Is anyone streaming to an Apple TV via a Drobo?

[ascender]

In my continued quest to get my Apple TV working, I'm now looking at my Drobo as being a possible weak link. I'm having problems with stuttering video and that would appear to be caused by the ATV struggling to cache the video across the network.

I've now patched the iMac and ATV in to the same AEBS and am still having the problem at times.

The only other thing I can think about is the fact that the Drobo is connected externally via FW800. Could this be the bottleneck?

Just wondering if anyone else has got this setup running and could comment?

Thanks!

[rball1979]

In my continued quest to get my Apple TV working, I'm now looking at my Drobo as being a possible weak link. I'm having problems with stuttering video and that would appear to be caused by the ATV struggling to cache the video across the network.

I've now patched the iMac and ATV in to the same AEBS and am still having the problem at times.

The only other thing I can think about is the fact that the Drobo is connected externally via FW800. Could this be the bottleneck?

Just wondering if anyone else has got this setup running and could comment?

Thanks!

I don't have Drobo but I have an external HD on my network and stream from that. I don't get any stuttering video at all...

[ascender]

I don't have Drobo but I have an external HD on my network and stream from that. I don't get any stuttering video at all...

Thanks for the reply.

How is your external HD connected? Shared from another Mac or hanging off the back of an AEBS?

[rball1979]

Thanks for the reply.

How is your external HD connected? Shared from another Mac or hanging off the back of an AEBS?


It braches off my Time Capsule...It seems to do the job but the larger my library gets, the slower everything seems to go. Playback is fine though, just takes a while to load sometimes

[mpshay]

I'm streaming off an external hard drive connected to my iMac via FW800. No problems what so ever. However, I'm using gigabit Ethernet not wireless to connect the :apple:TV

[VTMac]

I've using a wireless G network, with an external hard drive connected via USB and have no stuttering problems at all. Movies are buffered and playing within 5 secs or so.

[drummerlondonw3]

Although I dont have this set-up I would suggest looking at the transmit rate in your network and/or the amount of users accessing it at the same time

Also are you running a G or N network?

you can do this by holding down the option key while clicking on the menubar airport icon

D:apple:

[Alrescha]

I have no streaming issues with a Drobo on my Mini and Ethernet to my Apple TV.

A.

[hualon]

I have no problems streaming from my Drobo to my ATV.

I had a TON of problems when I was using the Drobo populated with the Seagate 1.5TB drives but once I replaced those everything was fine.

If you're using wireless, I would suggest that you run a network cable through the hallway and see if the problem goes away.

[CyberBob859]

Does the Apple TV use it's hard drive as a buffer when streaming video from iTunes? If so, then a nearly full hard drive will probably cause the Apple TV to stream video more erratically since it has less space to buffer the video.

I don't know if this is a factor or not, but it might be something to consider.

[ascender]

Both the iMac and the ATV are connected via cat5 to the AEBS so I've eliminated wireless.

Last night, it played a whole episode of a programme without any problems. Decided to play the next one and it starts stuttering from the off.

The HDD on it is pretty near full, but as its on automatic synch, there's not much I can do about that.

[hualon]

Both the iMac and the ATV are connected via cat5 to the AEBS so I've eliminated wireless.

Last night, it played a whole episode of a programme without any problems. Decided to play the next one and it starts stuttering from the off.

The HDD on it is pretty near full, but as its on automatic synch, there's not much I can do about that.

Try adding a copy of a few TV shows to your iMac's desktop and then put them in your iTunes library. This way you can eliminate the Drobo.

Are you running the Drobo software? If so, does it report that everything's OK? You're not using those 1.5TB Seagate drives, are you?

Is the Drobo almost full? When Drobo fills up beyond 85% it slows itself down for some reason. I think Data Robotics does that to warn you that it's time to upgrade a drive.

[Winnterpeg]

I have my libraries on a D-Link DNS323 network storage device, and the ATV hard wired to to a N Gigabyte Extreme router. All operates very smoothly.

[stomer]

I'd just add the I've tried serving my iTunes library from a Drobo, and it's not good. Movies won't stream very well at all.

[JonHimself]

I've got a DNS323 wired into my router (wireless g) with my itunes library on that connected to my macbook pro over wireless. I've never had any problems streaming with apple tv or boxee/xbmc.

[Cuthbert]

I'd just add the I've tried serving my iTunes library from a Drobo, and it's not good. Movies won't stream very well at all.

Weird. I have a drobo with 2-1TB WD green drives connected to my macbook pro. About 550 gb of content right now. Airport extreme. Streams to the Apple TV like a dream.

Drobo was the best buy I made this year.

