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[djloewen]

The problem:
When watching videos in Media Center mode, occasionally (typically between 10mins and 2hrs) the video playback will suddenly stop and show the Media Center “Finished” screen, as though the end of the file had been reached. It did this with both the 1.00.36 and 1.01.16 firmware. What makes this really frustrating is that to return to my place in the video stream I have to restart the video file and then hit the fast-forward button on the remote repeatedly, moving the stream in 25 second increments.

Here's my setup:
I use the DSM-750 exclusively in MCE mode. It is connecting wirelessly (n, 5ghz) to a Linksys WRT600N router, however the problem was also occurring with a DIR-655 (2.4ghz) router. The Media Center host computer (laptop) is plugged directly into the router, as is an HP MediaSmart Home Server, which is where I keep all of my video files. The video files are .avi, with DivX or XviD video and mp3 audio (1000kbps + 128kbps. No non-standard DivX features are used, so they conform to the MPEG4 Part 2 (ASP) profile. They play back flawlessly everywhere else.

Some troubleshooting attempts:
Playing directly from the computer's hard drive works perfectly. I can’t even get it to skip. I put it on a busy 2.4ghz channel, taxed the computer to the utmost, etc... It just played perfectly for hours. So, bravo there. The problem is that I have 15GB free on my laptop hard drive, which is hardly enough for my personal music and video collection. I have terabytes of space on my Windows Home Server, and three different computers regularly accessing it, and so I really don’t have a better solution than to use it. And so, I very very badly want to get the 750 to work just as well from the Home Server as it does from the computer's local drive.

Medialounge mode is essentially unwatchable, playing back (the one video I tested) consistently at perhaps 10-12 frames per second. I didn’t stick around to see if it would quit on me. This isn’t a problem for me, as have no intention of ever using Medialounge. I bought this device for its Media Center capabilities.

I emailed DLink about this problem earlier, and was told "I discussed this issue with Microsoft and they are looking into it. They feel the root cause is the PC (which completely controls the Extender experience) and not the DSM-750 device." I asked to be put in touch with the particular people at Microsoft who are looking into it, and received no reply. I do not want to let this issue drop and just hope that it eventually gets solved, I want to solve it. I'll be happy to troubleshoot if anyone has any ideas.

So does anyone else have this issue, with Windows Home Server, or another NAS device, or anything else? Help!!!

[ECF]

Have you tried it with the DSM-750 wired not using the wireless function?

[djloewen]

I strung an ethernet cable across the living room and proceeded to play a four-hour movie twice (from the Homer Server), just to be really sure. Three hours into the second time, it "Finished" prematurely. So it's not a wireless issue. I've sort of suspected that it occurs when the stream gets interrupted and/or the buffer runs out, since it happens most often on 2.4ghz wireless, then 5ghz, then even occasionally on ethernet. And it does only happen with videos from the Home Server, not from the host computer.

In fact, in my first email to DLink I was assuming that this was simply the way the machine handled an interrupted stream, and mentioned (for a future firmware update) that it would be far preferable to simply have the playback pause or skip. I was surprised to discover that I was the only one who had uncovered this unfortunate behaviour. The fact is, I have still never, ever seen the video pause or skip on the 750 - it either plays perfectly or it cuts early to the "Finished" screen.

EDIT: I am currently in the habit of copying videos to my laptop before watching them, so that I don't have to deal with this issue. Well, tonight, about 1 hour into a 2 hour video the screen went black for maybe 2 seconds, and then cut to the "Finished" screen. So it turns out this problem is not just with the Home Server. It is not surprising that it would happen more often with the Home Server since it is a less powerful machine which generally keeps itself busy performing various tasks. But yeah, the problem occurs wired or wireless, computer or home server, in varying degrees of frequency. And it's driving me insane! It would be far, far better for it to just pause/skip than to do this. Please tell me what else you need to know to identify/solve this issue.

And seriously, is anyone else having this problem, or has anyone at least seen their playback pause/skip?

