2013-10-26, 23:36
Hi all, so I recently converted my HTPC from Windows 7 to Linux (same hardware) running Frodo 12.2. Since the switch I've noticed a lot of buffering issues when watching movies stored on my unRaid server over a wired 100mb ethernet network.
I never had any buffering issues in Windows. Nothing has changed except the move from W7 to Linux. Same hardware, same unRaid server, same ethernet network, etc.
During playback I bring up the codec info overlay ('o' key). Keep in mind I'm using an Nvidia GT 430 GPU. I've enabled hardware acceleration and I can confirm that my GPU is processing the video and not my CPU. During 1080p playback my CPU never spikes over 10%. I've also ruled out any network issues as well.
I'm 100% confident that the issue has to do with the cache. I can clearly see the cache dropping down then immediately movies begin to buffer while the cache get's built-up again.
I've done some research and I came across some articles that talks about forcing caching via advancedsettings.xml but that this feature is not available on Frodo 12.2.
What are my options? Do I need to run one of the v13 nightlies in order to correct this? Anything else I can do to fix the cache issue other than upgrading?
I also copied a movie over to the local drive and I never have any buffering issues, which would make sense. Network is clean I just need to build a little buffer to account for movie scenes where the video bit rate spikes. The buffering issue is more common on 1080p movies vs 720p, again likely due to higher video bit rate.
I also know a thing or two about networks as well, I've reviewed switchport stats on both ports where my HTPC and unRaid server are plugged into. No erros, fragments, CRC erros, collisions, etc. Both ports running at 100mb/full duplex.
The only other difference between my HTPC running Windows/Linux is that in Windows I shared my media via SMB and when I switched to Linux I'm now using NFS. Again, I don't think the problem is related to SMB/NFS, they should both be able to handle a typical 1080p stream over a wired network connection.
PS. does the Windows version of Frodo provide any caching by default? I wonder why I never had this issue before but only now since I switched to Linux.
Thx in advance for your help/feedback.
I never had any buffering issues in Windows. Nothing has changed except the move from W7 to Linux. Same hardware, same unRaid server, same ethernet network, etc.
During playback I bring up the codec info overlay ('o' key). Keep in mind I'm using an Nvidia GT 430 GPU. I've enabled hardware acceleration and I can confirm that my GPU is processing the video and not my CPU. During 1080p playback my CPU never spikes over 10%. I've also ruled out any network issues as well.
I'm 100% confident that the issue has to do with the cache. I can clearly see the cache dropping down then immediately movies begin to buffer while the cache get's built-up again.
I've done some research and I came across some articles that talks about forcing caching via advancedsettings.xml but that this feature is not available on Frodo 12.2.
What are my options? Do I need to run one of the v13 nightlies in order to correct this? Anything else I can do to fix the cache issue other than upgrading?
I also copied a movie over to the local drive and I never have any buffering issues, which would make sense. Network is clean I just need to build a little buffer to account for movie scenes where the video bit rate spikes. The buffering issue is more common on 1080p movies vs 720p, again likely due to higher video bit rate.
I also know a thing or two about networks as well, I've reviewed switchport stats on both ports where my HTPC and unRaid server are plugged into. No erros, fragments, CRC erros, collisions, etc. Both ports running at 100mb/full duplex.
The only other difference between my HTPC running Windows/Linux is that in Windows I shared my media via SMB and when I switched to Linux I'm now using NFS. Again, I don't think the problem is related to SMB/NFS, they should both be able to handle a typical 1080p stream over a wired network connection.
PS. does the Windows version of Frodo provide any caching by default? I wonder why I never had this issue before but only now since I switched to Linux.
Thx in advance for your help/feedback.