B2 stops playing randomly

[Ed F.]

I have seen similar issues but nothing that 100% lines up with my problem. Before bed I will start the B2 to randomly play the 200 or so tracks I have ripped thus far. Roughly an hour later I will awaken to silence. Pressing next on the remote will start it playing again but sure enough it will stop playing a bit later. I originally feared it had a sort of sleep timer but checking these forums I saw mention of it playing for 18 hours which is much more than I have had it play for. The longest I have had it play continuously for was about 4 hours.

Some info and fixes I tried. I have the 500GB unit purchased from Amazon last week. It is fully up to date. I have about 21 albums and 200+ tracks ripped to the B2. I have compression set to mp3 and allowed the unit to compress every track. I have tried scanning the drive as well as performing a hard reset. I am sure to hold stop and wait for it to finish "saving" before shutting the unit down. I have the WiFi dongle in USB A and connected. Bluetooth dongle is in Usb C and is outputting to my Bluetooth speaker. I understand Bluetooth output is no longer supported but I can say that it has never lost connection.

I tried checking the diagnostic info by clicking on the wrench and the common theme I noticed when it stops playing is a line that states "netbroken." This leads me to think it may be related to a Wi-Fi issue but I wonder why dropped WiFi would affect playing from the hdd. I plan to test it tonight without the WiFi dongle attached as that is the only idea I have left.

I have seen mentions of the B2 stopping playing randomly but these usually seem to require a restart to fix and the diagnostic info does not seem to match mine. Pressing next on the remote starts playing another song again and random play will continue for a while. It is not getting hung up on specific tracks. I also ruled out tracks that may have long batches of silence at the end. I tried letting the unit sit for a while after it stopped playing and it continued to play after like 15 minutes or so. Checking the diagnostic info mentioned something about a WiFi check but sadly I didn't get to copy it.Regardless, this further leads me to believe it is WiFi related.

I will paste a sample from the debug/diagnostic info below from right after it stopped working. Any help at all is appreciated. I am not sure what is relevant so I pasted all.

Debug

startFfwdFetch2

ffwdThreadCode3 started channel = 0

FFThreadcode (0) got bitrate=128

FFGetLine Duration: N/A, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 128 kb/s

getSamples () switching

stopChannel (1) source = 10

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! New stop channel code

stopPipe3 channel 1

stopPipe3 - Already stopped

ffwdThreadCode 0 finished

ffwdThreadCode 0 deleting pipe

pipeRunning (0) result 8663 status 0

WIFEXITED = 1

WARNING startPlayingNext () development code disabled

Next ID 2000086 -> 2000013

startPlayingTrack () new ffwdfetch using /tmp/ffwdPipe1

prepareFfwdFetch channel 1 source = /media/hdd1/music/various/ボボボーボ・ボーボボ ハジケ祭り ボーカルコレクション/04 アイツハゲタワー「マヨネーズ戦争勃発�

StartPipePlay (1) /tmp/ffwdPipe1 pf[1] = 42160328

Flushing pipe 1

startPipePlay () pipe=1 pid=8735

startFfwdFetch2

ffwdThreadCode3 started channel = 1

FFThreadcode (1) got bitrate=128

FFGetLine Duration: N/A, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 128 kb/s

getSamples () switching

stopChannel (0) source = 10

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! New stop channel code

stopPipe3 channel 0

stopPipe3 - Already stopped

ffwdThreadCode 1 finished

ffwdThreadCode 1 deleting pipe

pipeRunning (1) result 8735 status 0

WIFEXITED = 1

WARNING startPlayingNext () development code disabled

Next ID 2000013 -> 2000093

startPlayingTrack () new ffwdfetch using /tmp/ffwdPipe0

prepareFfwdFetch channel 0 source = /media/hdd1/music/Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers/Greatest Hits/06 Don't Do Me Like That.mp3

