Ongoing problems casting TV OnDemand

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PSLog

291 posts

Ultimate Geek

#242794 14-Nov-2018 14:37

Every single time I go to cast a TV OnDemand program I have problems.

After, usually 20-30 minutes, the stream stops and I get the waiting circling icon on the screen. After that, it keeps on happening every 5 minutes or so. Sometimes it never comes back and I get a message saying something like "Lost contact with casting device". And then I have to start all over again.

I have no idea what part of the system is the cause of the problem.

Setup is Orcon UFB. 2 years old desktop Windows 10 computer. Samsung A5 smartphone. Chromecast. Panasonic Viera TH-L42E30Z.

If I try to cast direct from the desktop to the Chromecast/TV, it seems to be even less reliable - completely stop-start and un-watchable.

I'm sure there is other stuff I need to tell you, so please just ask.

Rikkitic

Awrrr
18657 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2126647 14-Nov-2018 15:36

What streams are you trying to cast? Do they play normally if you watch them directly without casting? Others have reported issues with Chromecast. I don't have a Chromecast device but anything I cast via the Nvidia Shield always works perfectly for me, whether casting or mirroring.

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PSLog

291 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2126690 14-Nov-2018 15:57

Well the stream I was watching this time was Little Drummer Girl.
From memory, it streams OK if I just watch on the computer - but I actually prefer 42 inch to 24 inch (beside the sound it then through the HiFi), so really would like to get it onto the TV.
Not sure what the NVidia option is about.

Rikkitic

Awrrr
18657 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2126709 14-Nov-2018 16:16

It is an Android device but also includes Chromecast. It may work better than the actual Chromecast device itself so I can't make a direct comparison, which is why I mentioned it. Do you also cast other sources than just TVNZ?

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PSLog

291 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2126715 14-Nov-2018 16:23

No, seldom cast stuff, mainly because of the ongoing problems. Only do so when there is a compelling program (Like Little Drummer Girl!).

Rikkitic

Awrrr
18657 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2126720 14-Nov-2018 16:37

Try casting other stuff, like YouTube, as a test. Do it both ways. There may also be a problem with TVNZ. You say you have UFB. What kind of speed test results do you get, especially on wi-fi. Are you in an area with a lot of interference? It is possible that your speeds may drop at certain times.

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Rikkitic

Awrrr
18657 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2126722 14-Nov-2018 16:39

Also, are you casting from your phone or the computer? Try both and see if there is a difference.

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PSLog

291 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2126734 14-Nov-2018 17:25

Rikkitic:
Also, are you casting from your phone or the computer? Try both and see if there is a difference.

Current speed test: ping 6 Down 97.81 Up 16.35
Not sure if that degrades in the evening. Will have a check.
Now you come to mention it, I have not had the same problem with YouTube: those streams are much shorter than TVNZ ones and my sense is that the first 30 minutes or so of the TV stream are OK.

I have tried both phone and computer. The stream from the computer seems to be more problematic than from the phone - and right from the outset - but different in nature: more stop start short duration whereas with the phone, it tends to be faultless for long periods and then it is as if a buffer is slowly filling up before it starts streaming again.

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Rikkitic

Awrrr
18657 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2126740 14-Nov-2018 17:37

Your speeds should not be a problem. They are way better than mine. Try some longer streams with YouTube and other sources if possible. There are free films and concerts on YouTube that run for 90 minutes or more. Are you mirroring the desktop from the computer? If you are casting I would not expect it to make a difference because the connection is direct once it is established, but I am not an expert on this. There are others here who know much more. Your wi-fi could be a potential bottleneck if it is used for any part of your network.

I am inclined to suspect the problem lies with TVNZ but I don't really know. It is just a suspicion.

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Oblivian

7296 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#2126746 14-Nov-2018 17:55

Out of curiosity.. how many adverts do you see..

If answer is none. That's the likely cause. As it tries to inject the different advert stream it pauses the video. If it can't find the advert/error in stream. The whole thing stops

It's what freeview status page is warning about for some model of TVs (I realise you are on a chromecast..) seems to occur on a spread of devices now. They've even had to dumb down the latest update for smart devices that don't have the grunt and removed the TV guide and other capabilities in favor of pushing ads in :/

PSLog

291 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2126753 14-Nov-2018 18:18

I'll try one of the longer YouTube feeds.
Yes I do see the TVNZ ads, so, I guess it's not that.