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I have a NPVR server running on my Windows 10 PC, with a client running Kodi on a Matricom G-Box Q-Squared over WiFi. My client can run about 10 minutes of Live TV before it starts having buffering problems. The video buffers for a few seconds, then plays to catch up, then buffers again, and repeats. If I stop the stream and restart, the 10 minute or so timer starts again. I checked my connection speed and I get about 41.5 Mbps according to speedtest.net (which I assume should be enough, but correct me if I'm wrong). I also tried playing with hardware acceleration and that didn't help. Does anybody have any thoughts or need any more info to have said thoughts?
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Update: I bought an AC router, which boosted my speed like whoa (technical term). I get closer to 15-20 minutes now before experiencing the same buffering issues. I'm running live TV off an HDHR-Prime. Any thoughts as to why I'm still having these buffer problems? Will try to gather logs...
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One thing I've recently learned about wifi routers and streaming video is the impact device interference plays. In my case, I had 2 clients on a 5Ghz band that would seemingly randomly pause and lose connection with the server. After much research I found that packet collisions were the root cause of my problem. I also discovered that most home routers by default don't use CTS/RTS protocol but they can be configured to do so. I experimented with different settings and finally found one that resolved my issues.
CTS/RTS can reduce bandwidth, but the effects of excessive collisions are worse. I'm now viewing live TV requiring up to 14Mbs on both clients with no problem.
I believe implementing CTS/RTS may help resolve your issues.
Sent from my GT-P3113
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Thanks yo (not sure how to pluralize yo...)! I'll definitely try those this weekend. I should note that I can replay any other kind of media with no issue (1080p movies on a hard drive connected to the router, recorded live TV that is still in .ts format on the HTPC server, etc). This issue only arises when watching actual live TV.
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Ex70s
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Test on a hard wire. I am pretty sure your losing packets over the wifi. Live streams are Waaaayyyy LESS tolerant of ANY lost packets!