Major HD-100 freezing issues - HELP PLEASE

[MichaelFraser]

I am getting seriously frustrated with my HD-100. The problem I am about to describe has plagued me from the get-go, but seems to have become worse lately. (The HD-100 is frequently freezing up or getting sluggish at the menus too.) It's at the point where my wife refuses to watch anything on the HD-100.

The problem: all videos - whether in .avi or .mkv containers - freeze up after a few minutes. As this happens, the network activity light goes dead. After a few seconds, it fires back up, and the video usually speeds forward with no sound. To get things running again, I have to hit stop, select another video, play that for a few seconds, then return to my original video. The original video will play again for a few minutes before the same problem occurs. Rinse, wash, repeat.

The problem happens as often with high-bitrate videos as it does with low-bitrate videos.

I do not experience this problem when playing videos in SageTV Media Center.

Any ideas? Should I just junk this thing?

[toricred]

What version of Sage are you running on the server and what firmware do you have on the HD100? Also what version of Java is running on the server?

[MichaelFraser]

SageTV 6.4.8.184

Java 1.6.0_07
JVM Heap Size (Used/Total/Max): 49MB/72MB/533MB

I am running the latest HD-100 firmware.

[jphipps]

I was having a similiar issue, I would play a video for up to 10 minutes, and it would freeze and sometimes start back, or sometimes I had to power cycle the HD100. It turned out to be Norton Anti-virus running on my server.

If you enable the debug log, you can tell if there is some other error happening on the server.

Thanks,
Jeff

[MichaelFraser]

Here is the debug log for a freeze in Sex And The City that occurred about two-and-a-half minutes after I started watching:

