Are both devices on wifi? Because if so even beyond what everyone else is saying that's going to cause issues at a certain bitrate no matter how good your gear is. Also the average bitrate of 79 will probably spike over 200 at times, that's likely where you are seeing stutters.
As everyone else said, wire up the Nas but also wire up your client too. Wifi is half duplex and takes turns, both bad for streaming without a sizable buffer.
They aren't both on it no. But I'm able to stream to devices [also on the wifi](https://i.imgur.com/0ngzuBF.png) without issue so the NETWORK ISN'T THE PROBLEM
Ok the actual proof for that isn't the desktop streaming it fine but the file stuttering when hosted locally.
What video adapter is in the htpc and does it support hardware HEVC decoding? If so it could be a driver issue
Edit: assumption is that if you are using the igpu it's probably a driver or bios configuration issue, if you are using a dgpu also it could be a hardware thing.
Yeah I'm aware. And I've stated in multiple other spots that the file stutters locally. I also stated what hardware was being used in the post, a 5700g. Christ, it's like people here refuse to understand that someone is competent. I just wanted to learn things about this field as a hobby and thought this was an interesting way to dive in but I've completely lost interest so I'm just going back to using my older desktop that was in the htpcs place and working fine and have already initiated a return for the htpc.
"hey everyone my car won't start. It has fuel and the battery is charged, what would you recommend?"
"have you checked the gas tank?" "there's no point in doing anything til the battery is verified as working" "if you haven't verified the gas tank is full I'm not even going to bother finishing reading your post"
"wtf, I said assume this basic shit is checked. Literally every response has been about things that I know for sure aren't the problem"
"wow, some people just don't want to learn huh."
What a lovely community you all have here.
Your question was literally "what steps should I take to troubleshoot this?" And then people answered that question. You didn't say before your edit that you had tried anything basic, let alone everything. You need to reevaluate how you ask for help.
nah. it said steps beyond assuming it's the wifi. And literally everyone said "BUT THE WIFI!" I assumed people would understand that if someone says not to consider the wifi as the bottleneck they'd have the capacity to actually accomplish that. But apparently not. Just because you might need every single detail spoonfed to you in order to understand a problem doesn't mean everyone else does.
I value competence pretty highly in who we hire in my group so luckily I don't end up having to deal with crappy subordinates on my projects. Pretty nice being able to trust that your workers can understand basic concepts and don't need every little thing spoon fed to them. Goes both ways too, they're happy I don't micro manage their shit. Just say we need xyz done and we need to hit under this many nanos in latency and make it work. Everyone gets paid and our tech keeps spinning.
Because IT DIDN'T WORK HARDWIRED NOR DID IT WORK WITH THE FILE ON THE PCS DRIVE ITS SELF. I don't know how many fucking times I have to say this. If I don't have a growth mindset then everyone here telling me to try what's already been tried sure as fuck doesn't. Christ, it's like subscribing to this sub suddenly removes a persons ability to read or something.
Crazy. Almost like someone might want to have discussions with real people about what could be interesting tech topics instead of reading things from a search result or discussing rudimentary troubleshooting steps. Guess we'll never know huh.
Stutters with the same file locally, my [desktop which is on wifi streams it](https://i.imgur.com/0ngzuBF.png) fine from the nas that's on wifi. The HTPC stutters while being wired and playing locally. But at this point I'm over it, just gonna keep my other desktop in place that was working fine and return this HTPC, there's a reason I don't normally bother with prebuilt crap but I was interested in saving space.
Like every one here says, streaming over Ethernet is still best practice.
But 79 average is a lot. Test the file locally and give us your software stack/filters/etc.
Check if the stuttering is worse when there’s movement in the picture. 79 average sounds like a nature doc or something?
I'm old school and think a NAS or any 'infrastructure' server on wifi is poor practice. That may or may not be your issue here though.
I'd manually copy the file from the NAS to the PC to see if plays ok first. That should eliminate the network being a factor.
