FitnessOnDemand provides high-quality videos from the industry's top content providers. The majority of the videos are available in full HD (1080p) and should look crystal clear on an HD large format display (TV or Projector). If you see a pixelated picture, buffering, or choppy video, follow the below steps to improve your picture quality.

• Pixelated Picture and/or Buffering

• Choppy Video

Pixelated Picture and/or Buffering

FitnessOnDemand videos run through an HLS streaming service that automatically adjusts the bitrate based on the network conditions. If the current network bandwidth is not able to support a stream in full HD, the resolution and refresh rate will both be lowered to keep the video playing smoothly. If the FOD media hub has a slow internet connection you may see a pixelated or blurry picture that is not in HD. If the internet connection drops out altogether or is extremely slow it can result in buffering.

The bitrate and quality will adjust throughout a video as the network speed varies. The video will often start at a lower bitrate and will adjust to full HD after a few seconds. The media hub will need a wired internet connection of 10 Mbps or higher to stream in HD. Speeds lower than 10 Mbps will result in lower quality video streaming, and it also indicated by a red or blue cloud on the screen.

Checking the internet speed and bitrate

The FOD media hub has a diagnostic screen with a built-in internet speed test. The diagnostic screen will show information on the stream while a video is playing. Play a video from the FOD kiosk and press the Menu button on the FOD remote to bring up the diagnostic. Check the following sections of the diagnostic screen related to the video stream.

1. Video Location

The media hub stores a small number of videos on an SD card. The device will download videos that are on your schedule and other popular videos based on the previous history at your zone and across the entire FOD community. If you are playing a video that is stored on the SD card you will see Video (Local) listed here. All other content will stream via the internet and will show up as Video (Streaming). Local videos should play in HD at all times as they do not rely on an internet connection for streaming.

2. Stream Delivery

If the video is streaming you will see the Stream Delivery section. This shows the current bitrate of the stream, and any value over 4000 is the max available bitrate and will be HD quality. This bitrate will adjust as your internet bandwidth fluctuates and the most recent previous bitrate will show in parenthesis. In the example screenshot above, the video started streaming at 1464 kbps and then improved to 4447 kbps after a few seconds.

3. Network

Shows the current network details for the media hub. The media hub should be connected to a wired connection and will show (Wired) next to the IP address. If you see (WiFi) listed here you will likely see some streaming and video quality issues. WiFi is not supported on the media hub and we cannot guarantee that videos will stream well while using WiFi.

4. Observed Bandwidth

Shows the current internet speed delivered to the media hub. Speed tests can be run multiple times by using the arrow keys and the OK button on the remote to select Reset Bandwidth at the bottom of the diagnostic screen.

Improving Picture Quality

The picture quality has a direct relationship with the network speed available to the media hub at any given time. To improve the picture quality, improve the internet connection to the hub.

1. Wired Connection - A wired connection will have a much more consistent and reliable connection, and is the only connection type supported on the media hub. If the media hub is currently connected to WiFi, please switch it to a wired ethernet connection to the router or switch at your facility.
2. Internet Speed - Your facility will need to have a fast enough internet speed to provide enough bandwidth to the media hub along with all of the other devices at your facility. If you are seeing consistent streaming issues on your FOD kiosk and other devices, please contact your internet service provider to ensure that you are receiving the proper internet speed and to explore increasing the speed available.
3. Quality of Service (QoS) - Set a QoS on your network of at least 10 Mbps to the media hub. A QoS will prioritize internet bandwidth for the media hub over other devices on your network and will ensure that these other devices don't impact the FOD video stream. If you need assistance setting up a QoS, please contact your network administrator and/or your internet service provider. Depending on your network setup, you may need to set a static IP address for the media hub.
4. Adjust Network Security - Extreme buffering can be caused by network security cutting off the connection. Take a look at the instructions here to adjust your security to whitelist the FOD media hub.
5. Contact FOD Support - You can contact FOD support for further assistance here.

Choppy Video

Choppy or skipping videos can be caused by an error detecting the HDMI display connection when the media hub is first powered on. This can occur if the HDMI cable is plugged in while the media hub is powering on. Please follow the below steps to force the media hub to redetect the display.

1. Unplug the HDMI cable from the media hub and TV and plug them back in to reseat the cable.
2. Turn on your large format video display (TV or Projector).
3. Reboot the media hub. Note: The power button on the remote or media hub will put the media hub to sleep and does not fully reboot the hub. Follow the instructions here to reboot the media hub.

If you continue to encounter choppy videos after these steps, please try replacing the HDMI cable and try a different HDMI port on your display. Reboot the media hub again after making HDMI connection changes.