Streaming issues

elbosterix · October 19, 2011, 8:25pm

Hi everyone,

I bought the new WD TV Live (Wi-Fi built in) two days ago and I am quite dissapointed.

I have been trying every single video file I have on my shared PC and I can’t play any movie without stuttering or even worse, it just hangs.

I tried MKV, then DVD’s, and then I expected the modest avi divx to work, but not even that! (before you ask, I have a Billion 7300 N)

I thought, ok, maybe the Wi-Fi is not fast enough, at least I can still play them through USB…

The MKV movie from the USB gets the same results…

Anyone could tell me if I am missing something before I send this box back???

I have been doing some research and I need play around with Media Centre to make sure the streaming is configured appropriately, and I am planning to connect the WD TV to my PC or to the router directly through a wire to try as well, but if the USB doesn’t work, I don’t really have high hopes…

I upgraded to firmware 1.03.10 and still no improvements.

so dissapointed…

Ardvark · October 19, 2011, 9:08pm

That shouldn’t happen. Even through wireless most 720ps play fine with no stuttering at all.

Try resetting the unit first-off.

Another thing to try is to stream through SAMBA instead of through a media server - see if that makes a difference.

Do you have another router you can test with?

The fact that it’s happening with USB may actually be unrelated… If the issues persist you may want to exchange the unit at the store for another one- it could just be a defective unit.

elbosterix · October 19, 2011, 10:27pm

shouldn’t the WDTV play movies in HD without issues from a USB??? Or is there anything to configure?

this is leading me to believe that there is something wrong with it. I can play that MKV file without issues with VLC or media player from my PC.

Wired / Wireless streaming is totally separate… and the modem/router works fine, I can download up to 1.5mb without issues…

Ardvark · October 19, 2011, 10:36pm

Well if the USB drive has issues (it’s highly fragmented, there is corrupted data, or something is wrong with it) and you happen to be having network issues the playback issues would appear very similar leading you to think the issue is one in the same. Do you have another USB drive to test with? If the same issue occurs from a second USB device than I would bet dollars to donuts its a defictive unit. These things do happen…

TonyPh12345 · October 19, 2011, 10:44pm

There could be other things…

If you ever play a movie that the WD Chokes on, everything else you play afterward can be affected because it leaves the media renderer in a bad state; this usually requires a reboot (full power off / on) to restore.

So the key is to isolate which movie starts the problem. And you can’t assume it’s EVERY movie unless you actually do a full reboot between each test. And testing from USB is wise; it eliminates ANY kind of network issue.

I’ve never had any issues watching movies on even very fragmented drives… In fact, I don’t remember the last time (years?) that I defragged a drive.

Once you find that problematic file, please post the full TEXT output of MEDIAINFO for it.

http://mediainfo.sourceforge.net

elbosterix · October 19, 2011, 11:24pm

Hi Tony,

That’s a good point, will reboot the device and start by trying the other way (from divx up to mkv), although my gut feeling is that the problem is the MKV as it was the first file I tried.

Thanks for your tip, will post the results once I get the confirmation… fingers crossed…

mazeeff · October 20, 2011, 1:42am

I have two of these boxes, and they both play MKV, AVI, ISO, and VOB’s on USB (Front & back), Stick or Disk, or network with no stuttering or issue. I have noticed issues when the unit is indexing (Media Library). Mine took 3 1/2 hours to index (Front LED Blinking) a 2TB drive, and during that time the unit had problems playing video. You can try to turn “Media Library” off, and repeat your tests. I have also had to power cycle mine numerous times, while I was playing around, and it locked up. Don’t give up on the unit. WD releases new firmware quite often, and this thing will only get better with time!

elbosterix · October 20, 2011, 11:25am

Hi Tony,

After restarting the unit, I tried all formats again via USB.

