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Thread ID: 138711 2015-01-11 03:59:00 Streaming video stuttering - cause? Internet, or CPU, pr graphics card, or source? Chikara (5139) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
1391889 2015-01-11 03:59:00 Hi all,

As I am overseas, I am watching the Black Caps cricket game today through streaming video via www.crictime.com

Now, I realise on a site like that I'm not going to get crystal clear fluid video. But, when I watch it, the video stutters a bit. Yet, the audio with it is not impacted. I'm wondering what the cause of the stuttering is.
If it was the internet speed, or the source, I would have thought both the video and audio would stutter at the same time.
Because it is the video only that stutters, would this indicate a CPU or GPU bottleneck instead? Or even RAM/HD caching? Is there any diagnostic software I could use to find the bottleneck?

I do have a couple of flash-intensive sites open at the same time, plus a few browser windows and some other programs, so that may be using a bit of RAM.

My CPU is a i7860 2.80Ghz; GPU ATI Radeon HD4890, 6GB RAM. My system is around 5 years old. For the last few years I have been thinking of an upgrade but so far have held off...

Thanks!
Chikara (5139)
1391890 2015-01-11 04:15:00 Hi all,

As I am overseas, I am watching the Black Caps cricket game today through streaming video via www.crictime.com

Now, I realise on a site like that I'm not going to get crystal clear fluid video. But, when I watch it, the video stutters a bit. Yet, the audio with it is not impacted. I'm wondering what the cause of the stuttering is.
If it was the internet speed, or the source, I would have thought both the video and audio would stutter at the same time.
Because it is the video only that stutters, would this indicate a CPU or GPU bottleneck instead? Or even RAM/HD caching? Is there any diagnostic software I could use to find the bottleneck?

I do have a couple of flash-intensive sites open at the same time, plus a few browser windows and some other programs, so that may be using a bit of RAM.

My CPU is a i7860 2.80Ghz; GPU ATI Radeon HD4890, 6GB RAM. My system is around 5 years old. For the last few years I have been thinking of an upgrade but so far have held off...

Thanks!

I would suggest contacting the streaming host and telling them of your technical issues.
Webdevguy (17166)
1391891 2015-01-11 04:17:00 So you don't believe the problem is at my end? Chikara (5139)
1391892 2015-01-11 04:25:00 Just had a look, started off at medium quality, then jumped it to HD, played perfectly fine (apart from the damn ads) rock steady, no stuttering.

Doubt its your hardware, as your specs are a lot higher than mine and its fine. i3 530 (1st gen) 2.93GHz, 4GB Ram. No graphic cards only onboard.

Could be your internet connection / Speed. Mines a bit slower than normal at the moment, got a LARGE file hogging the router, but speedtest say 75.46Mbps www.speedtest.net
wainuitech (129)
1391893 2015-01-11 04:32:00 Thanks, that's more helpful.
If it is the internet connection, wouldn't both the video and the corresponding audio would stutter though?? I thought it was strange that the video stutters a little, but the matching audio is perfect...
Chikara (5139)
1391894 2015-01-11 05:06:00 Video requires a better connection than audio.

Good example of that is web cams / Skype, audio can be good video rubbish.

No idea if this will help or not, but try this, go to www.webpagetest.org type in copy/Paste the URL for the 1st stream, which here is

www.crictime.com

then compare the results - Lower numbers = Faster connections ( mine took about 1 minute to run) theres 3 results, 1 should do.

6139

Only takes 1 Node (server) in the hops to be slow and it will effect everything along the line. Depending where you are the jumps could be 2-3 or 20 servers in the link ;)
wainuitech (129)
1391895 2015-01-11 05:16:00 I just ran the test too, but changed the location from the default location, to my location. It's around 300ms, so slower than yours..but is it enough to make any difference? Chikara (5139)
1391896 2015-01-11 12:36:00 Check the following?
Make sure you are using updated FLASH
Make Sure hardware accelleration is enabled

I hope you are not on Wifi?

Most of those stream have alt servers that might be under less load. I hope you were also using an adblocker..
apsattv (7406)
1391897 2015-01-11 12:57:00 Check the following?
Make sure you are using updated FLASH
Make Sure hardware accelleration is enabled

I hope you are not on Wifi?

Most of those stream have alt servers that might be under less load. I hope you were also using an adblocker..

Thanks, yes I have the most updated version of Flash, I use an adblocker (AdBlock Plus on FF), and this was on my desktop PC which is cabled internet, and I'm on a good speed data plan (25mbps download speed).

I can't find the setting to check if hardware acceleration is on , using either the ATI Catalyst Control Panel, or the Windows Control Panel - do you know where I can check this setting? There is actually an option in Catalyst Control Panel for 'Overdrive', but when I click accept on the dislaimer, the CCC window closes, then re-opens with that option not visible anymore. Maybe I need to uninstall and reinstall the GPU drivers?
Chikara (5139)
1391898 2015-01-11 18:49:00 Because it is the video only that stutters, would this indicate a CPU or GPU bottleneck instead?

No.

Internet speed, internet speed, internet speed.
pctek (84)
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