Reducing XBMC audio stream latency/buffer over local network...

[DJ...]

How does one reduce the latency/buffer for audio streams to XBMC from other devices? I currently use my PC to mix on Virtual DJ and when I stream it to XBMC there is a lengthy 20 second buffer that really destroys the experience. This is over my local network so the buffer seems to me to be unnecessary. There is a similar buffer when I stream music from iTunes on my Mac. When I select my media centre as the output there is a distinct delay when I track through music or change tracks.

Would be great if there was an option to reduce the buffer to 0.5s or the like so that I can have as close to real-time play while still giving the box a chance to decode the stream.

Is this possible?

 

[insom]

Not sure if it will do what you want, and no way for me to test but... have you tried decreasing the buffer size on XBMC? Surely if there's less for it to fill the buffer, it should get started quicker?


<cachemembuffersize>5242880</cachemembuffersize> <!-- number of bytes used for buffering streams ahead in memory
XBMC will not buffer ahead more than this. WARNING: for the bytes set here, XBMC will consume 3x the amount of RAM -->

from:
Advanced Settings.xml stuff

 

[DJ...]

Problem is that will interfere with my video buffering as well, won't it?

 

[insom]

This is probably true... Sorry, I don't know any other way to selectively set the buffer time.

 

[Happy Camper]

How does one reduce the latency/buffer for audio streams to XBMC from other devices? I currently use my PC to mix on Virtual DJ and when I stream it to XBMC there is a lengthy 20 second buffer that really destroys the experience. This is over my local network so the buffer seems to me to be unnecessary. There is a similar buffer when I stream music from iTunes on my Mac. When I select my media centre as the output there is a distinct delay when I track through music or change tracks.

Would be great if there was an option to reduce the buffer to 0.5s or the like so that I can have as close to real-time play while still giving the box a chance to decode the stream.

Is this possible?

I can't help with your problem but am interested to know why you use VDJ? Do you use Traktor at all, it has much more powerful features and when played on a decent rig it sounds better than a VDJ setup?

 

[NeonNinja]

You really a DJ?

 

[DJ...]

I can't help with your problem but am interested to know why you use VDJ? Do you use Traktor at all, it has much more powerful features and when played on a decent rig it sounds better than a VDJ setup?

I used Traktor many years ago but prefer the interface and skins on VDJ. I don't use it for live gigs though - this is for personal use only...

You really a DJ?

For many, many years now...

 

[Syphonx]

I know I had streaming problems when I gave my PC a static IP but didn't bother with my XBMC server, so if one does have a static IP make sure both do, using the same gateway and router as DNS server

 

[DJ...]

Both computers have static IP addresses. Not sure about the gateway and router bit. That's not entirely intuitive enough for me to figure out on my own. My understanding was they both connect to the same router - one wired and the other wireless - so they'd be using the same gateway and DNS server...

 

[Syphonx]

Both computers have static IP addresses. Not sure about the gateway and router bit. That's not entirely intuitive enough for me to figure out on my own. My understanding was they both connect to the same router - one wired and the other wireless - so they'd be using the same gateway and DNS server...

the gateway and DNS server should be the same on both PC's, in your case the gateway address is the router IP address (one you use to connect to the router and configure it, should be printed on the router somewhere) and set the DNS server to the address of the router as well (do this on both machines). Solved my problems with video buffering so i thought might help in your situation.