How to optimize and troubleshoot shuttering

I did not find a guide on optimization or troubleshooting shuttering.

I have Serviio running on a Windows 7 x64 box with Intel Core i7 3.07 Ghz, 12 GB RAM, fast HDD's and lots of free space. Nothing running in the background.

My player is a Sony BDP-S590. I'm connected via wireless G.

Maybe coincidence but since updating Serviio Pro to version 1.21, I get way more shuttering.

I do not encounter any issues when watching movies on the same player, over the same wireless connection via Netflix, Crackle or any other online video source. Why only Serviio and not Netflix and the others?

Where do I start troubleshooting?

[DenyAll]

Main causes of stuttering of the top of my head:

• the TV hasn't got the grunt to handle the media file. Often the case for high bit rate files. To test, play the media from a USB stick and/or use the bit rate tool from the wiki;
• the network connection (in your case the wireless G) cannot support the bit rate. This is where I would start looking on your system - the weakest part of your system is the Wireless G - it can handle a nominal 54Mbps but in reality this can be a lot lower. The best throughput you can get is normally less than half the nominal rate, but is also generally is a lot lower depending on other devices sharing the wifi network. To test if this is the problem run a Cat 5 (Ethernet) cable to your device if possible (once again the bit rate tool from the wiki will help);
• Serviio is transcoding the file and your PC hasn't the grunt to do this smoothly. Unlikely in your case, but you can easily tell by checking your CPU usage (and secondary: your disk cache and network I/O). If Serviio is transcoding, you need to work out why - it is due to two reasons:
  
  • Your TV doesnt support the file type (no choice here - if this is the case, you must transcode). Turn transcode off in Serviio Console to test;
  • You are burning-in subtitles. Turn this off in Serviio Console
• If you are using a USB connected (or otherwise external) hard drive for your media storage, this may be getting bottlenecked. Move a media file to your local-hard drive to test.
• Corruption in the video file (playing it from your USB stick direct to the TV will also test this).

Netflix and other online sources are not a true test - these have been optimised for web use and are often lower bit rate that what you may be streaming around your home environment. I'd focus on the wireless G as the likely culprit; also as this is only just started happening look at your subtitles settings in Serviio Console to ensure you're not transcoding unnecessarily.

Thank you DenyAll!

The player will play any file via USB.

I will have to relocate the player in order to test it with an Ethernet cable.

Below is the bitrate of a particular video that shutters:


I don't know what to do with this information. How do I know if this is too high for my network?

[DenyAll]

Appears OK, I'd still try the ethernet cable to rule out the network. What's your subtitle setting? What's your CPU doing during playback from Serviio?

[NX3]

I'm connected via wireless G.

I do not encounter any issues when watching movies on the same player, over the same wireless connection via Netflix, Crackle or any other online video source. Why only Serviio and not Netflix and the others?

Wifi G is your problem, you don't have the bandwidth needed.

Netflix etc might be HD but are using higer compression rates and different codecs so need less bandwidth to stream.

Run a cable, I'd be pretty sure the problem is fixed. I'd look at getting Homeplugs 200mbps or faster for more bandwidth, around £20 a set this weekend online if you shop around.