Channels app is stuttering on TVOS 15.1.1. The app is up to date. I am not a DVR user so the test flight version will not let me watch live tv without setting up a DVR.
Any way to get the Beta DVR app to work without subscription and DVR?
Not that I know of. If you enable stats does it show that your buffer is running out?
No buffer issue. It is happening on 5 different Apple TV’s. HDHomeRun app works perfectly on all of them.
Odd. Does it show any dropped frames?
Nothing is showing up that is errant. It only happens in the original Channels app. I can not use the betas as I do not have a DVR.
1 Like
It might be helpful to look at the client logs when the issue is occurring. I think the non DVR app still has this. Figure out the up address of the Apple TV, then from a browser on your network navigate to http://x.x.x.x:57000/log, replacing the x.x.x.x with the IP address. You should see the log of the client, which hopefully will give some clue as to what is happening.
It appears to be isolated to the Channels App on the Apple TV. The Channels app on IOS and two FireSticks works without issue. Also the HDHomeRun app works without issue on all 5 Apple TVs.
No network issue dialogs are popping and two of the Apple TVs are plugged in via Ethernet and speed tests are showing above 900 mbps.
Can you explain what's not working?
(Just a note, to access the logs of a client app on an Apple device, the Channels app must be in the foreground/active. This is a restriction that Apple imposes, and not something that Channels can work around. Android clients can be be accessed while they are in the background, as long as they are actually running.)
I just saw that when looking at the speed test and am in the process of pulling logs on two of the Apple TVs.
Maybe related, I'm having stuttering issues on old AppleTV. Newer device 4K on same network does not have problems. Watching live TV is like a slide show... 
I noticed the same thing. The one Apple TV (6th on in house) that is a 4K is not stuttering this morning. I have two HDHomeRuns for a total of 6 tuner streams.
Is the connection wired or wireless? IIRC, the Apple TV HD only has a 100Mbps connection, while the 4K is 1000Mbps.
Also, the HD models have shown performance issues when storage is low; is there much free space on those older Apple TVs?
It looks like there is a persistent [ffmpeg/audio] on the non 4K Apple TV's.
Here are the log:
5.1.0 (11.1.1607) com.getchannels.tv
AppleTV5,3 (tvOS 15.1.1) Bonus Room 1x
HDHomeRun PRIME (1326755D) [channels=97, ip=10.0.0.237, auth=6wghNcKQkWAnTG0r65rXc14b, model=HDHR3-CC firmware=20210624 ]
HDHomeRun PRIME (131E2AF8) [channels=96, ip=10.0.0.27, auth=potmCF4kvXfbsTS7ojoDeQr2, model=HDHR3-CC firmware=20210624 ]
(null) [os=(null), arch=(null), version=(null), subscription=(null) username=(null) identifier=false isRemote=(null) features=()]
en_US - America/Los_Angeles (PST) offset -28800
Network Interface: WiFi
{
en1 = (
"fe80::8f0:b271:a17a:1461%en1",
"10.0.0.15",
"2601:647:5600:48e0:c34:40f4:5dd:2984",
"2601:647:5600:48e0:7517:205a:55ac:112f",
"2601:647:5600:48e0::9c54"
);
}
{
}
<---------- START LOG ---------->
2021-11-14 09:10:30.383 [u=188.9MB f=1261.1MB] [134.03s] [ad] error: Error decoding audio in send_packet (-16976906).
2021-11-14 09:10:30.383 [u=188.9MB f=1261.1MB] [134.03s] [ad] warn: Invalid audio PTS: 124.032000 -> 124.160000
2021-11-14 09:10:30.383 [u=188.9MB f=1261.1MB] [134.03s] [ffmpeg/audio] error: ac3: exponent -2 is out-of-range
2021-11-14 09:10:30.384 [u=188.9MB f=1261.1MB] [134.03s] [ffmpeg/audio] error: ac3: error decoding the audio block
2021-11-14 09:10:30.384 [u=188.9MB f=1261.1MB] [134.03s] [ad] error: Error decoding audio in send_packet (-16976906).
