Audio Stuttering on Web Player

[c0utta 10]

Using both Chrome and IE I get stuttering when listening to transcoded audio on the web player.

 

This occurs if "Playback Settings, Music Quality, Internet Quality" is set to anything other than "Auto".  Auto is usually Direct Playing FLAC audio.

 

This behaviour occurs on 3.5.2.0 all the way through to 3.6.0.34.

 

I have attached a transcode log for further study.

 

Thanks!

 

 

ffmpeg-transcode-98a57e1f-1f9c-43df-bc7f-da075b9f1245.txt

[Luke 42079]

HI, then why not just leave it on auto?

[c0utta 10]

That is a very reasonable question to ask, but ask any Australian and they'll give you an answer that is related to the expense and limitations of the Australian data network. 

 

In summary, Auto means that my upload link at home is completely flooded causing a deal of angst with my users at home.  In addition, many data plans have a capped amount of upload and download combined.

 

Previously I've used Subsonic to do this and hadn't experienced buffering before so I assume it's related to Emby and not network capacity.

[c0utta 10]

After each beta release I set "Playback Settings, Music Quality, Internet Quality" to 128kbps and see if the problem is fixed but no luck yet.

 

Does anyone else experience this problem, or is it only me?  Is it only me that uses this setting in the web player?

 

Since "Auto" works I assume it's not an upload bandwidth issue (FLAC vs 128kbps) so is the problem related to the way audio transcoding to the web app is implemented?

[Happy2Play 9781]

After each beta release I set "Playback Settings, Music Quality, Internet Quality" to 128kbps and see if the problem is fixed but no luck yet.

 

Does anyone else experience this problem, or is it only me?  Is it only me that uses this setting in the web player?

 

Since "Auto" works I assume it's not an upload bandwidth issue (FLAC vs 128kbps) so is the problem related to the way audio transcoding to the web app is implemented?

 

With a max biterate equaling the Max Internet quality I can potentially see this being a issue.  What happens if offset these values?  Internet Quality higher then Music quality

[c0utta 10]

Thanks Happy2Play.

 

Just checking - I think you're asking if the source is (for example) 128kbps and the Internet Quality is 256kbps?  If so, I also thought about this scenario and could see this being an issue too.

 

But, in my case the source is FLAC and the Internet Quality is 128kbps

[Happy2Play 9781]

Thanks Happy2Play.

 

Just checking - I think you're asking if the source is (for example) 128kbps and the Internet Quality is 256kbps?  If so, I also thought about this scenario and could see this being an issue too.

 

But, in my case the source is FLAC and the Internet Quality is 128kbps

 

And the FLAC ("BitRate":1021647) files are converted to a AAC 128kbs file.  So with the file and internet set to 128kbs I would expect there being a bottleneck.

Stream #0:0 -> #0:0 (flac (native) -> aac (native))
Press [q] to stop, [?] for help
[segment @ 0x66c6c0] Opening '/var/lib/emby/transcoding-temp/09e857a34e962e1c05afd650c8c079ec0.ts' for writing
[mpegts @ 0x6e5040] frame size not set
Output #0, segment, to '/var/lib/emby/transcoding-temp/09e857a34e962e1c05afd650c8c079ec%d.ts':
  Metadata:
    encoder         : Lavf58.12.100
    Stream #0:0: Audio: aac (LC), 44100 Hz, stereo, fltp (16 bit), 128 kb/s

Edited October 11, 2018 by Happy2Play

[c0utta 10]

Happy2Play - does this mean that the problem needs to be fixed within Emby, or a change in settings by myself?

 

I'm not entirely sure from your answer which one it is!

 

Thanks

[Happy2Play 9781]

Happy2Play - does this mean that the problem needs to be fixed within Emby, or a change in settings by myself?

 

I'm not entirely sure from your answer which one it is!

 

Thanks

 

I'm just guessing but it would appear you are not providing enough bandwidth for smooth playback.  So you would need to higher the internet stream or lower the music quality.

[c0utta 10]

I'm just guessing but it would appear you are not providing enough bandwidth for smooth playback.  So you would need to higher the internet stream or lower the music quality.

 

If the web player is able to play the FLAC directly without pausing, doesn't that imply that my internet stream is fast enough to cope with a 128kbps transcode?

 

My simple understanding is that FLAC ("BitRate":1021647) requires a higher upload capacity than a AAC ("BitRate": 128000).

 

Or are my assumptions incorrect?

[Carlo 4561]

For kicks set your Internet to 256 and try again and let us know your results.

Things can then be adjusted after knowing these results.

[Luke 42079]

Have you tried a different browser?

[c0utta 10]

Hi Luke,

 

Yes I have, both IE and Chrome.

 

I have also tried 64, 96, 128, 192, 256 & 320 and they all pause within the first song on both browsers.

 

I'm okay if it's only me that experiences this issue, then I'll know the problem is mine and not Emby and I'll test other scenarios.

 

If the web player is able to play the FLAC directly without pausing, doesn't that imply that my internet stream is fast enough to cope with a 128kbps transcode?

 

My simple understanding is that FLAC ("BitRate":1021647) requires a higher upload capacity than a AAC ("BitRate": 128000).

 

Or are my assumptions incorrect?

 

I'd still like this assumption confirmed just in case I'm completely wrong.

 

Thanks

[Luke 42079]

I have not seen this in my own testing. Thanks.