Question / Help High ping/massive ping spikes while streaming league.

[opjohnny]

I recently upgraded from 10/0.8 DSL to 30/2 cable and have adjusted my OBS settings according to the OBS estimator for the most part. With or without impact setting enabled I'm seeing pings all over the place.

With my settings of 1600/1600/96/impact enabled I was averaging 110-120ms with some spikes. I dropped down to 1500/1500/96 and my ping dropped to around 70-80ms and I thought I had solved the problem but that only lasted one match. Next match I was seeing 90-150ms with some spikes that slowly climbed all the way up to 800 before steadily dropping again. Disabling the network impact setting either doesn't really give any noticeable difference or it increases my ping a little.

I made sure it was OBS causing the problem by hot-keying my stream off during times of high ping or massive spikes. Turning off the stream made my ping shoot back down to around 60-65ms and stay there(normal for me).

Why is my ping all over the place while streaming and why is it seeing such huge spikes? What is causing the weird spikes that are a slow climb all the way up to 700-800ms? Is there anything I can do on my end to fix this?


Relevant system specs...

CPU - AMD PhenomII X6 1100t Black Edition @ 4.0GHz
GPU - XFX Radeon HD6970 @ 900/1425MHz


Speedof.me results...

Testmy.net 33mb upload results...

1.8mbps(219kB/s)


Latest log(several broadcasts in this log I think)...