StartPipePlay (0) /tmp/ffwdPipe0 pf[0] = 42168496

Flushing pipe 0

startPipePlay () pipe=0 pid=8790

startFfwdFetch2

ffwdThreadCode3 started channel = 0

FFThreadcode (0) got bitrate=130

FFGetLine Duration: N/A, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 130 kb/s

getSamples () switching

stopChannel (1) source = 10

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! New stop channel code

stopPipe3 channel 1

stopPipe3 - Already stopped

ffwdThreadCode 0 finished

ffwdThreadCode 0 deleting pipe

pipeRunning (0) result 8790 status 0

WIFEXITED = 1

WARNING startPlayingNext () development code disabled

Next ID 2000093 -> 2000170

startPlayingTrack () new ffwdfetch using /tmp/ffwdPipe1

prepareFfwdFetch channel 1 source = /media/hdd1/music/ Coalesce vs. boysetsfire/Split/01 Coalesce - Vehicle.mp3

StartPipePlay (1) /tmp/ffwdPipe1 pf[1] = 42160328

Flushing pipe 1

startPipePlay () pipe=1 pid=8842

startFfwdFetch2

ffwdThreadCode3 started channel = 1

FFThreadcode (1) got bitrate=111

FFGetLine Duration: N/A, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 111 kb/s

getSamples () switching

stopChannel (0) source = 10

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! New stop channel code

stopPipe3 channel 0

stopPipe3 - Already stopped

ffwdThreadCode 1 finished

ffwdThreadCode 1 deleting pipe

pipeRunning (1) result 8842 status 0

WIFEXITED = 1

WARNING startPlayingNext () development code disabled

Next ID 2000170 -> 2000111

startPlayingTrack () new ffwdfetch using /tmp/ffwdPipe0

prepareFfwdFetch channel 0 source = /media/hdd1/music/Billy Joel/Greatest Hits Volume I - 1973-1978/06 The stranger.mp3

StartPipePlay (0) /tmp/ffwdPipe0 pf[0] = 42168496

Flushing pipe 0

startPipePlay () pipe=0 pid=8900

startFfwdFetch2

ffwdThreadCode3 started channel = 0

FFThreadcode (0) got bitrate=128

FFGetLine Duration: N/A, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 128 kb/s

getSamples () switching

stopChannel (1) source = 10

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! New stop channel code

stopPipe3 channel 1

stopPipe3 - Already stopped

ffwdThreadCode 0 finished

ffwdThreadCode 0 deleting pipe

pipeRunning (0) result 8900 status 0

WIFEXITED = 1

WARNING startPlayingNext () development code disabled

Next ID 2000111 -> 2000143

startPlayingTrack () new ffwdfetch using /tmp/ffwdPipe1

prepareFfwdFetch channel 1 source = /media/hdd1/music/Less Than Jake/Borders & Boundaries/13 Last Hour Of The Last Day Of Work.mp3

StartPipePlay (1) /tmp/ffwdPipe1 pf[1] = 42160328

Flushing pipe 1

startPipePlay () pipe=1 pid=8998

startFfwdFetch2

ffwdThreadCode3 started channel = 1

FFThreadcode (1) got bitrate=128

FFGetLine Duration: N/A, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 128 kb/s

getSamples () switching

stopChannel (0) source = 10

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! New stop channel code

stopPipe3 channel 0

stopPipe3 - Already stopped

ffwdThreadCode 1 finished

ffwdThreadCode 1 deleting pipe

pipeRunning (1) result 8998 status 0

WIFEXITED = 1

WARNING startPlayingNext () development code disabled

Next ID 2000143 -> 2000017

startPlayingTrack () new ffwdfetch using /tmp/ffwdPipe0

prepareFfwdFetch channel 0 source = /media/hdd1/music/various/ボボボーボ・ボーボボ ハジケ祭り ボーカルコレクション/08 ビュティのテーマ「待ってよボーボボ」.m

