ReadyNAS v2 (RND4000) & WDTV Live Streaming issue

Can you post (or PM me) the mediainfo analysis? Mediainfo can be found at http://www.videohelp.com/tools/mediainfo. Select the "text" view, and copy/paste. X out the file name if desired.

Also, what % of the volume is free?

Also, what % of the volume is free?
28%

As to the media info, not sure if that is relevant, as it is all movies basically over 1Gb, even the ones from normal DVD's. For example, since I first posted this above I tried re-encoding my movie "Wreck-It Ralph", as I have it on Blu-ray and my neighbour has it on DVD (we both have kids as you could probably guess) which I borrowed just to test with. I got the Blu-ray down to 1.9Gb (dvdfab) thru to 2.1Gb (paytube) using DTS audio, and down to 1.6Gb using AC3 audio from the Blu-ray. Most will have AVC high@L4.1 for video and run between 2.5Mbps to 12Mbps. In this example with Wreck-It Ralph it was at 2.7Mbps at its lowest from standard settings (i.e. best picture ripping settings), which was still too much to be played from the ReadyNAS, but worked perfectly from the Synology NAS. When I set it (using the DVD) to cap out at 1.25Mbps with AC3, the movie got down to about 1.2Gb and was playable from the ReadyNAS, although at that low rate it was not the nicest to look at. I have of course deleted the stuff from the DVD (and returned it to them) encodings.

I have tried a few programs now, and 3 formats (mkv/mp4/avi), using different software, and none of them will play from the ReadyNAS well unless I cut the bit rate down to where it does not look good. I have many other movies that I have tried recently, and it seems I just cannot get the ReadyNAS to keep up with the streaming of them in Network Sharing Mode (SMB).

Programs I have tried to rip Blu-ray and DVD to mkv (also tried mp4/avi):
* Handbrake
* Paytube Blu-ray ripper
* DVDfab
* Any Video Converter
* MakeMKV
* ImTOO Blu-ray Creator


Do I need to have UPnP, HTTP, and HTTPS running in order to use the ReadyNAS for SMB / DLNA / plus access via pc?

Also, I cannot see anything about Jumbo packets (frame size), is it not supported on this model?

-What file transfer speeds are you getting with the NAS? (try copying a large file to a PC, measuring total time). Note that even full bluray playback requires < 8 MB/s throughput - which is not difficult for any NAS.

-Looking at the mediainfo provides much useful information (codecs, profiles, header compression, peak bitrates, etc). I really doubt this has anything directly to do with with the file size.

-Do all the problem files work perfectly on the synology?

-What equipment (routers and switches) are on the the path between the player and the NAS. Is the equipment different on the path between the player and the synology?

-You need uPnP for DLNA, but not SMB
-You don't need HTTP, HTTPS for either SMB or DLNA
-NV+ v2 does not support jumbo frames.

What file transfer speeds are you getting with the NAS?
The tests I have done:
write
* 5.7GB took about 2min30secs (Win7 says 37MB/s)
* 5.5GB about 2min20secs (35MB/s)
* 4.3GB about 2mins (34MB/s)
read
* 5.5GB about 60secs (58MB/s)
* 2.95GB about 30secs (65MB/s)
* 7.5GB about 1min40secs (75MB/s)

Do all the problem files work perfectly on the synology?
I randomly selected about 30 (of the ones that do not run well from the ReadyNAS), and tried them on the Synology, and they all appear to run without any problems, I was only able to watch 5 all the way thru, but I know what parts each file plays up at (for example 10,000BC starts playing up at 10mins) and tested those areas on the other 20 odd from the Synology, and there are no errors/catch ups at all.