You were right, this MKV is causing the issue, unfortunately I haven’t been able to test another MKV yet…

See below the output of MEDIAINFO for this file (I can’t seem to attach the txt file to the post)

General
Count : 278
StreamCount : 1
StreamKind : General
StreamKind/String : General
StreamKindID : 0
Inform : Matroska: 1.08 GiB, 44mn 13s
UniqueID : 125441231473405081835240731807559876320
UniqueID/String : 125441231473405081835240731807559876320 (0x5E5F1A3698295992770779C63C8A7EE0)
VideoCount : 1
AudioCount : 1
Video_Format_List : AVC
Video_Format_WithHint_List : AVC
Video_Codec_List : AVC
Video_Language_List : English
Audio_Format_List : AC-3
Audio_Format_WithHint_List : AC-3
Audio_Codec_List : AC3
Audio_Language_List : Spanish
CompleteName : D:\Pelis Para ver\El Hombre De Tu Vida - E01.mkv
FolderName : D:\Pelis Para ver
FileName : El Hombre De Tu Vida - E01
FileExtension : mkv
Format : Matroska
Format/String : Matroska
Format/Url : http://packs.matroska.org/
Format/Extensions : mkv mk3d mka mks
Format_Commercial : Matroska
Format_Version : Version 2
Codec : Matroska
Codec/String : Matroska
Codec/Url : http://packs.matroska.org/
Codec/Extensions : mkv mk3d mka mks
FileSize : 1158023734
FileSize/String : 1.08 GiB
FileSize/String1 : 1 GiB
FileSize/String2 : 1.1 GiB
FileSize/String3 : 1.08 GiB
FileSize/String4 : 1.078 GiB
Duration : 2653160
Duration/String : 44mn 13s
Duration/String1 : 44mn 13s 160ms
Duration/String2 : 44mn 13s
Duration/String3 : 00:44:13.160
OverallBitRate : 3491756
OverallBitRate/String : 3 492 Kbps
Encoded_Date : UTC 2011-07-18 20:50:57
File_Created_Date : UTC 2011-07-25 12:18:57.406
File_Created_Date_Local : 2011-07-25 23:18:57.406
File_Modified_Date : UTC 2011-07-25 13:04:27.453
File_Modified_Date_Local : 2011-07-26 00:04:27.453
Encoded_Application : gdsmux
Encoded_Library : Haali DirectShow Matroska Muxer 1.10.262.12
Encoded_Library/String : Haali DirectShow Matroska Muxer 1.10.262.12

Video
Count : 201
StreamCount : 1
StreamKind : Video
StreamKind/String : Video
StreamKindID : 0
Inform : 3 331 Kbps, 1280*720 (16:9), AVC (Main@L3.1) (CABAC / 4 Ref Frames)
ID : 1
ID/String : 1
UniqueID : 1
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format/Url : http://developers.videolan.org/x264.html
Format_Commercial : AVC
Format_Profile : Main@L3.1
Format_Settings : CABAC / 4 Ref Frames
Format_Settings_CABAC : Yes
Format_Settings_CABAC/String : Yes
Format_Settings_RefFrames : 4
Format_Settings_RefFrames/String : 4 frames
InternetMediaType : video/H264
CodecID : V_MPEG4/ISO/AVC
CodecID/Url : http://ffdshow-tryout.sourceforge.net/
Codec : V_MPEG4/ISO/AVC
Codec/String : AVC
Codec/Family : AVC
Codec/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Codec/Url : http://ffdshow-tryout.sourceforge.net/
Codec_Profile : Main@L3.1
Codec_Settings : CABAC / 4 Ref Frames
Codec_Settings_CABAC : Yes
Codec_Settings_RefFrames : 4
BitRate : 3331000
BitRate/String : 3 331 Kbps
Width : 1280
Width/String : 1 280 pixels
Height : 720
Height/String : 720 pixels
PixelAspectRatio : 1.000
DisplayAspectRatio : 1.778
DisplayAspectRatio/String : 16:9
FrameRate_Mode : VFR
FrameRate_Mode/String : Variable
Resolution : 8
Resolution/String : 8 bits
Colorimetry : 4:2:0
ColorSpace : YUV
ChromaSubsampling : 4:2:0
BitDepth : 8
BitDepth/String : 8 bits
ScanType : Progressive
ScanType/String : Progressive
Interlacement : PPF
Interlacement/String : Progressive
Delay : 0
Delay/String3 : 00:00:00.000
Delay_Source : Container
Delay_Source/String : Container
Encoded_Library : x264 - core 112
Encoded_Library/String : x264 core 112
Encoded_Library/Name : x264
Encoded_Library/Version : core 112
Encoded_Library_Settings : cabac=1 / ref=2 / deblock=1:0:0 / analyse=0x1:0x111 / me=hex / subme=6 / psy=1 / psy_rd=1.00:0.00 / mixed_ref=0 / me_range=16 / chroma_me=1 / trellis=0 / 8x8dct=0 / cqm=0 / deadzone=21,11 / fast_pskip=1 / chroma_qp_offset=-2 / threads=3 / sliced_threads=0 / nr=0 / decimate=1 / interlaced=0 / constrained_intra=0 / bframes=2 / b_pyramid=2 / b_adapt=1 / b_bias=0 / direct=1 / weightb=0 / open_gop=0 / weightp=2 / keyint=250 / keyint_min=24 / scenecut=40 / intra_refresh=0 / rc_lookahead=40 / rc=2pass / mbtree=1 / bitrate=3331 / ratetol=1.0 / qcomp=0.60 / qpmin=3 / qpmax=51 / qpstep=4 / cplxblur=20.0 / qblur=0.5 / ip_ratio=1.40 / aq=1:1.00

