Need assistance on streaming with FME and Blackmagic IP.

[RedSpades]

Hi everyone,

I wasn't entirely sure where to post this so I am posting it here because the sticky thread to Multiboxing's amazing tutorial is in this board.

I am dealing with this weird problem whenever I am trying to cast using BlackMagic Intensity Pro. And no, it has nothing to do with the black screen :P

Before I begin, here is a background of what I am streaming and my desktop specs:

Streaming from:
Xbox 360 -- using component cables (720p quality)
I also play online, Xbox Live.

Capture card:
Blackmagic Intensity Pro

Desktop specs:
Intel® Core™2 Quad processor Q8300
Features 4 processing cores, 1333MHz frontside bus, 4MB L2 cache and 2.5GHz processor speed per core.
4 processing cores
8GB DDR2 memory
750GB Serial ATA hard drive (7200 rpm)
NVIDIA GeForce GT220 graphics

Internet connection:
Comcast Internet
17 MB/s Download Speed
7 MB/s Upload Speed

Now to explain my problem.

Everything is up to date with the capture card. Latest driver, latest software update, everything is plugged in correctly, I get the capture video perfectly on BMIP Express v1.0, VH Multi Camera Studio (secondary program that comes with the VHScrCap download), and Flash Media Live Encoder 3.0.

Now the problem I am getting is streaming without lagging so damn much.

I do not think it has anything to do with my internet connection because... isn't 7MB/s upload speed enough to broadcast AND play on Xbox Live? But I didn't even play on Xbox Live so broadcasting alone is laggy on JTV.

I'm not entirely sure what else to add. The problem I am having right now is that even with everything setup and working, my JTV stream is lagging for me and for my viewers (even when the stream starts).

Feel free to ask me any questions you would like to know.

Sincerely,

RedSpades

[ollee]

What bit rate, fps and codec are you using?

(ps and yes 7MB/s should be MORE than enough, i do it well with a weaker computer and only 10x1.5...)

[Tim]

Your best best is to first use FME 2.5 command line, then look at the information it gives you when the stream is running. If you have a Server Buffer >0.50 seconds, then your internet connection is being throttled (Typical comcast).

[RedSpades]

Originally Posted by ollee

What bit rate, fps and codec are you using?

(ps and yes 7MB/s should be MORE than enough, i do it well with a weaker computer and only 10x1.5...)

Bit rate: 350kb/s (just for testing -- still lagging though)
Frame rate: 29.97 fps
Codec: Not really sure what this is. >_<

Originally Posted by Tim

Your best best is to first use FME 2.5 command line, then look at the information it gives you when the stream is running. If you have a Server Buffer >0.50 seconds, then your internet connection is being throttled (Typical comcast).

Unfortunately, I can't seem to stream with FME 2.5 because my audio is not being tracked by the BlackMagic Intensity Pro and it's asking me to choose a sample rate for the audio, but I can't because there's nothing to pick from the list (all blanks).

Couldn't I find out this Server Buffer with FME 3.0... I wouldn't understand why they would remove that information if it is the latest version of FME.


EDIT: Does it also have anything to do with the fact that I'm playing in 720p. I read a tutorial where you can not broadcast while playing HD, or else you will deal with massive lag.
If this is the problem, how do I play SD AND stream SD through BMIP?

[ollee]

Tim has a point with the throttling however with only 350, I see other issues... if you're trying for 720, then 350 is low, id look more towards 600... I personally play in 720, use a powered splitter(from monoprice) capture in 720 and use vhmulticam to downconvert and stream in 640x360.but playing 720p is very possible. I am on my phone so once I get home I will respond in more detail.

On the codec: vp6 or h.264 makes a huge difference in processing power required to cast...

But ill get back to yah later with more. This is more of my specialty...

[RedSpades]

Hello Ollee, thank you so much for your time and support.

I am getting a strange encoding error. Here is a copypasta of it:

Wed Mar 03 2010 14:44:47 : Session Started
Wed Mar 03 2010 14:44:48 : Video Encoding Started 
Wed Mar 03 2010 14:45:18 : Unexpected error encountered in encoding process.
Wed Mar 03 2010 14:45:19 : Video Encoding Stopped
Wed Mar 03 2010 14:45:19 : Session Stopped
Wed Mar 03 2010 14:45:24 : Primary - Network Status: NetConnection.Connect.Closed status
Wed Mar 03 2010 14:45:24 : Primary - Disconnected
Wed Mar 03 2010 14:45:24 : Primary - Connected to FMS/3,5,2,654
Wed Mar 03 2010 14:45:24 : Primary - Stream[live_9541116_SvYKpkmdGRGc1lLhfG] Status: Success
Wed Mar 03 2010 14:45:25 : Primary - Stream[live_9541116_SvYKpkmdGRGc1lLhfG] Status: NetStream.Publish.Start
Wed Mar 03 2010 14:45:25 : Session Started
Wed Mar 03 2010 14:45:25 : Video Encoding Started

(By the way, I don't really care about the live code above. I did remove the last digits so no one broadcasts on my testing account. lol)

What could the problem be?