What equipment
The media equipment is basically all upstairs and runs as so:
* ReadyNAS NV+ v2 (cat6 cable [port 1 on switch])
* HP Procurve switch 1410-8G
* Synology DS211j (cat6 [port 8])
* WDTV Live Streaming (cat6 [port 3])
* WDTV Live {older style (2 of)} (cat6 [ports 4 and 5])
* to internet router/downstairs (cat6 [port 2])
* to PC (rarely on and was turned off for testing) (cat6 [port 6])

The Synology can do this (using Network Shares), play say Avatar (8171Kbps video bit rate / DTS audio [from MediaInfo]) to WDTV Live (all 3 at the same time without any trouble, and to an Astone MP-310DT {downstairs, and thru a second HP Procurve 1410 located downstairs}), or I could play 4 different movies, all with high bit rate video / DTS audio, and it will do it. However, even if I turn off everything except the ReadyNAS / WDTV Live Streaming / HP switch / TV / fridge, I cannot play even 1 movie with high video bit rate / DTS audio, from the ReadyNAS to the WDTV which run off of the same switch. I have also tried the other WDTV devices, and the Astone device, and none will play using Network Shares without interruptions unless I change to playing them thru DLNA (not sure if the Astone has DLNA receiver).

A file that almost works perfectly (there is some artifacting using Network Shares, but else is watchable):

General
Complete name                            : Z:\Movies\ADVENTURE\Journey To The Center Of The Earth\Journey To The Center Of The Earth (2008)_{BD}.mkv
Format                                   : Matroska
Format version                           : Version 2
File size                                : 2.95 GiB
Duration                                 : 1h 32mn
Overall bit rate mode                    : Variable
Overall bit rate                         : 4 567 Kbps
Movie name                               : Journey To The Center Of The Earth (2008)
Encoded date                             : UTC 2011-01-10 18:07:37
Writing application                      : mkvmerge v4.4.0 ('Die Wiederkehr') built on Oct 31 2010 21:52:48
Writing library                          : libebml v1.0.0 + libmatroska v1.0.0

Video
ID                                       : 1
Format                                   : AVC
Format/Info                              : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile                           : High@L4.0
Format settings, CABAC                   : Yes
Format settings, ReFrames                : 3 frames
Codec ID                                 : V_MPEG4/ISO/AVC
Duration                                 : 1h 32mn
Bit rate mode                            : Variable
Bit rate                                 : 3 836 Kbps
Maximum bit rate                         : 25.0 Mbps
Width                                    : 1 920 pixels
Height                                   : 1 080 pixels
Display aspect ratio                     : 16:9
Frame rate mode                          : Constant
Frame rate                               : 23.976 fps
Color space                              : YUV
Chroma subsampling                       : 4:2:0
Bit depth                                : 8 bits
Scan type                                : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame)                       : 0.077
Stream size                              : 2.48 GiB (84%)
Title                                    : Journey To The Center Of The Earth (2008)_video
Writing library                          : x264 core 104 r1683 62997d6
Encoding settings                        : cabac=1 / ref=3 / deblock=1:0:0 / analyse=0x3:0x133 / me=umh / subme=7 / psy=1 / psy_rd=1.00:0.00 / mixed_ref=1 / me_range=16 / chroma_me=1 / trellis=1 / 8x8dct=1 / cqm=0 / deadzone=21,11 / fast_pskip=1 / chroma_qp_offset=-2 / threads=3 / sliced_threads=0 / nr=0 / decimate=1 / interlaced=0 / constrained_intra=0 / bframes=3 / b_pyramid=0 / b_adapt=1 / b_bias=0 / direct=1 / weightb=1 / open_gop=0 / weightp=2 / keyint=240 / keyint_min=24 / scenecut=40 / intra_refresh=0 / rc_lookahead=40 / rc=crf / mbtree=1 / crf=22.0 / qcomp=0.60 / qpmin=10 / qpmax=51 / qpstep=4 / vbv_maxrate=25000 / vbv_bufsize=25000 / crf_max=0.0 / ip_ratio=1.40 / aq=1:1.00 / nal_hrd=vbr
Language                                 : English
Default                                  : Yes
Forced                                   : Yes

