Performance & Troubleshooting

What is a “rebuffer”?

Updated June 9, 2025

A rebuffer (also known as a “stall-out”) occurs when a video stops playing mid-way, pauses to reload buffer data, then resumes.

🧪 Industry context

  • Experts often discuss a 1% buffer‑time ratio, which might sound low—but in reality, that means about 25% of 30‑second viewers will experience at least one stall.

  • According to Mux, rebuffering encompasses all stalls during playback, and is measured by frequency, count, and duration.

 

🚀 SmartVideo’s performance

  • Across the industry, roughly 25% of all playback experiences include a stall (≈25 out of 100 viewers).

  • With SmartVideo, that rate drops to under 3%—meaning only about 3 out of 100 viewers stall during playback.

This translates to an 8× improvement in smooth playback experience. 🙌

 

✅ Why this matters

  • Better viewer retention: Fewer stalls mean fewer viewers abandoning your video.

  • Enhanced engagement: Smooth playback keeps viewers watching longer, boosting conversions.

  • Superior user experience: Reliable performance fosters trust and brand credibility.

Still stuck?

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