Audio
Count : 180
StreamCount : 1
StreamKind : Audio
StreamKind/String : Audio
StreamKindID : 0
Inform : Spanish, 160 Kbps, 48.0 KHz, 16 bits, 2 channels, AC-3 (Header stripping)
ID : 2
ID/String : 2
UniqueID : 2
Format : AC-3
Format/Info : Audio Coding 3
Format_Commercial : AC-3
Format_Settings_ModeExtension : CM (complete main)
MuxingMode : Header stripping
CodecID : A_AC3
Codec : AC3
Codec/String : AC3
Codec/Family : AC3
Codec/Info : Dolby AC3
Duration : 2653160
Duration/String : 44mn 13s
Duration/String1 : 44mn 13s 160ms
Duration/String2 : 44mn 13s
Duration/String3 : 00:44:13.160
BitRate_Mode : CBR
BitRate_Mode/String : Constant
BitRate : 160000
BitRate/String : 160 Kbps
Channel(s) : 2
Channel(s)/String : 2 channels
ChannelPositions : Front: L R
ChannelPositions/String2 : 2/0/0
SamplingRate : 48000
SamplingRate/String : 48.0 KHz
SamplingCount : 127351680
Resolution : 16
Resolution/String : 16 bits
BitDepth : 16
BitDepth/String : 16 bits
Compression_Mode : Lossy
Compression_Mode/String : Lossy
Delay : 0
Delay/String3 : 00:00:00.000
Delay_Source : Container
Delay_Source/String : Container
Video_Delay : 0
Video0_Delay : 0
StreamSize : 53063200
StreamSize/String : 50.6 MiB (5%)
StreamSize/String1 : 51 MiB
StreamSize/String2 : 51 MiB
StreamSize/String3 : 50.6 MiB
StreamSize/String4 : 50.61 MiB
StreamSize/String5 : 50.6 MiB (5%)
StreamSize_Proportion : 0.04582
Language : es
Language/String : Spanish
Language/String1 : Spanish
Language/String2 : es
Language/String3 : spa
Language/String4 : es
dsurmod : 0
dialnorm : -31
dialnorm/String : -31 dB
bsid : 8
dialnorm_Average : -31
dialnorm_Average/String : -31 dB
dialnorm_Minimum : -31
dialnorm_Minimum/String : -31 dB
dialnorm_Maximum : -31
dialnorm_Maximum/String : -31 dB
dialnorm_Count : 2

TonyPh12345 · October 20, 2011, 12:15pm

Hmmm. The only thing I see there that causes question is the use of “Header Stripping.” I thought that WD had added that capability a LONG time ago, but I suppose it’s possible that it’s broken on the WDTV Live SMP.

I don’t have any MKVs with Header Stripping, so I wouldn’t have come across this yet.

I’ll try to remember to test this later today.

In the mean time, you could try REMOVING header stripping and try again…

Go download MKVToolnix version 3.4.4 here: http://www.bunkus.org/videotools/mkvtoolnix/win32/

(Assuming you have Windows)

And “Remux” the file using the tool MKVMerge.

Watch the error logs, and try playing the resulting new file.

If it works, either there was something wrong with the original mux, or the LiveSMP doesn’t support header stripping.

Pecker · October 20, 2011, 2:42pm

elbosterix wrote:

Hi Tony,

After restarting the unit, I tried all formats again via USB.

