Streaming 1080p and 4K MKV over WIFI Do's and Don'ts

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mi7chy

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Thought I'd share this since a lot of people attempt to stream MKV over WIFI using SMB and give up blaming the mobile device when that's not the bottleneck.

Successful high bitrate WIFI streaming for Android requires selecting the right combination of application layer protocol, file explorer, media player, 802.11 wireless network standard and server. Benefit of high bitrate streaming is you retain the quality of the original files and don't have to waste time and storage to transcode to lower bitrate or resolution.

Do's and Don'ts

1. Don't use SMB since it's terribly inefficient and very slow throughput. Instead, use WEBDAV with the benefit that the server is built into Windows 7 and 8. Here's a file copy throughput comparison over WIFI showing SMB is 10X slower than the fastest application layer protocol WEBDAV.

Galaxy Note 3 5GHz 802.11ac 1x1 using Solid Explorer
SMB 20.32 Mbps
FTP 158.16 Mbps
WEBDAV 200.72 Mbps

2. Use an efficient file explorer app such as Solid Explorer to feed the media player.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=pl.solidexplorer

Comparison of Solid Explorer and ES File Explorer throughput over the same 5GHz 802.11ac WIFI:

Solid Explorer
SMB 20.32 Mbps
FTP 158.16 Mbps
WEBDAV 200.72 Mbps

ES File Explorer
SMB 7.576 Mbps
FTP 25.52 Mbps
WEBDAV *errors adding server*

3. Use MX Player media player since it works best and is the most reliable for streaming compared to VLC and BS Player.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mxtech.videoplayer.ad

4. 5GHz 802.11ac is significantly faster than 2.4GHz 802.11n.

If you're looking for a cheap, fast and solid 5GHz 802.11ac router check out the $99 TP-Link Archer C7 hardware version 2 (avoid v1):

http://www.tp-link.us/products/details/?categoryid=2872&model=Archer+C7

Throughput comparison between 5GHz 802.11ac and 2.4GHz 802.11n:

2.4GHz 802.11n
Solid Explorer
SMB 20 Mbps
FTP 40.56 Mbps
WEBDAV 40.24 Mbps

5GHz 802.11ac
Solid Explorer
SMB 20.32 Mbps
FTP 158.16 Mbps
WEBDAV 200.72 Mbps


Device capability and what you can expect from different generations of phones.

2012 Galaxy Note II with Exynos 4412 can decode 1080p 45Mbps over 5GHz 802.11g which is the max bitrate for blueray.

2013 Galaxy Note 3 with Snapdragon 800 can decode 4K of at least 120 Mbps via WIFI streaming limited by WIFI throughput and 275 Mbps from internal memory.

Supposedly Sony Xperia Z2 supports MHL 3.0 so it can output 4K with this cable so you don't have to buy the $700 Sony FMP-X10 player:

http://store.sony.ca/2m-mhl-3.0-cable-zid31-DLCMC20/cat-31-catid-All-TV-AV-Cables


Sample 1080p and 4K MKV video test files:

1080p 18 Mbps (laggy on BS Player)
http://www.auby.no/files/video_tests/vc1_1080p_ap_l3_18mbps_ac3_hddvd.mkv

1080p 40 Mbps
http://www.auby.no/files/video_tests/h264_1080p_hp_4.1_40mbps_birds.mkv

1080p 45 Mbps
http://jell.yfish.us/media/Jellyfish-45-Mbps.mkv

4K 33.1 Mbps
https://mega.co.nz/#!cJZxAJCB
decryption key XroL81MdpJ0M7CV1969uLRUvYZRtFjnzL8wOiJgrR2w

4K 36.0 Mbps
https://mega.co.nz/#!BERzhbIY
decryption key c5h_uR3dFbRq6Jb-T0XDzWZ5H4xlS3S5ECp44Ah_7fQ

4K 120 Mbps
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&confirm=no_antivirus&id=0Bz0M4rIwHYydN21YNjY3MDJQX2M

4K 243 Mbps (only works from internal storage due to WIFI throughput limitation)
https://mega.co.nz/#!EVhlXLhb
decryption key EfiODXZ3kikDU4VbsOsiyn7qruoS6-pkKRwpZYc_sKU

4K 275 Mbps (only works with BS Player from internal storage)
https://mega.co.nz/#!UBASxDbD
decryption key VOI8BFl7Ynf5uZ35U0AC_Ck67zVJ5L-J68gkHwJ4pvg


WEBDAV Installation and Setup for Windows Pro 8.1 but should be similar for 8 and 7.

- Use a DHCP reservation or static IP for your media server.

- Bring up Charm Bar, Search for features and select Turn Windows features on or off.

- Check these boxes under IIS. Ignore FTP unless you want it. Restart if prompted.

webdavdependencies_zps62a81720.png


- Run Computer Management and drill down to Services and Applications > IIS Manager. Close any pop-ups for now.

- On the Connections pane drill down to Sites > Default Web Site.

- Click on Limits under Actions pane and uncheck Limit bandwidth usage.

- Double-click Authentication and enable Basic Authentication. Click back arrow from now on for every step.

- Double-click MIME Types and create the following:

mimemkv_zpsd5587b21.png


- Double-click Request Filtering, select Edit Feature Settings and change the maximum allowed content length to 4294967295:

maximumallowedcontentlength_zps29a94a2d.png


- Double-click WebDAV authoring rules and create this if it's not already there:

authoringrule_zpsd9f71277.png


- Move all the media files into \inetpub\wwwroot

- Do a quick test by accessing your media server IP with browser http://x.x.x.x. It should prompt for your authentication then display the media files.

