The Kaleidescape Terra Prime movie server supports network speeds up to 2.5 Gbps, allowing faster downloads than ever before. To take advantage of this higher network speed, every component and service in the network chain must support 2.5 Gbps speed or higher.
For the best network performance, the following should be considered.
For best download performance, internet service should support a download speed 2.5 Gbps or higher. Regardless of how fast the local network speed is, if the internet service speeds are limited to 1 Gbps then downloads will never exceed this speed.
Ensure that all hardware in the network between the Terra Prime server and the Internet gateway supports 2.5 Gbps, or higher, network speeds. This includes:
When setting up the Terra Prime movie server, ensure that the server is connected to a network switch (or router) that supports at least 2.5 Gbps using a Cat 6 (or better) cable. If there are multiple switches between the Terra Prime server and the network router, all switches must support 2.5 Gbps network speeds and all the wiring between these switches should be done with Cat 6 (or better) cable.
Some network switches have a mix of ports with some supporting 2.5 Gbps and others only supporting 1.0 Gbps. Ensure that the switch serving the Terra Prime server is connected to one of the high-speed ports. Strato players can be connected to the ports that only support 1.0 Gbps.
More details on accessing the browser interface can be found here:
https://www.kaleidescape.com/support/article/Accessing-the-Browser-Interface
From a locally connected device, open the Terra Prime server’s browser interface to confirm that the server reports a network link speed of 2.5 Gbps:
Even on a properly configured network there are other activities or issues that can adversely affect download speeds. When confronted with download speeds that are lower than expected, verify the following:
Maximum download speeds on a Terra Prime server equipped with a solid-state drive-based filesystem (SSD) will be faster than the speeds on a Terra Prime server equipped with a hard drive-based filesystem (HDD). In addition, drive performance on solid-state drives is significantly more consistent than on hard disks. A Terra Prime (HDD) server can see download speeds fluctuate by as much as 50% because of how conventional spinning disk HDDs write data.
The maximum download speed can be limited via the system’s browser interface, the Kaleidescape Movie Store (from a browser), or the Onscreen Display of a player in the system.
Note that changing the download throttle setting in one location is sufficient. Changes made via the store interface will be communicated to the system and vice versa.
On the Kaleidescape Movie Store, the setting is a dropdown box found at the top right of the MANAGE > Downloads page. For maximum download speeds, ensure the chosen setting is Unlimited:
On the system browser interface, the download throttling settings are accessed via the History page. Click the here link (1) and then set the download throttle speed in the popup window (2):
To access the setting on the Onscreen Display of a player connected to the Terra Prime movie server, select Menu > System > Status > Downloads and choose the Set maximum download speed menu item:
On the system browser interface, the download throttling settings are accessed via the History page. Click the here link (1) and then set the download throttle speed in the popup window (2):
Since movie playback is the most important aspect of the Kaleidescape System, download speeds to the Terra Prime movie server are throttled during playback activity. The amount of throttling depends on both the model of Terra Prime movie server and on the number of playback sessions. Download throttling will occur to a much higher degree on a Terra Prime (HDD) movie server compared to a Terra Prime (SSD) movie server.
On a Terra Prime (HDD) movie server, downloads will be throttled when a single playback is active and can be limited to as low as 350 Mbps. Each subsequent playback session will further limit the maximum download speed.
On a Terra Prime (SSD) movie server, downloads will only be meaningfully throttled when 10 or more concurrent playbacks are active. Download speed will be capped at 2000 Mbps and that cap will decrease with additional concurrent playbacks.
Quality of Service (QoS) settings and implementations vary from one vendor to another but in general terms, QoS settings will almost always result in slower download speeds rather than faster. A misconfiguration of the QoS settings can set a speed ceiling on the entire network.
Downloads that are proceeding at full speed that suffer a dramatic drop in speed that lasts for fixed amount of time before resuming at full speed can be a sign of traffic shaping being done by the Internet Service Provider (ISP). In this situation, contact your ISP’s support. In many instances, setting a download speed limit of 1500 Mbps seems to allow the downloads to continue without being subjected to further throttling by the ISP.
Use the following table to assist with troubleshooting download speed issues.
Problem |
Probable Cause |
Solution |
Download speeds consistently below 1.0 Gbps |
1. Local network does not support speeds higher than 1.0 Gbps. |
Ensure all network equipment (router, network switches) between the Terra Prime and the Internet gateway device support network speeds of 2.5 Gbps or faster. |
2. Network cable is faulty, loose, or below minimum specification. |
Check cable termination and seating. Check with a known good network cable that is rated at Cat 6 or better. | |
3. Terra Prime is connected to a 1.0 Gbps network port. |
Examine the Terra Prime's browser interface to confirm that the server reports a network link speed of 2.5 Gbps. | |
4. Local network switch connected to 1.0 Gbps port on network router. |
Ensure that the network cable between the switch and the router is connected to a high-speed 2.5 Gbps or 10 Gbps (if available) port on the router. | |
5. Level of Internet service too low. |
Ensure that the level of Internet service supports download speeds of 2.5 Gbps or faster. | |
Downloads display inconsistent speeds or drop to zero for extended periods of time. |
1. Movie playback active. |
Playing a movie can cause download speeds to be throttled or halted completely depending on the server model and other factors. For best download performance, stop movie playback in all zones until the download has completed. |
2. Network cable is faulty or loose. |
Check cable termination and seating. Check with a known good network cable that is rated at Cat 6 or better. | |
3. Faulty switch or router |
Test with a know working switch/router. | |
4. Local traffic shaping created by Quality of Service ("QoS") settings on router. |
Turn off QoS settings and retest downloads. | |
5. Internet traffic shaping imposed by Internet Service Provider ("ISP"). |
Try setting download speed limit to 1500 Mbps or slower. | |
Contact your ISP's Support service. |
+1 877-352-5343 Toll Free (US Only)
+1 650-625-6160
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*Kaleidescape will be closed on the following holidays.
