Level 1

11 points

MLB TV Picture Quality

After yesterday's announcement, I excitedly ordered MLB.TV to watch on my AppleTV 2nd Gen.

Picture quality was a disappointment. Watched 2 spring training games. Detail was very poor, even on a game that was widescreen (presumably HD?). Motion is very stuttery, as if the frame rate is low.

My downstream bandwidth exceeds 17Mbps, and Netflix and Apple rentals work fine.

Anyone else tried it yet?

BTW: MLB.TV says it can be cancelled "at any time", but the fine print says you can only get a refund in the first 5 days!

Posted on Mar 10, 2011 6:30 AM

Top-ranking reply

theroys88

Level 1

0 points

Posted on Apr 2, 2011 7:11 PM

The reason the quality of the picture is not comparable to Sat or cable is that those services stream those games with a bitrate ranges from 16-91mpbs/second. MLBTV maximum bitrate which is stated on their website is 3mpbs/second. With those low bit rates you will see a highly compressed signal. I am having similiar video and audio issue with choppy audio and video. This atop the compression artifacts that jump at you with any fast motion. These streams have 5 to 6 times the compression as a sat or cable HD feed. **** a standard dvd has a bit rate of 6-8mpbs. Have called MLBTV and the level 2 tech agreed and told me that the current bit rates were designed for computer streaming and not large screen HDTV sets. Received a email from MLBTV stating they are currently working on raising bit rates for streaming devices. I would encourage everyone who is not happy with the servicce to call MLBTV and complain about the low bit rates. State my numbers to them. I have called several times and no tech has argued that I was wrong. They all agreed and apologized. I can tell you that the audio and video choppyness that I am experiencing is a MLBTV app PS3 issue. I can stream MLBTV through Playon and the stream is clean. Only 480p and still full of compression artifacts but no audio or video stuttering.

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187 replies

Apr 11, 2012 1:39 AM in response to frank grimes jr

I get absolutely terrible reception with the apple tv for mlb: unwatchable.

Great via macbook and ps3 and iphone etc.

It really is infuriating as i would not have bought an apple tv had i realised that it was not going to be functional.

It's marketed as being a device that is good for mlbtv but it cannot stream mlb successfully. Other streams are fine.

Feb 26, 2014 1:05 PM in response to caa100

I t-h-i-n-k I learned something from Netflix's decision to pay Comcast to better stream their videos. Before, Netflix had an intermidiary, Cogent Communications, who distributed their streamed signals to Comcast and other ISPs. Comcast was throttling receipt of signal from Cogent during prime time when Comcast's broadband pipes were being overloaded. So, Netflix has paid Comcast to accommodate streaming direct from Netflix, bypassing Cogent. And, in return for payment, Comcast will engineer "last mile" delivery capability of un-throttled Netlfix signals directly to Comcast customers. What does this have to do with MLB.tv buffering and pixalating problems? Maybe, nothing. But, it may explain why, to MLB it's "not my problem," and to Apple it's "not my problem" and you've got a rotten signal while you're getting sufficient download speeds from your ISP. The problem may be the ISP throttling MLB's signal, during prime time, as received from MLB or an intermediary distributer. Could be Netflix has shown us the solution. That is, MLB needs to pay ISPs the cost of engineering "last mile" streaming speeds to its customers.

Apr 2, 2011 7:20 PM in response to theroys88

Thus cable/sat hd feed 16-19mpbs MLBTV feed 3mpbs. Not hard to see why video quality *****. Please folks call call call!

Hadsus

Level 1

0 points

Mar 29, 2011 10:49 AM in response to jiminoz

I just hooked up Apple TV and have a subscription to MLBTV, but not a paid one....yet. So I get to watch spring training games. Like today, Tigers/Yankees. I have a very fast Internet connection through Charter (more than 20 MBps) and the Apple box is hardwired. PQ today was excellent as far as detail was concerned. I would say that is is 720p. What was not excellent was frame rate. There was no lag at all but something that I can only describe as a strobing effect. As if the number of frames presented in segment of time was truncated. I hope this is just spring training because I can't live with that. You don't notice it so much with talking heads sitting there in front of the camera but with action, definitely, yes.

Message was edited by: Hadsus

Hadsus

Level 1

0 points

Mar 31, 2011 12:00 PM in response to MSax

Took a peek at MLBTV's feed to my iPad at noon of NY/Det. I am not encouraged. Saw pixelation and continuation of the motion issues. But this is the iPad...however they have been nice enough to give a free preview of the regular season while such a free preview is not offered when you stream to the PC or Apple TV.

I might go ahead a subscribe because I think you can unsubscribe within 5 days for a refund. Will double check.

It's possible that these problems I'm having might just be me. For example, I am unable to watch DLP technology because that gives me a headache too. I own plasma and LCD HDTVs with no issues.

Regarding Extra Innings, it gives you a flawless picture. All they are doing is forwarding to you the local feeds on the Fox and other local sports networks that would normally be blacked out. I can only speak for DirecTV....I don't know what the cable companies do.

caa100 Author

Level 1

11 points

Apr 1, 2011 4:53 AM in response to frank grimes jr

frank grimes jr wrote:
im disappointed i canceled extra innings on directv for mlb on my apple tv and quality is not there. it looks 1000 times better on my laptop then thru apple tv why is that when its same bandwidth? hope it improves but not holding my breath...any suggestions?

I'm disappointed too. I cancelled MLB Extra on Cable to watch on Apple TV, and really regret it.

