MLB TV Picture Quality

Question

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

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

theroys88

Level 1

0 points

Apr 2, 2011 7:11 PM in response to fatcat585

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.

Reply

Answer 2

caa100 Author

Level 1

11 points

Mar 30, 2011 8:18 AM in response to Hadsus

Hadsus wrote:
Quick follow-up....called up MLBTV customer support and they told me that this isn't a case of a poor picture source due to spring training as this is a true HD feed. But the problem might be that my computer was on and there might have been some programs pinging the internet. I did have iTunes up and running. Hopefully I'll be able to test other HD games soon.

You got a stock reply from MLB's firstline support, which was BS.

If you have a 20mbps connection as you said in your prior post, you should be able to have multiple computers in your house watching MLB.TV, Netflix, and other bandwidth intensive services simultaneously.

The techs on the MLB.TV support forums are a bit more helpful. In a recent post, one mentioned that the maximum bitrate for spring training games is 2200kbps. Regular season games will be available at 3000kbps. Let's hope that's a big enough increase to improve the motion quality.

I can't link to it since you have to Log On to MLB.TV to view their support form. So here is a cut-and-paste:

To:Mattes84
Feb-27
6156.8
Reply to 6156.6
ForumModerator5
ForumModerator5 Posted by host
Posts:433

Today's Yankee game is being streamed at 2200kbps (highest quality).

Report Violation
To:ForumModerator5
Feb-27
6156.9
Reply to 6156.8
Mattes84
Mattes84
Posts:52

Ok so I guess, when Regular Season starts, the streams will be 3000k, right?

To:Mattes84
Feb-27
6156.11
Reply to 6156.9
ForumModerator5
ForumModerator5 Posted by host
Posts:433

Mattes84: Correct. That will be the maximum stream quality once the regular season starts.

Reply

Answer 3

Atavist

Level 1

5 points

Apr 1, 2011 2:37 AM in response to caa100

Watching the Tigers vs. Yankees opener on MLB.TV (Premium) via Apple TV (via WiFI) I was very disappointed in the quality of the picture - frequent pixilation, staccato action and picture freezing. I went to the Apple Store where I bought on Tuesday - and got not any help. They did not informed that MLB.TV was available on Apple TV - neither yesterday, nor on Tuesday, when I purchased it. The best they could offer was a "network" throughput problem.

I also watched the same game on my MacBook (UniBody) and the picture was flawless. The TV netcast was lagging behind the MacBook netcast. When the inning began on the MacBook the TV was just cutting to commercial between innings. On the way home, I stopped by a new Mac repair shop in my neighborhood to inquire. The owner said to increase my throughput for video, so I called Comcast.

The Comcast support rep happened to be a baseball fan with MLB.TV on Apple TV, who had the same problem as me, and was sympathetic. He immediately suggested I return the unit to Apple and have them test it, implying that there was a hardware defect or software update error. He had purchased his at Best Buy and he returned for the BB "Geek Squad" to examine, and BB tendered a replacement unit, which is working well.

Tomorrow I'm going to view the early games with my 20MBps and see what shows. If the problem resumes, I taking it to the Apple Store and demand a replacement unit.

I've been an Ex-Innings subscriber with Comcast for five years, and last season all games were HD, and looked well. Last season, I noticed that not a full schedule of games was on Ex-Innings, when there was not any reason for a blackout in my market, e.g. a Dodger/Padre game ws not available in San Francisco, when there ws no an evident programming conflict. I like that MLB.TV allows one can the choice of home or away broadcasts.

Also, I noticed these small font caveats with regard to premium feature of MLB.TV on this page http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/subscriptions/index.jsp?product=appletv

+*Features not available when viewing your MLB.TV® subscription on Apple TV.+

+**DVR Functionality on the PC is limited to MLB.TV Premium.+

No DVR functionality on Apple TV, which is a definite negative versus Ex-Innings on cable.

I report more tomorrow.

