2013-09-25, 18:44
(2013-09-24, 07:17)dbqbbq Wrote: When you stream to your other devices are you always using the direct stream? If so the stuttering issue is probably coming from the server computer. When using /m/iphone.html you are viewing a transcoded version of the stream, not the raw stream (though I think mcheng has plans to allow direct streaming at some point). Watching the raw stream requires a fast network connection but doesn't require much of the server computer (it just has to pass the stream from the InfiniTV 4 over http). Transcoding an HD file at high bitrate, on the other hand, is very CPU intensive and it could be that your server computer is not fast enough and is causing the stuttering during transcoding. As a reference for how fast your computer needs to be, my server has an i5-2500k (stock voltage and frequency) and I can watch 720p at high bitrate with no problems (1080p might be okay, I don't have a good enough internet connection to test it). Previously I had a Celeron G530 and this struggled to do anything beyond 480p and medium bitrate.
Thanks for taking the time to reply! Yes, I'm always using the direct stream in XBMC on the iPad. It's just that I can't get the guide to come up - otherwise it's my preferred way to watch in the house (in bed).
You are exactly right about the transcoding. I just spent a few minutes messing with the different server settings on the iphone.html page, then streamed and watched the CPU on the server. Sure enough, anything over 526 / medium pegs the CPU at 100%. Lower settings don't max it out. So I'm sure that's what is causing the hiccups. It's a dual core, 2.8 GHz Pentium from a few years back... No big deal - good enough for me now.
I do wonder about getting the guide to come up in the the XBMC plugin... On a PC, you hit Enter and it comes up - but on the iPad, nothing I try does anything, except a two-finger tap - which prompts me to quit the plugin.