Sun 12/14 7:28:00.358  ++++++++ Video folder browser:  LastCurFolder = null; CurFolder = null; LastVideoFolder = null
Sun 12/14 7:28:01.905 processOptionsMenu optionsMenu=default:BASE-49221|OptionsMenu:Show Options for an Airing, Recording, File, etc.
Sun 12/14 7:28:01.910 BEGIN: Sort video playlists.
Sun 12/14 7:28:01.911 END: Sort video playlists. Sorted 0 playlists. Total Time = '0'
Sun 12/14 7:28:02.784 VideoFrame.watch(A[20158,20156,"Sex and the City",0@0918.04:24,150])
Sun 12/14 7:28:02.785 watchThisFile=MediaFile[id=20155 A[20158,20156,"Sex and the City",0@0918.04:24,150] host=MAIN encodedBy= format=MATROSKA 2:30:54 0 kbps [#0 Video[H.264 23.975986 fps 1280x720 progressive]#1 Audio[AC3 48000 Hz 6 channels  idx=1 eng]#2 Subpic[0X0000 eng]] F:\Media\Sex and the City.mkv, Seg0[Thu 9/18 4:24:33.815-Thu 9/18 6:55:28.315]]
Sun 12/14 7:28:02.785 Watch airing is a file & over, do that instead dvd=false
Sun 12/14 7:28:02.785 Seeker.finishWatch(UIManager:localhost@@00085c53c71f-273686)
Sun 12/14 7:28:02.785 VF.submitJob(VFJob[WatchMF r=0.0 t=0 file=MediaFile[id=20155 A[20158,20156,"Sex and the City",0@0918.04:24,150] host=MAIN encodedBy= format=MATROSKA 2:30:54 0 kbps [#0 Video[H.264 23.975986 fps 1280x720 progressive]#1 Audio[AC3 48000 Hz 6 channels  idx=1 eng]#2 Subpic[0X0000 eng]] F:\Media\Sex and the City.mkv, Seg0[Thu 9/18 4:24:33.815-Thu 9/18 6:55:28.315]] ifn=null])
Sun 12/14 7:28:02.785 setUI(sage.b1@a632be[MediaPlayer OSD]) histIdx=3 uiHistory=[sage.b1@f1f051[Main Menu], sage.b1@d7b7d9[Library], sage.b1@739f3f[Browser - Videos], sage.b1@a632be[MediaPlayer OSD]]
Sun 12/14 7:28:02.785 VF processing job VFJob[WatchMF r=0.0 t=0 file=MediaFile[id=20155 A[20158,20156,"Sex and the City",0@0918.04:24,150] host=MAIN encodedBy= format=MATROSKA 2:30:54 0 kbps [#0 Video[H.264 23.975986 fps 1280x720 progressive]#1 Audio[AC3 48000 Hz 6 channels  idx=1 eng]#2 Subpic[0X0000 eng]] F:\Media\Sex and the City.mkv, Seg0[Thu 9/18 4:24:33.815-Thu 9/18 6:55:28.315]] ifn=null] nPlayin=false
Sun 12/14 7:28:02.786 VF processing on UI Thread VFJob[WatchMF r=0.0 t=0 file=MediaFile[id=20155 A[20158,20156,"Sex and the City",0@0918.04:24,150] host=MAIN encodedBy= format=MATROSKA 2:30:54 0 kbps [#0 Video[H.264 23.975986 fps 1280x720 progressive]#1 Audio[AC3 48000 Hz 6 channels  idx=1 eng]#2 Subpic[0X0000 eng]] F:\Media\Sex and the City.mkv, Seg0[Thu 9/18 4:24:33.815-Thu 9/18 6:55:28.315]] ifn=null]
Sun 12/14 7:28:02.786 VideoFrame creating new media player for file:MediaFile[id=20155 A[20158,20156,"Sex and the City",0@0918.04:24,150] host=MAIN encodedBy= format=MATROSKA 2:30:54 0 kbps [#0 Video[H.264 23.975986 fps 1280x720 progressive]#1 Audio[AC3 48000 Hz 6 channels  idx=1 eng]#2 Subpic[0X0000 eng]] F:\Media\Sex and the City.mkv, Seg0[Thu 9/18 4:24:33.815-Thu 9/18 6:55:28.315]]
Sun 12/14 7:28:02.786 setUI(sage.b1@ae3da8[MediaPlayer OSD]) histIdx=3 uiHistory=[sage.b1@f1f051[Main Menu], sage.b1@d7b7d9[Library], sage.b1@739f3f[Browser - Videos], sage.b1@ae3da8[MediaPlayer OSD]]
Sun 12/14 7:28:02.786 VF processing job VFJob[LoadMF r=0.0 t=0 file=MediaFile[id=20155 A[20158,20156,"Sex and the City",0@0918.04:24,150] host=MAIN encodedBy= format=MATROSKA 2:30:54 0 kbps [#0 Video[H.264 23.975986 fps 1280x720 progressive]#1 Audio[AC3 48000 Hz 6 channels  idx=1 eng]#2 Subpic[0X0000 eng]] F:\Media\Sex and the City.mkv, Seg0[Thu 9/18 4:24:33.815-Thu 9/18 6:55:28.315]] ifn=null] nPlayin=false
Sun 12/14 7:28:02.786 VF processing on UI Thread VFJob[LoadMF r=0.0 t=0 file=MediaFile[id=20155 A[20158,20156,"Sex and the City",0@0918.04:24,150] host=MAIN encodedBy= format=MATROSKA 2:30:54 0 kbps [#0 Video[H.264 23.975986 fps 1280x720 progressive]#1 Audio[AC3 48000 Hz 6 channels  idx=1 eng]#2 Subpic[0X0000 eng]] F:\Media\Sex and the City.mkv, Seg0[Thu 9/18 4:24:33.815-Thu 9/18 6:55:28.315]] ifn=null]
Sun 12/14 7:28:02.787 VF file=MediaFile[id=20155 A[20158,20156,"Sex and the City",0@0918.04:24,150] host=MAIN encodedBy= format=MATROSKA 2:30:54 0 kbps [#0 Video[H.264 23.975986 fps 1280x720 progressive]#1 Audio[AC3 48000 Hz 6 channels  idx=1 eng]#2 Subpic[0X0000 eng]] F:\Media\Sex and the City.mkv, Seg0[Thu 9/18 4:24:33.815-Thu 9/18 6:55:28.315]] targetTime = Thu 9/18 4:56:52.581
Sun 12/14 7:28:02.787 VideoFrame.timeSelected(Thu 9/18 4:56:52.581, true) currFile=MediaFile[id=20155 A[20158,20156,"Sex and the City",0@0918.04:24,150] host=MAIN encodedBy= format=MATROSKA 2:30:54 0 kbps [#0 Video[H.264 23.975986 fps 1280x720 progressive]#1 Audio[AC3 48000 Hz 6 channels  idx=1 eng]#2 Subpic[0X0000 eng]] F:\Media\Sex and the City.mkv, Seg0[Thu 9/18 4:24:33.815-Thu 9/18 6:55:28.315]]
Sun 12/14 7:28:02.787 initDriver0()
Sun 12/14 7:28:02.787 MiniPlayer established for 00085c53c71f
Sun 12/14 7:28:02.963 getEstimatedBW=7715764 estimatedBWBytes=16396 estimatedBWTime=17