Reply

Answer 4

Apr 1, 2011 10:18 PM in response to caa100

We have a MAC but not apple tv. We stream MLBTV through our PS3. The problem with the picture is not the orignal feeds but with the low bitrate. To enlight everyone on bit rates. A standard dvd has a bit rate of 6-8mpbs/second. ESPN HD at 720p is 16mpbs/second. A blu-ray movie is 40mpbs/second. MLBTV bit rate for their HD feeds are 3mpbs/second. So compared to a ESPN HD feed of Sunday Night Baseball, MLBTV feeds have more then 5 times the compression in the stream. A adverage 1080p CBS stream has around 19mpbs/second. Meaning that the feeds that are orignally shot in 1080i have 6 times the compression in the MLBTV feed then the CBS feed. What does that mean for picture quality? A highly compressed picture that exhibits compression artifacts! On a computer screen not in full screen the picture will look very good. In full screen it will look Ok. On a large HDTV screen you will see macroblocking, tearing, blurring and lots of artifacts when there is motion. Unfortunately baseball has a lot of motion so you will see lots of motion artifacts. I have called MLBTV to complain about the low bit rates and the techs agree that the 3mpbs was orignally designed for computer screens. Have made similiar post on the support forum and have been banned for these exact comments. MLBTV support forum is not a open forum for discussion so beware of what you post on that site. I encourage all Apple tv users that have MLBTV to call the site and ask for tier 2 support and complain. The only way they will increase the bit rates for these feeds is for us to complain in mass. They have called back twice and I spoke to two gentlemen from the Phillipines who read information that was scripted and told me to check my bandwith which is 15,000 mpbs up and 5000mpbs down. Then the second gentleman told me to delete my app and reinstall it, which I had already done. If anyone has any questions please pm me. Thanks

Reply

Answer 5

Atavist

Level 1

5 points

Apr 3, 2011 2:37 PM in response to ted_felt

ted_felt wrote:
Just bought an Apple TV and a subscription to MLB.TV. While watching the Brewers vs Red game today I was experiencing jittery video which was so bad that the video would completely stop every 10-15 seconds. During this time the audio would continue.

I did the following which so far has eliminated the all of my jittery video problems.

-On your ATV go to Apple TV > Settings > General > Network and write down your IP address.
-Log into your router (I have a Linksys WRT54GS) and go to page that shows all IP connections. On my Linksys it is Status > Local Network > DHCP Client Table
-My router had 4 IP addresses assigned to Apple TV. I deleted the 3 addresses that did not match the IP address displayed in the Apple TV settings.
-Try streaming MLB.TV now.

My Apple TV is connected to my network via ethernet cable and not wifi. My internet connection is 10Mbps.

Has anyone else experienced this?

Myself not, but thanks for the suggestion

FYI: The way to check IP addresses of Airport - Extreme or Express - clients:
Finder> Airport Utility>Select Airport device and double click (renders new page)>Under "Summary" menu roll mouse over "Wireless Clients"in list and arrow will appear>Click arrow to render a new page>"DHCP Clients"shows the list with IP addresses.

Reply

Answer 6

Apr 30, 2012 6:09 PM in response to caa100

A client ordered MLB through Apple TV.

His picture was very bad.

He was on DSL. Apple TV was connected via WiFi. His TV is a 60 inch 1080p LED.

Here's how we fixed it:

1) connected Apple TV to router via Ethernet

2) entered the setting tab on Apple TV and switched resolution to 720

3) pulled the power plug on Apple TV, waited 60 seconds and plugged it back in.

4) MLB has produced a great picture ever since

Heres a link with tips and a video of theApple TVsetup

Apple policy sayes we need to let you know we might benefit somehow if you visit the link and free information or that we might make a profit. We hope the information is helpful

Reply

Answer 7

tjancijr

Level 1

0 points

May 21, 2012 7:09 PM in response to caa100

I've been having the problem off and on with the MLB app. Was just having the watery/frozen screen issue and found this thread. Saw an idea, and it worked.

