Why is the live broadcast delayed?

You might hear a celebration around you for the goal before you see it, or receive a notification of the score while the ball is still in midfield. You may also notice that the match on the smart TV is delayed by a few seconds compared to the "Thamaniya" app on mobile or compared to satellite broadcasts. A short time lag in live streaming over the internet is expected and does not necessarily mean there is a problem with your account or internet connection. The picture and sound go through several technical and artistic stages before reaching your screen from the field.

#How does the broadcast reach your screen from the field?

Live streaming does not start when you press the play button in the "Thamaniya" app. Before the match reaches your device, the journey goes through the following stages:

1. A specialized entity produces the match signal from the field, including camera work, sound, production, replays, colors, and information displayed on the screen.
2. The signal is transferred to the producer's broadcast center, where the picture and sound are examined and the final version is prepared.
3. "Thamaniya" receives the final signal as the carrier, then monitors and prepares it to work on different devices and qualities.
4. The broadcast moves to the content distribution network, which delivers it to viewers via multiple servers and paths.
5. Finally, the broadcast reaches your device through your internet service provider and the network you use.

Each stage adds a short time to the broadcast journey, and the delay may start or increase at any point. The final experience also varies according to the device, app version, internet provider, and distribution path used.

#What are the common reasons for broadcast delay?

1. Preparing the match signal from the source: The picture and sound are first produced in the field, then the signal is examined before being delivered to "Thamaniya." If the final signal reaches us late, the time that has passed before receiving it cannot be recovered. However, we follow up with the producer and work with them to reduce its impact.

2. Preparing the broadcast for different devices: After receiving the signal, we prepare the broadcast to work on smart TVs, mobiles, tablets, browsers, and in different qualities suitable for varying connection speeds. This stage includes processing the picture and sound, compressing the video, and preparing it for safe and stable online playback.

3. Distributing the broadcast over the internet: The broadcast does not move from "Thamaniya" systems to all viewers via a single path. Instead, it passes through a content distribution network, then through the internet service provider, reaching the network your device connects to. These paths may vary based on your location, internet provider, device used, and network status at the time of the match.

4. Buffering to maintain stable viewing: The video player needs to retain a short part of the broadcast before displaying it. This helps continue the match when there is a slight fluctuation in the connection. Reducing this part may lower the delay, but it makes the broadcast more prone to stuttering and stopping. Therefore, the streaming service needs to balance between the speed of event delivery and viewing stability.

5. Device or operating system differences: Each device may process the broadcast differently. You may watch the match on two devices at the same time, but the event appears on one a few seconds before the other. This is affected by the type of device, operating system, app version, video player, and how the device manages buffering.

#Smart TV delay compared to mobile

The broadcast on a smart TV may be delayed by a few seconds compared to the "Thamaniya" app on mobile, due to differences in broadcast delivery paths and how it is processed and played on each device. This difference alone does not mean there is a problem with your account or internet connection, especially if the broadcast is working stably and the picture and sound are synchronized.
When using Cast or AirPlay, an additional step enters between the mobile and the TV. This may result in a separate delay depending on the two devices and the home Wi-Fi network, not just the basic broadcast delay.

#The difference between broadcast delay and stuttering

Broadcast delay means the match is running smoothly, but what you see arrives after the event occurs on the field or after it appears on another device. Stuttering means the picture stops, a loading icon appears, the quality drops, or a part of the broadcast repeats during viewing. Stuttering may be related to the internet connection, device, app, or distribution network. A short time difference with the broadcast continuing normally does not necessarily mean there is a malfunction.

#Increasing delay during viewing

The gap from the live broadcast may increase if:

1. The connection falters and the player needs to buffer an additional part of the video.
2. The app resumes playback from where it stopped instead of returning to the live moment.

#Can the delay be completely eliminated?

Broadcasting over the internet cannot reach all devices and viewers at exactly the same moment. At Thamaniya, we work to reduce the gap as much as possible while maintaining picture and sound stability. Reducing the delay to the lowest possible level may make the broadcast more sensitive to any slight connection fluctuation, increasing the likelihood of stuttering. Therefore, the quality of the experience depends on balancing between the speed of event delivery and uninterrupted viewing.

#What to do if the delay is long?

1. Make sure you have not paused the match or returned to a previous clip.
2. Exit the match and then play it again to return to the nearest available point from the live broadcast.
3. If you are using Cast or AirPlay, try running the "Thamaniya" app directly on the TV.
4. Ensure the "Thamaniya" app and your device's operating system are updated to the latest version.
5. Restart the app and device.
6. Try watching on another device to see if the difference is related to a specific device.
7. If the delay is accompanied by stuttering or frequent stopping, check the stability of your internet connection and try using a wired connection on the TV whenever possible.

#Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why do I receive a goal notification before seeing it?
Score and data notifications travel through a different path than video, and their size is smaller and does not require image and sound processing. Therefore, the notification may arrive before the scene appears in the broadcast.

2. Does online broadcasting lag behind satellite broadcasting?
Online broadcasting may arrive after satellite broadcasting; because it goes through additional stages of video preparation, compression, distribution, and processing on your device. This difference alone does not mean there is a problem with the broadcast.

3. Is there a fixed time for broadcast delay?
There is no single time that applies to all matches, devices, and viewers. The gap varies based on the signal source, broadcast preparation, distribution path, device, internet provider, and viewing method.

4. Does TV lag behind mobile indicate a problem?
Not necessarily. Smart TV may be delayed by a few seconds due to differences in broadcast delivery paths, video player, and content processing method on each device.

5. Why does delay vary between users?
Each viewer may use a different device, internet provider, and distribution path. Therefore, an event may appear to one user before another, even when playing the same match.

6. Does fast internet eliminate broadcast delay?
A fast and stable connection helps reduce stuttering and maintain picture quality, but it does not eliminate the time needed for signal production, video preparation, distribution, and playback on the device.

7. Does using Cast or AirPlay increase delay?
Using Cast or AirPlay may add another time difference due to the broadcast transfer between the two devices and its reliance on the home Wi-Fi network. For comparison, run the "Thamaniya" app directly on the TV whenever possible.

8. Is the delay related to my account or subscription?
Most likely not. If the match is running normally but arrives after the event with a short time difference, this usually does not indicate a problem with the account or subscription.