[Icecast] encoder->server->listener lag

[Mike Whitaker]

We're running a setup with M3W on a PC in Sri Lanka, encoding to a
server in the UK. What factors govern the time delay between things
being said to the microphone in SL and heard by a client connecting to
the server, and how can we reduce it as much as possible? Currently
we're experiencing 20-30 secs or more.

[Karl Heyes]

Post by Mike Whitaker
We're running a setup with M3W on a PC in Sri Lanka, encoding to a
server in the UK. What factors govern the time delay between things
being said to the microphone in SL and heard by a client connecting to
the server, and how can we reduce it as much as possible? Currently
we're experiencing 20-30 secs or more.

The main 2 factors (which are related) are the prebuffer size of the
listening client (eg 64kbytes) and the burst size in icecast (which is
used to fill the clients prebuffer quickly).

Reduce them both to the smallest you think you can get away with. For
example a burst-size 0 and client prebuffer 8 kbytes will mean icecast
starts the listener at the latest data received and the client will only
wait until 8 kbytes is received before playback.

The problem you have with low latency is that your listeners become more
susceptible to network lag.

karl.

[Geoff Shang]

Post by Karl Heyes
example a burst-size 0 and client prebuffer 8 kbytes will mean icecast
starts the listener at the latest data received and the client will only
wait until 8 kbytes is received before playback.

Of course, the lower the bitrate, the longer in time 8k will actually be,
but a lower bitrate will also make it easier to get away with low buffer
settings.

Geoff.

[Mike Whitaker]

Post by Geoff Shang
Of course, the lower the bitrate, the longer in time 8k will actually
be, but a lower bitrate will also make it easier to get away with low
buffer settings.

I seem to have a lot of 'doh!' moments on this list.

We haven't touched the default buffer settings (64KB) and we're
streaming at 16Kb/s)

Which is 2KB/s, or 32s to fill the buffer.

Excuse, please. Great shame. Must go flagellate self with wet noodle.