Audio
ID                                       : 2
Format                                   : AC-3
Format/Info                              : Audio Coding 3
Mode extension                           : CM (complete main)
Format settings, Endianness              : Big
Codec ID                                 : A_AC3
Duration                                 : 1h 32mn
Bit rate mode                            : Constant
Bit rate                                 : 640 Kbps
Channel(s)                               : 6 channels
Channel positions                        : Front: L C R, Side: L R, LFE
Sampling rate                            : 48.0 KHz
Bit depth                                : 16 bits
Compression mode                         : Lossy
Stream size                              : 424 MiB (14%)
Title                                    : Journey To The Center Of The Earth (2008)_audio
Language                                 : English
Default                                  : Yes
Forced                                   : No

This file will not play past about 11mins without constant (10-20secs) freezing:

General
Complete name                            : Z:\Movies\ADVENTURE\10,000 BC\10,000 BC (2008)_{HD}.mkv
Format                                   : Matroska
Format version                           : Version 4 / Version 2
File size                                : 5.49 GiB
Duration                                 : 1h 48mn
Overall bit rate                         : 7 217 Kbps
Movie name                               : 10,000 BC (2008)
Encoded date                             : UTC 2013-05-01 19:21:47
Writing application                      : mkvmerge v6.1.0 ('Old Devil') built on Mar  2 2013 14:32:37
Writing library                          : libebml v1.3.0 + libmatroska v1.4.0

Video
ID                                       : 1
Format                                   : AVC
Format/Info                              : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile                           : High@L4.1
Format settings, CABAC                   : Yes
Format settings, ReFrames                : 9 frames
Codec ID                                 : V_MPEG4/ISO/AVC
Duration                                 : 1h 48mn
Bit rate                                 : 5 715 Kbps
Width                                    : 1 280 pixels
Height                                   : 528 pixels
Display aspect ratio                     : 2.40:1
Frame rate mode                          : Constant
Frame rate                               : 23.976 fps
Color space                              : YUV
Chroma subsampling                       : 4:2:0
Bit depth                                : 8 bits
Scan type                                : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame)                       : 0.353
Stream size                              : 4.23 GiB (77%)
Title                                    : 1280*536  5715Kbps  23.976fps  (h264)
Writing library                          : x264 core 120 r2164 da19765
Encoding settings                        : cabac=1 / ref=9 / deblock=1:-4:-4 / analyse=0x3:0x133 / me=umh / subme=9 / psy=1 / psy_rd=1.00:0.00 / mixed_ref=1 / me_range=42 / chroma_me=1 / trellis=2 / 8x8dct=1 / cqm=0 / deadzone=21,11 / fast_pskip=1 / chroma_qp_offset=-2 / threads=6 / sliced_threads=0 / nr=0 / decimate=1 / interlaced=0 / bluray_compat=0 / constrained_intra=0 / bframes=5 / b_pyramid=2 / b_adapt=1 / b_bias=0 / direct=2 / weightb=1 / open_gop=0 / weightp=2 / keyint=240 / keyint_min=28 / scenecut=62 / intra_refresh=0 / rc_lookahead=50 / rc=2pass / mbtree=1 / bitrate=5715 / ratetol=1.0 / qcomp=0.60 / qpmin=0 / qpmax=69 / qpstep=4 / cplxblur=20.0 / qblur=0.5 / ip_ratio=1.40 / aq=2:1.00
Language                                 : English
Default                                  : Yes
Forced                                   : Yes