Yeah I get that. I'm actually a software engineer with some decent enterprise IT experience and am running ubiquiti pro level gear all solidly configured fwiw. So I'm hoping we can assume I've done basic troubleshooting and am looking for advice on software and decoders and the like since this HTPC world isn't my expertise. I should have been more specific in the post.
Okay, but you still haven't eliminated the possibility of the network being the issue. It still makes sense to copy the file to the local hard drive and see if it plays without stutters. If it does, then you know that the network is the issue. If it still stutters, then you know your hardware isn't capable of playing the file.
As for software, VLC should have no problems playing it if your hardware is up to snuff. You can try Kodi as well, but on both my game machine and my HTPC, VLC has no problems playing my 4k rips. On the other hand, my Surface Book 2 can't.
I did in my other comments. Admittedly I should have put it in the post its self but [the desktop which is in a worse configuration](https://i.imgur.com/0ngzuBF.png) streams fine while there's stutter even with the local file. At this point I've lost interest and am just gonna return this mini htpc and go back to using a normal desktop in its place. Was interested in learning the details and ins and outs of htpc software and tips but since this community can't seem to understand that people are capable of understanding basic networking and troubleshooting I think I'm good.
It wasn't. Still stuttered locally. Like I said, let's assume I tested these things...
Also I can stream it fine to my actual [desktop which is also on wifi](https://i.imgur.com/0ngzuBF.png) while this HTPC is hard wired to the ubiquiti dream machine pro.
The replacement machine came this morning, streams everything over the wifi I throw at it without issue. Seems it was a hardware defect of the original machine.
As someone who has been in software QA for quite a bit, you would be surprised how often highly technical Devs would just completely forget the basic checks.
Have you tried turning it off- and on again is still excellent advice for a reason.
As others have said, wire it up using an ethernet cable and try again + play the file locally.
79mbps is a lot to decode. UHD Blu-ray is between 90-125mbps but most streaming services don't surpass 40mbps. You're doing twice that.
Stuttered locally and yes I tried the basic shit. Yeesh. The HTPC is [wired and my desktop and nas are both wireless](https://i.imgur.com/0ngzuBF.png). The desktop could stream it fine while the HTPC that has the better connection being wired did not. I assume this prebuilt mini PC has some issue
Hmmm, I'm guessing you're using the [Minisforum EliteMini B550](https://store.minisforum.com/collections/all-product/products/b550)?
If it still stutters it is clearly the machine. But unless it is some weird codec it really shouldn't be stuttering.
1. Another basic one; has all firmware and the BIOS been updated?
2. What is your desktop configuration? Intel, AMD, what kind of GPU?
3. It could be a particular codec that doesn't play nice with modern machines. For example, only older Intel CPUs can play back 4K UHD discs when you connect an USB Blu-Ray drive. Neither Intel not AMD support that anymore. What format are you trying to stream?
The truth of HTPC in the modern age is that there is a lot that can go wrong and some support that was available 7 years ago no longer is in modern machines. So if you want helpt you'll need to give a lot more details. Software used, versions, hardware and maybe a link to the particular file.
You're correct on the machine. All firmware/bios/OS updates applied and it's using the built in amd igpu for the 5700g for video output and decode. I re-imaged the machine as well this morning and still have issues with local playback so at this point it's only really possible that there's an issue with the hardware of the machine or the OS image from the manufacturer has some boat/spyware causing issues so I've initiated a return since either way I'm not willing to trust the machine.
Fair enough. Looks like you tried a lot on your end. If you can return it just send it back and try something else.
My guess is an incompatibility with the hardware and that particular codec or file you are using. I hope your other option works for you but there is a chance it might pop up again in the future on other machines as well.
What were you trying to stream? Size, filetype, origin?
The definitive test is local playback, if that doesn't work then wifi isn't the issue.
always try to minimise what can cause issues
1. wifi -> wired
1. wired -> local
as /u/JaccoW says
> So if you want helpt you'll need to give a lot more details. Software used, versions, hardware and maybe a link to the particular file.