Sun 12/14 7:28:02.964 MiniPlayer got an estimate from the UI on bandwidth of 7715Kbps
Sun 12/14 7:28:02.964 MiniPlayer is using Pull mode playback
Sun 12/14 7:28:02.964 openURL0(stv://192.168.2.150/F:\Media\Sex and the City.mkv)
Sun 12/14 7:28:04.663 Sigma video dim=java.awt.Dimension[width=720,height=480]
Sun 12/14 7:28:04.664 setMute0()
Sun 12/14 7:28:04.668 getDuration : 0
Sun 12/14 7:28:04.668 VideoFrame.timeSelected2(Thu 9/18 4:56:52.581, true) currFile=MediaFile[id=20155 A[20158,20156,"Sex and the City",0@0918.04:24,150] host=MAIN encodedBy= format=MATROSKA 2:30:54 0 kbps [#0 Video[H.264 23.975986 fps 1280x720 progressive]#1 Audio[AC3 48000 Hz 6 channels  idx=1 eng]#2 Subpic[0X0000 eng]] F:\Media\Sex and the City.mkv, Seg0[Thu 9/18 4:24:33.815-Thu 9/18 6:55:28.315]] realDur=0
Sun 12/14 7:28:04.668 seekPull0(1938766)
Sun 12/14 7:28:04.668 playPush0()
Sun 12/14 7:28:04.684 VF processing job null nPlayin=true
Sun 12/14 7:28:04.684 isRec=false rd=9054500 base=1938766
Sun 12/14 7:28:04.684 VF thread is now waiting for 1:58:35.484
Sun 12/14 7:28:14.238 Seeker has finished the library import scan.
Sun 12/14 7:28:14.746 Seeker is starting the library import scan...
Sun 12/14 7:28:33.263 Seeker has finished the library import scan.
Sun 12/14 7:29:44.196 Ministry is waiting for 180 sec
Sun 12/14 7:30:38.690 Error in MediaServerConnection of :java.io.IOException: An existing connection was forcibly closed by the remote host
Sun 12/14 7:30:38.826 VF processing job null nPlayin=true
Sun 12/14 7:30:38.828 MiniPlayer received an EOS when getting the media time - set the EOS flag
Sun 12/14 7:30:38.828 isRec=false rd=9054500 base=1940428
Sun 12/14 7:30:38.828 VF processing job VFJob[StdComplete r=0.0 t=0 file=null ifn=null] nPlayin=true
Sun 12/14 7:30:38.828 VF processing on UI Thread VFJob[StdComplete r=0.0 t=0 file=null ifn=null]
Sun 12/14 7:30:38.828 VF.submitJob(VFJob[Pause r=0.0 t=0 file=null ifn=null])
Sun 12/14 7:30:38.830 Updated:Watched[id=20461 Airing=A[20158,20156,"Sex and the City",0@0918.04:24,150], WatchStart=Thu 9/18 4:24:33.815, WatchEnd=Thu 9/18 4:56:54.243, RealStart=Sat 12/6 15:33:07.561, RealEnd=Sun 12/14 7:30:38.828]
Sun 12/14 7:30:38.830 VF logFileWatch doneAir=A[20158,20156,"Sex and the City",0@0918.04:24,150] theTime=Thu 9/18 4:56:54.243 recTime=Thu 9/18 4:24:33.815
Sun 12/14 7:30:38.830 VF processing job VFJob[Pause r=0.0 t=0 file=null ifn=null] nPlayin=true
Sun 12/14 7:30:38.830 VF processing on UI Thread VFJob[Pause r=0.0 t=0 file=null ifn=null]
Sun 12/14 7:30:38.830 pausePush0()
Sun 12/14 7:30:38.830 setUI(sage.b1@739f3f[Browser - Videos]) histIdx=2 uiHistory=[sage.b1@f1f051[Main Menu], sage.b1@d7b7d9[Library], sage.b1@739f3f[Browser - Videos], sage.b1@ae3da8[MediaPlayer OSD]]
Sun 12/14 7:30:38.831 BEGIN: Sort video playlists.
Sun 12/14 7:30:38.832 END: Sort video playlists. Sorted 0 playlists. Total Time = '0'
Sun 12/14 7:30:38.832 VF processing job null nPlayin=true
Sun 12/14 7:30:38.832 isRec=false rd=9054500 base=1940428
Sun 12/14 7:30:38.832 VF thread is now waiting for 0:00:00.000
Sun 12/14 7:30:38.832  ==> Refreshing videos list
Sun 12/14 7:30:38.833  ==> Refreshing videos list
Sun 12/14 7:30:38.838  ==> Refreshing videos list
Sun 12/14 7:30:38.843  ++++++++ Video folder browser:  LastCurFolder = null; CurFolder = null; LastVideoFolder = null
Sun 12/14 7:32:44.205 Ministry is waiting for 180 sec

I do not know what "Error in MediaServerConnection of :java.io.IOException: An existing connection was forcibly closed by the remote host" means - I would appreciate any insight.

[paulbeers]

Have you tried turning off annimations? Seems to have fixed many playback problems on the HD100. It did for me.

[MichaelFraser]

Yes, animation is off.

[rsteele]

Is it possible that you have a bad cable, switch, or other networking component?

[jphipps]

The log looks similiar to mine. I thought the anti-virus shutdown fixed the issue, but last night it did the same thing again. I rebooted my server, powercycled the HD-PVR and the HD100 and it has been running fine since yesterday. It seems like whenever I mess with new plugins it seems to get unstable. I had just installed the iMovie and Movie info plugin and it seemed to act up. Once I cycled everything it has been stable so far...

Thanks,
Jeff

[MichaelFraser]

It is running over a Netgear Wireless-N bridge, but that's not the issue - the signal strength is very strong, for one thing. For another, I've tried it wired, and get the same problem.

[gatorwes]

My only advice would be to not dismiss potential network issues so quickly. Signal strength is one thing, dropped packets and other determintal issues are another and can be very difficult to diagnose. I speak from experience. Your network may very well be fine, but I would urge you to experiment a little more to be certain. Good luck.