09:44:34: Open Broadcaster Software v0.522b - 32bit (´・ω・｀)
09:44:34: -------------------------------
09:44:34: CPU Name: AMD Phenom(tm) II X6 1100T Processor
09:44:34: CPU Speed: 4013MHz
09:44:34: Physical Memory:  4095MB Total, 4095MB Free
09:44:34: stepping id: 0, model 10, family 15, type 0, extmodel 8, extfamily 0, HTT 1, logical cores 6, total cores 6
09:44:34: monitor 1: pos={0, 0}, size={1680, 1050}
09:44:34: monitor 2: pos={1680, 3}, size={1280, 1024}
09:44:34: Windows Version: 6.1 Build 7601 S
09:44:34: Aero is Enabled
09:44:34: -------------------------------
09:44:34: OBS Modules:
09:44:34: Base Address     Module
09:44:34: 00370000         OBS.exe
09:44:34: 625A0000         OBSApi.dll
09:44:34: 70200000         DShowPlugin.dll
09:44:34: 701E0000         GraphicsCapture.dll
09:44:34: 6A1C0000         NoiseGate.dll
09:44:34: 694E0000         scenesw.dll
09:44:34: ------------------------------------------
09:44:34: Adapter 1
09:44:34:   Video Adapter: AMD Radeon HD 6900 Series
09:44:34:   Video Adapter Dedicated Video Memory: 2133544960
09:44:34:   Video Adapter Shared System Memory: 2161356800
09:44:34: Using fixed low latency mode, factor 20
09:44:34: =====Stream Start: 2013-06-30, 09:44:34===============================================
09:44:34:   Multithreaded optimizations: On
09:44:34:   Base resolution: 1680x1050
09:44:34:   Output resolution: 1120x700
09:44:34: ------------------------------------------
09:44:34: Loading up D3D10...
09:44:34: Playback device Default
09:44:34: ------------------------------------------
09:44:34: Using desktop audio input: Speakers (VIA High Definition Audio)
09:44:34: ------------------------------------------
09:44:34: Using auxilary audio input: Microphone (VIA High Definition Audio)
09:44:34: ------------------------------------------
09:44:34: Audio Encoding: AAC
09:44:34:     bitrate: 96
09:44:34: Using Window Capture
09:44:34: ------------------------------------------
09:44:34: Video Encoding: x264
09:44:34:     fps: 25
09:44:34:     width: 1120, height: 700
09:44:34:     preset: fast
09:44:34:     CBR: yes
09:44:34:     CFR: no
09:44:34:     max bitrate: 1600
09:44:34: ------------------------------------------
09:44:37: Using RTMP service: Twitch / Justin.tv
09:44:37:   Server selection: rtmp://live-ord.justin.tv/app
09:44:38: SO_SNDBUF was at 8192
09:44:38: SO_SNDBUF is now 65536
09:44:50: RTMPPublisher::BufferedSend: Increasing socket send buffer to ISB 262144
09:44:51: RTMPPublisher::BufferedSend: Increasing socket send buffer to ISB 524288
09:44:56: RTMPPublisher::BufferedSend: Increasing socket send buffer to ISB 1048576
09:50:49: ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
09:50:49:   New Scene
09:50:49: Using graphics capture
09:50:49: SharedTexCapture hooked
09:53:21: Total frames rendered: 13172, number of frames that lagged: 0 (0.00%) (it's okay for some frames to lag)
09:53:21: RTMPPublisher::SocketLoop: Aborting due to loop exit
09:53:21: Number of times waited to send: 103, Waited for a total of 386436 bytes
09:53:21: Number of b-frames dropped: 91 (0.7%), Number of p-frames dropped: 74 (0.57%), Total 165 (1.3%)
09:53:21: =====Stream End: 2013-06-30, 09:53:21=================================================
09:53:33: =====Stream Start: 2013-06-30, 09:53:33===============================================
09:53:33:   Multithreaded optimizations: On
09:53:33:   Base resolution: 1680x1050
09:53:33:   Output resolution: 1120x700
09:53:33: ------------------------------------------
09:53:33: Loading up D3D10...
09:53:33: Playback device Default
09:53:33: ------------------------------------------
09:53:33: Using desktop audio input: Speakers (VIA High Definition Audio)
09:53:33: ------------------------------------------
09:53:33: Using auxilary audio input: Microphone (VIA High Definition Audio)
09:53:33: ------------------------------------------
09:53:33: Audio Encoding: AAC
09:53:33:     bitrate: 96
09:53:33: Using graphics capture
09:53:33: ------------------------------------------
09:53:33: Video Encoding: x264
09:53:33:     fps: 25
09:53:33:     width: 1120, height: 700
09:53:33:     preset: fast
09:53:33:     CBR: yes
09:53:33:     CFR: no
09:53:33:     max bitrate: 1500
09:53:33: ------------------------------------------
09:53:33: SharedTexCapture hooked
09:53:36: Using RTMP service: Twitch / Justin.tv
09:53:36:   Server selection: rtmp://live-ord.justin.tv/app
09:53:37: SO_SNDBUF was at 8192
09:53:37: SO_SNDBUF is now 65536
09:54:30: Total frames rendered: 1410, number of frames that lagged: 1 (0.07%) (it's okay for some frames to lag)
09:54:30: RTMPPublisher::SocketLoop: Aborting due to loop exit
09:54:30: librtmp error: WriteN, RTMP send error 10035 (79 bytes)
09:54:30: librtmp error: WriteN, RTMP send error 10038 (42 bytes)
09:54:30: Number of times waited to send: 0, Waited for a total of 0 bytes
09:54:30: Number of b-frames dropped: 0 (0%), Number of p-frames dropped: 0 (0%), Total 0 (0%)
