Roku Direct Publisher

[mitchstein]

Been using the direct player since the beginning of direct player to push a hls live feed with no problems.

But last week my roku 4 started buffering, stuttering dropping frames and throwing errors.

Then yesterday my roku 3 started doing it.
And today my other roku 4 started doing it.

Here's what I checked.

All settings on server are identical as they have been for over 5 years. Windows updates are disabled and have not run.

feed works perfectly through website, on amazon fire, on apple tv and on android.

Tested all network connections, all are using less then 10% available bandwidth.

Changed out a linksys router because it was old. still had the problem.

Hardwired roku to wired 1000mbs network, still had problem.

ran exhaustive tests on server, server networks, changed server to one in the UK, changed it to one in China, changed it back to the one in harrisburg PA. Problem persisted.

Increased hls chnk size from 5 (where it's been for 5+ years) to 10 and then to 30. problem decreased as we larger however, we then noticed everytime a new chunk file (.ts) was available the tv would stutter or buffer or drop a frame. no matter the chnk file size.

All the while the TCL Roku tv in my livingroom was not having the problem at all.

Checked version numbers of the roku systems, all were updated to 9.4 from 9.3 on the days the problem started. (shoulda checked that first eh?)

Checked the roku TCL TV and found the version was 9.3 and had no problem. Ran a manual update, updated to 9.4 - problem started.

so roku system version 9.4 has an issue with palying an hls live stream stream.

The stream is NOT https, it is http, I have zero reason to go to the overhead of a https connection, we do not ask for users credentials or do anything except stream video and have no plans to change it.

The problem persists with VBR or cbr or strict cbr.

the stream is set at 720p @ 1.5mbs
Increasing the stream to 5mbs and 1080p the problem minimized, but there is zero reason to stream classic tv recorded at 320 and probably like 256kbs at 5mbs, the quality does not increase but the less users can watch it around the world.

also lowering the stream rate has no effect.

[Baradanikto]

I'm working on an unrelated bug with Partner Success.  I noticed today that there was an update to 9.4.  If you haven't updated, you may want to.

[mitchstein]

yup, just got another update on the tv I updated like 30 minutes ago, BUT, the problem is worse now!!

[mitchstein]

did do a system restart though, duh, restarting now..

and....................

IT'S better, just stuttering at every .ts file load but not buffering..

[mitchstein]

It stutters within a half second of each new .ts file available on the server.

It's as if when the player rechecks the m3u file and sees another .ts it pauses for a few milli seconds.