Streaming HD wheres my problem

Born_2_Kill_83 · 14 Apr 2016 at 12:43

I'm currently having a run through the series Vikings, I've downloaded a nice copy of season 3 which is around 4.3GB per episode (45mins).

I have a problem which is probably due to the size of the file as small 2/3gb films (120mins) are fine, the film will stop for 2/5 seconds every now and again "buffering" for not thinking of a better word. I'm wondering where my problems lies. I'm using a Samsung smart TV, Virgin SH2, and Surface pro 4 all on 5ghz wifi (same room), Samsung link as the software and 100mb fibre. Which is the weak link causing the issue?

joeyjojo · 14 Apr 2016 at 13:48

4.3 GByte for 45 mins averages out at 13 Mbit/s if my maths is right. That's 4-5 times the rate of the 2-3 GB films, but still shouldn't be a problem. Quite a bit less than Blu-ray quality anyway and well within expected networking rates for same-room.

The files are on the Surface Pro I assume? My guess is either the Surface can't send them out quickly enough or the TV can't process them quickly enough.

Obvious thing to check first is what's the sustained read speed for copying from the Surface keeping everything else as similar as possible.

Can you view them smoothly on the Surface?

Born_2_Kill_83 · 14 Apr 2016 at 15:06

Yeah using the Surface but could try the computer which is cabled to the router (cuts down on one wifi signal). Video playback is smooth, Surface properties show upload speed of 10-15mbps. TV is a Samsung ES8000

james.miller · 14 Apr 2016 at 15:17

I'd say it's the tv but you need to play that file on another device to rule it out

meandu229 · 14 Apr 2016 at 15:20

That TV has a usb port, stick files on a usb pen and try directly.

Born_2_Kill_83 · 14 Apr 2016 at 15:23

james.miller said:
I'd say it's the tv but you need to play that file on another device to rule it out

Not sure I have another device to play it too.

meandu229 said:
That TV has a usb port, stick files on a usb pen and try directly.

Ahhh it's flat mounted to the wall, hassles!!

Will report back.

Born_2_Kill_83 · 15 Apr 2016 at 10:38

Last watched another 2 episodes and only one pause whereas the night before probably around the range of 20+, does Samsung link send the file up to their server first or something? Wondering if its my broadband that's a problem.

Mujja · 15 Apr 2016 at 11:00

An episode at that size would probably have HD audio which you TV probably doesn't support so it needs to be transcoded which would be done on the surface pro.

Check CPU and network usage in task manager while the video is streaming.

Is the Plex app available for your TV? If it is install the Plex Media Server on your Surface Pro, might do a better job of transcoding.