I can't get streaming Live TV to work

[IanSpringfield]

Thanks UJB, I have reached success with some adjustments:

I used the replacement file ("Details2") that you offered above.
I installed VLC on the remote computer.
I then told NEWA to use VLC (rather than WMP) but NOT use external player (I assume that means the VLC plugin for Firefox (my browser).
I then associated .asp files in Windows 7 (Default programs) with VLC Media Player.
I then click on "View Live" under the channel ID.

VLC plugin opens right up and in a few seconds the stream starts and plays flawlessly. It looks very good even at full screen on a 24" monitor.

I did test this at home but used an http address to access NEWA which means I was operating across the internet rather than across the lan (this required me to forward port 8866 to the server.)

I then tried to access NEWA from 1500 miles away across the internet. Unfortunately, although it worked, I had constant freezing. Must be my settings are too high/too good.

Could you give me a pointer on which settings to adjust to eliminate the freezing/buffering.

Thanks. Very well done.

[kayleigh]

Over a WAN link, I usually am able to stream at 512 bit - start there & see if that helps. You can also bump up the buffer above 5000 - I think I went to 8000 to stream in HD.

[UncleJohnsBand]

Also set video size to scale and use like .50 this will give you a good picture that you can expand out while allowing more upload bandwidth for higher bitrate stream.

[UncleJohnsBand]

Also....switch to manual settings....this is the config I use....

[IanSpringfield]

Thanks kayleigh,

I'm pretty new to NEWA. Could you tell me where I go to check/change those settings? On the server or on the client?

[IanSpringfield]

Also....switch to manual settings....this is the config I use....

OOooooooooo, that looks like a great page. How do I get there? Also, kayleigh was talking about bitrate and buffer. Where would those settings reside?

[UncleJohnsBand]

OOooooooooo, that looks like a great page. How do I get there? Also, kayleigh was talking about bitrate and buffer. Where would those settings reside?

Just switch the transcode type from one of the pre-sets to be manual options, then changed the video endocder to H264.

Edit: These options are on the Transcode Opts tab of the Streaming window.

[UncleJohnsBand]

Over a WAN link, I usually am able to stream at 512 bit - start there & see if that helps. You can also bump up the buffer above 5000 - I think I went to 8000 to stream in HD.

Also set video size to scale and use like .50 this will give you a good picture that you can expand out while allowing more upload bandwidth for higher bitrate stream.

Thanks kayleigh,

I'm pretty new to NEWA. Could you tell me where I go to check/change those settings? On the server or on the client?

These options are on the Player Opts tab of teh Streaming window.

[IanSpringfield]

Got it. I see my problem now. That "streamer screen" (that you posted a picture of, picture 2, on page 1 of this thread) is a window that never came up for me and since I've migrated to "view live" rather than that "start stream" process, I have never seen that window. Since I replaced that new file you posted, I have since gone back and tried the "start stream" process. This time it did proceed to that 2nd "streaming" window and I do see those settings. The process still works great from my home via http. I will have to wait a while to test it from distance with the same settings.

I'm using the settings you posted. 2 quick questions so that I can adjust on the fly if necessary:

1) I' m assuming dropping the bit rate from 512 to a lower number will result in a less good picture but less of a chance for freezing/buffering?
2) I'm assuming increasing the buffer, increases the delay from "live" but will also reduce the instances of freezing/buffering? If I'm correct and the "liveness" of the picture is not really important and speed of starting the stream and speed of changing channels is not really important, then dramatically increasing the size of the buffer should just about eliminate buffering, correct?

UJB, thanks for all your help

[UncleJohnsBand]

Got it. I see my problem now. That "streamer screen" (that you posted a picture of, picture 2, on page 1 of this thread) is a window that never came up for me and since I've migrated to "view live" rather than that "start stream" process, I have never seen that window. Since I replaced that new file you posted, I have since gone back and tried the "start stream" process. This time it did proceed to that 2nd "streaming" window and I do see those settings. The process still works great from my home via http. I will have to wait a while to test it from distance with the same settings.

I'm using the settings you posted. 2 quick questions so that I can adjust on the fly if necessary:

1) I' m assuming dropping the bit rate from 512 to a lower number will result in a less good picture but less of a chance for freezing/buffering?
2) I'm assuming increasing the buffer, increases the delay from "live" but will also reduce the instances of freezing/buffering? If I'm correct and the "liveness" of the picture is not really important and speed of starting the stream and speed of changing channels is not really important, then dramatically increasing the size of the buffer should just about eliminate buffering, correct?

UJB, thanks for all your help

I didn't know you switched over to the View Live option. It is not related to VLC streaming and settings mentioned/posted above and those settings will not impact the View Live that you can click on in the guide on the channel column.

View Live does use the VLC player plugin but it uses the transcoder setup that sub has built in which I believe is FFMPEG. By default I believe the npvr config is setup to stream the raw feed (i.e. no transcoding). You need to change something (I can't remember what) in the npvr config to use transcoding instead of streaming and also to set a setting if you want to allow the streaming and transcoding to go outside of the local network.

The info above only works for the Watch Now from within the details screen pop-up and from the Stream buttons on manage recordings.