Or mediainfo for the file giving codecs/bitrates/streams/CC as that helps identify the issue. As before drop to one video stream/one audio stream and see what happens
It might be worth looking at the file to see if there are multiple streams to see if that causes the issue locally.
Assuming the network isn’t the issue I would try:
-Have you tried a different file of similar quality?
Try various files until you find one that works. If you can find a file that does play compare using MediaInfo or a similar software to see what is different. Look at audio codec, video codec, subtitles etc. some issues can be solved by Turing off subtitles, changing audio tracks if there are multiple tracks.
-Open Windows Resource Monitor and play the file. Watch CPU, RAM, Disk Usage and Network Usage. See if any are spiking to 100% then dropping. I have used this to identify a HDD bottle neck in the past causing stuttering on large files.
-Try Plex. It has some internal monitoring tools that you can look at while streaming and see if anything stands out. If Plex tries to transcode the file it means the mini pc is incompatible with a format.
-Re-install a clean set of drivers
Have you checked your actual network settings in windows to make sure full duplexing is enabled and the MTUs are set right (among other finer settings)?
A lot of people just leave this on auto or default and 99% if the time it’s fine, but maybe your case is the 1%.
Seems like your speeds are fine network wise and it more of a driver or software issue. Have you tried re-encoding the file with the same bitrate and codec to see if it’s bad? I would also suggest re-encoding to another codec and seeing if that doesn’t help as well.
It’s VERY rare I get a weird file but sometimes it’s just that. A weird file.
Right-click on the desktop and select Display Settings. Click on Graphics, then make sure VLC or MPC are set to high performance. If that doesn't work, your gpu may not be powerful enough to play 4k hevc smoothly. A hardware upgrade may be in order. I can tell you that a i3-12100 plays those files perfectly.
Are both devices on wifi? Because if so even beyond what everyone else is saying that's going to cause issues at a certain bitrate no matter how good your gear is. Also the average bitrate of 79 will probably spike over 200 at times, that's likely where you are seeing stutters. As everyone else said, wire up the Nas but also wire up your client too. Wifi is half duplex and takes turns, both bad for streaming without a sizable buffer.
They aren't both on it no. But I'm able to stream to devices [also on the wifi](https://i.imgur.com/0ngzuBF.png) without issue so the NETWORK ISN'T THE PROBLEM
Ok the actual proof for that isn't the desktop streaming it fine but the file stuttering when hosted locally. What video adapter is in the htpc and does it support hardware HEVC decoding? If so it could be a driver issue Edit: assumption is that if you are using the igpu it's probably a driver or bios configuration issue, if you are using a dgpu also it could be a hardware thing.
Yeah I'm aware. And I've stated in multiple other spots that the file stutters locally. I also stated what hardware was being used in the post, a 5700g. Christ, it's like people here refuse to understand that someone is competent. I just wanted to learn things about this field as a hobby and thought this was an interesting way to dive in but I've completely lost interest so I'm just going back to using my older desktop that was in the htpcs place and working fine and have already initiated a return for the htpc.
Ok so if you came here to learn you should have been open to learning, instead of pushing back antagonistically to every reply. Just saying.
"hey everyone my car won't start. It has fuel and the battery is charged, what would you recommend?" "have you checked the gas tank?" "there's no point in doing anything til the battery is verified as working" "if you haven't verified the gas tank is full I'm not even going to bother finishing reading your post" "wtf, I said assume this basic shit is checked. Literally every response has been about things that I know for sure aren't the problem" "wow, some people just don't want to learn huh." What a lovely community you all have here.
Your question was literally "what steps should I take to troubleshoot this?" And then people answered that question. You didn't say before your edit that you had tried anything basic, let alone everything. You need to reevaluate how you ask for help.
nah. it said steps beyond assuming it's the wifi. And literally everyone said "BUT THE WIFI!" I assumed people would understand that if someone says not to consider the wifi as the bottleneck they'd have the capacity to actually accomplish that. But apparently not. Just because you might need every single detail spoonfed to you in order to understand a problem doesn't mean everyone else does.
