DM500 Intermittent Streaming to PC using VLC

[GGM]

Hi All,
Having a problem when trying to watch (not record to) a PC from my 500C running DK1.1. I can access the web interface of the 500C with no problem, but the stream is not always opened for display by VLC.

I can see network activity on my router when I click on the Web-X-TV or VLC buttons in the web interface. And have tried both a wireless connection and wired.

I have tried installing VLC V0.8.6b and then V0.9.2, and have tried different browsers like IE7, Firefox 2 & 3 (Installed firefox plug-in during VLC installation). Have also tried 3 different PC's running XP Pro, MAC OS X and Linux(Xandros), all of which will only display the video stream now and again.
(When I say now and again, I don't mean the video comes and goes, it either starts or doesn't but there is always network activity).

VLC always starts when the VLC button is clicked.

As the stream will display sometimes, I don't think its a firewall/port issue.

Any ideas guys?

Is there any settings I need to make to VLC or the 500C?

GGM

[rsudra]

Intermittent Streaming to PC using VLC

I have been having issues with streaming from Dreambox to laptop via wifi as well.

I think the reason why you are seeing an issue sometimes might be that the box is still switching channels and preparing the stream to be consumed. Only when I get an EPG update in the web-x-tv link does the streaming work.

My problem is that after streaming has started, it will cut out and require a VLC reconnection or web-x-tv page reopen. It can take seconds or minutes for the stream to cut out. I am using dk1.1 on what I believe is a cloned dm500c from hong honk.

Once your stream is running, is it reliable? Do you know of any config on the server (STB) side to change the streaming settings?

[atrixo]

Try using Tuxvision.
I find this to be better than VLC as it works on all channels, also you can record with this.

[GGM]

I've given up on trying to get this to work reliably! I've come to the conclusion that the 500C is simply not up to the job of streaming, from a processor power point of view anyway!

Can anyone confirm my thoughts on this or is my 'Linux Blackbox 500C' (Clone I guess???) less powerful than a genuine Dreambox 500C?

[Booya16]

Hi all,

I've been playing around with various 500c images for a few months now. I initially used the Kaos image but also found that streaming and viewing via VLC was intermittent.

I then bought a 600PVR and installed the Pli Jade image. Decided to install this on the 500 and must say the straming is much more stable. Had no issues with it on the 500c.

My assumption, yes the 500 is not built for constant streaming but try a few images out until you find the right one for your needs.

Booya16

[GGM]

Thanks for that! I'll look at installing the Pli Jade image!

[sherlock]

Can confirm that the jade is the best i have found for streaming, i have the 500c and the 600 working very well.

Using webxtv and through mozilla using vlc with mozilla plug in of course

Watched the 500 for 30 mins with only very minor glitch. But not on full screen.

[shaz4215]

Hi All,
Having a problem when trying to watch (not record to) a PC from my 500C running DK1.1. I can access the web interface of the 500C with no problem, but the stream is not always opened for display by VLC.

I can see network activity on my router when I click on the Web-X-TV or VLC buttons in the web interface. And have tried both a wireless connection and wired.

I have tried installing VLC V0.8.6b and then V0.9.2, and have tried different browsers like IE7, Firefox 2 & 3 (Installed firefox plug-in during VLC installation). Have also tried 3 different PC's running XP Pro, MAC OS X and Linux(Xandros), all of which will only display the video stream now and again.
(When I say now and again, I don't mean the video comes and goes, it either starts or doesn't but there is always network activity).

VLC always starts when the VLC button is clicked.

As the stream will display sometimes, I don't think its a firewall/port issue.

Any ideas guys?

Is there any settings I need to make to VLC or the 500C?

GGM

I also get the same problem. Sometimes the channels work, sometimes they dont. Then when I am watching the stream, it occasionly cuts out. Then I have to reopen web-x-tv and hope it comes back...

[GGM]

Flashed the Pli-Jade image and now I can't get streaming to fail!!!!!!!
Happy at last!

[Booya16]

Glad you got it sorted.

I've been well happy with the performance. Currently playing round with dynameic dns names and port forwarding to see if I can watch outside the house.

Booya16

[medsamy]

why dont you use NGRAB for streaming freinds ????

[Booya16]

Hi Guys,

Sorry been away a few days.

Not sure how to use the NGrab features, but would like to ask

1) what the benefit are ?

Juts to let you all know, not sure where I'm going on the VLC player streaming outside the house, but so far have done the following:

Opened ports 8080, 9090, 31339-31344, 80.

I can use the dynamic dns entry I've created to get to the dreambox web portal, but thats about it. Everytime I try and view a channel using the 'vpid' icon, it launches vlc player but complains. Unfortunately, at home now so cant remember the exact error, but seems like something is not getting through the firewall.

2) Any ideas all ?

Booya16

[Booya16]

Any ideas anyone on my previous message ?

Booya16

[cgscott]

Boya i find the dm500 is very glitchy for streaming. Dont know why anyone would want to stream anyway to be honest.

[GGM]

Boya i find the dm500 is very glitchy for streaming. Dont know why anyone would want to stream anyway to be honest.

Ok, Picture this.....
Wife and rest of family are watching the soaps through S K Y whilst there is match build up on SSports...etc. Streaming allows me to watch the footy pundits try to predict the match outcome from the comfort of my iMac or my newest toy, my Linux eeePC! Then watch the actual match on the TV from the comfort of my favorite lounge chair after the soaps have finished. Watching through S K Y, or my 500C if the match is on S E T A N T A.

Of course, being master of my house, I could tell them all to go and watch Emerdale & Corrie upstairs. I'm sure they would understand.......wouldn't they? ;-)

Seriously though, the Pli image on my 500C is perfect for streaming in my opinion. I have considered other\better boxes but the price starts to go up very quickly and concerns me that spending that sort of money on what is a hack at the end of the day, could all end in tears if the CC so wish to stop it.

Out of interest though, what is your opinion of the best box for streaming or using NGrab...etc???