Network Troubleshooting
A reliable and strong network speed is recommended when streaming with BlueFrame or using Production Truck.
Bandwidth and Connectivity Recommendations
The most reliable Internet connection when streaming is connecting directly via Ethernet to a dedicated network. This means that no other computers or devices have access to that network. This connection type is less likely to experience bandwidth fluctuation than shared networks or wireless connections.
Generally, the tiers of network connectivity should be approached as follows in ranking of preference:
- Wired network connection
- Wi-Fi connection
- Cellular Data or Hotspot
A good rule of thumb is to have twice as much upload speed available as the bitrate you want to stream at. An average bitrate of our plans is listed below:
- 1080p with transcoding – 4.0 Mbps (upload speed should be 8.0 Mbps or higher)
- 720p with transcoding - 2.5 Mbps (upload speed should be 5.0 Mbps or higher)
- 720p with transcoding - 2.0 Mbps (upload speed should be 4.0 Mbps or higher)
- 720p without transcoding – 1.8 Mbps (upload speed should be 3.6 Mbps or higher)
- 360p without transcoding - 1.0 Mbps (upload speed should be 2.0 Mbps or higher)
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my upload speed fluctuating so much?
Similar to regular browsing speeds, upload speeds in Production Truck can fluctuate based upon the network you are connected to and its environment. For the most reliable network speed, wuse a wired ethernet connection on a private network.
Speedtest.net upload speed result is higher than Production Truck, why?
Speedtest.net and similar network speed tests only give an indication of browsing speed via the currently selected network connection. Browsing speed tests send data to the most closely available server for browsing the web. The network speed test within Production Truck sends actual data to our servers and clocks the time that it takes when sending that data. This then provides an accurate representation of speeds when streaming.
Which speed should I pay attention to? (upload versus download)
For streaming purposes, pay attention to the upload speed. Download speeds do not affect streaming capabilities, but if download speeds are poor, likely upload speeds will be worse.
My network test passed earlier, why is it backlogging/having issues now?
Similar to regular browsing speeds, upload speeds in Production Truck can fluctuate based upon the network you are connected to and its environment. If the network connected to is public, and other devices have connected to the network, this can cause issues. For example, if attendees of the event you are broadcasting have arrived and joined the network, this may impact the connection.
Why is my upload speed so low?
If on a public network, it may be due to the other devices on the network taxing the networking and taking away from the overall network speed you would utilize.
If on a private network or hotspot device, you may be limited by the network speed that your internet service provider gives. We would recommend checking your plan and potentially reaching out to them for more details.
Networks unknown to the user can have data upload caps in place to limit the upload speed available when pushing out data beyond a certain threshold.
Network blockages?
Some public, or even private, networks have blockages in place that may be prevent you from streaming to vCloud. If you are getting an immediate failure in Production Truck, this may be the cause. We would recommend communicating with the IT Department at the venue for more information.