09:54:30: =====Stream End: 2013-06-30, 09:54:30=================================================
09:54:37: Using fixed low latency mode, factor 20
09:54:37: =====Stream Start: 2013-06-30, 09:54:37===============================================
09:54:37:   Multithreaded optimizations: On
09:54:37:   Base resolution: 1680x1050
09:54:37:   Output resolution: 1120x700
09:54:37: ------------------------------------------
09:54:37: Loading up D3D10...
09:54:37: Playback device Default
09:54:37: ------------------------------------------
09:54:37: Using desktop audio input: Speakers (VIA High Definition Audio)
09:54:37: ------------------------------------------
09:54:37: Using auxilary audio input: Microphone (VIA High Definition Audio)
09:54:37: ------------------------------------------
09:54:37: Audio Encoding: AAC
09:54:37:     bitrate: 96
09:54:37: Using graphics capture
09:54:37: ------------------------------------------
09:54:37: Video Encoding: x264
09:54:37:     fps: 25
09:54:37:     width: 1120, height: 700
09:54:37:     preset: fast
09:54:37:     CBR: yes
09:54:37:     CFR: no
09:54:37:     max bitrate: 1500
09:54:37: ------------------------------------------
09:54:37: SharedTexCapture hooked
09:54:40: Using RTMP service: Twitch / Justin.tv
09:54:40:   Server selection: rtmp://live-ord.justin.tv/app
09:54:41: SO_SNDBUF was at 8192
09:54:41: SO_SNDBUF is now 65536
10:07:23: Exit signal received, terminating capture
10:07:24: ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
10:07:24:   New Scene
10:07:24: Using Window Capture
10:08:52: ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
10:08:52:   New Scene
10:08:52: Using graphics capture
10:08:52: SharedTexCapture hooked
10:10:19: Exit signal received, terminating capture
10:10:20: ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
10:10:20:   New Scene
10:10:20: Using Window Capture
10:11:04: RTMPPublisher::BufferedSend: Increasing socket send buffer to ISB 131072
10:15:03: ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
10:15:03:   New Scene
10:15:03: Using graphics capture
10:15:03: SharedTexCapture hooked
10:21:20: Total frames rendered: 40079, number of frames that lagged: 6 (0.01%) (it's okay for some frames to lag)
10:21:20: RTMPPublisher::SocketLoop: Aborting due to loop exit
10:21:20: Number of times waited to send: 3, Waited for a total of 12291 bytes
10:21:20: Number of b-frames dropped: 0 (0%), Number of p-frames dropped: 0 (0%), Total 0 (0%)
10:21:20: =====Stream End: 2013-06-30, 10:21:20=================================================
10:21:37: Using fixed low latency mode, factor 20
10:21:37: =====Stream Start: 2013-06-30, 10:21:37===============================================
10:21:37:   Multithreaded optimizations: On
10:21:37:   Base resolution: 1680x1050
10:21:37:   Output resolution: 1120x700
10:21:37: ------------------------------------------
10:21:37: Loading up D3D10...
10:21:37: Playback device Default
10:21:37: ------------------------------------------
10:21:37: Using desktop audio input: Speakers (VIA High Definition Audio)
10:21:37: ------------------------------------------
10:21:37: Using auxilary audio input: Microphone (VIA High Definition Audio)
10:21:37: ------------------------------------------
10:21:37: Audio Encoding: AAC
10:21:37:     bitrate: 96
10:21:37: Using graphics capture
10:21:37: ------------------------------------------
10:21:37: Video Encoding: x264
10:21:37:     fps: 25
10:21:37:     width: 1120, height: 700
10:21:37:     preset: fast
10:21:37:     CBR: yes
10:21:37:     CFR: no
10:21:37:     max bitrate: 1500
10:21:37: ------------------------------------------
10:21:37: SharedTexCapture hooked
10:21:40: Using RTMP service: Twitch / Justin.tv
10:21:40:   Server selection: rtmp://live-ord.justin.tv/app
10:21:41: SO_SNDBUF was at 8192
10:21:41: SO_SNDBUF is now 65536
10:45:27: Exit signal received, terminating capture
10:45:27: ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
10:45:27:   New Scene
10:45:27: Using Window Capture
10:50:05: RTMPPublisher::BufferedSend: Increasing socket send buffer to ISB 131072
10:50:08: RTMPPublisher::BufferedSend: Increasing socket send buffer to ISB 524288
10:53:46: ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
10:53:46:   New Scene
10:53:46: Using graphics capture
10:53:53: SharedTexCapture hooked
10:54:11: Total frames rendered: 48829, number of frames that lagged: 10 (0.02%) (it's okay for some frames to lag)
10:54:11: RTMPPublisher::SocketLoop: Aborting due to loop exit
10:54:11: librtmp error: WriteN, RTMP send error 10035 (79 bytes)
10:54:11: librtmp error: WriteN, RTMP send error 10038 (42 bytes)
10:54:11: Number of times waited to send: 1031, Waited for a total of 3656119 bytes
10:54:11: Number of b-frames dropped: 841 (1.7%), Number of p-frames dropped: 674 (1.4%), Total 1515 (3.1%)
