Uplink Variability / Buffer Overruns / Stream Skips - HELP?

Grace · Uplink Variability / Buffer Overruns / Stream Skips - HELP?

I've been streaming at 128kbps over Comcast cable for well over a year reliably. About a week ago, something changed and my stream starting skipping. BUTT reported disconnects and buffer overruns. I took all the normal actions, dropping the rate to 64kpbs, etc. Still, the overruns and disconnects occurred.

I have someone monitoring via Winamp, so it's not SL.

I hook up the same system to a DSL line, and it works flawlessly at 128kbps so I know it's not my system.

My stream provider is infinitely reliable (The Stream Team) and Ed even provided me alternate streams, but still the same problems exist.

I've run a series of speed tests while trying to get them to help, and over time I see my uplink varying wildly, sometimes dipping well below 256kbps.

My cable connection is now unusable for all practical purposes.

Is anyone else in the SE USA on Comcast seeing the same problems?

RayW

Grace ... I had these problems at first. I'm on Comcast in the upper midwest.

It turned out to be a bad "T" in my house cabling. They replaced it and things have been great ever since.

BUT, the cable tech had to go to each connector in the house and check the signal until he finally found the bugger ... right up front. I didn't need that drop, so we disconnected it with a straight-thru coupling.

But, the sure sign of problems is how well channels 2 - 5 come through on the TV. Any degregation of your house wiring shows up there as ghosting.

Norris Shepherd

Hey Grace. I really think that Comcast is doing something wonky and is throttling certain types of bandwidth (possibly even bandwidth from certain servers in certain domains)

I had a show the other week where of 30 people, 5 or 6 couldn't hear/get the stream, and they were all on Comcast. For everyone else the stream was fine.

EvaMoon also tried to use my stream (she is a Comcast customer) and she was unable to stream to the server or listen to the stream. Yet the stream works fine for me.

.. i know it sounds weird, and i don't have much to offer in terms of solution, but i suspect your problems are related to Comcast somehow, because it was about a week ago that the problem started with my stream too.

Nad

I had similar problems a year ago. On a hunch I took my cable modem to the Comcast office, blamed it and got a new replacement. My problems went away. Maybe this is an issue for you.

Nad

Grace

Thanks for the help.

Ray - That's a great point on the splitter, I think I have two of those buggers I can just go swap them out although channels 2-5 look pretty good.

Norris - Is your stream skipping or is it just not accessible for Comcast peeps?

Nad - I am going to replace the modem as a precaution, but this will be #3 in a year. The first 2 were Motorola SBs, I'm going to try the Linksys CM100 this time.

I have a technician coming tomorrow. I hope he's/she's well fed 'cause they are not leaving here until I can stream again!

Who says I'm addicted ....

Distilled1

this is why I hate comcast! the issue is they are probably throttling it some because the stream looks like over use. prepping for when they charge then kick you off completely for "over use"

could be a modem as well though I have gone through 5 in the past year (DSL) and they really are cheaply made...

another thing if I am correct in the tech side of cable, you really share the pipe with everyone else up and down the street. maybe a neighbor started running a lot of torrents up stream causing the issue? is there a way to check your connection trough the modem? see if upstream has any distortion or issues?

Norris Shepherd

hey Grace..

when I'm streaming -- everyone hears me fine EXCEPT for customers of Comcast (particularly ones in the Seattle area for some reason.. )

EvaMoon tried to use my stream (she is a comcast client) -- she wasn't able to connect to my stream. For her we tried another stream, and that one worked fine. (My stream worked fine for me at that same time, just wouldn't work for her)

... for fun, try using a borrowed stream that is on a different server/service than your current one. (i know you tried a different one from the stream team, but they were probably all on the same server)

Grace

I've replaced the modem with a new one.

A cable technician came today and recabled from the street. Replaced the splitter, replaced the connectors on my line to the modem ...

.. and still, no streaming. Uplink is still at a whopping 84kbps average.

He left, saying he'd contact a lead technician and call me tomorrow.

Think good thoughts.