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TNT Sports on Fire Stick - Any Update?

Popeye13_Official — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 19:22:33 GMT

Something raised quite a while back regarding choppy playback and mass-dropping of frames on Fire Stick 4K Max rendering it useless for TNT Sports watching. Is there any update on progress to fixing the issues because its been radio silence for a bit.

I ask because the Apple TV is also next to useless for watching because the quality fluctuates like a yoyo up and down, even being plugged into ethernet and have tried to raise this issue with WBD but they're as pointless as always in getting any form of support or help.

Id just like to be able to watch to be honest!

Re: TNT Sports on Fire Stick - Any Update?

DarrenDev — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 19:27:12 GMT

I asked for input from anyone else who experienced issues on the Fire Stick, but no one else came forward. I can't reproduce any issues, and neither can WBD, so I'm not convinced it's got any further ) I've not heard any updates).

As for Apple TV - it's completely "black box". Apple decide on the quality level based on their own rules, and developers have no input to the decision making at all.

Re: TNT Sports on Fire Stick - Any Update?

Popeye13_Official — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 19:38:11 GMT

Oh great . . . . So im screwed then?

(RE; Apple TV) if thats the case, can you explain why i have no issue on any other service that live-streams in full HD / UHD and/or 50fps? (ITVX, DAZN, Now TV, BBC iPlayer, YouTube (50p & 60p) and Prime Video Sport) Non of them fluctuate or look like they're unable to cope; they all stream flawlessly and without incident. Up-until TNT Sports was added, i had no issue with D+, that was the same flawless quality.

Re: TNT Sports on Fire Stick - Any Update?

Anonymous — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 20:58:36 GMT

@Popeye13_Officialwrote:
(RE; Apple TV) if thats the case, can you explain why i have no issue on any other service that live-streams in full HD / UHD and/or 50fps? (ITVX, DAZN, Now TV, BBC iPlayer, YouTube (50p & 60p) and Prime Video Sport) Non of them fluctuate or look like they're unable to cope; they all stream flawlessly and without incident. Up-until TNT Sports was added, i had no issue with D+, that was the same flawless quality.

And Disney+, All4, Paramount+, Apple TV+, My5, UKTV Play, Blaze, Bloomberg, Pluto, Viaplay etc. the list goes on.

Discovery+ can stream live TV like TLC or Discovery in HD all day long without missing a beat, but turn to TNT Sport and ads break it, quality ranges from HD to 240p and everything in between!

Weirdly I am finding the UHD stream more reliable when available at the moment.

Re: TNT Sports on Fire Stick - Any Update?

Popeye13_Official — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 21:04:40 GMT

Absolutely this. It doesn't add up at all.

Re: TNT Sports on Fire Stick - Any Update?

Yarmy — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 21:15:43 GMT

Have watched a few football games on TNT Sports via the Discovery+ app on a regular firestick and not had any problems.

Re: TNT Sports on Fire Stick - Any Update?

tweetSP0RT — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 21:19:26 GMT

I hadn't experienced any issues on either of my Apple TV's until yesterday's Champions League draw when it did exactly as described constantly fluctuating. It was fine again today for both Serie A matches, which made wonder if it was a demand thing (it was flagged as 'free' in the app) but it seems more widespread.

Re: TNT Sports on Fire Stick - Any Update?

Popeye13_Official — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 21:23:42 GMT

Have watched a few football games on TNT Sports via the Discovery+ app on a regular firestick and not had any problems.

Which makes it all that more annoying, as some are finding its a crippled mess and others its seemless and no issue.

The issues need to be found and addressed, because they are there,

I hadn't experienced any issues on either of my Apple TV's until yesterday's Champions League draw when it did exactly as described constantly fluctuating. It was fine again today for both Serie A matches, which made wonder if it was a demand thing (it was flagged as 'free' in the app) but it seems more widespread.

Im wondering if its a coding issue that the box can't cope with for some reason and it chokes-out. There is no other reason why the quality should jump around like it does, non. Especially if you're on ethernet and its still not even using a 5th of your available down speed while achieving full quality, yet suddenly quality drops to what looks like lard-smeared and cling-film wrapped.

Re: TNT Sports on Fire Stick - Any Update?

Popeye13_Official — Sat, 02 Sep 2023 00:36:07 GMT

Oh, and i call BS that they can't identify the issue causing this. 30sec's of playback on the live MLB game via TNT Sports 2 is this absolute mangled garbage (Fire Stick 4K Max)

Funny how watching the Premier League match over on Sky Sports was no issue this evening, same with Sky Sports News also (Both via Now TV)

Re: TNT Sports on Fire Stick - Any Update?

ozsat — Sat, 02 Sep 2023 05:47:33 GMT

So I'm using a Firestick 4K Max and have got developer tools loaded. Waiting for something live but not seeing any dropped frames or skipping on sports playbacks.

Can you post any examples to test?

@Popeye13_Officialwrote:

Oh, and i call BS that they can't identify the issue causing this. 30sec's of playback on the live MLB game via TNT Sports 2 is this absolute mangled garbage (Fire Stick 4K Max)
Funny how watching the Premier League match over on Sky Sports was no issue this evening, same with Sky Sports News also (Both via Now TV)

Re: TNT Sports on Fire Stick - Any Update?