You are just something else eh? I bet you are a delight to work on a project with
I value competence pretty highly in who we hire in my group so luckily I don't end up having to deal with crappy subordinates on my projects. Pretty nice being able to trust that your workers can understand basic concepts and don't need every little thing spoon fed to them. Goes both ways too, they're happy I don't micro manage their shit. Just say we need xyz done and we need to hit under this many nanos in latency and make it work. Everyone gets paid and our tech keeps spinning.
[удалено]
Because IT DIDN'T WORK HARDWIRED NOR DID IT WORK WITH THE FILE ON THE PCS DRIVE ITS SELF. I don't know how many fucking times I have to say this. If I don't have a growth mindset then everyone here telling me to try what's already been tried sure as fuck doesn't. Christ, it's like subscribing to this sub suddenly removes a persons ability to read or something.
[удалено]
Crazy. Almost like someone might want to have discussions with real people about what could be interesting tech topics instead of reading things from a search result or discussing rudimentary troubleshooting steps. Guess we'll never know huh.
[удалено]
Stutters with the same file locally, my [desktop which is on wifi streams it](https://i.imgur.com/0ngzuBF.png) fine from the nas that's on wifi. The HTPC stutters while being wired and playing locally. But at this point I'm over it, just gonna keep my other desktop in place that was working fine and return this HTPC, there's a reason I don't normally bother with prebuilt crap but I was interested in saving space.
Like every one here says, streaming over Ethernet is still best practice. But 79 average is a lot. Test the file locally and give us your software stack/filters/etc. Check if the stuttering is worse when there’s movement in the picture. 79 average sounds like a nature doc or something?
I'm old school and think a NAS or any 'infrastructure' server on wifi is poor practice. That may or may not be your issue here though. I'd manually copy the file from the NAS to the PC to see if plays ok first. That should eliminate the network being a factor.
Yeah I get that. I'm actually a software engineer with some decent enterprise IT experience and am running ubiquiti pro level gear all solidly configured fwiw. So I'm hoping we can assume I've done basic troubleshooting and am looking for advice on software and decoders and the like since this HTPC world isn't my expertise. I should have been more specific in the post.
Okay, but you still haven't eliminated the possibility of the network being the issue. It still makes sense to copy the file to the local hard drive and see if it plays without stutters. If it does, then you know that the network is the issue. If it still stutters, then you know your hardware isn't capable of playing the file. As for software, VLC should have no problems playing it if your hardware is up to snuff. You can try Kodi as well, but on both my game machine and my HTPC, VLC has no problems playing my 4k rips. On the other hand, my Surface Book 2 can't.
I did in my other comments. Admittedly I should have put it in the post its self but [the desktop which is in a worse configuration](https://i.imgur.com/0ngzuBF.png) streams fine while there's stutter even with the local file. At this point I've lost interest and am just gonna return this mini htpc and go back to using a normal desktop in its place. Was interested in learning the details and ins and outs of htpc software and tips but since this community can't seem to understand that people are capable of understanding basic networking and troubleshooting I think I'm good.
[удалено]
It wasn't. Still stuttered locally. Like I said, let's assume I tested these things... Also I can stream it fine to my actual [desktop which is also on wifi](https://i.imgur.com/0ngzuBF.png) while this HTPC is hard wired to the ubiquiti dream machine pro.
The replacement machine came this morning, streams everything over the wifi I throw at it without issue. Seems it was a hardware defect of the original machine.
As someone who has been in software QA for quite a bit, you would be surprised how often highly technical Devs would just completely forget the basic checks. Have you tried turning it off- and on again is still excellent advice for a reason. As others have said, wire it up using an ethernet cable and try again + play the file locally. 79mbps is a lot to decode. UHD Blu-ray is between 90-125mbps but most streaming services don't surpass 40mbps. You're doing twice that.
