Launch Delays and Timing.md - Dkmariolink/ez-streaming GitHub Wiki

Launch Delays and Timing

Master the timing system in EZ Streaming to optimize your application launches and prevent system overload.

Understanding Launch Delays

Why Delays Matter

Launch delays serve several critical purposes:

System Performance

  • Prevents Overload: Launching multiple applications simultaneously can overwhelm your system
  • Resource Management: Allows each application to fully initialize before starting the next
  • Stability: Reduces crashes and freezing during the launch sequence
  • Responsiveness: Keeps your system responsive during the startup process

Application Dependencies

  • Sequential Dependencies: Some applications work better when others are already running
  • Resource Competition: Heavy applications need exclusive access to system resources during startup
  • Initialization Time: Complex applications need time to fully load before others can use them

Types of Delays in EZ Streaming

Profile Default Delay

  • Scope: Applies to all applications in the profile
  • Location: Top section of the main interface
  • Purpose: Sets the baseline timing for the entire launch sequence
  • Range: 1-30 seconds

Per-Application Custom Delays

  • Scope: Overrides the default delay for specific applications
  • Control: Individual checkbox and spinner for each application
  • Purpose: Fine-tune timing for applications with special requirements
  • Flexibility: Can be longer or shorter than the profile default

First Application Exception

  • Special Rule: The first application in a profile has no delay
  • Rationale: No need to wait before starting the first application
  • UI Behavior: Delay controls are disabled for the first application

Configuring Profile Default Delays

Setting the Default Delay

  1. Locate the "Default Launch Delay" control at the top of the interface
  2. Use the spinner or type a value (1-30 seconds)
  3. This delay applies between each application launch
  4. The setting is saved automatically with the profile

Recommended Default Delays by System

High-Performance Systems (16GB+ RAM, SSD, Modern CPU)

  • Recommended: 3-5 seconds
  • Rationale: Fast systems can handle quicker transitions
  • Use Case: Streamers who want to get online quickly

Standard Systems (8-16GB RAM, Mixed Storage)

  • Recommended: 5-7 seconds
  • Rationale: Balanced approach for most users
  • Use Case: Most streaming setups

Budget Systems (4-8GB RAM, HDD, Older CPU)

  • Recommended: 8-12 seconds
  • Rationale: Longer delays prevent system strain
  • Use Case: Older hardware or resource-constrained systems

Gaming Systems Under Load

  • Recommended: 10-15 seconds
  • Rationale: When running demanding games, other applications need more time
  • Use Case: Gaming streams with resource-intensive games

Per-Application Custom Delays

When to Use Custom Delays

Heavy Applications

Applications that should have longer custom delays:

  • OBS Studio: 8-12 seconds (complex initialization)
  • Games: 10-15 seconds (especially large games)
  • Video Editing Software: 10-15 seconds (Adobe Premiere, DaVinci Resolve)
  • 3D Software: 12-20 seconds (Blender, Unity, Unreal Engine)
  • Virtual Machines: 15-30 seconds (depending on VM size)

Light Applications

Applications that can have shorter custom delays:

  • Notepad/Text Editors: 1-2 seconds
  • Calculator: 1 second
  • Small Utilities: 1-3 seconds
  • Web Browsers (if already running): 2-3 seconds

Instant Applications

Applications that should have minimal delays:

  • Already Running Apps: 1 second (just for UI feedback)
  • System Utilities: 1-2 seconds
  • Command Line Tools: 1 second

Configuring Custom Delays

Setting a Custom Delay

  1. Find the application row you want to customize
  2. Check the "Custom delay" checkbox
  3. The spinner becomes enabled
  4. Set your desired delay value (1-30 seconds)
  5. The custom value overrides the profile default for that application

Removing Custom Delays

  1. Uncheck the "Custom delay" checkbox
  2. The application will revert to using the profile default delay
  3. The custom value is cleared

Custom Delay Strategies

Progressive Loading Strategy

Start with lighter applications, progress to heavier:

  1. Music Player: 2 seconds (quick background ambiance)
  2. Chat Application: 3 seconds (lightweight communication)
  3. Browser: 5 seconds (for stream dashboard)
  4. OBS Studio: 10 seconds (heavy streaming software)
  5. Game: 15 seconds (most resource-intensive)

Dependency-Based Strategy

Launch applications in order of dependencies:

  1. Base Applications First: Discord, Spotify (2-3 seconds each)
  2. Core Tools: OBS Studio (8-10 seconds)
  3. Content Applications: Games, creative software (10-15 seconds)
  4. Enhancement Tools: Stream overlays, bots (3-5 seconds)

Advanced Timing Configurations

System-Specific Optimization

SSD vs HDD Storage

  • SSD Systems: Can use 20-30% shorter delays
  • HDD Systems: Need 50-100% longer delays for disk-intensive applications
  • Mixed Storage: Adjust delays based on where each application is installed

RAM Considerations

  • 32GB+ RAM: Aggressive timing (3-5 second defaults)
  • 16GB RAM: Standard timing (5-7 second defaults)
  • 8GB RAM: Conservative timing (7-10 second defaults)
  • 4GB RAM: Very conservative timing (10-15 second defaults)

CPU Performance Impact

  • High-End CPUs (8+ cores): Can handle concurrent initialization better
  • Mid-Range CPUs (4-6 cores): Need moderate delays for stability
  • Budget CPUs (2-4 cores): Require longer delays to prevent bottlenecks

Application-Specific Timing Guides

Streaming Software

  • OBS Studio: 8-12 seconds

    • Loads plugins, initializes audio/video devices
    • Heavy GPU initialization
    • Scene and source loading

  • Streamlabs: 10-15 seconds

    • Additional overlay system
    • Cloud integration initialization
    • Multiple component loading

  • XSplit: 8-12 seconds

    • Similar to OBS but different optimization
    • Plugin system initialization

Games by Category

  • Indie Games: 5-8 seconds
  • AAA Games: 15-25 seconds
  • Competitive Games (CS:GO, Valorant): 10-15 seconds
  • MMORPGs: 20-30 seconds
  • Simulation Games: 15-25 seconds

Communication Software

  • Discord: 3-5 seconds
    • Quick startup but needs time for server connections
  • TeamSpeak: 2-4 seconds
    • Lightweight client
  • Skype: 5-8 seconds
    • Heavier client with more features

Creative Software

  • Photoshop: 15-20 seconds
  • After Effects: 20-30 seconds
  • Blender: 10-15 seconds
  • Unity/Unreal: 15-25 seconds

Delay Warning System

Low Delay Warnings

EZ Streaming includes a warning system for potentially problematic delays:

When Warnings Appear

  • Very Low Delays: Less than 2 seconds for most applications
  • System-Dependent: Based on detected system capabilities
  • Application-Specific: Some applications always warn below certain thresholds

Warning Dialog Options

  • Proceed Anyway: Continue with the low delay setting
  • Increase Delay: Automatically set to recommended minimum
  • Don't Show Again: Disable warnings for this profile
  • Learn More: Get information about why delays matter

Bypassing Warnings

When It's Safe to Ignore Warnings

  • High-Performance Systems: Modern hardware can handle shorter delays
  • Light Applications: Simple utilities don't need long delays
  • Experienced Users: You understand the trade-offs
  • Testing Scenarios: Experimenting with optimization

When to Heed Warnings

  • System Instability: If you experience crashes or freezing
  • First-Time Setup: When you're new to the application combinations
  • Complex Profiles: Profiles with many or heavy applications
  • Production Streams: When reliability is critical

Timing Optimization Strategies

Performance Testing

Baseline Testing

  1. Start Conservative: Use longer delays initially
  2. Monitor Performance: Watch system resources during launches
  3. Gradual Reduction: Slowly decrease delays while monitoring stability
  4. Find Sweet Spot: Balance speed with reliability

Testing Methodology

  1. Consistent Environment: Test with the same system load
  2. Multiple Runs: Launch sequence several times to ensure consistency
  3. Resource Monitoring: Use Task Manager or other tools to watch system load
  4. Stability Assessment: Look for crashes, hangs, or performance degradation

