Live TV Buffering

[persim]

I have a dedicated machine setup for my snowbird parents to watch tv through a home vpn when they are in Florida for the winter.  They have 2 CCWGTVs with kodi installed.  Both devices are setup to transcode live tv.  One of the devices has been having buffering issues with live tv.  

They tell me that constant buffering makes the video unwatchable.  Both are not tech savvy so troubleshooting is basically pulling teeth.  I have been able to get them to clear the kodi app cache and this solves the issue for about 2 hours until it comes back.  Clearing the app cache works every time but only lasts for about the 2 hours.

Is there any setting I might be able to tweak on either backend or client?  I know the chromecasts have limited memory.  Would adding a hub and memory stick help this issue?

[mvallevand]

I hate replying when logs tell me so much. For this use case make sure you have transcoded timeshift disabled.

Martin.

[persim]

Transcoded timeshift is disabled.  Won't be able get Kodi debug logs.

[mvallevand]

With the bitrate and profile you are using you are actually upconverting 720p in at least one example.

2023-04-09 14:18:27.001 [DEBUG][100]   profile: 1080p

and the bitrate could be higher than OTA too. -b:v 8000000 -maxrate 8000000

You would be better off just using real time. 

I can't remember all the nuances in remote API calling but I think you have to make sure NextPVR server is set to default transcoding.

That being said I didn't see a 2 hour play in there and without the Kodi debug log I can't really offer any suggestions.  Ditching the VPN wouldn't hurt performance that's for sure.

Martin