SMB Windows Shares BUFFERING over wireless n!

[blakehaas]

I am having the issue with SMB Windows Shares buffering over wireless n. I have an Asus RT-N56U 300mbps wireless n router and i am connecting to shares on my desktop, i've noticed that it buffers multiple times regardless of the size or resolution. It's not consistent too, last night i was watching a 720p video and it went 30 min without buffering and then all of a sudden started buffering every 3 min, then it would last 15 min without buffering.

I have my nic set at 1gbit full duplex, im not sure what else to do!?!?! This is driving me crazy.

[darcilicious]

The problem with wireless is that there are multiple possibilities for interference with the wireless signal/strength: distance to the access point, physical barriers between the Boxee Box and the access point, other devices nearby that cause signal interference, and/or other wireless devices on the same channel (e.g. the neighbors' wireless router).

Some folks have had much better results using ethernet over powerline.

[Rhoq]

I have my nic set at 1gbit full duplex, im not sure what else to do!?!?! This is driving me crazy.

HD video and wireless just don't get along all too well. I had similar issues with my wireless N set-up. Sometimes it would play flawlessly and other times it would stutter and buffer every few seconds. Hard wiring completely fixed it, but if you aren't able to run a cable from your BB to your router, you might want to try letting the buffer build a little bit (pause the video as soon as it loads) before watching. A pain, yes, but it used to work for me.

[Mike Hock]

Be glad you're not getting buffering while hard wired like I am. Even though I am trying to stream high bit rate full Bluray rips but my connection is definitely up to snuff for the job so I have no idea what is causing the Box to buffer trying to stream what I'm trying to stream. It would be frustrating if I didn't already find a replacement for what the Boxee Box was purchased to do.

[blakehaas]

I've hit pause before to let the buffer build up and it still happens like 5 min later. I dont get it...

[Lilo]

I am having the issue with SMB Windows Shares buffering over wireless n. I have an Asus RT-N56U 300mbps wireless n router and i am connecting to shares on my desktop, i've noticed that it buffers multiple times regardless of the size or resolution. It's not consistent too, last night i was watching a 720p video and it went 30 min without buffering and then all of a sudden started buffering every 3 min, then it would last 15 min without buffering.

Your router looks like its good enough for streaming HD content (well, 720p for sure), I haven't read the entire specs, but it seems that its QoS is designed with HD streaming in mind.

Your problem description makes me believe that something happened on your windows machine after 30 minutes - file indexing, Hard drive shut-down or backup are a few common scheduled tasks that might cause this kind of problem.

Another reason might be (if your network is packed with devices) is that another computer/device started some big-network related task during that time.

[blakehaas]

The computer the shares are on is a i7, it could be indexing but i know for sure i disabled sleeping for all of the hard drives. I will try some things when i get off of work. Hopefully it fixes the issue. There is nothing worse than having a movie stop right during a climax or important dialog.

[Lilo]

...There is nothing worse than having a movie stop right during a climax or important dialog.

"Nothing" is quite a strong word - after all its a first world problem

But I agree, continuous buffering can ruin your viewing experience completely.

[Mike Hock]

"Nothing" is quite a strong word - after all its a first world problem

But I agree, continuous buffering can ruin your viewing experience completely.

I can think of something stopping right before a climax that is much worse than a movie.

[mbryanr]

Your router looks like its good enough for streaming HD content (well, 720p for sure), I haven't read the entire specs, but it seems that its QoS is designed with HD streaming in mind.

It is...with the right QoS settings in the router, particularly if you have simultaneous connections.

My Boxee setup is wired, and the Asus doesn't play a part in playback to my main TV.... but I can typically stream 1080p blu-ray with minimal buffering to a laptop ~30 ft away with 2 walls between the router and client on the -n network. 720p easily on the -g network.