You were right, this MKV is causing the issue, unfortunately I haven’t been able to test another MKV yet…

See below the output of MEDIAINFO for this file (I can’t seem to attach the txt file to the post)

General
Count : 278
StreamCount : 1
StreamKind : General
StreamKind/String : General
StreamKindID : 0
Inform : Matroska: 1.08 GiB, 44mn 13s
UniqueID : 125441231473405081835240731807559876320
UniqueID/String : 125441231473405081835240731807559876320 (0x5E5F1A3698295992770779C63C8A7EE0)
VideoCount : 1
AudioCount : 1
Video_Format_List : AVC
Video_Format_WithHint_List : AVC
Video_Codec_List : AVC
Video_Language_List : English
Audio_Format_List : AC-3
Audio_Format_WithHint_List : AC-3
Audio_Codec_List : AC3
Audio_Language_List : Spanish
CompleteName : D:\Pelis Para ver\El Hombre De Tu Vida - E01.mkv
FolderName : D:\Pelis Para ver
FileName : El Hombre De Tu Vida - E01
FileExtension : mkv
Format : Matroska
Format/String : Matroska
Format/Url : http://packs.matroska.org/
Format/Extensions : mkv mk3d mka mks
Format_Commercial : Matroska
Format_Version : Version 2
Codec : Matroska
Codec/String : Matroska
Codec/Url : http://packs.matroska.org/
Codec/Extensions : mkv mk3d mka mks
FileSize : 1158023734
FileSize/String : 1.08 GiB
FileSize/String1 : 1 GiB
FileSize/String2 : 1.1 GiB
FileSize/String3 : 1.08 GiB
FileSize/String4 : 1.078 GiB
Duration : 2653160
Duration/String : 44mn 13s
Duration/String1 : 44mn 13s 160ms
Duration/String2 : 44mn 13s
Duration/String3 : 00:44:13.160
OverallBitRate : 3491756
OverallBitRate/String : 3 492 Kbps
Encoded_Date : UTC 2011-07-18 20:50:57
File_Created_Date : UTC 2011-07-25 12:18:57.406
File_Created_Date_Local : 2011-07-25 23:18:57.406
File_Modified_Date : UTC 2011-07-25 13:04:27.453
File_Modified_Date_Local : 2011-07-26 00:04:27.453
Encoded_Application : gdsmux
Encoded_Library : Haali DirectShow Matroska Muxer 1.10.262.12
Encoded_Library/String : Haali DirectShow Matroska Muxer 1.10.262.12

Video
Count : 201
StreamCount : 1
StreamKind : Video
StreamKind/String : Video
StreamKindID : 0
Inform : 3 331 Kbps, 1280*720 (16:9), AVC (Main@L3.1) (CABAC / 4 Ref Frames)
ID : 1
ID/String : 1
UniqueID : 1
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format/Url : http://developers.videolan.org/x264.html
Format_Commercial : AVC
Format_Profile : Main@L3.1
Format_Settings : CABAC / 4 Ref Frames
Format_Settings_CABAC : Yes
Format_Settings_CABAC/String : Yes
Format_Settings_RefFrames : 4
Format_Settings_RefFrames/String : 4 frames
InternetMediaType : video/H264
CodecID : V_MPEG4/ISO/AVC
CodecID/Url : http://ffdshow-tryout.sourceforge.net/
Codec : V_MPEG4/ISO/AVC
Codec/String : AVC
Codec/Family : AVC
Codec/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Codec/Url : http://ffdshow-tryout.sourceforge.net/
Codec_Profile : Main@L3.1
Codec_Settings : CABAC / 4 Ref Frames
Codec_Settings_CABAC : Yes
Codec_Settings_RefFrames : 4
BitRate : 3331000
BitRate/String : 3 331 Kbps
Width : 1280
Width/String : 1 280 pixels
Height : 720
Height/String : 720 pixels
PixelAspectRatio : 1.000
DisplayAspectRatio : 1.778
DisplayAspectRatio/String : 16:9
FrameRate_Mode : VFR
FrameRate_Mode/String : Variable
Resolution : 8
Resolution/String : 8 bits
Colorimetry : 4:2:0
ColorSpace : YUV
ChromaSubsampling : 4:2:0
BitDepth : 8
BitDepth/String : 8 bits
ScanType : Progressive
ScanType/String : Progressive
Interlacement : PPF
Interlacement/String : Progressive
Delay : 0
Delay/String3 : 00:00:00.000
Delay_Source : Container
Delay_Source/String : Container
Encoded_Library : x264 - core 112
Encoded_Library/String : x264 core 112
Encoded_Library/Name : x264
Encoded_Library/Version : core 112
Encoded_Library_Settings : cabac=1 / ref=2 / deblock=1:0:0 / analyse=0x1:0x111 / me=hex / subme=6 / psy=1 / psy_rd=1.00:0.00 / mixed_ref=0 / me_range=16 / chroma_me=1 / trellis=0 / 8x8dct=0 / cqm=0 / deadzone=21,11 / fast_pskip=1 / chroma_qp_offset=-2 / threads=3 / sliced_threads=0 / nr=0 / decimate=1 / interlaced=0 / constrained_intra=0 / bframes=2 / b_pyramid=2 / b_adapt=1 / b_bias=0 / direct=1 / weightb=0 / open_gop=0 / weightp=2 / keyint=250 / keyint_min=24 / scenecut=40 / intra_refresh=0 / rc_lookahead=40 / rc=2pass / mbtree=1 / bitrate=3331 / ratetol=1.0 / qcomp=0.60 / qpmin=3 / qpmax=51 / qpstep=4 / cplxblur=20.0 / qblur=0.5 / ip_ratio=1.40 / aq=1:1.00