[eleven59]

yikes! im wanting to get a drobo too but seeing as some have slow issues and others dont, i dont knwo what to expect now..

i know when i tried having my itunes media on TC, :apple:tv took a min or so to start playing every time. but everything i have is wireless and i heard its bc the network is actually having to send data twice back and forth... once i went back to an ext fw400 on my main comp, its great again.. im just out of HD space and the drobo looks sooo easy and future proof

perhaps that could be the slower speed issues with an all wireless network and having to have a comp on just for itunes...


of course ALL of this would easily had been solved had apple given the :apple:tv the ability to run its own itunes/library file + input for an ext. HD!!! argh!!!

to me that is the #1 & #2 features missing on an :apple:tv, not blue ray or dvr, etcc.

[ascender]

If you're having problems with the Drobo, check you've updated to the latest firmware as it specifically addresses stuttering issues with video. You might have to download the file manually as I couldn't get the Drobo Dashboard to find it with the auto-update button.

[Alrescha]

If you're having problems with the Drobo, check you've updated to the latest firmware as it specifically addresses stuttering issues with video.

I don't want to rain on your parade, but from the release notes:

o Fixed upgrade issue with a select number of First Generation Drobos
o Resolved USB disconnect issue that could occur on some Mac systems
o Miscellaneous FireWire compatibility improvements

That is all that is mentioned for the latest release (v 1.30).

A.

[Rich1963]

You're both half-right about the updates to Drobo. There was a fix for stuttering video, but it was in 1.2.4. Also, I've got 2.5 TB of info on my Drobo (all iTunes video-related) and I have zero stuttering. It's most likely your AppleTV hard drive approaching it's limit. You need to stream ALL video (TV shows and Movies). I've got zero problems and hammer both my Drobo and AppleTV constantly with video (both SD and HD).

[guywoodman7]

Just got an ATV and am streaming my iTunes library (all of which has been encoded from DVD in Handbrake using the old iPod High-Rez preset) off my Drobo which is connected via Firewire 800. ATV is connected to my wireless-N network (Time Capsule) and it has been EXTREMELY smooth sailing.

I had also been using MediaLink on my PS3 for the past year or so and have had lots of hits and misses with that method of streaming.

So far my ATV/Drobo experience has been flawless and I am VERY happy.

[CultHero]

fwiw, I have my drobo hung off the airport extreme using USB. It streams to the apple tv with no issues. Occasionally it drops, but we are talking once every couple weeks.

One issue I do have, is as it is hung off the airport I can't use drobo dashboard so can't update firmware.

[Winnterpeg]

of course ALL of this would easily had been solved had apple given the :apple:tv the ability to run its own itunes/library file + input for an ext. HD!!! argh!!!


Yes, that is the weirdest thing about Apple TV. It seems very natural and common sense thing to have the iTunes software running on the ATV itself. I cannot imagine why the thing only uses a the network to commicate with a separate computer that runs the iTunes software?

[ascender]

You're both half-right about the updates to Drobo. There was a fix for stuttering video, but it was in 1.2.4. Also, I've got 2.5 TB of info on my Drobo (all iTunes video-related) and I have zero stuttering. It's most likely your AppleTV hard drive approaching it's limit. You need to stream ALL video (TV shows and Movies). I've got zero problems and hammer both my Drobo and AppleTV constantly with video (both SD and HD).

Well, for some reason I've installed 1.3.0 and its fixed my stuttering problems. So I'm not sure how, but I'm happy.....ish. I still think ATV is the buggiest product Apple produce which is a real shame given the potential it has.

[hitekalex]

Yes, that is the weirdest thing about Apple TV. It seems very natural and common sense thing to have the iTunes software running on the ATV itself. I cannot imagine why the thing only uses a the network to commicate with a separate computer that runs the iTunes software?

Well, one reason is that some of us have multiple ATVs around the house.. and it would have been a complete nightmare if each one of them maintained their own local library. So a centralized iTunes server serves the same content to each of my ATVs, resulting in consistent user experience.

[Winnterpeg]

Oh, I see your point. I really don't know all the finer points of Apple TV and networking, but couldn't a "network" option be available that would just indicate that the library is located on a network drive? Then all ATVs iTunes could update themselves?

[Superman07]

For those with this setup:

1) Are you using USB or Firewire?
2) Do any of you have the network add-on?

Also, does anybody have news on a v3 that might come with the NIC already on the unit?

[hualon]

For those with this setup:

1) Are you using USB or Firewire?
2) Do any of you have the network add-on?

Also, does anybody have news on a v3 that might come with the NIC already on the unit?

1. I'm using Firewire 800 to my mac pro
2. No. It seems like a waste. Personally I would buy the Airport Extreme router and connect the Drobo via USB before I'd buy the Drobo network doohickey.

[Cuthbert]

For those with this setup:

1) Are you using USB or Firewire?
2) Do any of you have the network add-on?

Also, does anybody have news on a v3 that might come with the NIC already on the unit?

1. Firewire 800
2. No way!

[Superman07]

Well my reason for asking is that I assume USB would act as a bottleneck. However, from what I can tell, USB is the mechanism used to transfer data between the network add-on and the Drobo itself. In turn, we're back at the limitation of USB.