- If that works try creating a WebDAV bookmark in Solid Explorer on your mobile device and access from there. To stream media just select one of the files and choose MX Player to play.

Probably left out something so just ask if you run into something.
 
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I knew I should've taken notes. It's fairly straightforward except for checking the right boxes for dependencies otherwise service won't start, adding mime type for MKV and increasing the upload limit which defaults to a measly 30MB and gives 404 errors. I'll slap something together and will update in the original post.
 
Transcoding is CPU heavy, requires a beefy system and is only worse with multiple concurrent streams. Heard it requires one core per stream minus two cores for the OS and Plex. Isn't there also a Plex Pass paid subscription involved?

A non-transcoding solution only needs cheap bandwidth and can probably push a higher number of streams with a single core.
 
I have to say that I hate when people just talk about MKVs. It is just a container. I assume that you are talking about streaming H264 video with either AAC or AC3 audio? I'd personally either mux MKVs to MP4s (if the content in MKV is H264 and AAC) just to avoid bugs and chances are better that even those third party players actually use the decoding hardware.
 
mi7chy said:
Transcoding is CPU heavy, requires a beefy system and is only worse with multiple concurrent streams. Heard it requires one core per stream minus two cores for the OS and Plex. Isn't there also a Plex Pass paid subscription involved?

A non-transcoding solution only needs cheap bandwidth and can probably push a higher number of streams with a single core.
Click to expand...
You do not need to pay for transcoding on the fly - only if you want the server to transcode the mkv and then store it locally on your device. Even so, $70 for a lifetime membership is well worth the price IMO.

I have an i5 3570k (?) in my server and have streamed up to 5 or 6 streams with no problems.
 
I just want to know why SMB is so crappy.

I think the op did a great job with his post, but what stopped me from trying WEBDAV was that I had to move my files around.
 
Before you geek out the thread is emphasizing more on overcoming the throughput bottleneck which is a lower OSI layer issue so codec is insignificant in this regard. Plus, the common h264 codec is pretty much standard on mobile devices so it's implied.
 
Plex Pass is completely optional. All I paid for was the Plex app for Android.
 
Megalith said:
what stopped me from trying WEBDAV was that I had to move my files around.
Click to expand...

If I understand you correctly, you can configure WebDAV server to point to your existing media root folder so it doesn't have to be the default \inetpub\wwwroot. Actually, I have mine pointed elsewhere.

SMB, especially older versions, is crappy since it's very chatty to keep data moving and intended for low latency LAN so the issue over WIFI is compounded due to higher latency and half duplex operation. Newer SMB versions are more efficient but it requires running a newer operating system on the server side and client that supports it.

http://blogs.technet.com/b/josebda/archive/2013/10/02/windows-server-2012-r2-which-version-of-the-smb-protocol-smb-1-0-smb-2-0-smb-2-1-smb-3-0-or-smb-3-02-you-are-using.aspx
 
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admittedly im kinda a noob in some areas but 200.72 Mbps sounds like a very good speed over wifi.....i may have to get a new router.....most i have got myself is around 70mb i think....i would love to have 200mb speed.
I may have to look into getting $99 TP-Link Archer C7 hardware version 2
 
primetime said:
admittedly im kinda a noob in some areas but 200.72 Mbps sounds like a very good speed over wifi.....i may have to get a new router.....most i have got myself is around 70mb i think....i would love to have 200mb speed.
I may have to look into getting $99 TP-Link Archer C7 hardware version 2
Click to expand...
You need to get 802.11ac to have those kinds of speeds
 
200 Mbps is actually on the low end for 802.11ac since that's only for 1 stream, limited by wireless client device, when the Archer C7 v2 is capable of 3 streams. With a 2 stream capable device throughput peaks out at about 344 Mbps so a 2GB file downloads in less than a minute. 3 stream clients, unfortunately, aren't common yet.
 
So, in continuance with this subject -

A friend wishes to Live Display his work "he's an artist" LOCALLY.
- From a Camera/ Cam (1080p or 4K) - On a tripod.
- To a projector (1080p or 4K)

- Now, one thought would be direct from Cam to Projector - Cables?? Any wireless options?

The other would be Locally (within LAN) (using CAT6 or Wireless AC?? ) using Cam > Router > Projector

Do we need add a computer in midst or can this be done via devices?

Currently, Cam, Router and Projector all have yet to be purchased.

He was thinking GoPro, but I thought its too expensive and may not be ideal?
A wireless cam would allow "more" movement/ maneuverability.

I'm wondering if an iPhone/ Android Phone with a good cam would be good enough source for it?

Curious how / what ways could one drive the projector.. directly or with a device
..Computer/ Macbook..or whether a small Wireless AC Mini PC > vs Compute Stick vs Miracast Adapter (??)

Thoughts/ Suggestions/ Feasability? Open to Ideas.
 
First idea to mind is the headstrap camera would give a good view of an artist work and maybe what your friend was thinking.
 
primetime said:
First idea to mind is the headstrap camera would give a good view of an artist work and maybe what your friend was thinking.
Click to expand...
That was an option, but given how a head moves, a tripod/ stand is stabler.

But, the question really here is what equipment and connection to use? Direct from Cam > to Projector (DP/ HDMI/ VGA)? Cam to PC to Projector? Wired/ Wireless?
Which Cams/ Projectors/ intermediary devices?
 
crashnburn said:
That was an option, but given how a head moves, a tripod/ stand is stabler.

But, the question really here is what equipment and connection to use? Direct from Cam > to Projector (DP/ HDMI/ VGA)? Cam to PC to Projector? Wired/ Wireless?
Which Cams/ Projectors/ intermediary devices?
Click to expand...
Cam to PC to Projector is what I would be comfortable in
 
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