Media Center Network Streaming Lag

[Chrisj946]

When streaming video via Media Center there is significant lag. The video will lag and then try to catch up to the audio. I can stream video through media player by finding the video in windows explorer and just playing it and it streams just fine. So the problem seems to be Media Center. All computers are at least Dual Core Machines hooked up through the router Verizon gave us. They are all running the latest version of Windows 7 with all the updated drivers. The router is a Actiontec M424. Has anybody had this problem? Or more importantly, has anybody fixed this problem?

Oh and video quality does not seem to affect it. It lags with low quality just the same as a 1080p video.

Thanks

 

[zay]

What is your down speed? You can test it by going here Speed Test Tool. You made a good observation, you mentioned that when you run the stream via windows explorer it plays fine. I assume you are able to locate the file in explorer because you downloaded it and saved it. if that is the case, then once you have saved it, the internet is no longer in the picture. I honestly think your issue is your internet connection. Try the streaming by bypassing the router. Well that is if your router is not a router/modem. If it is a router/modem, then you won't be able to, because you need the modem component of the device to connect to the internet. The router portion is for nat functions. Let us know how it worked out.

 

[Chrisj946]

Thanks,
When I did the speed test the DL was about 14 MB/s and upload was about 13MB/s. Since the video is already on my network I am not quite sure how the internet would affect it. I live in an apartment and always have excellent signal strength. Also, since streaming without Media Center is fine, I think the problem can be related to Media Center or maybe the router if the speed demands are somewhat higher when streaming from within a program. Is there anyway to tweak the buffering, or adjust the settings. I have researched and found nothing else like this in any other posts. I think I will hook up one pc by wire and see if that has any effect. Right now, all pc's are wireless.

Thanks

Any more ideas please post.

 

[zay]

Are you sure those numbers are correct? That is pretty high for a residential service. That is even faster than a t1 connection, or what corporations have. Are you sure you did not mean KB instead of MB? Typical home service is around 1.5MB. The fact that you are wireless makes a big difference as well. The other thing is, if the video is already saved, then internet is no longer an issue. What is the site you are streaming from. Sometimes the site you are getting the stream from may be boggled down with traffic. Try the stream at different times and see if it is the same all the time.

 

[AngelProcesser]

I would use the Actiontec as just your gateway and add a quality router for your LAN, or use a switch in between your devices on you LAN. I found using the Actiontec in your scenario to deliver very slow LAN speeds.

 

[Chrisj946]

This is what I got. I should have written "Mb", sorry. Anyways, I am going to hook up a computer directly to the router and try to stream and see if there is a difference. When I stream from netflix there is no lag. Netflix, I believe is streaming in 720 and works flawlessly and looks better than I thought possible.

I will troubleshoot the network a little, but since everything streams well outside of Media Center, it leads me to believe it is a software related problem.

Thanks for your help. Keep em comin' if you have any solutions.

 

[belikexp]

Chrisj946

What model is your motherboard and what is the sound chip(Realtek AC 97?) on your board?

 

[Chrisj946]

The HTPC motherboard is a GA-EP45. The laptops I am not sure. One laptop is a Lenovo G 530 and another is a Sony Vaio VGN NW150J . On the HTPC the audio is Realtek ALC888 . On the laptops all I can find is Realtek Hi-Def audio. The sony laptop has a Intel Hi Def HDMI out on it also. I looked at the drivers and just it just said realtek, no version or codec number.

 

[zay]

Ok I think you pretty much semi solved your issue. As I mentioned\asked before, concerning the site you are streaming from. if Netflix is streaming fine, and another site streams slow, the issue is the site. Hence me asking you what is the site you are streaming from. I assume from your statement "When I stream from netflix there is no lag" that means that you stream from various sites. Your router or network setup is not partial to say it will lag one site and not lag another site by choice. Not all sites have good servers, or enough bandwidth to handle the loads of data they are trying to stream. But go ahead and try streaming by bypassing the router and see what you have. Oh BTW, if that is the up and down speed you are truly getting at home, that is awesome. Are you paying extra for that amount of bandwidth? That is a lot for a residential service, kool.

 

[belikexp]

The HTPC motherboard is a GA-EP45. The laptops I am not sure. One laptop is a Lenovo G 530 and another is a Sony Vaio VGN NW150J . On the HTPC the audio is Realtek ALC888 . On the laptops all I can find is Realtek Hi-Def audio. The sony laptop has a Intel Hi Def HDMI out on it also. I looked at the drivers and just it just said realtek, no version or codec number.

I can't find GA-EP45 on Giga-byte's web site. I did a search for GA-EP45 on Giga-byte and I get this:

GIGABYTE - Search

I get several models listed. Would you pick out exactly what model of the HTPC mb?

 

[Chrisj946]

Motherboard is a GA-EP45-UD3LR.

I am just paying for the basic Fios service. I am right next to the switching box though. Zay, I am not streaming from a website, I am streaming from another pc in my network.

I think I need to have the Pc's connected via wire instead of wireless though, I think that may be the problem.

 

[AngelProcesser]

Try isolating the issue by:

A) Using ethernet on only one PC.
B) Allowing only one PC on network at a time (clarity).
C) Allowing Wi-Fi on same PC.
D) Allowing only one PC on network at a time (clarity).

People think Wi-Fi is faster than Ethernet. 'tis not. Nor does a basic ISP provided gateway/router provide enough bandwidth for multiple PC streaming. A good wireless router with MMS should allow significant bandwidth but not nesessarily 4 PC's streaming the same source at once.

Isolate the issue.

 

[zay]

Oh ok, I thought you were streaming from the web.