Tech Help

[PieceOfMeat]

Creating a thread for those of us in need of some tech help. Did a quick search and didn't see an existing thread (even though I kinda thought there was one already) so if there is one that exists point me at it and I'll merge this there.

Anyhow...on to the help I need.

I use VLC to stream m3u8 files. Specifically, from xrxs.net is where I usually stream. For years it worked beautifully. Then late last year (early basketball season) when I tried streaming again, I ran into issues. Whenever I try to stream now, it randomly just stops working. Specifically, it will either completely stop streaming and leave a static image up with no sound (the image being the last image it showed when streaming) or it will stop for a few seconds and then it will replay a few seconds of video and then freeze again/replay again over and over.

At this point I just don't know what to try any more. I've messed with the buffer settings, I've gone through several versions of VLC to hopefully find one that would work, with no success. Nothing changed on my computer or router, so everything is as it was when it was working great. My internet doesn't clip out or anything, so it's not my internet dropping. It's just that streaming from this site into vlc refuses to work any more for me. I've gathered from other's comments that it works for them, so I'm confused as to why it wouldn't work for me. I've tried all of the stream sizes as well from the low res to the hi def, and they all do the same thing.

Anyone with suggestions on what I can do? I've googled other options to stream the m3u8 file but haven't seen something that works. I read MPC-HC would work, but when I tried it, wouldn't even load the stream. I've tried using a website that supposedly will stream it within the page, but also didnt work.

[PieceOfMeat]

none of you tech smart guys with a possible solution for me?

any program other than vlc that I can try and stream m3u8?

[UAEebs86]

Any chance your ISP is blocking xrxs.net? Have you tried your setup with a different ISP (cell phone tether , public WiFi, friend with different service, etc.)?

Cable companies hate people getting free channels they charge for.

[PieceOfMeat]

Any chance your ISP is blocking xrxs.net? Have you tried your setup with a different ISP (cell phone tether , public WiFi, friend with different service, etc.)?

Cable companies hate people getting free channels they charge for.

While not being the most tech savvy person int he world, I believe I can state that it isn't an isp-blocking situation. I know of other people who have my isp (in this city and other cities) who can stream content just fine in the manner that I used to be able to stream. Also sometimes (when I'm very very lucky) the stream will work for a couple minutes before dieing/freezing.

It's very frustrating.

[Alieberman]

Have you tried throwing your computer out the window?

[PieceOfMeat]

Have you tried throwing your computer out the window?

I did. But it bounced off of some invisible barrier and fell to the floor. It was the damnedest things I ever saw.

[CatsbyAZ]

Creating a thread for those of us in need of some tech help. Did a quick search and didn't see an existing thread (even though I kinda thought there was one already) so if there is one that exists point me at it and I'll merge this there.

Anyhow...on to the help I need.

Glad I found a tech thread to include my questions...Anyhow...on to the help I need.

For those employees cleared for remote network access because of heavy business travel, we were issed Alcatel LINKZONE 4G LTE Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspots from T Mobile: https://www.amazon.com/Alcatel-LINKZONE ... 1774&psc=1

This is the first time I've come across a device like this and with Tech outpacing my understanding these days, I have a few questions for those who might know:

1. Is this device billed separately through T-Mobile? Or is it's data use tracked through the device connected into it (iPhone, laptop, etc) and billed according to that device?

2. If billed separately, is it billed according to data provided through this device (the Alcatel-LINKZONE-Mobile-Hotspot) or are these likely billed according to flat rates under unlimited use plans?

3. Can the content of data traffic (youtube, outlook, podcast downloads) be monitored through this device? Or only at the devices connected to it (iPhone/laptop)?

4. Lastly, how exactly does something create its own internet spot? I guess it cues into T-Mobile's global network?

Thanks for the help.

[RichardCranium]

I am not an expert on this device, but i can offer these comments in general.

It is commonaly called a 'dongle'. It has its own SIM card, which means it connects to the cell network, just like your mobile phone. It does not connect to a wifi network, but (can) exposes the cell network as a wifi network for your other nearby devices - a process commonly called 'tethering'. Most phones can do this job on their own.

There is more to say to address your question, but SWMBO is dragging me out of the coffee shop. More later if someone doesn't jump in.

[RichardCranium]

So. more on your questions...

1. When you are using the dongle you are using your employers contract with T-mobile. Your employer has provided you with this device because they organized a contract with T-Mobile and they get one bill (presumably) that covers all the dongles. They probably can get usage reports to detect unreasonable usage, and likely reports on what web sites hve been visited (if they can't get those things, then they've done a bad job).

Remember, the dongle is connected to the interwebs through its cell SIM card, your device is connected to the web via the dongles WiFi signal. Your device's SIM card is not used in this scenario. If you are working from home you probably need to ensure you are using the dongle to avoid using your personal data allocation (assuming you are a limited plan) and I assume, simpler secure access to you employers network.

2. As i said above, when you are using the dongle, it is the dongle that is billed. Data that gets to your device, gets there via the dongle. Your device has a WiFi connection to the dongle, and does not use the devices SIM card for this, so there is no way to bill your device. In fact, you should TURNOFF mobile data on your device while you are using the dongle. When you are not working, you need to be not using your employers dongle (your employer may have allowances for reasonable personal use, but that probably does not include pornography or 3 hour Arizona basketball games in HD).

3. Again, what can be monitored is the SIM card account in the dongle, when you are using the dongle. If you are using your phone to watch pornography, while your phone is tethered to the dongle, then T-Mobile (and your employer) will know that.

4. A wifi hotspot, ANY wifi hotspot, is a just a two way radio broadcasting and receiving on a known set of wavelengths and data standards. Your phone CAN do exactly the same thing as the dongle, that is, receive a signal on one two-way radio (the cellular network) and transfer it to the WiFi two way radio (obviously there are standards about this connection). Your emlpoyer could have chosen to give you all phones instead, but that is more expensive and much more support intensive, and upgrades are a nightmare. The dongle never needs to be upgraded unless T-Mobile shuts down their 4G network or whatever - not going to happen any time soon.

Australia is installing 5G now, but there are way too many 3G only devices active for anyone to contemplate shutting down 3G. In the USA it would be chaos, you'll be supporting 4 or 5 network standards for years.

Australia did shut down its CDMA network (Sprint and Verizon use CDMA) but the rural folks were up in arms about it because it had more 'throw' and therefore needed fewer towers than GSM. However CDMA is lousy in urban areas compared to GSM. It is still a political issue in some areas that are making slow progress on getting their dead spots handled, but every phone in Oz is now compatible with every cell tower in Oz.

[CatsbyAZ]

Thank you for the very thoughtful and informative response on all counts.

Question 3 is the most important answer I was looking for - If I'm using personal devices (MY iPhone, MY laptop) through the dongle device's HotSpot connection can T-Mobile know what I'm doing? Answer: Yes they can.

For a bit of background, when we employees were required to work remotely the employer-issued iPhones were, among other functions, meant to also be used as Hotspotting devices but, as you predicted, the billing was more complicated and issuing us all the dongle device was done to simplify things.

Word is the employer's data contract is unlimited but I just don't want to be the guy that ends up catching any attention over excessive data usage. As it stands I'm working on using my devices LESS (more on that in a later post; hint: check out the Moment App).