2021-11-14 09:10:30.384 [u=188.9MB f=1261.1MB] [134.03s] [ffmpeg/video] v: h264: concealing 2583 DC, 2583 AC, 2583 MV errors in P frame
2021-11-14 09:10:30.525 [u=188.9MB f=1261.1MB] [134.14s] [ffmpeg/video] error: h264: co located POCs unavailable
2021-11-14 09:10:30.529 [u=189.0MB f=1261.0MB] [134.18s] [ad] error: Error decoding audio in send_packet (-16976906).
2021-11-14 09:10:30.532 [u=189.0MB f=1261.0MB] [134.18s] [ffmpeg/audio] error: ac3: expacc 126 is out-of-range
2021-11-14 09:10:30.594 [u=189.0MB f=1261.0MB] [134.24s] [ffmpeg/audio] error: ac3: error decoding the audio block
2021-11-14 09:10:30.595 [u=189.0MB f=1261.0MB] [134.24s] [ad] error: Error decoding audio in send_packet (-16976906).
2021-11-14 09:10:30.595 [u=189.0MB f=1261.0MB] [134.24s] [ad] warn: Invalid audio PTS: 124.192000 -> 124.352000
2021-11-14 09:10:30.596 [u=189.0MB f=1261.0MB] [134.24s] [ffmpeg/video] error: h264: co located POCs unavailable
2021-11-14 09:10:30.596 [u=189.0MB f=1261.0MB] [134.25s] [ffmpeg/video] v: h264: concealing 344 DC, 344 AC, 344 MV errors in B frame
2021-11-14 09:10:30.596 [u=189.0MB f=1261.0MB] [134.25s] [ffmpeg/video] v: h264: concealing 2607 DC, 2607 AC, 2607 MV errors in P frame
2021-11-14 09:10:30.597 [u=189.0MB f=1261.0MB] [134.25s] [ffmpeg/video] error: h264: mmco: unref short failure
2021-11-14 09:10:30.698 [u=189.1MB f=1260.9MB] [134.35s] [ffmpeg/audio] error: ac3: exponent 25 is out-of-range
2021-11-14 09:10:30.699 [u=189.1MB f=1260.9MB] [134.35s] [ffmpeg/audio] error: ac3: error decoding the audio block
2021-11-14 09:10:30.699 [u=189.1MB f=1260.9MB] [134.35s] [ad] error: Error decoding audio in send_packet (-16976906).
2021-11-14 09:10:30.699 [u=189.1MB f=1260.9MB] [134.35s] [ffmpeg/audio] error: ac3: exponent -1 is out-of-range
2021-11-14 09:10:30.700 [u=189.1MB f=1260.9MB] [134.35s] [ffmpeg/audio] error: ac3: error decoding the audio block
2021-11-14 09:10:30.700 [u=189.1MB f=1260.9MB] [134.35s] [ad] error: Error decoding audio in send_packet (-16976906).
2021-11-14 09:10:30.700 [u=189.1MB f=1260.9MB] [134.35s] [ffmpeg/audio] error: ac3: expacc 125 is out-of-range
2021-11-14 09:10:30.700 [u=189.1MB f=1260.9MB] [134.35s] [ffmpeg/audio] error: ac3: error decoding the audio block
2021-11-14 09:10:30.700 [u=189.1MB f=1260.9MB] [134.35s] [ad] error: Error decoding audio in send_packet (-16976906).