Audio
Count : 180
StreamCount : 1
StreamKind : Audio
StreamKind/String : Audio
StreamKindID : 0
Inform : Spanish, 160 Kbps, 48.0 KHz, 16 bits, 2 channels, AC-3 (Header stripping)
ID : 2
ID/String : 2
UniqueID : 2
Format : AC-3
Format/Info : Audio Coding 3
Format_Commercial : AC-3
Format_Settings_ModeExtension : CM (complete main)
MuxingMode : Header stripping
CodecID : A_AC3
Codec : AC3
Codec/String : AC3
Codec/Family : AC3
Codec/Info : Dolby AC3
Duration : 2653160
Duration/String : 44mn 13s
Duration/String1 : 44mn 13s 160ms
Duration/String2 : 44mn 13s
Duration/String3 : 00:44:13.160
BitRate_Mode : CBR
BitRate_Mode/String : Constant
BitRate : 160000
BitRate/String : 160 Kbps
Channel(s) : 2
Channel(s)/String : 2 channels
ChannelPositions : Front: L R
ChannelPositions/String2 : 2/0/0
SamplingRate : 48000
SamplingRate/String : 48.0 KHz
SamplingCount : 127351680
Resolution : 16
Resolution/String : 16 bits
BitDepth : 16
BitDepth/String : 16 bits
Compression_Mode : Lossy
Compression_Mode/String : Lossy
Delay : 0
Delay/String3 : 00:00:00.000
Delay_Source : Container
Delay_Source/String : Container
Video_Delay : 0
Video0_Delay : 0
StreamSize : 53063200
StreamSize/String : 50.6 MiB (5%)
StreamSize/String1 : 51 MiB
StreamSize/String2 : 51 MiB
StreamSize/String3 : 50.6 MiB
StreamSize/String4 : 50.61 MiB
StreamSize/String5 : 50.6 MiB (5%)
StreamSize_Proportion : 0.04582
Language : es
Language/String : Spanish
Language/String1 : Spanish
Language/String2 : es
Language/String3 : spa
Language/String4 : es
dsurmod : 0
dialnorm : -31
dialnorm/String : -31 dB
bsid : 8
dialnorm_Average : -31
dialnorm_Average/String : -31 dB
dialnorm_Minimum : -31
dialnorm_Minimum/String : -31 dB
dialnorm_Maximum : -31
dialnorm_Maximum/String : -31 dB
dialnorm_Count : 2

When people ask me why I keep my media on a USB HDD attached directly to my WDTV Live instead of streaming it…

Steve W

elbosterix · October 20, 2011, 8:22pm

Tony,

You are awesome!

No idea what I did through this tool, but it worked!

Would you mind briefly explaining what this Muxing process does?

Now I just need to work on the streaming via wi-fi !

Do you know by any chance what is supposed to be faster:

Sharing folders

or setting up the media centre for streaming?

Thanks so much for your help!

TonyPh12345 · October 20, 2011, 9:18pm

Running it through MKVMerge probably corrected some bizarre format errors, or non-compliant issue.

Chances are, if you looked at the LOG file, it’d tell you exactly what it needed to do to correct any issues.

elbosterix · October 20, 2011, 9:46pm

That was the weird thing, didn’t get any errors in the log !