1) Exited the MLB app

2) Went to the Settings icon on the AppleTV home screen

3) Selected "Audio & Video"

4) Selected "TV Resoltuion"

5) I have a Sony Bravia 720p TV, so I chose "720p HD - 60Hz". Original setting was "Auto"

6) Went back to the MLB app and enjoyed the rest of the game without issue.

Hope this helps.

Tom

Reply

Answer 8

Jun 1, 2012 8:57 AM in response to caa100

I've had MLB at Bat (premium) for a couple of years. While the video quality is fine on my Mac Pro/HD Cinema Display it's only fair to middling on my iPad (v.3) and just horrible via the newest Apple TV. I joined the MLB.TV support forum to see what's going on.

The forum moderator, in all cases, points the finger at the user's equipment, implying that everything is well at MLT.TV's end. When I explain that I consistently get 61 Mbs via Comcast and that all my wireless connections are deemed "excellent" in Airport Utility, the moderator still insists that it's a problem with Comcast or whatever.

What I found interesting is that the moderator suggested that I check the download speeds using MLT.TV's "bandwidth detect" URL. The first time I ran it I got 1.5 Mbs. Then I ran it again to get 800 kbps. I ran it several more times in succession. I never got above 3 Mbs and the average was less than 1 Mbs. MLB.TV states that the minimum bandwidth for HD quality is 3 Mbs.

I believe the problem is definitely at MLB.TV's end, probably with their servers. I am able to stream everything else (e.g., movies, TV shows, Netflix) without a hitch. But unless and until MLB.TV takes responsibility, we users continue to suffer.

By the way, I will not renew my subscription to MLB.TV.

Reply

Answer 9

Jun 10, 2012 11:00 AM in response to caa100

Solved for me. I had the same freezing and low quality picture issues with ATV2. I took the advice from tjancijrand switched my ATV video resolution settings from Auto to 720p 60Hz and haven't had a problem since. Finally, consistent, smooth, HD baseball. Good luck.

Reply

Answer 10

Jun 19, 2013 9:59 AM in response to caa100

I'm a third-year MLB.TV subscriber, using AppleTV (3rd generation, dual-band AirPort Extreme), HDTV and Comcast "Burst" internet. I've had the same picture quality issues described in this discussion, worse than in 2013. We get about one watchable game a week. I've tried each of the fixes (reboot, reconnect, down-shift video settings). Nothing works. Last night I read about the MLB.TV bandwidth check. I checked. I also speed-tested my internet downloads. Here's what I got: 0.448 MBps download from MLB.TV (they recommend 3.0 MBps for HDTV). Comcast was giving me 54.7 MBps during this period. I asked my son (five miles away and a different ISP) to check also. This is what he got: 2.67 MBps download from MLB.TV. CenturyLink was giving him 6.74 MBps. After the game, I ran the MLB.TV bandwidth check and got 0.441 MBps. This morning, when there were no games in progress, I had an excellent HD picture on archived games. I ran the MLB.TV bandwidth check and got 17.66 MBps. I infer from this that: (a.) my internet connection and WiFi are not the problem, (b.) my AppleTV and HDMI cable are not the problem, (c.) either MLB.TV is unable to handle the volume of demand on its server or Comcast is regulating downloads from MLB.TV. I agree with the observation that Apple should vet it's AppleTV video partners to be sure an AppleTV home-screen service is offered at suitable quality levels. Me and MLB.TV? Not another penny. I'll bite the bullet, pay Comcast the Extra Innings subscription price and put up with "the other team's announcers" half the time. Hawk Harrelson, I'll mute.