And for the codec, what do you recommend for my case?

Also, wouldn't I, streaming in 600, cause lag for those with weaker connections? I heard that 500 is the perfect bitrate... By the way, is there any way to play in Standard Def while broadcasting with Black magic intensity pro? I heard that it does not capture standard definition (which personally, I find very weird).

Once again, thank you so much for your time and I will definitely give you a shoutout on my channel when this issue gets resolved.

[RedSpades]

I tried broadcasting without the use of VH Multi Camera and I didn't get the error above. But the stream is way too laggy still, even when I'm broadcasting with 600-800 bitrate.

I have yet to figure out why this is happening. Any help would be VERY much appreciated. ;[

[ollee]

Originally Posted by RedSpades

I am getting a strange encoding error. Here is a copypasta of it:
(By the way, I don't really care about the live code above. I did remove the last digits so no one broadcasts on my testing account. lol)

What could the problem be?

I have no clue what that error is...if i had to guess w/o being at the computer casting it seems like youre trying to cast off fps for what the card is capturing...but in my case that seems to only cause immense lag

Originally Posted by RedSpades

And for the codec, what do you recommend for my case?

ummm, that depends on how much of your processor is being used by fme, vh, and the like. iif it seems like youre using all 4 cores at anything more than 80% at low, i would say go to vp6, if not h.264(tim is going to argue that vp6 is so much better and everything, but it all comes down to broadcasting encoding. if you have the processor to encode h.264, your stream quality vs bit rate will be a higher ratio)

Originally Posted by RedSpades

Also, wouldn't I, streaming in 600, cause lag for those with weaker connections? I heard that 500 is the perfect bitrate...

5-700 is perfect for most isp's be them dls or cable. anything over 700 causes the about 30% of people unable to view, but most of the people who are interested in watching your stream are going to be purchasing a slightly better internet anyways...but 5-7 is best. i usually go 600.

Originally Posted by RedSpades

By the way, is there any way to play in Standard Def while broadcasting with Black magic intensity pro? I heard that it does not capture standard definition (which personally, I find very weird).

i do not know, i am pretty sure it can capture in standard. if not i will have to buy a dazzle for my snes-athon here soon. but i would imagine it should. though as long as youre running it through another program and not right into fme, youre good with HD settings(720p)

Originally Posted by RedSpades

Once again, thank you so much for your time and I will definitely give you a shoutout on my channel when this issue gets resolved.

no problem. if yah need me, im always logged into jtv, whats your stream url and ill stop by?

feel free to hit me up on
skype: ollee64
aim: ollee64
msn: cellulose_oh@hotmail.com
(that goes for anyone)

[RedSpades]

Thank you so much for all the help, Ollee. I took some of your advice and the stream became a little bit more crisper.

I also got support from someone at the official Justin.tv website and he actually got my stream working lag-free. Amazing!

To those who are dealing with this same issue, click here for the solution. Also read Ollee's posts carefully as well because they are very helpful!

I hope there is no problem posting a link to the official JTV forum. If the mods do not want the link there, just delete it.

Once again, thank you for your time, Ollee.

Oh, by the way, for a look at the quality of the video, here's a clip from my test account:
Justin.tv - Testing Broadcast (Warning: Lower your volume because the game audio is quite loud for some reason... another thing to fix I guess -_-)

My official channel is: RedSpades Live! on Justin.tv -- I will be coming back from a three week break (due to RRoD) and I will begin my broadcast on March 5th, 2010.

I hope to see you sometime, Ollee, I'll definitely give you a shoutout when I see you.

[ollee]

yeah i dont think anyone has a jtv forum link. who helped you out from jtv if you dont mind my asking?

ps: yeah ill be around, i cast at Team9000 Gaming [HQ] on Justin.tv stop by...

and naturally, stop by http://www.justin.tv/multiboxing though i thought oyu got that