Chromecast on startup performances

[Barthandelus]

Hello,

I am using Stadia through my smartphone, computer, macbook, well, many things.

But am I the only one having poor performances issues on TV ? With my chromecast ultra, ethernet wired, sometimes Stadia takes up to 4 minuts to load, sometimes only 20s (and it's huge, 20s).

Also, on the game selection menu, it runs poor, there is a bit of input lag, and lag.

Once the game started, everything is fine. Is there anything to do ?

I am wondering if it wouldn't be better to stream the game selection directly.

[JohnZoidberg · Accepted solution]

Hello @Barthandelus 

I don't use my CCU too often, but I don't see that sort of startup performance issue. I will say I have heard of others who have experienced this in the past, but I don't recall the details. I'm not sure what might be causing it for you. The one thing I can suggest would be to use your phone to run the Stadia app and select the game you want to play. You should be able to have it play on your CCU, which should hopefully avoid the startup delays you are experiencing.

Streaming the game selection app would require having a game client allocated earlier in the process, and might require "handing off" to another game client depending on how they are managing game client instance allocation (e.g., they might have different subsets of the game library container images preloaded on different game client instances, so the actual game client instance allocated might depend on which game you end up selecting). It would also cost more to operate, since the game client utilization would go up (even if it's only a small amount, it would be spread over all users to raise costs). Since the CCU is no longer being manufactured, and it's rather old at this point, I suspect optimization efforts are going into other platforms like AndroidTV and WebOS.

All of that said, I don't think your CCU should be experiencing this kind of performance impact (especially when it appears to be at least not common). What firmware version is your CCU on?

[JohnZoidberg · Accepted solution]

Hello @Barthandelus 

I don't use my CCU too often, but I don't see that sort of startup performance issue. I will say I have heard of others who have experienced this in the past, but I don't recall the details. I'm not sure what might be causing it for you. The one thing I can suggest would be to use your phone to run the Stadia app and select the game you want to play. You should be able to have it play on your CCU, which should hopefully avoid the startup delays you are experiencing.

Streaming the game selection app would require having a game client allocated earlier in the process, and might require "handing off" to another game client depending on how they are managing game client instance allocation (e.g., they might have different subsets of the game library container images preloaded on different game client instances, so the actual game client instance allocated might depend on which game you end up selecting). It would also cost more to operate, since the game client utilization would go up (even if it's only a small amount, it would be spread over all users to raise costs). Since the CCU is no longer being manufactured, and it's rather old at this point, I suspect optimization efforts are going into other platforms like AndroidTV and WebOS.

All of that said, I don't think your CCU should be experiencing this kind of performance impact (especially when it appears to be at least not common). What firmware version is your CCU on?

[Barthandelus]

Hello @JohnZoidberg,

Didn't check for CCU firmware. Wasn't even aware there were different firmware version.

Upgrade from phone I guess ?

[JohnZoidberg · Accepted solution]

You'll use the Google Home app on your phone to manage the CCU, including to check what firmware version it's running. On the main Google Home app screen, find your CCU and tap it's icon. Then, tap the gear icon in the upper right corner to get to the settings screen for that CCU. Tap "Device information" and at the bottom, under "Technical information" you should see the current firmware version. Here's a support page describing it in detail, including what version you should expect to see: https://support.google.com/chromecast/answer/7124014?hl=en 

It should automatically upgrade itself, though, so this is only to check on it.

Can I ask how you have your CCU connected to the internet? Is it via WiFi or Ethernet? If it's Ethernet, what exactly is that connected to?

[Barthandelus]

Hello @JohnZoidberg,

Did the check this day. My chromecast is up to date.

Also it is ethernet wired directly to my router.
Doesn't think it's important, but my LG TV is also wired but it is 2 separate wire.

Tested with others wire, it's the same. It's random. Sometimes it takes like 13sc, sometimes almost 60sc atm.

[JohnZoidberg]

That is really strange. Can I ask what type of router you have? It sounds like it's a type that has a built in Ethernet switch that provides multiple ports for local devices. If so, that should work fine. Is there any chance you have double NAT (another "outer" router in between your WiFi router and the internet – perhaps a combination modem+router from your internet service provider)?

[Barthandelus]

Hello @JohnZoidberg,

Sorry, did talk too fast. I only have a modem and it is wired directly to it through ethernet (4 ports, 1 used by the chromecast, 1 by the TV).

Are we agree that the loading is made by the Chromecast ?
Maybe the chromecast itself is the problem ? I have another chromecast. Maybe I should give a try.

[JamesFromGoogle]

Hey @Barthandelus,

I'm sure the start up lag to launch Stadia can be pretty frustrating. Just wanted to follow up to see how your test with a different Chromecast went? Update us when you can.

Thank you,

James

[Barthandelus]

Hello @JamesFromGoogle,

Same with another chromecast sadly :
- It took around 15sc to show the profile selection (only 1 profile).
- It took around 20-25sc to show game list.

Maybe this performance issue is also linked to the number of games I have ? 113 games actually.

TBH it's not that much, but I don't know if I am the only one being frustrated by this delay each time. I think there is probably something to do here.

Also, once I did quit a game, and if the survey shown up, I can't select an option and submit directly, it is freezing like 5-10sc.

In all case after leaving a game the game selection does appear in 2-3sc.

Also in game selection when I'm searching for a game by going left to right there is also a delay. It's not input lag, it's like the game selection does lag. Sometimes the pictures does freez 1sc then scroll. It's true for all my chromecasts.

EDIT : FYI I got 2 chromecasts, first from Premiere Edition, second from the Resident Evil Village offers (I think it's also a Premiere Edition).

[JamesFromGoogle]

Hey @Barthandelus,

Darn I'm sorry that is still not working. This may be a redundant suggestion, but just trying to cover all of our bases here. Have you attempted to do a hard reset of your Chromecast to see if you get a better experience on the Stadia platform menus. 

Thank you,

James