Linux Stuttering tv<->commercial break

Hi folks,

I discovered that very often the switch from a regular program to a commercial break and vice versa is accompanied by a visible stuttering of the live tv picture. It doesn't depend on the channel, but on some channels it's more (for example HD channels) or less marked.

Perhaps it's a country-specific (germany) problem, or a tv server [TVHeadend] specific problem...

But maybe it's a XBMC fault too ?! Would it be possible that the channel providers switch the video/audio codec or other parameters when they switch to a commercial break ? And in this case the XBMC video player can't handle it fast enough ?

Did you discover comparable problems ?

Greetz

LastCoder

Quote:Would it be possible that the channel providers switch the video/audio codec or other parameters when they switch to a commercial break

Yes, that's possible. What exactly happens, does the video stream close/re-open? Can you provide a log?

BTW: I don't notice this behavior in Germany, DVB-S.

(2012-05-24 17:37)FernetMenta Wrote:  Yes, that's possible. What exactly happens, does the video stream close/re-open?

It's like the behaviour if xbmc syncs video and audio stream .. video stutters, no audio for a moment .. lasts for some seconds .. stream is not closed ..

Quote:Can you provide a log?

Will try .. I have to check if recordings and playback of recordings are affected too ...

Quote:BTW: I don't notice this behavior in Germany, DVB-S.

I use DVB-S too. RTL is my favorite channel for that, seems to depend on the program too; clocklike with "blockbusters"/movies and other series starting at 20:15 ..

While this problem only lasts for some seconds on regular free SD channels, the stuttering when I enabled HD+ channels with a smartcard only disapeared when I switched the channel for a moment ... maybe the codec difference between real HD material for the program and the commercial break is much greater ?!? I checked the oscam logs and tvheadend logs and it was no decoding problem.

Greetz

LastCoder

I only watch HD channels and don't notice this behavior (backend is vdr). If stream parameters changed on RTL, I guess I would have noticed. I wait for your log.

I have the same issue, also using tvheadend as a backend and watching hd-channels in germany

Ill see if i can provide a log shortly.

I noticed the same when I was using tvheadend, sometimes the channel would lock completely and I'd have to change channel. I noticed it on 4hd. (uk)

(2012-05-24 18:16)FernetMenta Wrote:  I only watch HD channels and don't notice this behavior (backend is vdr).

OT: would you recommend vdr over tvheadend ? At least the tvmovie/web epg sounds very interesting to me And obviously there are less errors than with tvheadend ?!?

@tlandfer & bilbonvidia: excellent .. but points to a tvheadend error

Greetz

LastCoder

(2012-05-25 12:12)LastCoder Wrote:  @tlandfer & bilbonvidia: excellent .. but points to a tvheadend error

Maybe not, I see the same issue on 4HD with VDR... I think it's where there is an audio stream change, I get stuck video for ~1 second and repeating audio (like a stuck record) which clears in around 1 second, it's always when the commercials start/finish...

An audio stream change would show up in the log. Is this the case? I notice that audio volume pumps up during commercials but no stuttering. can someone post a log?

I've not looked to be honest, as it didn't bother me that much.. just thought i'd chime in to say it was visible with VDR too

I will see if I can grab a log over the weekend for you.