Quicktime buffering

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Level 1

15 points

Quicktime buffering

Quicktime does a fine job buffering content over HTTP streams so that fluctuations in bandwidth don't translate into video stuttering. You can specify the buffer size in the preferences if you have a reliable/less reliable network connection.

My question relates to playing h264 files off of a networked folder over a wireless (802.11g) link.

I have more than enough bandwidth to play these h264 files, however, sometimes the network will drop for a brief amount of time.

Is it possible (through some hidden plist setting or something) to get Quicktime to buffer files in the same way it would buffer HTTP streams? Since the stuttering is brief, I would think it wouldn't take much to achieve perfect playback. I can do this with VLC, but I'm stuck with QT when viewing via FrontRow.

iMac G5 20/2.0GHz, Mac OS X (10.4.1)

Posted on Nov 6, 2006 1:28 PM

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Answer 1

Jon Walker

Level 6

19,489 points

Nov 6, 2006 1:52 PM in response to dwu

Is it possible (through some hidden plist setting or something) to get Quicktime to buffer files in the same way it would buffer HTTP streams?

Don't believe you can do this for your local wireless network. The H.264 video codec is usually reasonable "tight" when using the single-pass mode. However, the multi-pass mode allows for a very "loose" (i.e., high quantum fluctuation in) video data rate if you are encoding these files yourself and using the default optimization setting ("Download"). Re-setting this option for "Streaming" may smooth out much of this fluctuation. Don't know whether or not this will ultimately solve ot alleviate your problem to any degree, but thought I would mention it here as an area I wish to investigate further in light of next year's anticipated release of the wireless "iTV" device.

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