Reply

Answer 11

Mjmars

Level 1

0 points

Sep 17, 2013 8:24 PM in response to caa100

Very interesting. I just purchased mlbtv on Sunday to try it out the rest of the season and I can't believe how poor it is on my Apple TV. My ATV was purchased this past Xmas so it isn't very old. I called my Internet service provider today thinking the issue was with them. My ISP speed test showed a 14 download. They said they tweaked some things but still MLB tv on my ATV was atrocious tonight with constant pausing and snowy/blurry picture.

I found this thread and tried some things. The MLB tv speed test showed a 7 download which is double the requirement. So it makes no sense.

So I downloaded MLB at bat on my iPhone 4S and my ipad4. PERFECT picture quality and streaming on both. Even playing two games at the same time (one on iPad and one on iPhone). So the problem seems to be with the Apple TV.

I did AirPlay from my iPad and it worked perfect.

I did find a thread to change my video settings on my appletv to 720 and that helped tremendously. It's a LOT better. However...not good enough. Still gets briefly blurry every minute or so or sometimes gets blurry when a ball is hit. I tried rebooting, disconnecting cables and the like but hasn't gotten better.

Very frustrating. Not sure what to try next....

Reply

Answer 12

caa100 Author

Level 1

11 points

Mar 10, 2011 9:52 AM in response to caa100

According to an Admin on the MLB forums:

* ForumAdmin
* ForumAdmin Posted by host
* Posts:1330

The feeds that we receive during Spring Training are not as high quality as those that we receive during the Regular Season. The games will look much better during the Regular Season.

http://www.forums.mlb.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?webtag=ml-help01&nav=messages&msg=645 4.2

Reply

Answer 13

ted_felt

Level 1

0 points

Apr 3, 2011 1:09 PM in response to caa100

Just bought an Apple TV and a subscription to MLB.TV. While watching the Brewers vs Red game today I was experiencing jittery video which was so bad that the video would completely stop every 10-15 seconds. During this time the audio would continue.

I did the following which so far has eliminated the all of my jittery video problems.

-On your ATV go to Apple TV > Settings > General > Network and write down your IP address.
-Log into your router (I have a Linksys WRT54GS) and go to page that shows all IP connections. On my Linksys it is Status > Local Network > DHCP Client Table
-My router had 4 IP addresses assigned to Apple TV. I deleted the 3 addresses that did not match the IP address displayed in the Apple TV settings.
-Try streaming MLB.TV now.

My Apple TV is connected to my network via ethernet cable and not wifi. My internet connection is 10Mbps.

Has anyone else experienced this?

Reply

Answer 14

Apr 4, 2011 1:16 PM in response to Matt Larson2

MLB has a user forum with official moderators if you are interested:

Quality Forum
http://www.forums.mlb.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?folderId=11&listMode=13&nav=messages& webtag=ml-help01

Supported Devices:
http://www.forums.mlb.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?folderId=10&listMode=13&nav=messages& webtag=ml-help01

I saw one of the mods said they had a problem with NexDef (which I think is what encodes for ATV) this weekend that sounded like the issues I was having. Apparently that is fixed now, so Ill check tonight when I get home to see if it's fixed or not.

Regardless, it looks like MLB is looking at those boards, so there may be a better chance to get a response from them. I doubt we will hear anything from Apple on this...

Reply

Answer 15

Apr 11, 2011 7:07 AM in response to George_T

Same here. Much improved over ATV2 since last week. Still not HD, but I didn't expect it to be quite cable HD quality. Still not as good as it can be compared to Netflix, though. I find that one of the two MLB.tv Premium feeds gives me a better signal than the other. Unfortunately, as a Red Sox fan in NYC, it's usually not NESN. But definitely improved over last week. They're watchable at this point.

I would highly suggest Extra Innings on Directv if you want the best quality - almost all of the games are in HD, though some, inexplicably, are not. EI on cable is good quality but they have almost none of the games in HD. I was excited about having all of the HD games on ATV2, but my expectations have been lowered quite a bit by this experience. Really hope they increase the bitrate to give us better quality soon. It's good right now, but not quite as HD as advertised.

Reply