Stuttering client

[pgoelz]

I'm running GBPVR as server running on a P4 2.6GHz connected to the router via wired ethernet and GBPVR as client running on a Centrino 1.5GHz connected to the router via 802.11g

Playback will sometimes stutter. Once this begins it continues forever. Skipping ahead or backwards slightly seems to cure it for the duration of the playback. Simply pausing and resuming cures it but not forever. I realize that wireless could be an issue but the CPU utilization on both ends is 50% or less and the wireless utilization is between 6% and 50%. Note that when it is stuttering, the net utilization is very variable and fluctuates between 0% and 50%. I don't have anything else running that would be using the network. Speed checks to the internet report between 15Mb/S and 19Mb/S so the wireless link would appear to be fine??

Is there a setting somewhere that perhaps increases the playback buffer? Or anything else I can try?

Paul

[sub]

Sorry, GB-PVR's client/server functionality is known to not work well on wireless links.

If you're using only digital capture sources, you could try switching to the 'file sharing mode' and using the 'TS Mux' multiplexer.

[JonnyCam]

That network utilization of between 6 & 50% is what windows calculates based on 54 Mbs - but with overhead, interfrence, error correction etc the actual speed you see is much less - so the wireless may be not quite up to it.
If you can - try it with an ethernet cable to rule out other problems

How is the client configured (sharing or streaming) and what are the files which you are trying to play (bitrate / format)
Also, are the files you are trying to watch still pending recordings?



Thanks

[pgoelz]

I agree that the wireless link may not be up to it. But dang it, it works perfectly most of the time I'll have a try with a 100% wired setup and see.

I am using the highest quality for the recordings, and am only watching recordings that are completed. GBPVR is not simultaneously recording something else either. However, these are WinXP boxes and who knows what else is going on.

I'm using streaming, and am recording analog content only in MPEG format with no transcoding.

Remember, though, that skipping backwards or forward seems to cure it for a long time. Pausing does not. Is this a clue?

One of the things I also suspect is my router. It is a WRT54G and has had issues in the past with large data streams like unsuccessful VOIP LAN traffic. Too many broadcast packets can actually crash it and require a re-boot. I'm running Linksys firmware, not third party. But again, if this is just a timing issue, a larger buffer within GBPVR would make things better, no?

Paul