Streaming videos is a great way to watch your favorite movies and TV shows without having to download them first. However, sometimes the video can be choppy or laggy, which can ruin the experience.
There are a few things that can cause this choppiness, and there are a few things you can do to fix it. We have covered some of the most common along with less reported reason that could cause a choppy streaming video
In this blog post, we’ll go over some common causes of choppy streaming videos and tips on how to fix them. Let’s get started!
Causes Behind the Scenes
Your live streaming solution should ideally have three components: an encoder, a media server, and a CDN.
The encoder takes your video signal and transforms it into a digital format that can be streamed over the internet. There are many different types of encoders out there, but they all essentially do the same thing.
The media server is the next component in the streaming solution. This is the computer that hosts the video stream. Media servers can be either hardware or software, but they all serve the same purpose.
Finally, the CDN (or content delivery network) is what delivers the video stream to your viewers. CDNs are a network of servers that are spread out across the globe. When viewers want to watch a video, the CDN will route them to the server closest to their location. This helps to ensure that the video streams smoothly and without any lag.
Now that we know the three components of a streaming solution let’s look at some of the common causes of choppy streaming video.
1. Poor Internet Connection
This is the most common cause of choppy streaming video. If your internet connection is not fast enough, it will affect the quality of your video stream. There are a few ways to test your internet speed. We recommend using Speedtest. Just make sure that your download speed is at least 5Mbps.
2. Incorrect Encoder Settings
If your encoder settings are not configured correctly, it can cause choppy video. Make sure you use the correct bitrate, resolution, and frame rate for your internet connection. You can find more information on how to configure your encoder settings here.
3. Low-Quality Video Source
If you are using a low-quality video source, it will also result in choppy video. This is why it’s essential to use a high-quality camera when streaming live video.
4. overloaded Media Server
An overloaded media server can also cause choppy video. This happens when too many people are trying to watch the same video stream. If you are on a shared hosting plan, you may want to consider upgrading to a dedicated server.
5. Poorly Optimized CDN
If your CDN is not optimized correctly, it can lead to choppy video. This is why it’s essential to use a reputable CDN provider.
6. Viewer’s Computer is Slow
Finally, if the viewer’s computer is slow, it can cause choppy video. There’s not much you can do about this other than asking the viewer to refresh their page or try a different browser.
Tips to Fix a Choppy Video Streaming
Here are a few tips that can help you fix a choppy video stream:
Stable Internet Connection:
As we mentioned, the most common cause of choppy streaming video is a poor internet connection. The first thing you should do is test your internet speed. If your internet connection is not fast enough, you may want to consider upgrading to a higher-speed package. You can also try using a wired connection instead of Wi-Fi.
Optimize Your Encoder Settings:
If your encoder settings are not configured correctly, it can cause choppy video. Make sure you use the correct bitrate, resolution, and frame rate for your internet connection. These settings will differ for every encoder, so you’ll need to consult your encoder’s documentation for more information.
Use a High-Quality Video Source:
When you use a low-quality video source, it results in choppy video. This is why it’s important to use a high-quality camera when streaming live video. The camera should be able to output a clean signal free of artifacts. Otherwise, you’ll need to use a higher bitrate to compensate, which will strain your internet connection.
Upgrade Your Media Server:
If you are on a shared hosting plan, you may want to consider upgrading to a dedicated server. This will ensure that your media server is not overloaded. Ensure you have plenty of CPU and RAM to support the number of concurrent users you expect.
Use a Reputable CDN Provider:
CDN or Content Delivery Network is very important for live video streaming. A CDN will help distribute your content to viewers around the world. Using a reputable CDN provider to offer you reliable and fast service is important. Multi-CDN strategy is also a good idea to use more than one CDN for your live streaming.
Conclusion
If you are having issues with choppy streaming video, it’s most likely due to a poor internet connection, incorrect encoder settings, or a low-quality video source. By following the tips above, you should be able to fix these issues and ensure that your video streams smoothly.
