Youtube problems

[ChasGB]

Sorry if this is a well-worn topic bit I’ve just had my B2 for two weeks and I can’t find a specific answer to my problem on the forum, which relates to Youtube.

Firstly I should say that everything else with B2 works fine, including NAS connection, and I know that connecting to Youtube is not really the B2’s prime purpose, but to me it is worthwhile enough to get it to work OK given the massive fund of music on YouTube. The problem is that I cannot get a consistent connection to Youtube. Using the GUI running on Safari for iPad, I find various problems:

1. In some cases I can locate the Youtube track I want via the Search but it just won’t play

2. Other times a previously downloaded track plays instead of the selected one

3. On the occasions when I do get the desired track to download, it plays for a while, the restarts.

I have a strong Internet connection and otherwise no problems connecting to Youtube via my PC or iPad. I have the latest B2 OS running and have done whatever resets I can find.

Does anyone have any similar experiences or solutions for this problem? I think I read somewhere that Brennan was revising its software following changes on Youtube but I’ve not heard anything more about this. Thanks

[Edwyn Corteen]

Hi Chas

Have you updated to latest software? 31st December version contained fixes for youtube.

[PMB]

Hi ChasGB,

Make sure you have the latest software. Then check the WiFi at the B2 - Settings > Maintenance > WiFi Strength - it needs to be at least -60dBm (-50dBm being better and -70dBm being worse) - there's more info on our How To's pages - link - on the web site. A good signal doesn't guarantee good signal quality - both are required for a reliable WiFi connection.

Paul

Brennan Support.

[ChasGB]

Thanks Paul. I do have the latest software installed (9th Jan).

I have tested the Signal Strength in two locations. In the first the average was 59-61 dBm (range 49-61) and in the second it was an average 47-49 (range 43-51). 

In both locations the Youtube connection problems remained the same. I searched for a new track on the GUI which eventually started playing but after less than one minute stopped and then reverted to playing the very first Youtube track I had connected to some days ago (but which was deleted from the Youtube History panel). 

I am running the GUI on Safari on my iPad and have cleared the cache but with no improvement.

Any further ideas gratefully accepted.

I failed to say in my first email that my connection to Internet radio via the B2 GUI is not good either.

Thanks

[Edwyn Corteen]

Hi Chas

Sounds like dodgy WiFi, best way to check will be to move B2 to be next to the router and see how it works, if you now get reliable Radio and youtubes that will confirm the issue. 

Have a look at this thread, the WiFi dongle with an aerial has helped many others with similar issues

https://groups.google.com/forum/#!searchin/brennanb2/wifi$20dongle%7Csort:date/brennanb2/vaF_gamcdhk/HTgTBKFaAgAJ

[Bill Boucher]

Despite having the most recent software my B2 cannot play Youtube tracks when selected from a new search. Which is odd, as the old ones from some months back in the history play fine.

Any notions?

[PMB]

Hi Chas,

I would try a Web Upgrade again.

If Internet Radio is also a problem it may be a faulty WiFi dongle. Please email us - link - requesting a replacement dongle with your address and we will send you one.

Paul

Brennan Support.

[ChasGB]

Hi Edwyn.

Paul has kindly offered me a replacement wifi dongle in case this is the problem. In the meantime I took your advice and put the B2 next to the router and got an improved signal strength (average 35-37 compared to 47-49 at previous location). I then tested some Youtube downloads and I have to say that things are better. There are still some issues but I’m sure there is an improvement. So, many thanks!

To use the B2 where I want it, it looks like I will need a signal strengthener. I looked at the one mention in your link and will try it out. The only confusion is that the “higher” strength unit recommended by Martin Brennan doesn’t appear to have the requisite chipset, unless I have misunderstood?

Thanks again also to everyone who has been trying to help me. As a B2 rookie, it’s much appreciated.

Chas

[Edwyn Corteen]

Hi Chas

Seems the correct link, what is required is the RT5370 chipset which this one has, direct link below.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/WiFi-Dongle-RT5370-Chipset-Boxes/dp/B015TCA2EM/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=ralink&qid=1579185173&s=electronics&search-type=ss&sr=1-3

[PMB]

Hi Chas,

If you visit Amazon and search RT5370,several dongles with built in antenna are listed. 

Paul

Brennan Support.

[Keith]

Having seen the YouTube functionality added, I decided to buy the B2.  Delivered yesterday.  Disappointed.

Wifi signal strength shown as -27 to -33 on B2 on a Broadband line running 50-60 Mbps.

Web UI on laptop and tablet can return available YouTube tracks quickly from search.  The resulting response from the B2 is not good.  Usually the track plays only for a few seconds.  The B2 screen either reverts to idle or another track is selected seemingly randomly from previous searches.  For example, Baby Shark lasts two seconds then changes to Years and Years for a minute before changing again to something else for a similar short time.  Sometimes the WebUI refreshes and a few moments later the B2 stops.  Another time, Years and Years are shown as playing on the Web UI and shown on the B2 display but the track being played was Rod Stewart.

Any ideas to overcome this?  Thanks

[ChasGB]

Keith’s problem regarding YouTube downloads very much echoes mine which is why I started the thread. I have very strong Broadband and I have managed to get my wifi signal strength on the B2 up to about 40 which I’m sure must be enough. I’ve followed many of the tips/pieces of advice offered in this thread but I still get the Youtube download problems. The most annoying is when a searched for track plays for a minute or so but then reverts to a track that I had downloaded some days ago and subsequently deleted from the History. 

Like Keith I’m disappointed that the YouTube functionality seems to be less than perfect and I wonder if Brennan could look into this issue in terms of how the Brennan software interfaces with YouTube’s please?