2021-11-14 09:10:30.700 [u=189.1MB f=1260.9MB] [134.35s] [ffmpeg/video] v: h264: concealing 2406 DC, 2406 AC, 2406 MV errors in P frame
2021-11-14 09:10:30.738 [u=189.1MB f=1260.9MB] [134.39s] [ffmpeg/video] v: h264: concealing 1160 DC, 1160 AC, 1160 MV errors in P frame
2021-11-14 09:10:30.770 [u=189.1MB f=1260.9MB] [134.42s] [ffmpeg/video] error: h264: cabac decode of qscale diff failed at 3 10
2021-11-14 09:10:30.770 [u=189.1MB f=1260.9MB] [134.42s] [ffmpeg/video] error: h264: error while decoding MB 3 10, bytestream 18095
2021-11-14 09:10:30.770 [u=189.1MB f=1260.9MB] [134.42s] [ffmpeg/video] v: h264: concealing 2846 DC, 2846 AC, 2846 MV errors in B frame
2021-11-14 09:10:30.770 [u=189.1MB f=1260.9MB] [134.42s] [ffmpeg/video] v: h264: concealing 730 DC, 730 AC, 730 MV errors in P frame
2021-11-14 09:10:31.131 [u=189.4MB f=1260.6MB] [134.78s] [ffmpeg/audio] error: ac3: exponent -1 is out-of-range
2021-11-14 09:10:31.131 [u=189.4MB f=1260.6MB] [134.78s] [ffmpeg/audio] error: ac3: error decoding the audio block
2021-11-14 09:10:31.131 [u=189.4MB f=1260.6MB] [134.78s] [ad] error: Error decoding audio in send_packet (-16976906).
2021-11-14 09:10:31.132 [u=189.4MB f=1260.6MB] [134.78s] [ffmpeg/audio] error: ac3: expacc 125 is out-of-range
2021-11-14 09:10:31.132 [u=189.4MB f=1260.6MB] [134.78s] [ffmpeg/audio] error: ac3: error decoding the audio block
2021-11-14 09:10:31.132 [u=189.4MB f=1260.6MB] [134.78s] [ad] error: Error decoding audio in send_packet (-16976906).
2021-11-14 09:10:31.133 [u=189.4MB f=1260.6MB] [134.78s] [ad] error: Error decoding audio in send_packet (-16976906).
2021-11-14 09:10:31.133 [u=189.4MB f=1260.6MB] [134.78s] [ffmpeg/audio] error: ac3: expacc 126 is out-of-range
2021-11-14 09:10:31.133 [u=189.4MB f=1260.6MB] [134.78s] [ffmpeg/audio] error: ac3: error decoding the audio block
2021-11-14 09:10:31.134 [u=189.4MB f=1260.6MB] [134.78s] [ad] error: Error decoding audio in send_packet (-16976906).
2021-11-14 09:10:31.298 [u=189.6MB f=1260.4MB] libchannels: creating new segment at idx=1
2021-11-14 09:10:31.329 [u=189.6MB f=1260.4MB] mpvstats: AV: 79.234 A-V: 45.150 Dropped: 427 Cache: 0.00s + 0KB
2021-11-14 09:10:31.330 [u=189.6MB f=1260.4MB] streamstats: strength=100% quality=100% symbol=100% rate=6.4Mb/sec neterr=90% recentnetbad=0%
2021-11-14 09:10:31.333 [u=189.6MB f=1260.4MB] libchannels: rolling over reader to segment with idx=1
2021-11-14 09:10:31.339 [u=189.6MB f=1260.4MB] [134.99s] [ffmpeg/audio] error: ac3: new bit allocation info must be present in block 0
2021-11-14 09:10:31.340 [u=189.6MB f=1260.4MB] [134.99s] [ffmpeg/audio] error: ac3: error decoding the audio block
2021-11-14 09:10:31.340 [u=189.6MB f=1260.4MB] [134.99s] [ad] error: Error decoding audio in send_packet (-16976906).