Audio
ID                                       : 2
Format                                   : DTS
Format/Info                              : Digital Theater Systems
Mode                                     : 16
Format settings, Endianness              : Big
Codec ID                                 : A_DTS
Duration                                 : 1h 48mn
Bit rate mode                            : Constant
Bit rate                                 : 1 510 Kbps
Channel(s)                               : 6 channels
Channel positions                        : Front: L C R, Side: L R, LFE
Sampling rate                            : 48.0 KHz
Bit depth                                : 24 bits
Compression mode                         : Lossy
Stream size                              : 1.15 GiB (21%)
Title                                    : 7.1  48KHz  1510Kbps  24bit  (dts)
Language                                 : English
Default                                  : Yes
Forced                                   : No

This one will also only go about five minutes or so and then play catchup:

General
Complete name                            : Z:\Movies\ACTION\Bad Boys\Bad Boys 1 (1995)_{BD}.mkv
Format                                   : Matroska
Format version                           : Version 2
File size                                : 6.55 GiB
Duration                                 : 1h 58mn
Overall bit rate                         : 7 892 Kbps
Movie name                               : Bad Boys 1 (1995)
Encoded date                             : UTC 2013-02-02 05:11:21
Writing application                      : mkvmerge v4.4.0 ('Die Wiederkehr') built on Oct 31 2010 21:52:48
Writing library                          : libebml v1.0.0 + libmatroska v1.0.0

Video
ID                                       : 1
Format                                   : AVC
Format/Info                              : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile                           : High@L4.1
Format settings, CABAC                   : Yes
Format settings, ReFrames                : 5 frames
Codec ID                                 : V_MPEG4/ISO/AVC
Duration                                 : 1h 58mn
Bit rate                                 : 6 389 Kbps
Width                                    : 1 280 pixels
Height                                   : 688 pixels
Display aspect ratio                     : 1.85:1
Frame rate mode                          : Constant
Frame rate                               : 23.976 fps
Color space                              : YUV
Chroma subsampling                       : 4:2:0
Bit depth                                : 8 bits
Scan type                                : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame)                       : 0.303
Stream size                              : 5.17 GiB (79%)
Title                                    : Bad Boys 1 (1995)_video
Writing library                          : x264 core 96 r1602 69588a7
Encoding settings                        : cabac=1 / ref=5 / deblock=1:0:0 / analyse=0x3:0x133 / me=umh / subme=7 / psy=1 / psy_rd=1.00:0.00 / mixed_ref=1 / me_range=16 / chroma_me=1 / trellis=1 / 8x8dct=1 / cqm=0 / deadzone=21,11 / fast_pskip=1 / chroma_qp_offset=-2 / threads=6 / sliced_threads=0 / nr=0 / decimate=1 / interlaced=0 / constrained_intra=0 / bframes=3 / b_pyramid=2 / b_adapt=2 / b_bias=0 / direct=3 / weightb=1 / weightp=2 / keyint=250 / keyint_min=25 / scenecut=40 / intra_refresh=0 / rc=2pass / mbtree=0 / bitrate=6389 / ratetol=1.0 / qcomp=0.60 / qpmin=10 / qpmax=51 / qpstep=4 / cplxblur=20.0 / qblur=0.5 / ip_ratio=1.40 / pb_ratio=1.30 / aq=1:1.00
Language                                 : English
Default                                  : Yes
Forced                                   : Yes

Audio
ID                                       : 2
Format                                   : DTS
Format/Info                              : Digital Theater Systems
Mode                                     : 16
Format settings, Endianness              : Big
Codec ID                                 : A_DTS
Duration                                 : 1h 58mn
Bit rate mode                            : Constant
Bit rate                                 : 1 509 Kbps
Channel(s)                               : 6 channels
Channel positions                        : Front: L C R, Side: L R, LFE
Sampling rate                            : 48.0 KHz
Bit depth                                : 24 bits
Compression mode                         : Lossy
Stream size                              : 1.25 GiB (19%)
Title                                    : Bad Boys 1 (1995)_audio
Language                                 : English
Default                                  : Yes
Forced                                   : Yes

I looked at the Synology (jumbo frames are off) so I guess that does not matter. Also, the HDD's in the ReadyNAS are 2xSeagate SATA3 3TB 7200RPM Barracuda 64mb Cache while the Synology only has 2xSamsung 2TB Spinpoint F3/4EG EcoGreen HDD 32M, so I would assume that the ReadyNAS should pump out more MB/s, which is seems to as the average write on the Synology is only about 25-30MB/s, and read at best is 65MB/s (according to Win7 pc).