[Daniel Taylor]

Without going back to read every post, I don't know if this has already been covered.  There have been changes recently that had to do with improving YouTube performance, specifically Dec.31,2019.  In Keith's case, the new B2 probably does not have the most recent software on it, unless he has done the update himself.  Best to check the version you're running.

[Keith]

I should have mentioned the software version is 9 Jan 2020.

Keith

[Phil W]

Hi,
I have similar problems with YouTube. I've got the current OS update. Search works fine but won't play them. Displays my IP address then states' that didn't work try again'. Have looked through the forums but haven't a resolution. All other functions work fine.
Thanks,
Phil

[PMB]

Hi Keith,

Try deleting the YouTube Cache, reboot (Maintenance menu) and try again,

If a YouTube search result doesn't play properly delete it from the History list.

Paul

Brennan Support.

[Phil W]

Hi,
Reran the web upgrade and cleared all of the YouTube history. Can now play selections from YouTube although it tends to chop them off about 20 seconds from the end.

Thanks,
Phil

[ChasGB]

My B2 has started doing this again too. It either stops a track after a few seconds and then restarts it again and again OR it plays the track through nearly to the end, then stops and starts playing a previous track that had been deleted from history some time ago.

I’ve run web upgrade of course but it doesn’t change anything. I have a signal strength averaging 40-45.

There must be something not right in the B2 software somewhere.

One problems gets resolved, then another comes back again ......

[Bill Boucher]

I have exactly the same problem as the above post.

[Clan]

I cant download any you tube anymore  either  latest SW made no difference ... deleted History ... ???

[PMB]

Hi Clan,

Appears to be playing OK on my system this morning. Please send a couple of examples for me to try.

Have you checked your WiFi strength on the B2 (Maintenance menu)?

Paul

Brennan Support.

[Clan]

Hello Paul ,

 This was on The BB1 , however it's working this morning ! 

Strange things ...  wifi is no problem 

 Clan

[Adrian Batstone]

Hi everyone,

I am a new member and have joined out of desperation and in the hope of learning.

I have the same YouTube problem, ongoing for sometime. Get the error message "This site says... 'That didn't work, try again.'  Have read through all the threads and followed the instructions without success - 

Have got the very  latest update.

Re booted numerous times.

Deleted cache.

Wi-fi strength 27.5.

Using Ethernet Cable between BT hub and B2.

Don't have too much time (or knowledge) to 'tinker', would just like it to work when I want to use it.

Please can you help.

Thanks in anticipation.

Regards,

Adrian.

[Edwyn Corteen]

Hi Adrian.

As you have the Ethernet connection you don't need WiFi, have you tried it without the WiFi dongle plugged in? If still no good take B2 to a Friends house and see what happens on a different router.

[Peter Lowham]

Hi Adrian,

From your details given, it looks like you are running Ethernet wired and Wifi wireless at the same time.  If this is the case then using the Ethernet wired connection will give the best results so I would suggest that you remove the Wifi dongle, power down and reboot your B2 and see if this helps.

Regards,

Peter.

[Keith]

The Curse of the Green Tick

I emailed Paul at Brennan on Monday with some observations of the YouTube premature ending on the B2.  It included this consistent event which may be a clue to the underlying problem.

During the playing a green tick appears in the artwork of the track being played, viewed on the WebUI.  The green tick can appear at any stage, sometimes after only a few seconds.  Within nine seconds of it appearing the B2 music stops, even where there is more of the track yet to play. 

[Adrian Batstone]

Hi Edwyn,

Thank you for this, very helpful.  I removed the wi-fi dongle from USB A, and tried just using the ethernet cable.  I hadn't taken into account that I would then lose comms with my laptop and the web UI!  I am not savvy enough to sort that 1 out, so I approached it from the reverse angle...

I disconnected the ethernet cable from the BT Hub and re-inserted the dongle, after re-booting both the B2 and my laptop everything is now working perfectly and I can use YouTube at last.

So, your 'hunch' was spot on, there was a conflict between the ethernet cable and wi-fi, thank you so much.

Kind regards,

Adrian.

[Adrian Batstone]

Hi Peter,

You and Edwyn were absolutely right, in that there is some type of conflict going on.

 I removed the wi-fi dongle from USB A, and tried just using the ethernet cable.  I hadn't taken into account that I would then lose comms with my laptop and the web UI!  I am not savvy enough to sort that 1 out, so I approached it from the reverse angle...

I disconnected the ethernet cable from the BT Hub and re-inserted the dongle, after re-booting both the B2 and my laptop everything is now working perfectly and I can use YouTube at last.

Thank you so much.

Kind regards,

Adrian.

[Peter Lowham]

Hi Adrian,

Great news that you are now up and running on YouTube.  With regard to the issue of losing comms with your GUI and laptop when using the wired connection, this might have been caused by the wired connection having a different IP address.  The GUI and laptop may have been looking for the wireless IP address which you changed to when you disconnected the wired connection.

You can see the active IP address in the bottom left of the screen and will be something like 192.168.x.y.  If you change to the wired connection, a different address will be shown, which you can apply to your GUI and laptop.

For example, I have a B2 with a wired connection with an IP address of 192.168.1.20.  I also have a BB1 which is connected via wireless and has an IP address of 192.168.1.65.  I can access both of these via my Motorola G6 phone and my laptop.

These are great devices, I love both of them!!

Regards,

Peter.

[PMB]

Hi All,

It appears some YourTubes will not play and Martin is investigating possible causes.

If any one has specific YT's that won't play please let us have details so we can check them.

BTW the green tick, which is shown on the image in the History list, means the entire track/video has been downloaded. How long it takes to appear depends on the file size and internet speed.

Paul

Brennan Support.