Playback on MVP Choppy Suddenly

[Landru]

Up until this weekend, all has been working fine. But since Saturday, playback on the MVP has gotten very choppy. Playback on the host computer is fine. Nothing has changed.

I've done all of the natural things - rebooted the host, rebooted the MPV, restarted the complete network. I'm at a complete loss of what to do next.

Are there any suggestiogn out there? Thanks!

[navyguy]

If you've rebooted all equipment and not changed software I would recommend checking your cabling if you're running a wired network. Move furniture or anyone step on one of your cables this weekend?

If you're wireless did you get a new cordless phone this weekend? New microwave? Moved your phone basestation or microwave? How about neighbors if you're in a multi-tenant building? New radio station open up next door? New cell phone tower nearby? Lots of sources of interference for wireless unfortunately.

Also while you're checking the network cabling check that a power cable (lamps, tv, whatever) didn't get moved up against your network cables.

And as always re-seat your network cable connections to make sure they're all making good contact.

Good luck and hope this helps.

[Landru]

Thanks, NavyGuy, but there is no joy there. It also seems like the server is having trouble rendering the MPV screens and responding to the remote, almost like there is something eating clock cycles. Norton shows no virus or SpyWare. Task Manager shows no more then 20% CPU and 422MB of free memory. EDIT: I spoke too soon, NetRadio crapped out as well....

The Machine is:
1.8 gHz Celeron on a Biostar 8668D MB
XP SP2
768MB
17gb and 73 gb SCSI 2 UW drives

Help, it's driving my kids mad!

[Landru]

Curiorser and curioser said Alice. I just moved the MPV off the switch and onto the hub that is integrated into mu router. The server is still on the switch and all seems to be working better. When I move it back to the switch it goes all funky again. I wonder if the switch is going bad.....

[Lucas_24]

I've been having proglems with my switch as well, similar scenario as you, I moved the server off the switch, still have 2 MVP's on the switch but things improved dramatically. I still have frequent dropouts of the MVP, which I suspect is because they are still going through the switch. There is a thread started on here not long ago by someone explaining why a hub setup may have better performance than a switch.

[Doz5]

I was wondering which switches are you using? Model # and manufacturer?

Thanks

[Lucas_24]

Mine's an SMC 16 port switch, not sure of the model number off hand, from my experience with it I would not suggest it if you want to connect an MVP. I could just have a defective switch though.

[markm]

I forget where I read it, the SHS forums I think. Supposedly, the MVP switches from full, to half duplex when it starts playing video, and then back to full when done.

I suppose it's possible that people have varying success with different switches/hubs because some devices would probably handle this switching differently. Just about all current switches and hubs auto-sense, how well they do it is another issue.

Again, this may no longer be true with the current software. I've never actually looked to be honest. Both of my MVP's feed into 4 port switches, which uplink to my main switch. Neither of the 4 port switches are easily seen, so I can't tell at a glance what my MVP does with the link, and since it works, I've never bothered to try

[ecamacho]

Landru,

I have had similar issues running my MVP on a switch, and my NIC running full-duplex. When I put the MVP on a hub and my NIC back to Half-Duplex my problems went away. I can even watch live TV without issue.

Erik

[Landru]

Well, I actually figured out what teh problem was. The %$#& switch ports were failing. Everything is happy since I replaced it with a new NetGear switch.....