[K12OSN] Pixelation with MPlayer

Mon Mar 5 03:41:18 UTC 2007

Try upgrading your video card.  The problem that you're discussing has
nothing to do with CPU, but rather is a video card speed issue.  I
replaced an ancient S3 Trio64 with a Matrox Millenium G400, and my
issues with slow video playback went away.  The thin client is a Pentium
II-300MHz.  My server is a dual Athlon MP 1.2GHz with 2GB DRAM.  Now,
unless you're trying to run a LTSP *server* on a Pentium II-300MHz  or
something else ridiculous like that, CPU ain't your problem, dude.

As for the network "problem" that you outline, that isn't your problem
either unless you're running 100Mbps on your server (you should be
running at least Gig-E on the LTSP server).  TuxType eats up a measured
73Mb/sec--way more than your number below--and it has no problems with
up to 14 simultaneous sessions.  If you do have Gig-E on the server,
then check your cables, your switches (you *are* using switches,
right?), and your NICs to make sure that they're actually working.  I
have no problems whatsoever w/ apps that use lots of network bandwidth.

Please stop the FUD and ask questions before you go spouting off
erroneous conclusions,

--TP
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James P. Kinney III wrote:
> I have had _NO_ success with streaming video and linux thin clients. The
> cpu it takes to decompress and then the bandwidth it takes to send the
> final video stream exceeds what can be done with LTSP.
>
> A 320x240 video at 30 fps and 16 bit color requires 36.864 Mbps
> sustained bandwidth. Pump that through an ethernet connection and add
> 30% for connection overhead. 47.9 Mbps. The network systems can handle
> it but not for more than 1 system.
>
> In short, playing a TV set over a thin client network doesn't work. 
>
> Yes, standalone windows machine can play streaming video. Educate the
> teachers so the understand that passive entertainment like watching
> films and movies is done at the full class level in the media center. It
> is not something to be done on thin client. They have some limitations.
> This is a major one.
>
> On Sun, 2007-03-04 at 10:05 -0500, David Hopkins wrote:
>   
>> During playback, the picture pixelates (is that a word?) rather badly
>> during any scene with lots of motion.  Playback is using Xv, and audio
>> is esd.  The comments from teachers is that 'Microsoft plays it back
>> perfectly so why doesn't Linux'.  I am just guessing that the
>> difference is a local install (Windows) vs how the thin client works.
>> So, any suggestions on how to improve the playback?  I tried using
>> -framedrop, which helped sync the video/sound better, but did nothing
>> to actually improve the picture.  I have also noticed that MPlayer
>> detects a server lag (about 0.56s), but shows no network
>> lag/compensation.  Has anyone else noticed this on with their
>> installations?  If needed, I can look at upgrading the switches if
>> that is the issue. The servers are dual 2.4GHz HT Xeon with 6Gb
>> memory, but the problem occurs with even 1 user. 
>>
>> Sincerely,
>> Dave Hopkins
>>
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