Skips and Buffering in DVR'd Videos -- HDHomeRun Prime + PMS on Synology DS918+

General Discussions Plex Features
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I have Plex Media Server running on a Synology DS918+ NAS with 16 GB of RAM, SSD cache, and it’s pulling in its signal from an HDHomeRun Prime wired directly into our cable. All Ethernet is Cat6, hard wired.

When I record shows using the DVR feature, I’m finding the shows are getting tons of buffering and skipping, making them nearly unwatchable. However, I’m not sure where to go to start troubleshooting the issue. I’m not doing any on-the-fly transcoding, and the issue occurs whether the DVR is recording one show by itself, or two simultaneously. I don’t see any issues on our standard “cable-company-provided” DVRs, and HDHomeRun signal strength always reports as good.

Thanks for any hints/help you can provide. I realize this could be an HDHomeRun Prime issue, but I’m hoping somebody else here may have experienced a similar issue, as the help forums here are considerably more friendly than on the HDHR site (though I will also check there).

Alternately, is there some sort of post-processing that could potentially be done on the recordings to help mitigate / repair errors in the files?

2

I have the same issue.

Anticipating that my Synology DS1815+ wouldn’t have the horsepower to record, I tried setting up a Plex server on my Windows 10 i7 7700K desktop computer with an M.2 SSD. Like you, everything is wired over CAT6 and the HDHomerun Prime is less than 20ft from my cable provider’s ONT.

I have not been able to find a solution either.

3

Have you tried playing the recorded files in something outside of Plex? You should be able to use something like VLC to play the files. See if you have the same errors. That might help determine whether the problem is in recording or if it’s in playback.

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Hi Chris. Yup, tried with VLC and had the same issue, which makes me think the problem is in the recording.

5

Try re-encoding them from mpeg2ts to h264.

The implementation of DVR was not well thought out.
The Plex DVR records High Bitrate mpeg2ts video streams.

Nothing really plays mpeg2ts natively.

This causes Plex to do heavy transcoding during playback.

That is what I experienced for what it’s worth.

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Thanks jjrjr. Do you have a recommended method of doing this? Handbrake after it’s completely recorded to test it out?

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Handbrake would work.
You gotta do it after recording is done.
Be sure you have "Transcode while recording turned off so it does not try to transcode while recording. This will put hiccups in your recorded media.
Re-encode to
mp4 / h264 / ac3

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Thanks jjrjr1. I took the .ts file this morning and transcoded it with Handbrake to mp4 / h264 / ac3, as well as h265. In both cases, it shortened the file by about 3 minutes. Less stuttery, but still lots of missing information (from a 42-minute show).

So I’m thinking this is probably more an issue with the HDHomeRun Prime, and have posted over there in hopes of finding some sort of resolution, but very grateful for your help. Since others have mentioned the same issue, I’ll post back here if I find a solid resolution to the issue.

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Since Plex DVR is still buggy… I still use nextPVR to record my content and plex picks them right up for consumption.
I have NEVER witnessed any of the issues experienced in this forum when recording content using NextPVR
However, the mpeg2 files will still need to be re-encoded as @jjrjr1 stated as your NAS will have trouble with transcoding those files.

I believe Plex DVR is having trouble recording the shows in question.

Are these files being recorded from Local stations? Here in Chicago the locals are the only channels that are mpeg2 all the rest are h264

Your NAS will not have an issue with h264.

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Hi SiscoPlex,
All the files are from local stations (only local stations available here without DRM). I’m a Mac guy (no PCs in the house), so I can’t try NextPVR, but I’ll look and see if there’s something else I can use on a Mac or on my NAS to test it out. Thanks!

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In that case I would try Emby, have it dump the recordings into your TV Shows folder so Plex adds them automagically(its free and works on Mac). If nothing else, just to see if it is Plex and not the prime.

Also SiliconDust has their own DVR software(works on Mac but not free nor sure if you purchased it) you could try with if you did indeed purchase it.

I have tried all of the solutions. Hell they are all still installed and time to time I log in and see whats new or what they have fixed.

Plex is still the best… Just not their Live TV/DVR integration… YET!!!

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Thanks again Sisco. I’ll pick up Emby and try it out – like you said, at least that would tell me whether the issue is with Plex or the Prime. Great help folks, gracias!

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Anytime! let everyone know the results if you would be so kind, as it may help another user somewhere down the road.

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Absolutely will share results and findings! B)

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So it wasn’t a quick installation, but installed Emby Premiere so I could try their DVR service, and am seeing the same issues. Makes me think it’s a problem on the HDHomeRun side. Will keep this thread updated as I learn more. Thanks for the help!

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I would pop on over to the silicondust forums, post your issue, explain the DVR software used as well as your testing with VLC and perhaps even ask them to check your device(this will require the device ID) they are a pretty good bunch over there… especially nickk

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Already done, and in the works. Thanks Sisco!

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Hey, I just popped in over at the silicondust forums and saw your post, looks like jasonl is on it… thats good news.
I would respond there, but had an issue logging in from work.
I saw that you have packet loss… narrowing the issue down.

I would try moving the tuner to the GB switch with all of the other devices.

I have pretty much the same networking equip.

I have a GB switch and attached to it is my server (PC instead of Mac in my place), my 2 tuners, my 4 TV’s(Fire TV’s wired and shields wired) I have no NAS however.

I have also reserved IP address’s for my Server and my tuners.

I get no packet loss.

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Thanks Sisco. I’d run into some considerable wiring difficulties in running the tuner to the GB switch instead of directly to the router due to placement of supporting equipment. The tuner is a foot from the router currently, and right beside the cable modem, where I have a coax connection. If I wanted to run the tuner straight to the switch, I’d have to run another Ethernet cable to another floor to get to the switch, or alternately, run the TV cable from another floor. Either one is a bit of a headache. Alternately, I could add another GB switch to the network and plug just the tuner into it, and it into the router, but not sure how that would buy me anything.

I’m hoping this packet loss is perhaps a damaged Ethernet cable. I had a heck of a time running the Cat6 cable from the cable modem into my basement office before the basement was finished, but it was successful, then we finished off the basement. Part of the cable run still wasn’t visible, however, and I wouldn’t be completely surprised if the cable got bent or frayed in the process in an area where I can’t see it. Ordered a 50-ft Cat7 cable that should arrive Sunday afternoon, so I’m hoping I can figure out a way to replace the Ethernet cable between the router and the switch and see if that helps.

If I am able to replace the cable and it doesn’t help, I’ll be pretty much flummoxed. If I’m not able to replace the cable (the pull gets hung up somewhere), I’ll have made myself a big problem and probably need to get a pro to assist.

Like you, I’ve reserved IP addresses for my desktop computer, NAS, and tuner (along with a couple other items in the house).

Great advice – I’ll keep reporting back on what I try and what I learn!

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I wouldn’t put another switch in between the two as it would serve no purpose.