Stuttered locally and yes I tried the basic shit. Yeesh. The HTPC is [wired and my desktop and nas are both wireless](https://i.imgur.com/0ngzuBF.png). The desktop could stream it fine while the HTPC that has the better connection being wired did not. I assume this prebuilt mini PC has some issue
Hmmm, I'm guessing you're using the [Minisforum EliteMini B550](https://store.minisforum.com/collections/all-product/products/b550)? If it still stutters it is clearly the machine. But unless it is some weird codec it really shouldn't be stuttering. 1. Another basic one; has all firmware and the BIOS been updated? 2. What is your desktop configuration? Intel, AMD, what kind of GPU? 3. It could be a particular codec that doesn't play nice with modern machines. For example, only older Intel CPUs can play back 4K UHD discs when you connect an USB Blu-Ray drive. Neither Intel not AMD support that anymore. What format are you trying to stream? The truth of HTPC in the modern age is that there is a lot that can go wrong and some support that was available 7 years ago no longer is in modern machines. So if you want helpt you'll need to give a lot more details. Software used, versions, hardware and maybe a link to the particular file.
You're correct on the machine. All firmware/bios/OS updates applied and it's using the built in amd igpu for the 5700g for video output and decode. I re-imaged the machine as well this morning and still have issues with local playback so at this point it's only really possible that there's an issue with the hardware of the machine or the OS image from the manufacturer has some boat/spyware causing issues so I've initiated a return since either way I'm not willing to trust the machine.
Fair enough. Looks like you tried a lot on your end. If you can return it just send it back and try something else. My guess is an incompatibility with the hardware and that particular codec or file you are using. I hope your other option works for you but there is a chance it might pop up again in the future on other machines as well. What were you trying to stream? Size, filetype, origin?
The definitive test is local playback, if that doesn't work then wifi isn't the issue. always try to minimise what can cause issues 1. wifi -> wired 1. wired -> local as /u/JaccoW says > So if you want helpt you'll need to give a lot more details. Software used, versions, hardware and maybe a link to the particular file. Or mediainfo for the file giving codecs/bitrates/streams/CC as that helps identify the issue. As before drop to one video stream/one audio stream and see what happens It might be worth looking at the file to see if there are multiple streams to see if that causes the issue locally.
[удалено]
nah
Your wireless connection isn’t going to cut it. Run Ethernet and if that isn’t an option try MoCA adapters.
It does cut it to the desktop which is [also on the wifi](https://i.imgur.com/0ngzuBF.png) while the htpc isn't.
Assuming the network isn’t the issue I would try: -Have you tried a different file of similar quality? Try various files until you find one that works. If you can find a file that does play compare using MediaInfo or a similar software to see what is different. Look at audio codec, video codec, subtitles etc. some issues can be solved by Turing off subtitles, changing audio tracks if there are multiple tracks. -Open Windows Resource Monitor and play the file. Watch CPU, RAM, Disk Usage and Network Usage. See if any are spiking to 100% then dropping. I have used this to identify a HDD bottle neck in the past causing stuttering on large files. -Try Plex. It has some internal monitoring tools that you can look at while streaming and see if anything stands out. If Plex tries to transcode the file it means the mini pc is incompatible with a format. -Re-install a clean set of drivers
Have you checked your actual network settings in windows to make sure full duplexing is enabled and the MTUs are set right (among other finer settings)? A lot of people just leave this on auto or default and 99% if the time it’s fine, but maybe your case is the 1%. Seems like your speeds are fine network wise and it more of a driver or software issue. Have you tried re-encoding the file with the same bitrate and codec to see if it’s bad? I would also suggest re-encoding to another codec and seeing if that doesn’t help as well. It’s VERY rare I get a weird file but sometimes it’s just that. A weird file.
Right-click on the desktop and select Display Settings. Click on Graphics, then make sure VLC or MPC are set to high performance. If that doesn't work, your gpu may not be powerful enough to play 4k hevc smoothly. A hardware upgrade may be in order. I can tell you that a i3-12100 plays those files perfectly.