I was thinking about putting a different HDD in bay 3 of the ReadyNAS (I have a spare Samsung 300GB HDD), but I am unsure how I could tell the system to then create a directory only on that HDD so I could copy a file to it and test it (to see if it is anything to do with the HDD's)? The only way I can think of is to shut down the ReadyNAS, remove the 2 Seagate HDD's and pop in the 300GB HDD, but I do not know if that will effect the data on the Seagate HDD's (would hate to loose it all)?

Anyway, thanks for the help so far.

Your read speed is 58 MB/s - 75 MB/s. The files that aren't playing have average bit rates that are < 1 MB/s (e.g. 8000 kbs or less). So the NAS performance is more than 60x faster. Your problem is NOT because the ReadyNAS is too slow - you are on the wrong track.

It is more likely that the ReadyNAS is too fast. In particular, by default the v2 does not enable ethernet flow control (pause frames). Can you see if the the Synology does?

Though I haven't seen this issue with a WD Live, I have seen it with other players (particularly the NTV 550). What happens is that the player itself has a 100 mbit ethernet NIC ("fast ethernet", not gigabit), but asks for more data than can fit on that pipe. The upstream switch ends up overflowing its packet buffer, which kills the streaming throughput. The root cause is really in the player's TCP stack, but from a practical matter 802.3x flow control is an effective work-around.

It is possible to enable flow control on the v2, but it requires ssh. Details are here: https://www.readynas.com/forum/viewtopi ... ol#p389326

Alternatively, If you happen to have a 100 mbit switch lying around you can connect it between the NAS and the ProCurve as a test (or if the ProCurve is managed, try setting the interface speed on the NAS port to 100 mbits). If that solves the problem, then flow control is likely needed. Obviously you wouldn't want to limit your NAS to 100 mbit performance levels - this is just an idea of diagnosing the problem. If this does work, then enabling flow control on the v2 is the next step.

Can you see if the the Synology does?
I cannot see from the manual, but on there forums it says that they do not support it.

As for the HP Procurve switch, the manual says: Flow control: helps ensure reliable communications during full-duplex operation which may mean it is enabled on that device. Unfortunately I do not think that the switch is editable as the manual has no instructions to do so, and states "Unmanaged: provides plug-and-play simplicity".

-------------------------------------------------
I tried these instructions anyway:

tonyj
I installed the SSH add-on to the NV+ v2 and used "putty" to login in as root.

I used the command "ethtool -a eth0" (no quotes obviously)to determine the status of pause frames on the NV + v2

I used the command "ethtool -A eth0 autoneg on rx on tx on" to enable the pause frames on the NV + v2

I have an ASUS GX-1051 1G switch closest to the NeoTV 550 and a Dlink Dgs 1005G connected to the NAS.

Good luck!

from the provided link, but I am unable to use SSH successfully. I downloaded Putty, installed it, ran it (only changed "Closed Window On Exit" to NEVER), typed in IP, got a dosbox to write user name/pwd (I used admin/admin password), and got the following error:
Connection Closed By Remote Host
Linux NAS_RND4000 2.6.31.8.nv+v2 #1 Tue Aug 28 11:59:46 HKT 2012 armv5tel GNU/Linux
Last login: Fri May 10 10:33:19 2013 from (my IP)

I tried looking at the PuttyGEN but I had no idea what to do with it.
-------------------------------------------------

Sadly I do not have a 100mbit switch.

According to the box, and this website http://www.storagereview.com/western_digital_wd_tv_live_review (sorry don't know how to insert html links) the WDTV has Gigabit Ethernet.