I watched two games yesterday, and the staccato action and macroblocking were very noticeable and distracting. My wife could not tell, but my kids could. A friend came by to watch Dodgers/Giants, and he immediately commented that the image was "strobing".

I am beyond my 5 days to cancel my MLB subscription, so I am stuck with it.

When I observed poor quality during spring training, they (MLB TV support) assured me it would get better in the regular season. While it is better, it is still poor.

My suggestion is to open a ticket with MLB support. They need to improve the quality of their service.

Apr 2, 2011 1:11 PM in response to fatcat585

just to add my 2 cents....same issues as everyone else for the Apple TV + MlbTV combo....everything freezes every 20 seconds or less...variation from highly pixelated to really good quality...i see a bar come up on the bottom of the screen every once in awhile which looks like a buffer or something...it seems to me the AppleTV can't keep up with the buffering maybe??!...who knows...but, i just signed up for MLBTV yesterday..and want to cancel...i'm totally willing to pay for a working product..I have crazy fast Comcast Blast speeds...quality on PC is great...should I try and exchange my AppleTV at the apple store?...I doubt it's a faulty unit cause Netflix streams HD movies with NO GLITCHES every..

..this is frustrating..Apple better get together with MLB and fix this fast or they will look bad...and if MLB doesnt acknowledge the issue...people should post video clips of the unwatchable games on their tv's on youtube and make sure word gets out about this garbage.

Apr 3, 2011 10:33 PM in response to baseballcrazy1

Just thought I'd add my experiences today to this...

I was about to return my ATV2, had it all boxed up, but figured I'd give it one last shot. And like everyone else here, had INFINITELY more success today than I had on Friday or Saturday. It would at times pixelate, but after some issues earlier in the day it was almost rock solid for the end of the early afternoon games. I watched the entire extra innings in the Royals-Angels game with near-HD quality. Probably due to the fact that it was (A) the Royals and (B), it was the only game on...but hey, shows that it IS possible to have a good experience on ATV2 with MLB.tv! Hopefully it keeps up and they figure out the issues soon (and maybe add a pitch f/x box to the display? Now I'm just getting greedy)

Macaby

Level 3

923 points

Apr 4, 2011 5:40 PM in response to Klon99

Adios...

A mid innings Yankee-Twins report. I was watching the early innings on my Qwest DSL modem/router (G Protocol) and while the picture was certainly watchable, there was some pixilation on running plays (especially outfielders snagging fly balls). I switch to my other home network which is off an Apple Extreme router (N protocol) which my MBP supports. To be honest, I didn't see ANY pixilation or if there was some, I didn't notice it.

And no, I wasn't using my ATV as I was in our living room watching the game. On a Monday, although there are 3 games going on at the same time, I suspect the total user count is down a bunch from the opening day weekend.

I'm going to take a look at this game with my ATV in a few minutes, but I suspect the results will be the same, based on what I saw this past weekend. I realize the N protocol shouldn't make a difference since we're talking about 3-4 Mbps (well within the G protocol specs.) Still, it seems to.

Apr 23, 2011 11:51 AM in response to Rudegar

That was kind of my point Rudegar. Since the ATV can display a very crisp stream from the NBA consistently, it seems logical that the stream from the MLB is what's causing the problems.

Also, we're not dealing with "practice matches" anymore. These are regular season Major League Baseball games. Every game from here until October counts! Go Royals!

Atavist

Level 1

5 points

May 17, 2012 11:45 AM in response to Jays1fan

I wish I could recall a particualrs of a similar HDMI problem I had about a year ago. I don't recall the error message but it concerned the HDMI from the get-go (no picture for anytime). I vaguely recall speaking with Apple Care, and they walked me through a reboot by disconnecting and reconnect the HDMI cable, allowing an interval for the reboot, and it worked.

blueeos

Level 1

87 points

Aug 28, 2012 3:40 PM in response to luteslinger

luteslinger wrote:

I got the $10 offer covering the last 30 or so games of the season, a $115 value. The games look foggy on my ATV2/wireless and 1080 55" screen.

Through put, through put, through put. Even the best stream is going to hicup occasionally, resulting in some depixilation, but considering the source, I don't think its bad at all. And because it's not 100%, the cost is less (around $100 for the whole season). Extra Inning on cable (basically the same package) is around $200 for the season the last time I looked. If you want the best, that is the way to go.

The main advantage of MLB.com is that when you pay for it, you get in on your computer, your iPad, your IP or whatever other devices support it (all for $100).

As far as your 55" screen goes, if the picture is good, it will be good on your 15" computer or whatever screen size you have. Bad on a 32" is going to be about the same as your 55".

Oct 12, 2012 3:18 AM in response to caa100

When I try to watch mlb.tv via Apple TV, the picture is awful.

Same when I watch it on my new iPad - unwatchable.

But when I watch on my new MacBook Pro, the picture is perfect. Same when I use airplay from the MacBook to the Apple TV - perfect picture.

All devices are running on the same wifi network.

How can I get such a different result on different devices on the same network?

The problem can't all be at mlb.tv's end. Must be some issue with the Apple TV and iPad as well.

Mar 31, 2011 6:47 PM in response to mplmiller

Go to MLB.tv and see what teams are blacked out based on your zip code.

Apr 2, 2011 3:09 AM in response to Atavist

Apple will most likely say it is MLBTV's issue. That is what Playstation told me. I would focus all the effort against MLBTV. You guys need to call and complain. Any questions you can pm me.

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MLB TV Picture Quality