Are there more problems if you are streaming via a router/usb configuration rather than directly connected to the machine?

[Chipskip]

Well my reason for asking is that I assume USB would act as a bottleneck. However, from what I can tell, USB is the mechanism used to transfer data between the network add-on and the Drobo itself. In turn, we're back at the limitation of USB.

Are there more problems if you are streaming via a router/usb configuration rather than directly connected to the machine?


First you have to look as your slowest point... the aTv. Wireless N gets about 74 MB/s and some claim up to 160 MB/s by the end of 2009 (I don't know about this) & Ethernet port on aTV is only 100MB/s. Your USB 2.0 is running at about 430 MB/s. So no matter what the network connection is, it is your slowest point.

I agree that a full HD can cause a problem. For about $115 on ebay you can buy a 250GB HD preloaded with aTv software. Just swap out drives, run updates and you are good to go. Also, the nitoTV add-on allows you to add external HDs, up to 250GB.

So if you wanted to, you could be running an aTv with 500GB (also sold on ebay for WAY to much money, I think $500).

I am currently running an aTv 40GB wirelessly through a AEB(n) to an WinXP machine sharing a 1TB My Book external HD. I create full size ISO file (4 - 7 GB each) and stream them. No hangups.

We will see what happens when I get my MB next week and then a Drobo when I can afford it.

[Superman07]

Good feedback, thanks. However, isn't 480Mb/s the maximum theoretical throughput of USB2.0? A lot of times the general feedback is that real world applications are much slower.

[robalan]

I've noticed the video problem with my set up - 1st gen USB Drobo, white Intel iMac, Apple TV connected via ethernet in automatic sync mode. Most of the time it is fine but occasionally playing a video that requires streaming will cause stuttering. Leave it and try again later or do something else like playing a YouTube video, and the video goes back to normal.

I'm pretty sure this started after the last Apple TV update but that may be a coincidence. The Drobo works fine with everything else, and is about 65% full.

I'm inclined to blame the AppleTV but don't have any hard evidence...

[Chipskip]

Good feedback, thanks. However, isn't 480Mb/s the maximum theoretical throughput of USB2.0? A lot of times the general feedback is that real world applications are much slower.


You are correct, the MAX speed is 480MB/s but the bulk transfer rate (what ever that is) is claimed to be 320MB/s.

I really shouldn't post until I finish my first cup of coffee. :confused:

[Theophany]

Good feedback, thanks. However, isn't 480Mb/s the maximum theoretical throughput of USB2.0? A lot of times the general feedback is that real world applications are much slower.

This is true on computers because the USB bandwidth is shared by ALL USB devices. So it's actually 480mb/s (theoretical) shared by x amount of devices. Firewire has 400mb/s for each device and does not require any input from the CPU due to device 'handshaking.'

However, on aTV where the only USB device you'll be using is a HDD, then there is less of a problem. Assuming a maximum bandwidth of 430mb/s, you're still gonna get a lot faster than your network connection, which is pretty much what Chipskip is saying.

[Superman07]

By the way, I noticed there is currently a rebate promotion ongoing with Drobo through the end of the month, bringing the price to under $400. I wonder if this implies a new model might be coming out in the next few months.

http://www.amazon.com/Data-Robotics-DR04DD10-FireWire-Automated/dp/B001CZ9ZEE/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_k2a_1_txt?pf_rd_p=304485601&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-2&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000PDLZ1A&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0BBVWZR8PC4HDW6DDTPB

[ascender]

There was a firmware update which apparently fixed the stuttering video issue, but it didn't help here. The next firmware patch did help a great deal, but there were still problems. I've now got things working much better than ever and I've removed the Drobo from the equation.

However, there's no doubt in my mind that the Apple TV has played its part in all of this. I think its a product with great potential, but is far from being a polished and reliable piece of kit. Often the ATV will be doing "something" so that the remote becomes unresponsive or video stutters, but I've no idea what its up to. There's no sync happening at the time and the content is local to the ATV. Sometimes the ATV will "not recognise" the music or video file I've selected, despite me having just played that file 5 minutes earlier.

iTunes sometimes loses the ATV and needs to be restarted. Sometimes ATV loses the connection to iTunes and needs to be rebooted.

Moving to a fully wired setup should help things, but last week I had a stuttering video playing on ATV which is wired to the same switch as the Mac which holds the iTunes library on it. At the same time I was able to watch the same video file via my Macbook over its wireless connection.

I just think the ATV is very close to being a wonderful product but needs some final TLC from Apple to iron out the last few kinks in its OS. We were starting to get tantalisingly close with the v1 software imo, but with 2 it seems to be a case of starting from scratch again. Very frustrating.

[xraydoc]

You are correct, the MAX speed is 480MB/s but the bulk transfer rate (what ever that is) is claimed to be 320MB/s.

I really shouldn't post until I finish my first cup of coffee. :confused:

MB/s ≠ Mb/s