10:54:11: =====Stream End: 2013-06-30, 10:54:11=================================================
10:54:25: Using fixed low latency mode, factor 20
10:54:25: =====Stream Start: 2013-06-30, 10:54:25===============================================
10:54:25:   Multithreaded optimizations: On
10:54:25:   Base resolution: 1680x1050
10:54:25:   Output resolution: 1120x700
10:54:25: ------------------------------------------
10:54:25: Loading up D3D10...
10:54:25: Playback device Default
10:54:25: ------------------------------------------
10:54:25: Using desktop audio input: Speakers (VIA High Definition Audio)
10:54:25: ------------------------------------------
10:54:25: Using auxilary audio input: Microphone (VIA High Definition Audio)
10:54:25: ------------------------------------------
10:54:25: Audio Encoding: AAC
10:54:25:     bitrate: 96
10:54:25: Using graphics capture
10:54:25: ------------------------------------------
10:54:25: Video Encoding: x264
10:54:25:     fps: 25
10:54:25:     width: 1120, height: 700
10:54:25:     preset: fast
10:54:25:     CBR: yes
10:54:25:     CFR: no
10:54:25:     max bitrate: 1500
10:54:25: ------------------------------------------
10:54:25: SharedTexCapture hooked
10:54:28: Using RTMP service: Twitch / Justin.tv
10:54:28:   Server selection: rtmp://live-ord.justin.tv/app
10:54:29: SO_SNDBUF was at 8192
10:54:29: SO_SNDBUF is now 65536
10:54:45: RTMPPublisher::BufferedSend: Increasing socket send buffer to ISB 131072
10:54:45: RTMPPublisher::BufferedSend: Increasing socket send buffer to ISB 262144
10:54:56: RTMPPublisher::BufferedSend: Increasing socket send buffer to ISB 524288
10:55:23: Total frames rendered: 1444, number of frames that lagged: 0 (0.00%) (it's okay for some frames to lag)
10:55:23: RTMPPublisher::SocketLoop: Aborting due to loop exit
10:55:23: Number of times waited to send: 14, Waited for a total of 43480 bytes
10:55:23: Number of b-frames dropped: 32 (2.5%), Number of p-frames dropped: 41 (3.2%), Total 73 (5.7%)
10:55:23: =====Stream End: 2013-06-30, 10:55:23=================================================
10:55:34: Using fixed low latency mode, factor 20
10:55:34: =====Stream Start: 2013-06-30, 10:55:34===============================================
10:55:34:   Multithreaded optimizations: On
10:55:34:   Base resolution: 1680x1050
10:55:34:   Output resolution: 1120x700
10:55:34: ------------------------------------------
10:55:34: Loading up D3D10...
10:55:34: Playback device Default
10:55:34: ------------------------------------------
10:55:34: Using desktop audio input: Speakers (VIA High Definition Audio)
10:55:34: ------------------------------------------
10:55:34: Using auxilary audio input: Microphone (VIA High Definition Audio)
10:55:34: ------------------------------------------
10:55:34: Audio Encoding: AAC
10:55:34:     bitrate: 96
10:55:34: Using graphics capture
10:55:34: ------------------------------------------
10:55:34: Video Encoding: x264
10:55:34:     fps: 25
10:55:34:     width: 1120, height: 700
10:55:34:     preset: fast
10:55:34:     CBR: yes
10:55:34:     CFR: no
10:55:34:     max bitrate: 1500
10:55:34: ------------------------------------------
10:55:34: SharedTexCapture hooked
10:55:37: Using RTMP service: Twitch / Justin.tv
10:55:37:   Server selection: rtmp://live-ord.justin.tv/app
10:55:38: SO_SNDBUF was at 8192
10:55:38: SO_SNDBUF is now 65536
10:56:00: RTMPPublisher::BufferedSend: Increasing socket send buffer to ISB 131072
10:56:01: RTMPPublisher::BufferedSend: Increasing socket send buffer to ISB 262144
10:56:10: RTMPPublisher::BufferedSend: Increasing socket send buffer to ISB 1048576
10:56:25: Total frames rendered: 1259, number of frames that lagged: 0 (0.00%) (it's okay for some frames to lag)
10:56:25: RTMPPublisher::SocketLoop: Aborting due to loop exit
10:56:25: Number of times waited to send: 11, Waited for a total of 37475 bytes
10:56:25: Number of b-frames dropped: 0 (0%), Number of p-frames dropped: 0 (0%), Total 0 (0%)
10:56:25: =====Stream End: 2013-06-30, 10:56:25=================================================
11:39:37: 
11:39:37: Profiler results:
11:39:37: 
11:39:37: ==============================================================
11:39:37: frame - [100%] [avg time: 2.046 ms] [avg calls per frame: 1] [children: 79.9%] [unaccounted: 20.1%]
11:39:37: | scene->Preprocess - [5.62%] [avg time: 0.115 ms] [avg calls per frame: 1]
11:39:37: | video encoding and uploading - [74.2%] [avg time: 1.519 ms] [avg calls per frame: 1] [children: 72.8%] [unaccounted: 1.42%]
11:39:37: | | CopyResource - [0.489%] [avg time: 0.01 ms] [avg calls per frame: 0]
11:39:37: | | conversion to 4:2:0 - [0.342%] [avg time: 0.007 ms] [avg calls per frame: 0]
11:39:37: | | call to encoder - [70.9%] [avg time: 1.451 ms] [avg calls per frame: 0]
11:39:37: | | sending stuff out - [1.08%] [avg time: 0.022 ms] [avg calls per frame: 0]
11:39:37: ==============================================================
11:39:37:

 

[opjohnny]

Bump.

 

[Lain]

"Minimize network impact" in broadcast settings.

 

[opjohnny]

With or without impact setting enabled I'm seeing pings all over the place.

Disabling the network impact setting either doesn't really give any noticeable difference or it increases my ping a little.

 

[Lain]

(NOTE: Jim confirmed for huge jerk who grazes posts)

I guess that's what I get for using "search" for "minimize" instead of "impact". Turn it on and reduce your bitrate then, not entirely sure. I actually don't know if I have a good suggestion; this is something that unfortunately must be felt out. Apologies for my brazen lack of regard in terms of reading entire posts; I'm just generally trying to save time where I can.

Edit: god I'm not being very helpful am I.. I apologize, these things are really not things I can be very helpful with; you generally have to mess with the settings until you find the right values. Minimize network impact generally is the way to go, and reducing the bitrate is honestly the best suggestion I could probably give for you. I don't really know what else to suggest.

 

[opjohnny]

I guess that's what I get for using "search" for "minimize" instead of "impact". Turn it on and reduce your bitrate then, not entirely sure. I actually don't know if I have a good suggestion; this is something that unfortunately must be felt out. Apologies for my brazen lack of regard in terms of reading entire posts; I'm just generally trying to save time where I can

No prob. I've done the same thing plenty of times. ;)

I originally reduced it from 1600 to 1500 and I thought that helped but my ping went right back to 100-150 with the constant slow climbs to 800 or higher. I can't figure out why it's doing that but it only happens when I have OBS streaming. Otherwise my ping is incredibly stable.

 

[Lain]

It could just be your router (if you use one). I know that some routers have a really bad reputation for not scheduling packets very well.

 

[opjohnny]

It could just be your router (if you use one). I know that some routers have a really bad reputation for not scheduling packets very well.

I'm using a Linksys WRT54g with DD-WRT firmware installed on it, but my main rig(where I'm streaming from) is on a line going to my Netgear CG3000D modem to reduce load on the router and because I had a port-forwarding issue with the router that I couldn't figure out.