[ECF]

Was the DSM-750 the only wireless connection within your connection to the Windows Home Server PC?

[djloewen]

I don't understand exacty what you are asking, and so I will be as detailed as I can. As a note, all of this information is in my previous posts:
-the Home Server does not have a wireless card in it, it is connected via ethernet to the router.
-the laptop (Media Center host) is connected to the same router via an ethernet cable.
-the DSM-750 has been tested with both a wired and wireless (2.4 and 5ghz) connection, and the problem occurs in all three scenarios (so, it even occurs when EVERYTHING is connected via ethernet to the router). So, the problem appears to have nothing to do with wireless connections - it's just more common on a wireless connection.
-the problem has also occured when watching a video stored on the laptop itself. This scenario does not involve the Home Server at all. So, it appears to have nothing to do with the Home Server - it's just more common from the Home Server.

To try to answer your question more directly:
-At any given moment, the laptop may be accessing files on the home server (but not wirelessly), and two other computers may be accessing files on the home server (through a wireless connection to the router). However, the problem has occured when no computer appears to be accessing anything (I guess I can't speak for under-the-hood processes...)
-When the 750 is on the 5gz wireless connection, it is the only device using that connection. The problem still occurs in this situation.

ECF, I understand that you are a busy individual, and I appreciate you taking the time to try to help us out here on this board. From looking at the other topics on the board I understand that you generally come along for a brief period every day or three and post 1-2 line answers on the recent topics, often asking a clarifying question (such as you have with me). As such, I am trying to be as detailed as I can in an effort to shave off the number of questions you will need to ask me before we identify the problem.

So, without meaning to sound rude, I am concerned that your last question referred to 1) wireless and 2) the Home Server, when I mentioned in my previous post that the problem has occured 1) wired, and 2) from the host computer itself. It's certainly possible that you have a better understanding of what's going on than I do, and it is true that the problem is more common when watching both wirelessly AND from the home server, but I'm wondering if you simply didn't read my previous post thoroughly enough.

Here's a not-very-statistical breakdown of how often the problem occurs, in case it helps to identify the problem:
-when the 750 is connected wirelessly AND streaming from the home server, the problem occurs regularly, perhaps every 10 minutes to 2 hours. Although I can't be sure, it seems to happen more often on my (busy) 2.4ghz connection than on my (empty) 5ghz connection. It really depends on the night, some are worse than others. Since I live in an apartment in the heart of a major city, the airwaves can tend to be rather crowded, some nights more than others.
-when the 750 is connected wirelessly, but streaming from the laptop, the problem is less common. I have watched perhaps 10 videos in this fashion, all between 20 minutes and two hours. The probem has only happened once, one hour into a two hour video.
-when the 750 is connected to the router via ethernet, and streaming from the home server, the problem also occurs, but it seems to be less common than with a wireless connection. I have only tested this once, by playing a four-hour video twice in a row, and the problem occured three hours into the second time.
-When the 750 is connected via ethernet, and the video is on my laptop... this combination I have not tested. I suspect, given the results of the other combinations, that it would eventually happen - it just might take a few repetitions of a long video. This isn't practical from a testing/troubleshooting standpoint - although if you insist, I will try it.

-One more point that may be relevant: sometimes before cutting to the "Finished" screen, the screen goes black (and silent) for just a second or two. Sometimes, however, it just cuts straight from the video to the "Finished" screen, with no black screen in between. I haven't noticed a pattern in it doing one versus the other.

So, once again... (help!)

Also, could you please answer me this? When I had suggested to DLink in an email that the problem was perhaps occuring when the video stream was interrupted (say, long enough for the buffer on the 750 to run out), the reply indicated that this is not the way the 750 behaves in such a situation. However, as I mentioned I have never seen the device skip, pause, or do anything else that might indicate an interruption in the stream. So my question is, what exactly does the 750 do in such a situation (in MCE mode)? Particularly, of course, I am curious about DivX/XviD/Mpeg-4 ASP .avi files.

[sofla]

I have the same exact issue with my unit. I blamed my wireless setup, but apparently it is also a problem with wired setups.