Profile-Specific Optimization

Gaming Stream Profile

  • Pre-Game Apps: Short delays (2-3 seconds) for Discord, music
  • Game Launch: Long delay (15-20 seconds) before launching the game
  • Post-Game Apps: Medium delays (5-8 seconds) for overlays, alerts

Creative Stream Profile

  • Reference Materials: Short delays (2-3 seconds) for browsers, note apps
  • Creative Software: Long delays (15-25 seconds) for Photoshop, Blender
  • Streaming Tools: Medium delays (8-10 seconds) for OBS with scenes

Podcast Profile

  • Communication First: Medium delays (3-5 seconds) for Skype, Discord
  • Recording Software: Long delay (10-15 seconds) for Audacity, Adobe Audition
  • Background Apps: Short delays (2-3 seconds) for notes, music

Troubleshooting Timing Issues

Common Problems and Solutions

System Freezes During Launch

Problem: System becomes unresponsive during application launches
Solutions:

  1. Increase all delays by 50-100%
  2. Reduce number of applications in the profile
  3. Check system resources - may need hardware upgrade
  4. Launch applications individually to identify problem apps

Applications Crash During Startup

Problem: Some applications fail to start properly
Solutions:

  1. Increase custom delays for problematic applications
  2. Check launch order - some apps may need others to be ready first
  3. Test manual launches to verify applications work independently
  4. Review system resources during launch sequence

Inconsistent Launch Behavior

Problem: Sometimes launches work, sometimes they don't
Solutions:

  1. Increase delays to account for system variability
  2. Close unnecessary background apps before launching
  3. Monitor system load - high background activity affects timing
  4. Use longer delays during high system activity periods

Applications Launch But Don't Function Properly

Problem: Apps start but have issues or missing features
Solutions:

  1. Increase delays to allow full initialization
  2. Check dependencies - some applications need others to be fully loaded
  3. Verify launch order - critical applications should start first
  4. Test with manual launches to establish baseline behavior

Advanced Troubleshooting

Resource Monitoring During Launch

Use Windows Task Manager or Resource Monitor to watch:

  • CPU Usage: Spikes indicate heavy initialization
  • Memory Usage: Rapid allocation shows applications loading
  • Disk Activity: High disk I/O suggests need for longer delays
  • Network Activity: Applications connecting to services

System Log Analysis

Check Windows Event Viewer for:

  • Application Errors: Failed launches or crashes
  • System Warnings: Resource constraints or conflicts
  • Service Issues: Background services affecting application startup

Best Practices for Launch Timing

General Guidelines

Conservative Approach

  • Start with longer delays and optimize down
  • Better to wait a few extra seconds than deal with crashes
  • Test thoroughly before using in production streams
  • Document what works for future reference

Performance vs Reliability

  • Production Streams: Prioritize reliability with longer delays
  • Testing/Practice: Experiment with shorter delays
  • System Under Load: Use longer delays when running games or heavy software
  • Dedicated Streaming PC: Can use more aggressive timing

Maintenance and Updates

Regular Review

  • Monthly Assessment: Review and optimize timing settings
  • After System Changes: Update delays when upgrading hardware or software
  • Application Updates: Some updates change startup behavior
  • Performance Monitoring: Track whether timing is still optimal

Documentation

  • Profile Notes: Document special timing requirements
  • System Configuration: Record hardware specs and optimal settings
  • Problem Tracking: Keep notes about issues and their solutions
  • Version Tracking: Note which application versions work with which timings

Future Timing Features

Planned Enhancements

  • Adaptive Delays: Automatic delay adjustment based on system performance
  • Smart Dependencies: Automatic dependency detection and ordering
  • Performance Profiling: Built-in monitoring and optimization suggestions
  • Conditional Timing: Different delays based on system state or time of day

Advanced Features Under Consideration

  • Machine Learning: Learning optimal delays based on usage patterns
  • System Integration: Deeper integration with Windows performance monitoring
  • Application Awareness: Communication with applications to detect readiness
  • Cloud Optimization: Shared timing configurations for similar systems

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