Finding where a stream fault is
1 min
A stream fault sits in one of four places: the source, the Broadcaster, the network path, or the target. Work through these checks in order. Each one rules a place in or out, so stop at the first clear answer.
- Compare the source with the Broadcaster input. Look at the TR 101 290 errors, including CC (continuity counter) errors, on the source feed and on the same stream on the Broadcaster. If the source already has the errors, they arrived with the stream. Check the encoder or the provider that feeds it.
- Check whether both paths failed at the same moment. If a main and a backup path show errors within the same second, look at what they share. That is usually the common source or a shared network exit.
- Check the input's Max Bitrate. On a Zixi input, Max Bitrate sizes the buffer that holds packets for recovery. If it is close to the real feed rate, bursts and resent packets overflow that buffer and show as not recovered. ZEN Master warns with "Bitrate above configured maximum" when the input receives more than its Max Bitrate allows. Raise it before you look at the network. See Sizing latency, buffer and max bitrateSizing latency, buffer and max bitrate.
- Check every output on the Broadcaster. If all outputs on one Broadcaster show loss and its input is clean, the fault is on its outbound path. To confirm, stop one output. If loss on the others drops, the outbound link is short of capacity.
- Check the target on its own. If one target disconnects again and again while its source and Broadcaster are clean, the fault is on the target's network or the receiving device.
- Check the other objects on the same Broadcaster. If every source and target on it changed state at the same moment, the cause is the Broadcaster host or its network, not one stream.
- Check for "Unknown" before you call it an outage. "Unknown status, missing broadcaster data" means ZEN Master received no status report from the Broadcaster for more than 70 seconds. If the Broadcaster, input and output uptimes carry on without a reset, the stream was not interrupted.
If the checks do not give a clear answer, send Support the source name, the target name and the time window in UTC.