Help me beat up my QT streaming server
 

I'm having some reports of disconnect problems with people trying to view streams from this server. Several people reported that they get disconnected or the audio/video freeze at random. Others say it works fine.

So if you would be willing to connect to it for 30 minutes or longer and just let me know if you had any problems, that would be great.

Of course, I might get deluged with so many hits that it dies, that would be an interesting test too.

Anyone with ideas on how to resolve random disconnect problems with QTSS...your advice is appreciated.

rtsp://69.26.226.195/omega.sdp

You'll see an empty room with a radio playing to provide sound.

I got a 404 error with each of several tries.

Ping results:

PING 69.26.226.195 (69.26.226.195): 56 data bytes
64 bytes from 69.26.226.195: icmp_seq=1 ttl=40 time=99.006 ms
64 bytes from 69.26.226.195: icmp_seq=2 ttl=40 time=106.853 ms
64 bytes from 69.26.226.195: icmp_seq=3 ttl=40 time=106.736 ms
64 bytes from 69.26.226.195: icmp_seq=4 ttl=40 time=127.012 ms
64 bytes from 69.26.226.195: icmp_seq=5 ttl=40 time=96.559 ms
64 bytes from 69.26.226.195: icmp_seq=6 ttl=40 time=98.997 ms
64 bytes from 69.26.226.195: icmp_seq=7 ttl=40 time=97.317 ms
64 bytes from 69.26.226.195: icmp_seq=8 ttl=40 time=106.271 ms
64 bytes from 69.26.226.195: icmp_seq=9 ttl=40 time=106.209 ms

--- 69.26.226.195 ping statistics ---
10 packets transmitted, 9 packets received, 10% packet loss
round-trip min/avg/max/stddev = 96.559/104.996/127.012/8.796 ms

Argh. Works better if I hit the "broadcast" button... Sorry, please try again.

Still getting a 404 error.

Heh, I see, someone turned it off on me...twice. Then she came in nervous-looking and said it looks like someone is hacking us, since we shouldn't be broadcasting right now...

Oh, wait! What lovely tables! And the music!

Ok, so I'll leave it up until about 7 and report back.

Thanks! The music was chosen at random and does not reflect any preference on my part. I did skip past NPR; that does reflect a preference on my part. :D

It sounds a bit tinny, but I'm assuming the bit rate is low.

6:42 and so far so good, but I'm wondering if the trouble starts when there is activity in the room. Right now, the sound is the only significant...wait, the image just got pixelated and then corrected itself several times.

I haven't lost the connection at all, but even with a static image, it gradually goes from clear to pixelated and then clears suddenly, only to repeat.

Still connected, but the pixelation makes me think it doesn't have enough bandwidth. I'm on 5 mbps (max) cable, so I doubt it's on my end.

Over 1 hour 15 minutes. No problems other than pixelation. Signing off...

Thanks, useful info. Occasional pixelation would be OK, but a disconnect is not. I've got it capped at 1MB out over a 2MB connection, so it should not be a bandwidth problem.

Well, all that's happening for me is Real does the ``loading'' thing up to 100%...and then immediately resets itself back to zero, just to start over again infinitely.

I generally avoid Real, though. No clue if it's a problem at my end.

Cheers,

b&

The streaming feed uses RTSP. You should have your system configured to use QuickTime Player for this - not RealOne Player!

(Check using the 3rd-party preference pane "RCDefaultApp" (http://www.rubicode.com/Software/RCDefaultApp/)

I figure you have your streaming troubles worked out. Except for the extra RGB noise, no problems here. Running constant for 1 hour and 15 minutes: 2:45 EST to 4:00 EST Tuesday, January 17th
Quicktime 7.0.3 and Tiger 10.4.3…good luck

Thanks. I can't figure out why some people have issues and others don't--but now I need to get some Windows machines trying it too. Maybe that's it.

I'm currently connected with Real and Quicktime on an XP box at work. I can leave it up until 5pm when I go home.

Dappy

EDIT: Connected for 20 minutes with no problems on either player. I also got the "motion vapor trail" but didn't see anyone walk in as I wasn't paying attention.

Is that you in the blue shirt and Khakis? Connection stays up fine for me, however the video seems to "freeze" when someone walks in...they seem to leave a pixelated "vapor trail" but the audio continues fine...then when there is no more motion the video goes back to normal. Also when I first tried to connect i got 2 consecutive "not enough bandwidth" errors...then connected on the 3rd try. Hope this helps.

connection just got much better...seems to me it may be a bandwidth issue...now its running just fine...both video and audio...

Oh, wow--that rocks! Thanks for the tip!

Cheers,

b&

P.S. CAlvarez, it's streaming just fine...though, I gotta admit, watching an empty, quiet room with the lights out ain't exactly exciting.... b&

Not only is it not exciting, but it doesn't really test the bandwidth. If it pixelates with nothing going on, what will it do with a room full of people moving around?

Thanks for all the feedback, everyone. Sounds like it's not perfect but mostly usable. I may have to spend some time on the phone with Apple on this. Our router never showed bandwidth over-utilization, so that shouldn't be an issue. We also occasionally see the trail or pixelation with internal stations.

That might have been me in the room, but the other IT guy was dressed the same, and also has a beard and glasses, so hard to tell who it might be. We have a strict dress, eyewear, and facial hair code around here.