StartPipePlay (0) /tmp/ffwdPipe0 pf[0] = 42168496

Flushing pipe 0

startPipePlay () pipe=0 pid=9061

startFfwdFetch2

ffwdThreadCode3 started channel = 0

FFThreadcode (0) got bitrate=109

FFGetLine Duration: N/A, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 109 kb/s

getSamples () switching

stopChannel (1) source = 10

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! New stop channel code

stopPipe3 channel 1

stopPipe3 - Already stopped

ffwdThreadCode 0 finished

ffwdThreadCode 0 deleting pipe

pipeRunning (0) result 9061 status 0

WIFEXITED = 1

WARNING startPlayingNext () development code disabled

Next ID 2000017 -> 2000133

startPlayingTrack () new ffwdfetch using /tmp/ffwdPipe1

prepareFfwdFetch channel 1 source = /media/hdd1/music/Less Than Jake/Borders & Boundaries/03 Suburban Myth.mp3

StartPipePlay (1) /tmp/ffwdPipe1 pf[1] = 42160328

Flushing pipe 1

startPipePlay () pipe=1 pid=9158

startFfwdFetch2

ffwdThreadCode3 started channel = 1

FFThreadcode (1) got bitrate=80

FFGetLine Duration: N/A, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 80 kb/s

getSamples () switching

stopChannel (0) source = 10

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! New stop channel code

stopPipe3 channel 0

stopPipe3 - Already stopped

ffwdThreadCode 1 finished

ffwdThreadCode 1 deleting pipe

pipeRunning (1) result 9158 status 0

WIFEXITED = 1

WARNING startPlayingNext () development code disabled

Next ID 2000133 -> 2000171

startPlayingTrack () new ffwdfetch using /tmp/ffwdPipe0

prepareFfwdFetch channel 0 source = /media/hdd1/music/ Coalesce vs. boysetsfire/Split/02 Coalesce - In The Wilderness.mp3

StartPipePlay (0) /tmp/ffwdPipe0 pf[0] = 42168496

Flushing pipe 0

startPipePlay () pipe=0 pid=9204

startFfwdFetch2

ffwdThreadCode3 started channel = 0

FFThreadcode (0) got bitrate=112

FFGetLine Duration: N/A, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 112 kb/s

getSamples () switching

stopChannel (1) source = 10

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! New stop channel code

stopPipe3 channel 1

stopPipe3 - Already stopped

ffwdThreadCode 0 finished

ffwdThreadCode 0 deleting pipe

pipeRunning (0) result 9204 status 0

WIFEXITED = 1

WARNING startPlayingNext () development code disabled

Next ID 2000171 -> 2000085

startPlayingTrack () new ffwdfetch using /tmp/ffwdPipe1

prepareFfwdFetch channel 1 source = /media/hdd1/music/boysetsfire/After The Eulogy/12 Unspoken Request.mp3

StartPipePlay (1) /tmp/ffwdPipe1 pf[1] = 42160328

Flushing pipe 1

startPipePlay () pipe=1 pid=9306

startFfwdFetch2

ffwdThreadCode3 started channel = 1

FFThreadcode (1) got bitrate=124

FFGetLine Duration: N/A, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 124 kb/s

getSamples () switching

stopChannel (0) source = 10

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! New stop channel code

stopPipe3 channel 0

stopPipe3 - Already stopped

30 Pings Dropped - netbroken2 () FAILED

wifiWatchdog () - restarting wlan0

ffwdThreadCode 1 finished

ffwdThreadCode 1 deleting pipe

TODO 128k assumed in getDuration

fileLength 3171609 bitrate 128

channel 1 pipe 1 computed duration 198.2

webGetCurrentArt () /b2gci.fcgi?getCurrentArt&time=1535894458048

webGetCurrentArt () returning NULL

webGuest url = guest&mode=0&playlist=1&time=1535894462501

setGuestModePlaylist 0

[PMB]

Hi Ed,

Thank you for the detailed description and debug list. It does point towards a problem with WiFi. Please let us know what happens when you use the B2 without the WiFi dongle.

Paul

Brennan Support.

[Ed F.]