My setup is as follows:

Wireless N router (Office)
Wired File/UPnP server connected to the router (Office)
Wireless Vista Media Center PC with TV Tuner (Living Room)
Wireless DSM-750 (Bedroom)


1. I have absolutely no problems watching Live/Recorded TV. Note: Live/Recorded TV video is sent *wirelessly* to the router, and then again *wirelessly* to the DSM-750 (2 wireless hops total).

2. As stated by the original poster, the MediaLounge mode is barely watchable. When watching a video off the UPnP server, there are many skipped frames. There is no FF or REW functionality. Note: There is only one wireless hop here (from the router to the DSM-750) as the server is wired to the router. So, the wireless performance should not be any worse than in the first scenario.

3. If I try to watch videos off the server routing them through the Media Center PC and using the Extender mode, I run into the same problem as the original poster. The video plays for few minutes and then stops. Note: there are three wireless hops here (router to Media center, Media Center to router, router to DSM-750). So, I blamed it on the wireless connection. However, as indicated by the OP, he has the same issue in a wired environment.

[djloewen]

sofla, thank you for your response. The problem is certainly not unrelated to the wireless connection, in the sense that it is responsible for a less robust video stream to begin with. As you say, your connection has three "hops" in it, and it only plays for a few minutes. Mine lasts longer with one hop, even longer with 5ghz, and even longer with ethernet. The ACTUAL problem, of course, is how the device handles such a stream. It should not, under any circumstances, cut to the "Finished" screen until the video is actually finished - I think we can all agree on that. If it has to freeze for a few seconds and rebuffer or something, so be it. That would be far preferable.

I noticed that you also stream video from a uPnP server - technology is a wonderful thing . That did make me worry that DLink might want to point the finger elsewhere (as they did in my first email), so I performed one more test to add to the "statistics" paragraph from my previous post. I once again played a 4-hour video from the host computer's local drive, twice. The first time it "Finished" after two hours, the second time after only one. This is clearly a simple matter of ".avi + DSM-750" - it has nothing to do with wireless (other than wireless being a less robust stream of course), or uPnP servers such as my Home Server.

Anyway, if it's possible for someone to change the title of this thread to "Problem with .avi playback" that would certainly be more appropriate that the current title.

Any word on pinpointing/duplicating the problem? Any word on the ETA of a fix in a firmware update? I'm really fed up with it, to the point that I'm no longer using my device. Yes, it's a paperweight. On top of that, I just bought another 750 for my sister - she uses it only for live/recorded TV. I set it up for her yesterday and she loves it. So what I'm thinking is that if in the next 15-20 days or so I don't see any hope for a resolution, I'll simply return her device and give her mine. I don't want to have to do that though, I really just want this device to work. Help...

[sofla]

I did another test. I limited the number of wireless hops to one by trying to stream AVIs from the file server via the wired Vista PC sitting next to it.

So, I have:
1. W-Fi Draft-N Router
2. File Server connected via Ethernet
3. Vista PC connected via Ethernet
4. DSM-750 over Wi-Fi (the only wireless hop in this setup)

The PC was setup to stream video files off the server via the Vista PC's Windows Media Player. DSM-750 was in the MediaLounge mode. Most of the time, I couldn't even get DSM-750 to show the list of videos from the file server. Occasionally, it would show me the list, but most of the time it just gives me an error message (something like "This directory is empty" - I don't remember the exact verbiage).

Yes, wireless may be a factor, but over a one-hop wireless link I would at least expect to see a list of files. I *am* able to stream files from the server to the wireless media center PC downstairs. I am able to stream Recorded TV and Live TV from the media center PC downstairs to the DSM-750 wirelessly all the way. So, there shouldn't be an issue with getting a list of files off a PC to  DSM-750.

Again, Live TV / Recorded TV works without a glitch. It is totally awesome. But AVI streaming, both in the Extender mode and the MediaLounge mode needs to be fixed.

