Video streaming over the network is called to be the future of television and the broadcast of live content. We are already seeing it with services such as Netflix, HBO, Amazon or Sky among many others, as well as playback systems such as Kodi or Plex.
However, there are places where network coverage can play tricks when viewing series or movies. The good news is that there are methods to avoid the dreaded buffering or cuts in the broadcast of the content.
Kodi, the open source content player, has become the ideal solution for all those who need to stream. It offers a simple way to transmit music, photos and videos from the PC, Mac or NAS device, in addition to the possibility of transmitting network videos.
Kodi has the advantage of being cross-platform with what you will find available on all types of different devices. But all versions have a common problem: buffering or buffering.
The buffering is the Achilles heel of the transmission on-line, for what you should know that there are tricks with which to combat or eliminate delays or stoppages in the transmission. If you want to find out how to do it, keep reading this article.
Check your internet connection speed
Before you begin with the configuration settings offered by the Kodi interface to reduce the problem associated with buffering, you should check the speed offered by your Internet service provider.
In general, to be able to transmit video on-line Efficiently, download speeds of at least 5 or 10 Mbps are required, as those with a slower connection will experience buffering occasionally.
Some services of streamingLike Netflix, they can still work with a relatively slow internet connection, but we cannot say the same about most of the services associated with Kodi.
To test the speed of your Internet connection, simply connect to the same network that Kodi is connected to and go to www.speedtest.net (PC, Mac) or download the speed test application (iOS, Android).
Once on the web or with the application, run the test step by step as the wizard tells you, paying close attention to the ping speed of the download. If you have a ping extremely high, then you will still have buffering storage problems.
If you have a slow internet connection despite having hired a higher mode, try restarting your router Or contact your ISP provider to see if there is any problem in your area.
If the speed test results are normal, then move on to the next section.
Use an Ethernet cable connected to your router
If the connection of your router to the Internet is not the problem, the next step is to improve the connection. This is done in two possible ways: if your TV Box or Kodi box is connected to the Internet via Wi-Fi, try to bring it closer to the location of your router. You can also try changing the frequency band WiFi to 5 GHz, if your router supports it.
The second option is to connect the Kodi box to the router using an Ethernet cable, as it should provide the fastest connection possible. However, due to the variety of devices on which Kodi can be charged, it is not always an option.
It should not be a problem for those running Kodi on a streaming media device, such as the Nvidia Shield, as it has an Ethernet port, although those using Amazon Fire and other basic multimedia streamers are forced to use Wi -Fi.
Adjust the Kodi video cache
This way you will get it to stop storing in mode buffering. If you have followed the previous steps and still find that Kodi is storing in buffer, there is another option more really: Adjust the Kodi video cache.
In a more practical approach, it is possible to stop storing in the buffer of the device, but it is more complicated than the options listed above and uses a custom complement for each streamer or open code device.
Follow the steps below:
- In Kodi, select Settings> File manager menu.
- Select Add new source and enter the following address in the window that opens: http://repo.ares-project.com/magic/
- Be sure to give the source a name so you can find it later and click OK.
- Go back to the Configuration menu and select the Add-ons menu. From here select Install from zip file and then select the source you added in step 2.
- Select Repository.aresproject> repository.aresproject.zip and install the Ares Project repository. It will install in a matter of seconds and notify you of its term.
- Return to the Add-on configuration menu and select Install from the repository on this occasion.
- Select Ares Project> Program add-ons> Ares Wizard and press install.
- Wait for the program to be installed and you will be notified with a message when finished.
- Go back to the main menu and select Add-ons> Program Add-ons> Ares Wizard. You must automatically download and install the files when they are first used.
- In the Ares Wizard, select Settings> Advanced setup wizard> Next. Next, you should see the amount of RAM available on your device – take note and select 'Generate'.
- Set the size of the video cache to half of the available RAM, making sure you don't change any other settings.
- Select Apply parameters and restart Kodi.
If you have followed the instructions above correctly, you should notice improvements in Kodi streaming. If it turns out that you still have problems with the buffer, we recommend that you use another source / server / streaming application, since the problem may be on the server side.
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