DarrenDev — Sat, 02 Sep 2023 06:30:39 GMT

I tried a few models of Fire Stick and didn't see any frames dropped at all*. WBD are the same.
* I did see quite a few frames dropped when I first launched the app, but that's because the device hasn't been used for a while and was busy installing updates in the background. After a couple of minutes it calmed down and I've never seen dropped frames since.

Re: TNT Sports on Fire Stick - Any Update?

ozsat — Sat, 02 Sep 2023 06:44:30 GMT

I've noticed issues on several apps when first started. I always ensure it has about 10-15 minutes to do it's own stuff before I watch something I really want.

But I'm happy to try a particular asset that gets reported.

@DarrenDevwrote:
I tried a few models of Fire Stick and didn't see any frames dropped at all*. WBD are the same.
* I did see quite a few frames dropped when I first launched the app, but that's because the device hasn't been used for a while and was busy installing updates in the background. After a couple of minutes it calmed down and I've never seen dropped frames since.

Re: TNT Sports on Fire Stick - Any Update?

ozsat — Sat, 02 Sep 2023 07:41:43 GMT

Got live Moto GP on TNT5 on two devices - getting 1-2 frame drops at most every minute.

UPDATE: As discussed elsewhere before - Discovery+ app fails to set the default frame rate to 50Hz.

I have just changed the Amazon to output at 50Hz to match the Discovery+ source - and after five minutes the dropped frames is even less - 4 after five minutes.

Re: TNT Sports on Fire Stick - Any Update?

Richr1 — Sat, 02 Sep 2023 09:50:17 GMT

@Popeye13_Officialwrote:

Frame Rate of 26.672 seems odd to me - would that be a reason why there are issues?

Re: TNT Sports on Fire Stick - Any Update?

Popeye13_Official — Sat, 02 Sep 2023 13:27:22 GMT

Thought id see if the Silk Browser on the stick was any better - Its flawless!

Which begs the question of the absolute (You know what) can the same device playback the Sheffield Utd Vs Everton match on TNT Sports 1, in HD, with not a single dropped frame, yet the app on the same device is beyond a joke? Its using the same hardware, same broadband connection; just different method of accessing the stream!

Frame Rate of 26.672 seems odd to me - would that be a reason why there are issues?

iPlayer never reports 50fps correctly either, it hovers at 47 - 49.990. The BT Sport app would report 49.990 and initially Now TV reports 24.990 before it goes to 50.000 on a full 1080p res with Boost. (It finally locks at 25.000 once its gone to 720p if you don't have Boost or are watching the Sport Extra streams)

Re: TNT Sports on Fire Stick - Any Update?

Popeye13_Official — Sat, 02 Sep 2023 19:00:52 GMT

Bit of a follow-up:

Been using the Silk Browser to watch today and its not as brilliant as i first believed. The stream will fail suddenly for no reason on occasion and if you've been watching for a while, it will begin dropping frames like no bodies business (Like its getting tired almost !!) Exiting the feed for 10-15sec's fixes it but that becomes a pain when your in the middle of watching a fight or half of footy!!

The playback on the UHD stream for the Premier League earlier wasn't too bad either and didn't see any dropped frames, but that was over a period of around 20mins so not a proper test.

I do think im gonna bin off the Fire Stick. Ive had enough of the issues and weird bugs over the years that D+ and a few others have that makes it more and more a pain in the backside; its 2023 and yet most apps still don't support auto-frame rate matching ffs! Sadly, the Apple TV isn't reliable either which leaves me in a bit spot with regards to what to go with that isn't going to result in questionable consistency or juddery playback.

Re: TNT Sports on Fire Stick - Any Update?

ChrisR6262 — Sat, 02 Sep 2023 21:06:30 GMT

@Popeye13_Official

I've never found a better steaming device than the Roku 4K Streaming stick. I have one on my bedroom TV (sitting room has BT TV Pro) and use it for Discovery+ (TNT Sports) and Now (Sky Sports) and it's very reliable. Can set the frame-rate to matching and I've never had any sort of judder or dropped frames. It consistently feels like a "TV" level of 50fps smooth viewing rather than a "stream".

Others mileage may vary however I've found the Roku to best for these 2 apps (plus the BT Sport app) where smoothness is everything when watching sports. Better than the Amazon Firestick, Google Chromecast and inbuilt TV apps.

Re: TNT Sports on Fire Stick - Any Update?

Popeye13_Official — Sat, 02 Sep 2023 21:09:26 GMT

Its funny because i was thinking that and was having a browse earlier for one. The recommendation is greatly appreciated @ChrisR6262

Re: TNT Sports on Fire Stick - Any Update?

Popeye13_Official — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 20:15:18 GMT

I cannot thank you enough for this recommendation @ChrisR6262

It arrived today (4K Streaming Stick) and its been absolutely fantastic from the moment i began watching AC Milan Vs Newcastle on TNT Sports 1, and then went to TNT Sports Ultimate for City Vs Red Star.

Playback has been smooth, without incident and not one dropout, stutter or quality crash. Finally a device that isn't a bag of $£%& and just......works!

Re: TNT Sports on Fire Stick - Any Update?

Woodyesq — Thu, 30 Nov 2023 21:09:51 GMT

Just watching TNT sport on a 4k Firestick and about every two minutes I get a black blank screen for a split second.