[ECF]

Have you tested this with files other then .avi, with DivX or XviD video and mp3 audio (1000kbps + 128kbps. No non-standard DivX features are used, so they conform to the MPEG4 Part 2 (ASP) profile as you mentioned was used? and I believe it would be a good Idea to try it will a connection directly to you PC to see if this is with you DSM-750 or router. Does you sister have any of these same issue.

[djloewen]

1.) I will try to dig up some other video file types, and report back.
2.) I will try a direct connection with no router, and report back.
3.) My sister only uses the device for live/recorded TV. I will certainly report if she has any problems with that.

ECF, you didn't respond to my question about what the DSM-750 is supposed to do if it doesn't get the stream fast enough and runs out of buffer. I ask because I sort of suspect that the answer is "cuts to the Finished screen". Have you guys even tried duplicating this issue? I'll try anything you ask, but it's a serious inconvenience for me to do: to test a wired connection I have to drape a 25 foot network cable across a room where people can trip over it, then balance my laptop precariously at the edge of a desk to make it reach. Then I have to play a video in the background for hours on end, waiting for it to skip. This means my girlfriend can't use the TV during that time, which she's not thrilled with. So I'll keep testing things that you ask, but given the hours that I've already done, maybe you guys could just try duplicating it yourselves...

[ECF]

I have not personally tested this issue I do not really know how to create the environment to have control over the stream flow to test it out but I do know that the device will buffer the stream and if it runs out or is not getting data it may studder or pause for a few seconds and if it not getting a stream typically it is a sign you are disconnecting from the media server you will get a disconnected from the media server message. There is typically about an 8 second buffer on videos depending on the video and about 30 for MP3's

[sofla]

I have the same issue with videos as the original poster. Therefore, it is not an isolated issue. Have you tried a setup similar to his in the lab at all? Probably not.

He has

1. A router
2. A wired PC.
3. A wired server.

Pretty standard setup.

I tried this setup too, and it is not working. Wired vs. wireless, most likely, is not a factor as he tried it both ways.

So, if you have more than one PC and/or more than one router and more than one DSM-750 unit (and you should), you should have no problems reproducing the issue. If you can't, then perhaps we should be given an RMA.

Or, take an easy way out: blame his router (actually, both of them) and mine as well.

[ECF]

Um yeah, thats is pretty standard and it has been tested alot although I have not tried it with Windows Home server but you mention it does this without it as well.  I am using it right now as are many people not having this issue or I'm sure this would blow up on the forums and in Technical support cases. I believe it may be due to the file type and properties. If you would like to email me some file I will gladly test these files and see if I can replicate this issue with this AVI type and to be fixed in future firmware updates.

[equallywrong]

OMG!!! Your going to slap yourself silly when I give your the solution. I was having the same issue. The solution is, or your problem is the result of the HDDs going into Idle or Off mode. Change their timeouts to Never and you won't have anymore problems. My DSM-720 kept stopping video at exactly 20 minutes. I could resume play but again in 20 minutes it would stop. I thought it was so strange...20 minutes...20 minutes. Then it hit me like a fat girl showing some love, the hard drive time out. BAM!!! I changed that setting and (this is the critical step) reboot the computer. Now, no more stopages and no more expected fat girls waiting to hit me.

[sofla]

OMG!!! Your going to slap yourself silly when I give your the solution. I was having the same issue. The solution is, or your problem is the result of the HDDs going into Idle or Off mode. Change their timeouts to Never and you won't have anymore problems. My DSM-720 kept stopping video at exactly 20 minutes. I could resume play but again in 20 minutes it would stop. I thought it was so strange...20 minutes...20 minutes. Then it hit me like a fat girl showing some love, the hard drive time out. BAM!!! I changed that setting and (this is the critical step) reboot the computer. Now, no more stopages and no more expected fat girls waiting to hit me.

Wow. I hope you are right. It does make sense (although you would think that streaming a video would keep the server/computer from sending the HDs into Idle). Not that I want to keep my HDs spinning 24/7, but I will try this over the weekend and post the results.