2021-11-14 09:10:31.341 [u=189.6MB f=1260.4MB] [134.99s] [ffmpeg/audio] error: ac3: expacc 125 is out-of-range
2021-11-14 09:10:31.342 [u=189.6MB f=1260.4MB] [134.99s] [ffmpeg/audio] error: ac3: error decoding the audio block
2021-11-14 09:10:31.342 [u=189.6MB f=1260.4MB] [134.99s] [ad] error: Error decoding audio in send_packet (-16976906).
2021-11-14 09:10:31.438 [u=189.7MB f=1260.3MB] [135.09s] [ffmpeg/audio] error: ac3: exponent -1 is out-of-range
2021-11-14 09:10:31.439 [u=189.7MB f=1260.3MB] [135.09s] [ffmpeg/audio] error: ac3: error decoding the audio block
2021-11-14 09:10:31.440 [u=189.7MB f=1260.3MB] [135.09s] [ad] error: Error decoding audio in send_packet (-16976906).
2021-11-14 09:10:31.446 [u=189.7MB f=1260.3MB] [135.10s] [ffmpeg/audio] error: ac3: delta bit allocation strategy reserved
2021-11-14 09:10:31.446 [u=189.7MB f=1260.3MB] [135.10s] [ffmpeg/audio] error: ac3: error decoding the audio block
2021-11-14 09:10:31.446 [u=189.7MB f=1260.3MB] [135.10s] [ad] error: Error decoding audio in send_packet (-16976906).
2021-11-14 09:10:31.447 [u=189.7MB f=1260.3MB] [135.10s] [ad] warn: Invalid audio PTS: 124.416000 -> 126.272000
2021-11-14 09:10:31.448 [u=189.7MB f=1260.3MB] [135.10s] [ffmpeg/audio] error: ac3: exponent -1 is out-of-range
2021-11-14 09:10:31.448 [u=189.7MB f=1260.3MB] [135.10s] [ffmpeg/audio] error: ac3: error decoding the audio block
2021-11-14 09:10:31.449 [u=189.7MB f=1260.3MB] [135.10s] [ad] error: Error decoding audio in send_packetConnection is wired.
Using HDHomerun app works fine on this same old AppleTV so I'm guessing it has something to do with Channels app itself.
The non 4K Apple TVs are mix of Ethernet and Wi-Fi and all are having the same issue. The 4K Apple is having no issues along with IOS, FireStick and HDHomeRun app.
There is plenty of space on the Apple TVs.
There were fixes for stuttering recently on those models in the beta, don’t think they’ve been pushed to the release version yet. I see you asked about beta in the OP. I think it’s only available to DVR subscribers, unfortunately. Hopefully they’ll fast track these fixes to release.
Hopefully they will push an update sooner than later.
It is a pain given I have my parents and nephews (2 and 3 years old) staying for the week. The little guys can figure out to use the HDHomeRun app but my mom and dad struggle with the change. It took many visits to get them accustomed to the Channels app.
This log shows heavy packet corruption which is indicative of either a bad signal or lossy network path between the client and audio/video source.
Are you saying that the HDHR app on the same Apple TV streams the same channels without issue?
Yes, the 4K Apple TV works perfectly and has the poorest Wi-Fi signal of the 6. All 5 of the HD Apple TVs are experiencing the stuttering issues but work perfect using the HDHomeRun app.
I have verified that the signal is fine from the tuner and some of the HD Apple TVs that are experiencing the issue are plugged into Ethernet with 900mbps speed test results.
Given the HDHomeRun app on the same Apple TVs works without issue and IOS and FireSticks are working properly with Channels I have to lean towards it being an App based problem with the HD Apple TVs.
Another user also reported the same problem is exclusive to the HD Apple TV and was not present on the 4K Apple TV.
Sorry, I misinterpret your question pertaining to HDHR (HD + High Resolution) as a reference to the generation of Apple TV before 4K not the HDHomeRun app. I edited my previous comment to reflect my poor comprehension.
The Apple TV's that are experiencing the stuttering in the Channels app do not stutter or have signal issue when you using the HDHomeRun app.