When you connect with ssh, you need to use "root", not "admin". Use the admin password though. You don't actually end up with a dos box, you get the linux equivalent.

I'll check the ethernet speed on my WD live when I have a chance. If it is gigE, then the flow control idea less unlikely, though still possible if the WD player is pausing the switch.

Can you configure the v2's ethernet to 100 mbit? Might be possible if you connect it to your router (meaning you'd need to move it downstairs for the test I guess).

My WDTV has a 100 mbit (fast ethernet) NIC. It is this model: http://www.amazon.com/Western-Digital-N ... B002KKFP9Y

Firstly, sorry for the delay, I have been unwell (better now).

My WDTV has a 100 mbit (fast ethernet) NIC. It is this model: http://www.amazon.com/Western-Digital-N ... B002KKFP9Y
I have that model as well.


You will not believe this, but it is now fixed. One of 2 things fixed it, I suspect the second, but what I did was change my NAS to "Allow Anonymous Access" as such (first thing):
WDTV Live Streaming
--------------------------
IP address: 192.168.0.bb (Manual)
Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0 (Manual)
Gateway and DNS are 192.168.0.aa
Workgroup: WORKGROUP
these were actually not changed

Netgear ReadyNAS NV+ v2 (firmware 5.3.7)
-----------------------------------------------------
IP address: 192.168.0.cc (Manual)
Workgroup: WORKGROUP

SMB Share Access.......................................NFS Share Access
Everyone: Read/Write X..............................Any Host: Read/Write X

X Allow Anonymous access

IP Address
192.168.0.dd (pc)
192.168.0.hh (pc 2)
192.168.0.bb (WDTV Live Streaming)
192.168.0.ee (WDTV Live [older model])
192.168.0.ff (WDTV Live [older model])
192.168.0.gg (Astone media player)

Protocol-specific Settings

Automatic Permissions: X

Folder Creation Group Rights: Read/Write
Folder Creation EveryOne Rights: Read/Write
File Creation Group Rights: Read/Write
File Creation Everyone Rights: Read/Write

Files and Folders (both SMB and NFS)


Folder Owner: nobody
Folder Group: nogroup
Folder Owner Rights: Read/Write
Folder Group Rights: Read/Write
Folder EveryOne Rights: Read/Write
only change here was allow anonymous and adding the ip addresses (see the red bits)


At this point I tried a movie that was playing up, but there was no change.

Thing 2, was to try the ssh stuff from the link that you had given me, and using "root" (which is cause its Linux and I stupidly forgot that sorry) and checking the state, and then turning on the pause frames/flow control stuff.

At this point I tried a movie that was playing up, but there was no change.

I then found that, on my other PC I no longer had access to the NAS, I was baffled, so I restarted the ReadyNAS thinking it may have been to do with me mucking around with it 2 much and freezing it up (turns out I forgot to add it to the list of anonymous IP addresses).

At this point I spent like 36 hours in bed, so my wife (even though it was mother's day) bought me "The Hobbit" and she even did the computer steering while I just pointed, so that she could convert it to an .mkv file. Hours later, when I finally felt better enough to be awake, I copied the .mkv file onto the ReadyNAS, fired up the WDTV Live Streaming, and as I was still getting over the stupid virus I started watching the movie in Network Shares mode and didn't even realise it until like 1/2 way thru. Anyway, it played in full, so did my copy of MI4 (my wife likes the series). Just now I am playing 10,000BC on all the players at once and they are all playing without any problems.

Long story short, I think that the flow control change, followed by a reset (which sets flow control back to off?), did the trick.

Stephen, you don't know how much that means to me that you helped me out. I wish you all the best, thanks mate.

Also, I found that according to the wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WD_TV look near the bottom), the RJ45 port is only 10/100, which is at odds with my box and that other website which lists my exact model #.