The DNS server set on the ATV (found under the ATV settings > general > network > DNS):
    192.168.1.101

  • The device and operating system (including version number) that PlexConnect is installed on:
    Ubuntu Desktop 12.04 LTS

  • The local IP address of the device that PlexConnect is installed on:
    192.168.1.101

  • The device and operating system (including version number) that the Plex media server (PMS) is installed on:
    Ubuntu Desktop 12.04 LTS

  • The Plex media server (PMS) version number you are running (do not put 'latest'):
    0.9.8.18

  • The local IP address of the device that the Plex media server (PMS) is installed on:
    192.168.1.101

  • The PlexConnect version number. If using Github source then a time and date of download (look at the creation date of the folder) and if you are using any testing branch e.g. the Elan/PlexInc one.
    Github source 28-12-2013 just now, around 23:10 GMT

  • The content of your 'Settings.cfg' file (if you do not have this file you are running an old version, please update)

      [PlexConnect]
    logpath = .
    enable_dnsserver = True
    ip_webserver = 0.0.0.0
    prevent_atv_update = True
    port_dnsserver = 53
    enable_plexconnect_autodetect = True
    port_pms = 32400
    port_webserver = 80
    ip_plexconnect = 0.0.0.0
    certfile = ./assets/certificates/trailers.pem
    ip_dnsmaster = 54.247.108.9
    loglevel = Normal
    ip_pms = 192.168.1.101
    enable_plexgdm = False
    port_ssl = 443
    enable_webserver_ssl = True
    hosttointercept = trailers.apple.com
     
  • A detailed description of the issue (the clearer you can make this the better):
    I have been experiencing a lot of stutter when playing most of my mkv files on my ATV3 with plexconnect. It differs how long between the loading buffer but on big files, like The Hobbit (14.1gb 1080p H264) stops every 1-2 seconds to buffer while other smaller files stop every 5-10 seconds. Then I have other files, like Firefly episodes (4,7gb, 1080p, H264) that play flawlessly. When a movie is stuttering and I press pause, it seems to buffer because, depending on how long I pause, it plays ok for some time and then starts to stutter again. I am not sure if there is something wrong with the transcoder, if the Hardware is not powerful enough or if there are any settings I could change to fix this.

  • Ensure you post your 'PlexConnect.log' file to pastebin and post the link ('PlexConnect.log' is located in your PlexConnect folder). If possible, follow these steps to create a "more detailed fresh" one:
    As it seems to be just loading or buffering I'm not sure anything useful will appear in the log file.

I have been struggling with this problem for some time now and it is driving me insane. I would really appreciate input from you guys!

 

Regards

2

I have been struggling with this problem for some time now and it is driving me insane. I would really appreciate input from you guys!

1) Your PMS server CPU is well below the minimum recommended spec to run PMS, if you need to transcode anything you're not going to have much fun

2) What is your "Transcoder Quality" set to in the PlexConnect settings?  If this is too low for this media then you could be forcing it to transcode unnecessarily.

3) If the media does need to be transcoded by a reason other than 2) your only options are to manually re-encode the media to formats natively compatible with iOS, or run PMS on a box with a faster CPU.

3

1) Your PMS server CPU is well below the minimum recommended spec to run PMS, if you need to transcode anything you're not going to have much fun

2) What is your "Transcoder Quality" set to in the PlexConnect settings?  If this is too low for this media then you could be forcing it to transcode unnecessarily.

3) If the media does need to be transcoded by a reason other than 2) your only options are to manually re-encode the media to formats natively compatible with iOS, or run PMS on a box with a faster CPU.

The Transcoder Quality is set to 1080p 40.0Mbps.

4

Hi,

I have the exact same issue. Some files play perfectly (movies around 10GB, series 720/1080p) and other files are buffering all the time (same container and size). Also have problems with subs...

https://forums.plex.tv/topic/92100-buffering-and-sub-issues-atv/

5

In theory your PMS should be able to remux those type of files on the fly, in practice not all H264 MKV files can just be remuxed to MP4 ATV native compatible files so get transcoded instead. Your machine would struggle to transcode in real time, as Trudge said, so would buffer.

Do you have a newer machine (beefier RAM and CPU) to test with?

6

I have this same playback issue... stuttering/buffering with large/higher bitrate MKV files.  Usually occurs at 1/4 or 1/3 of the way into a movie, then again at 1/2 or 2/3, etc.  The quick fix is to back out of the movie and resume playback.  If I don't do this, it will constantly buffer every few seconds.  My host PMS machine is an i7 quad core with Win7 fully updated.  I have zero buffering/stuttering issues with other Plex clients (iOS & Plex Home Theater).  My PMS and PlexConnect versions are current.  I consistently experience the same stuttering/buffering with 1080p MKV files (usually 20gb or larger).  I have tried many combinations of settings in PlexConnect.

7

PlexConnect uses the native player on the ATV so if the PMS machine is powerful enough then the issue is either network congestion/constraint, a PMS bug or a bug in the ATV firmware (for the player). It might be worth pulling logs and posting in the PMS forum if you can rule out a network issue.

8

No I don't have a newer computer to test on. However, i might be able to get a hold on a Intel Core 2 E8400 3Mhz CPU to replace the Pentium D with, shouldn't that solve all my problems? Or would even that CPU stutter on the largest files?

Would you prefer Core 2 Quad core or Dual core CPU for this kind of work?

9

No I don't have a newer computer to test on. However, i might be able to get a hold on a Intel Core 2 E8400 3Mhz CPU to replace the Pentium D with, shouldn't that solve all my problems? Or would even that CPU stutter on the largest files?

Would you prefer Core 2 Quad core or Dual core CPU for this kind of work?

Plex is all about CPU, so the faster the better - just how fast you need with depend on the resolution/bit-rate of the media you want to watch, and how many devices you plan to simultaneously want to watch it on.

10

No I don't have a newer computer to test on. However, i might be able to get a hold on a Intel Core 2 E8400 3Mhz CPU to replace the Pentium D with, shouldn't that solve all my problems? Or would even that CPU stutter on the largest files?

Would you prefer Core 2 Quad core or Dual core CPU for this kind of work?

I've the same problem and i have an E8400!! I was thinking to replace it with an Q9550...

11

Are you guys with stuttering also using subs?

12

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