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[sixersclt]

I have DIR-655 v4, firmware 1.21.  The only things connected (attempt to resolve issues) are two XP SP1 machines on LAN ports.  The video stream is 3 - 5 Mbps (640x480) or H.264 up to 13 Mbps.  Both XP machines have the same lastest drivers for everything.  All NIC is default - no jumbo frames.  The problem is the DIR-655 drops the stream and then picks it back up.  Watching the streaming network machine in XP task manager network, the DIR-655 acts like it will not accept the stream when the Mpbs goes to 0.  Even when it has it, there is digital dropout through the router to the other machine.  CAT6 cables.  I can't go back to 1.11 due to v4.

When I switch the LAN to 10/100 (netgear or linksys), the stream is perfect on both 10/100 routers.  A netgear WNT3500 10/100/1000 has the same behavior as the DIR-655.

Sure seems like a 1Gb LAN router issue.  I have multicast enabled, streaming on UDP 239.255.255.250:1234, the router shows that as a valid multicast, wireless disabled and am forwarding the port from the streaming static ip machine to the other static IP machine.  Have also tried the latest beta 1.21 02 with same result. I really like the 655, but am at the end of my rope in keeping it due to this issue.

Ideas?

[EddieZ]

What kind of NIC and the most recent drivers installed?

[sixersclt]

Both motherboards are Foxconn A7GM-S with Gigabit LAN controller Realtek RTL8111B and both machines have the latest drivers downloaded from Realtek. 

[sixersclt]

The 1GB lan sends files back and forth fine at ~300 Mbps and up...

[LocutusX]

What if you force the LAN ports to 10/100 rather than 10/100/1000?

[EddieZ]

Do you use the latest relatek drivers?
Realtek NIC are not very reliable/do not have a good reputation in Gbit performance. You might want to get an Intel Gbit PCI/PCIe card to get solid throughput

[sixersclt]

Forced both the Realtek Nics to 100Mbps and it streams fine.  I've spent a bunch on wiring the whole house with CAT6, gigabyte DLink 2205 switches for the seven PCs and two XBoxes.  I hate to perform another $50+ experiment to get two more Intel Nic cards.  Other than the streaming between the two machines, the Gb LAN works perfect.

[LocutusX]

I guess you answered your own question... if the NICs stream fine when forced to 100mbit but choke when set to 1000mbit, then obviously there must be some sort of compatibility issue between your NIC (in Gigabit mode) and the D-Link router.

Since you mentioned the Netgear WNT3500 has the same issue, it must be related to the switching chip that they use, perhaps its the same one?

Although I don't know if the "fix" for this would come from Realtek or D-Link. I'm guessing Realtek...

[EddieZ]

Forced both the Realtek Nics to 100Mbps and it streams fine.  I've spent a bunch on wiring the whole house with CAT6, gigabyte DLink 2205 switches for the seven PCs and two XBoxes.  I hate to perform another $50+ experiment to get two more Intel Nic cards.  Other than the streaming between the two machines, the Gb LAN works perfect.

Understandable. Have a look on Ebay, there might be some on sale there. Otherwise, you could suggest early X-mas to the wife...

[sixersclt]

Another question - if it is the nNICs, why then do file transfers fly around at 300+ Mbps and it can't stream 10 Mpbs?  Maybe it is the streaming application causing the problem - DVBdream.  Is there a way I can test the Gb ability of the NICs through the router using software?

[EddieZ]

File transfer is plain copy, streaming is not copying. The bitrate of the (video) file plays a major role in this. The bitrate determines the number of MB's that need to be sent and possibly transcoded by the streaming application.

[LocutusX]

File transfer is plain copy, streaming is not copying. The bitrate of the (video) file plays a major role in this. The bitrate determines the number of MB's that need to be sent and possibly transcribed by the streaming application.

But streaming involves a continuous data transfer too, right, and likely at rates which are less than the maximum data transfer rate (which would be utilized when file copying) - so how can streaming mess up and file copying not mess up?

[sixersclt]

The stream varies anywhere from 2 Mbps to up to 14 Mbps.

I did some more testing with the DIR655 and the nics forced to 100M.  It does not work on the DIR655 forcing the nics to 100M.  Still have stream drop out and come backs in waves.

The report in a prior post was using 100M routers - that stream is fine, continuous and no drop outs.

I can't think of anything else to change in the 655 setup to help? 

Does anyone think calling Dlink will yield anything?

Still think it is the NICs?

I think it is the router.

[EddieZ]

But streaming involves a continuous data transfer too, right, and likely at rates which are less than the maximum data transfer rate (which would be utilized when file copying) - so how can streaming [exploitive deleted] out and file copying not [exploitive deleted] out?

Are we talking wireless here or wired?
I'm no expert here, but don't miscalculate the continuous datastream required (determined by the video/audio bitrate). Examples from my own collection: a 700k bitrate movie requires at least a clean 5.1 MB/s bandwidth. A standard Divx or Xvid DVD rip already has a total bitrate (picture and sound!) of about 235k. A Xvid 1080i rip has a bitrate of 550k. A x264 encoded Blueray rip (good quality) has a bitrate of at least 2400k.

Taking into account that on wireless there lot of overhead and the transmission is far from continuous, also the buffer in your mediaplayer or PC is not large enough to provide a continuous stream.
In a perfect setup with wireless N this will deliver about half of the 300 mbps, which should in theory enable a gsome playable parts. Gigabit wired on the other hand should work without a problem. Unless the cable is no good OR the NIC has an issue with its own buffers. Unlike files video packets that cannot be send right away and need to be corrected (resend) will cause a hickup :

[sixersclt]

It is wired with CAT6.  Maybe someone can try one of those 700k bitrate movies at 5Mbps + on  a 655 to see if this can be duplicated?