Definitely WiFi related. With the dongle removed it played all night with no issues. That brings up a few questions for me though. Why would a drop in WiFi affect the playing of locally stored content? I could see if I were playing internet radio, but songs ripped to the hdd? I am also at a loss for what exactly triggers it. One of my troubleshooting steps was to unplug my router during the B2 playing, expecting it to fail when the song ended but it loaded up the next song with no issues.

The WiFi is unimportant to me at night so I do not mind disabling it. I only really need it for updates, ripping cds, and if I want to use the web ui. Is there a way to disable WiFi without removing the dongle? I'd like to avoid the wear and tear of removing it each night if possible.

Thanks!

[PMB]

Hi Ed,

It appears your B2 suffers drop-outs and/or interruptions in the WiFi signal and the B2 tries to reconnect but eventually gives up and exits whatever mode it is in (playing from the HDD in your case). Others have noticed a similar thing when playing Internet Radio when the WiFi signal is poor.

First thing to do is check the signal strength - Settings > Maintenance > WiFi strength - it needs to be circa -60dBm (-50dBm being better and -70dBm being worse) and should not fluctuate wildly for a reliable connection.

You can improve the WiFi signal at the B2 by the following - 

Fit the WiFi dongle on to a short (0.5m) USB extension cable and position it away from the B2

Change the WiFi dongle for a type with built-in antenna - it needs to be an RT5370 type dongle to work with the B2

There isn't an option for switching off WiFi on the B2.

Paul

Brennan Support.

[Richard Burford]

I have seen exactly the same behaviour from my B2 recently, and had captured a couple of screenshots of the log to start a thread here. Upon reading through Ed's question/log I too see the 30 pings failed message, so I presume that I am experiencing the same issue.

However, having read the rest of the post I have a really hard time accepting that the B2 stops playing because it can't connect to wi-fi, it's playing from a hard drive.

I have seen some issues that I can live with - incorrect characters in song/album/artist names etc. but this one is a serious issue.

You guys need to consider reworking the code that stops the playback if a wi-fi issue is detected. I could live with "finish the current album, and put up a no wi-fi message on the unit" solution, but to just give up playing music is unacceptable IMHO.

The suggestion to buy even more hardware, even if it's just a cheap USB cable, doesn't inspire confidence either. . .

Cheers.

Richard

[David K]

I am also having this problem - I have already added an antenna previously due to signal issues. The latest updates (over the last 6 weeks or so) seem to coincide with this problem starting. A case of unintended consequences due to other improvements?

[PMB]

Martin is looking into this.

Paul

Brennan Support.

[Brennan Support]

Hello Ed, Richard, David

Martin here

Thanks for the reports - especially Ed you did all the right things. 

I've put a unit on test here - I'll add a few more as necessary.

The Wifi watchdog doesn't do anything to music playback - or at least it shouldn't - but I don't believe in coincidences when it comes to debugging

The new seek functionality introduced over the last few months seems more likely.

If you don't hear any more within a week badger me with an email

Martin

David K - are you the David K from Sinclair?

[David K]

Hi Martin,

No sorry.

best

David

[Scott B.]

Hi All,

Loving the B2, mostly. 

We have, however, nicknamed it 'the 1-hit wonder' as it often stops playback after only a song or two. I updated the software a few days ago (today is 2/19/21), but no discernible improvement.

I almost spit fine whisky on my monitor when I read of non-stop listening for hours on end. We usually bet on how few songs we'll get before it stops. Starting it again is as easy as hitting 'next' on the unit or remote, but that is not always handy. I should mention that we almost always have it in random play--I don't know if this problem exists for album or list play modes.

Thanks,

--sab

[Daniel Taylor]

Hi Scott,

Bizarre symptoms like that often point to corrupted software on the SD card.  There are instructions on the Brennan website for reflashing your card (on the Techy Stuff page), or you can order a new one from Brennan (should be free if your unit is still in warranty).  Send an e-mail to thebrennanb2 (at) gmail (dot) com

[PMB]

Hi Sab,

Try running Scan Disk - Settings menu - which will rebuild the internal database the B2 uses to locate and play music.

If that doesn't work, the SD Card may be to blame as Daniel suggets.

Paul

Brennan Support.