 

[Lain]

Hm, not sure.. this might not be something that I can reasonably help with without directly being there unfortunately. I think league itself uses a reasonable amount of bandwidth as well if I recall, it seems more likely than most games to have ping issues for some reason

 

[FerretBomb]

Do have to say that I swapped away from a WRT54GL with DD-WRT (also having tried Tomato) as it tended to have problems with large amounts of throughput... especially if anyone was running a BitTorrent on the network. Would slowly fall over and need a reboot every few hours. Though to be fair, that could have been overrunning the connection handle table due to the number of connections and the limited amount of RAM they come with.

 

[opjohnny]

Mine is the half-RAM model but like I said above my main rig, where I stream from, is not connected to the router. It is wired directly to the modem. The router just handles my various wireless connection.

 

[opjohnny]

Still having issues with random massive ping spikes. I find that stopping/starting the stream usually fixes it but if I let it go the latency just keeps climbing.

It is not my router that is causing the problem because this rig is plugged directly in to the modem.

 

[opjohnny]

Anyone?

 

[Kharay]

I think most has already been said, done and suggested. The only thing left right now is slowly dropping the bitrate, 50 Kbps at a time until you find it no longer messes with LoL's ping. Unfortunately, LoL is, as Jim said, quite the bandwidth hog and 2 Mbps total simply may not be enough to run a stable stream while playing LoL.

 

[opjohnny]

I think most has already been said, done and suggested. The only thing left right now is slowly dropping the bitrate, 50 Kbps at a time until you find it no longer messes with LoL's ping. Unfortunately, LoL is, as Jim said, quite the bandwidth hog and 2 Mbps total simply may not be enough to run a stable stream while playing LoL.

The problem is that I do keep slowly reducing my bitrate and it doesn't change at all. Sometimes the stream is perfect and my ping is normal or slightly above normal(80 or less). Then it randomly starts rising and usually won't stop until I hotkey the stream off and back on. If I let it sit it will climb to 1000, 2000, even 3000ms. The OBS bandwidth meter doesn't ever go yellow or red, always reads green.

It's not my router because the router is only handling my wireless connections. My main rig that I stream from is connected directly to the modem.

It's not my PC because I'm running an overclocked 1100t black edition and overclocked 6970, both of which are 100% stable.

At this point I'm convinced that it's a problem with the software rather than my settings or hardware.

 

[R1CH]

Try a new router or modem if possible. OBS does not randomly decide to max out your upload for no reason, it's not likely to be the software.

 

[Kharay]

At this point I'm convinced that it's a problem with the software rather than my settings or hardware.

Many other people who stream LoL successfully say otherwise; however, nothing can be dismissed as a possible culprit. And, let's not forget that other piece of software involved -- League of Legends. Which has really poorly optimized network behaviour.

In fact, personally I am inclined to point the finger at LoL more than I would point it at OBS. Given the fact your ping in LoL spirals out of control whilst OBS continues to read green across the board.

 

[opjohnny]

At this point I'm convinced that it's a problem with the software rather than my settings or hardware.

Many other people who stream LoL successfully say otherwise; however, nothing can be dismissed as a possible culprit. And, let's not forget that other piece of software involved -- League of Legends. Which has really poorly optimized network behaviour.

In fact, personally I am inclined to point the finger at LoL more than I would point it at OBS. Given the fact your ping in LoL spirals out of control whilst OBS continues to read green across the board.

Without OBS running my ping in league is fine. Whatever the problem is, it's OBS triggering it and hotkeying the stream off fixes it.

 

[Kharay]

Let's assume for a second it's OBS; you would be the only person I know of to whom OBS just randomly starts gobbling up bandwidth for no reason.

Want to know how many people have complained and continue to complain about LoL's hopeless optimization? Given the fact there's over 12 million people logging in on a daily basis, I think you can take a crack at that number. ;)

It's not OBS specifically. But, well... there's always the ultimate test; trying a different broadcaster. Such as Xsplit.