Understanding buffering settings

The pre-buffer and re-buffer settings provide the chance to optimize the streaming experience.

Here are two particularly popular known issues with streaming.

1. Internet speed fluctuation. (Example driving through an area with a slower internet connection).
2. High download latencies. (The high latencies can happen spontaneously causing the data flow to be slower, but are most of the time unrelated to the actual internet connection speed).

What is the pre-buffer setting?

When connecting to a station the initial state is pre-buffering. This state requires the player to download enough audio data to start playback. The amount of audio data to gather is specified by the pre-buffer length setting. (Tip: The larger the pre-buffer length the longer it will take for playback to start.)

What is the re-buffer setting?

The re-buffering event happens when the player runs out of audio data. (The cause for running out of audio data could be slow internet connection or high latencies). In order for the player to start playback again it needs to gather enough audio data. The amount of audio data to gather is specified by the re-buffer/buffer length setting.

Common buffering issues

Issue

Continuously going into a buffering state.

Cause 1

Most likely the internet connection speed is not fast enough to keep up with required data download rate for the station.

Solution 1

Try a different station with a lower bitrate. Generally stations that are AAC or AACP audio format tend to sound and perform great at lower bitrates.

Cause 2

There is some latency between you and the station.

Solution 2

Increase the pre-buffer and re-buffer length settings to avoid running out of audio data during higher latencies.

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