Files Buffer when using DLNA

I've been wondering about this for a while, and hope I can get some information here so I can understand what's going on.

I have a variety of photo and video files on my Desktop PC:

Dell XPS 630i
CPU: Core 2 Quad Q6600, 2.4GHz
RAM: 6gb
VideoCard: NVidia GTX650, 1gb VRam
OS Drive: Samsung SSD
Data Drives: Conventional 7200rpm SATA drives

I access these using either a Sony BDP-S5500 Bluray Player, or a new Roku Premiere+. Both are hard-wired to my Asus RT-AC68P Router using Gigabit cable, switches, etc.

I use the DLNA option for each device, with the free version of Serviio on my PC being the media server.

When viewing videos, low resolution video, everything is fine, no buffer delays, etc.

But when watching higher resolution video (for example .m2ts files created from a Sony HD Camcorder as the source), it'll play for a while, then bog down, freeze, and start playing again after it presumably refills the buffer.

With my new system, including the JVC RS400 Projector, and Marantz SR7010, I now have the ability to display 4k/HDR content, and have downloaded some sample files for demo purposes. Some of these also run into apparent buffering problems, taking forever to load to begin with, and then having to frequently rebuffer while playing (even for a 45 second demo clip).


I would like to understand where the delay is coming from:

Slow CPU of my Desktop?
Inadequate VRam on my VideoCard?
HD access speeds?
Serviio Software/Transcoding efficiency?
Player hardware/software?

I am considering setting up a NAS or other storage device, use MakeMVK to make lossless copies of my growing Bluray collection (I do understand this can't yet be done with UHD), for easier access. But if I'm going to run into similar lag and buffer issues, that would defeat the purpose of getting this set up.

Can anyone provide any insight here? Where is the weak link? How can I configure things to efficiently stream this content, without running into lags, buffer issues, etc.?

What hardware/software changes would accomplish this?

Thanks!

Don

[atc98092]

While your CPU is rather old, it's still respectable for this use. Video card has nothing to do with DLNA streaming, so no factor. Your RAM should also be adequate.

So the question is, why are your videos buffering? With the Roku, I can probably point the finger at your files not being compatible, and requiring transcoding. I your videos use MPEG-2 video codec, no Roku except a Roku TV can play them. If your profile is forcing transcoding to H.264, that's the issue there. However, your Sony should play MPEG-2 without requiring transcoding.

So, two questions: what Serviio profile is being assigned to your Roku and Sony? Serviio only includes one Roku profile, and it is over-restrictive for your Premiere +. There are a number of different profiles for Sony, so make sure you're using the latest one. I believe it has 2013 in its title.

Can you provide the media information of a video that gets buffered? Either use MediaInfo or use FFMPEG from the command line to retrieve the file information. We need to know the container, video and audio codecs used.

First, many thanks for the reply.

If your profile is forcing transcoding to H.264, that's the issue there. However, your Sony should play MPEG-2 without requiring transcoding.

So, two questions: what Serviio profile is being assigned to your Roku and Sony? Serviio only includes one Roku profile, and it is over-restrictive for your Premiere +. There are a number of different profiles for Sony, so make sure you're using the latest one. I believe it has 2013 in its title.

Can you provide the media information of a video that gets buffered? Either use MediaInfo or use FFMPEG from the command line to retrieve the file information. We need to know the container, video and audio codecs used.

With regard to the first sentence above, what do you mean that if is forcing transcoding to H.264, that's the issue there?

Second, how do I determine what Serviio profile is being assigned to a given device?

Lastly, I installed MediaInfo (haven't used it before - looks handy!), and did an HTML export for two problem files:

A 4K mkv file, which plays through the Roku Premiere+, but takes *forever* to load
An m2ts file that I created from my Sony Camcorder which also plays, but where the video lags during playback.

Thanks again - I appreciate the help. Let me know if you need additional info to track this down.

Don

Edit:
I went through the process to upload an attachment, although I don't see them reference in my reply.
Oh, I see - it doesn't allow html file uploads. I'll do a text although formatting is poor. Let me know if a different format would be more helpful.

[atc98092]

I've noticed that virtually every Roku player I have (and I just bought a new Roku TV last night) loads MKV files very slowly, regardless of the codecs used. MP4 files seem to load much faster. Of course I'm referring to using the Roku Media Player.

You see the profile assigned to each player in the Serviio console, on the Status tab. Every Roku I've seen identifies itself generically, so assuming your Serviio recognized it as a Roku player, it will have been assigned the Roku profile. The problem is, that profile will transcode many files that your Roku can play with no issue.

Your Premiere + can play H.264/H.265/MP4 video without transcoding, regardless of the bitrate required. It also can play Dolby Digital (AC3) and DTS from MKV files without transcoding. The Roku profile forces transcoding for all HD files, because it assumes the Roku can't handle a bitrate beyond about 14 Mbps. But all Roku players built within the last year or two doesn't have that problem any longer. I've measured over my Wi-Fi close to 70 Mbps stream to my Roku Stick with no issues.

Now, to the files you've uploaded. The M2TS file should play just fine, however, Roku has issues with the M2TS container. If you use FFMPEG to transmux them into an MP4 container, it should play perfectly. If you try to load a video in the M2TS container, the Roku begins loading but then gives an error.

The 4K video should play as is.

Go into the Serviio console and change the profile assigned to the Roku to "Generic DLNA Profile". This profile transcodes nothing. Then try your files and see what does or doesn't play. Some files may not appear at all, which means that Serviio doesn't believe your Roku can play them. Then you can decide if you want to spend the time to convert your videos into the correct container/codec that the Roku can play.

I've noticed that virtually every Roku player I have (and I just bought a new Roku TV last night) loads MKV files very slowly, regardless of the codecs used. MP4 files seem to load much faster. Of course I'm referring to using the Roku Media Player.

You see the profile assigned to each player in the Serviio console, on the Status tab. Every Roku I've seen identifies itself generically, so assuming your Serviio recognized it as a Roku player, it will have been assigned the Roku profile. The problem is, that profile will transcode many files that your Roku can play with no issue.

Your Premiere + can play H.264/H.265/MP4 video without transcoding, regardless of the bitrate required. It also can play Dolby Digital (AC3) and DTS from MKV files without transcoding. The Roku profile forces transcoding for all HD files, because it assumes the Roku can't handle a bitrate beyond about 14 Mbps. But all Roku players built within the last year or two doesn't have that problem any longer. I've measured over my Wi-Fi close to 70 Mbps stream to my Roku Stick with no issues.

Now, to the files you've uploaded. The M2TS file should play just fine, however, Roku has issues with the M2TS container. If you use FFMPEG to transmux them into an MP4 container, it should play perfectly. If you try to load a video in the M2TS container, the Roku begins loading but then gives an error.

The 4K video should play as is.

Go into the Serviio console and change the profile assigned to the Roku to "Generic DLNA Profile". This profile transcodes nothing. Then try your files and see what does or doesn't play. Some files may not appear at all, which means that Serviio doesn't believe your Roku can play them. Then you can decide if you want to spend the time to convert your videos into the correct container/codec that the Roku can play.

Thanks again. With this information I should be able to track this down a bit further, and hopefully get things working the way I'd like them to.

I have a commitment for the next couple of weeks that will prevent me from doing this right away, but will report back after that.

Thanks again for the information and help.

Don