Watching over wifi

[BillyBob1 1]

I have a general question about watching video over WiFi locally. In my observations all my emby clients (Android Mobile, Nivida Shield, and Amazon Fire TV2) seem to pause playback on any of my files that have a bitrate over 8Mbps when they are using my 5Ghz Wifi. If I transcode my video file then they play flawlessly. So in my conclusion to direct play anything over wifi needs to be a bitrate lower then 8Mbps is this correct thinking? 

 

To add I have tested my Amazon Fire and Shield plugged into Ethernet and they play all my high bitrate files flawlessly but I do not have Ethernet where my tv's are located. 

[Luke 42079]

Hi, it's possible that 8mbps is the highest value your wifi network can handle and still sustain smooth playback. Out of the box, on your local network Emby Server will always try to direct play at original quality, so you could experience this if your wifi network can't handle the high bitrates.

 

To resolve this, you can simply customize the in-app quality settings to a value that will play smoothly. Please let us know if this helps. Thanks.

[Guest asrequested]

If it were me, I would test cranking up the bitrate setting to the max, and see what happens. Then work backwards.

[Luke 42079]

If it were me, I would test cranking up the bitrate setting to the max, and see what happens. Then work backwards.

 

This is usually a good approach yes, so that you can find the highest value your network can handle.

[BillyBob1 1]

This is usually a good approach yes, so that you can find the highest value your network can handle.

That is exactly how I tested my clients. I put them in my office next to my Asus Router and began playing videos back till they ran smoothly working my way down slowly. I was just wondering if this outcome is normal or if there is something else I should check or do. I have no issues with other app's but I do not know it they make adjustments on the fly or they just run at lower bitrates such as ( Amazon Video, Netflix, and HD Homerun).

[Luke 42079]

That is exactly how I tested my clients. I put them in my office next to my Asus Router and began playing videos back till they ran smoothly working my way down slowly. I was just wondering if this outcome is normal or if there is something else I should check or do. I have no issues with other app's but I do not know it they make adjustments on the fly or they just run at lower bitrates such as ( Amazon Video, Netflix, and HD Homerun).

 

Those other apps have lots of copies of the videos and they can easily switch qualities on the fly without you noticing.

 

In our case, we don't have multiples of videos, so any quality adjustments require transcoding. Since that is something that most users want to avoid, that is why out of the box we try to just direct play everything on the local network.

[Guest asrequested]

It seems odd that it's all devices at 8Mb/s. Even old crappy routers have more bandwidth than that. What router do you have?

[BillyBob1 1]

It seems odd that it's all devices at 8Mb/s. Even old crappy routers have more bandwidth than that. What router do you have?

Asus RT-AC87U 

[Guest asrequested]

What do you have in this section?

 

 

Have you checked your router configuration?

 

https://www.asus.com/us/Networking/RTAC87U/HelpDesk_Manual/

[BillOatman 596]

I have a Asus RT-N66U and QoS off and have no problems direct streaming to my Android TV boxes.  And never had an issue with my Roku's when I had them.

[Guest asrequested]

Do you by chance have a limit set in your user profile?

[rbjtech 5284]

Fox fixed devices such as TV's then personally I always invest the time to hardwire Ethernet.  It is without doubt the most reliable and of course avoids further congesting the airwaves with streaming traffic.   

 

If you have no choice but wireless, then it's also worth installing a wifi analyser to check how congested your area is and possibly pick another less used frequency.  You may also be aware that 2.4Ghz is actually better over long distance than 5Ghz - so if your TV's are not in an 'excellent' reception area, 2.4Ghz may actually be better and give you more throughput.

[BillyBob1 1]

I just deactivated QoS and still no change. I just don't under stand I pulled up my Android app on my Pixel 3 sitting next to my router and tried watching Ballers direct play and it still pauses every 30 seconds or so. oh well.

[Happy2Play 9780]

Technically your neighbors can be interfering with your signal.  Just because you are close to your router does not mean you have a better signal if you have a lot of interference in your area.  

[Guest asrequested]

That's what's nice about the Unifi stuff. It tells you everything.

 

[ConantheBeerbarian 0]

Well, distance plays key role also for router for the quality and speed of wireless internet. The band has coverage range. For example for 2.5 ghz waves are weaker but longer distance is available, with 5 ghz wireless will be opposite,  weaves are stronger but for shorter distance. Difference of quality is huge. I work with 5 Ghz constantly. Router is another side of flat. All of this is very interesting, if you more knowledge and not basic opinion by experience, you can access SPOTO Dumps and apply on Cisco certificates based on your speciality of interest. Afterwards if IT is related to work or hobby can have great value and strong fundament for future option or better skill. I'm not convincing - I'm sharing my perception towards it. Because I see in personal life and job life my skills to be for use.

Edited July 28, 2020 by ConantheBeerbarian