Streaming and Buffering

[runwad]

We have Time Warner and the fastest speed. My DD and her friend are trying to watch a movie on Netflix and it keeps buffering. Why? I'm on my laptop and maybe my other DD might be on her ipod? Why is this happening to us and how can we make it stop

Thanks

 

[SandrA9810]

Cable internet can be affected by how many people in your area are on. We usually see a bit of a slow down in the evening even though we have like 50mbs speed. It's the joys of being on cable.

Although on a different note, I've been noticing that on netflix, the audio and video aren't matching. It'll play just fine through the app on the ps3, but not my computer. Still haven't found the cause for it yet.

 

[LilyWDW]

Time Warner is cable internet, correct?

If so, it doesn't just matter what you are doing in YOUR home. There could be issues with the number of users in your area slowing things down. That is one of the cons of cable internet.

 

[Lisa71]

You need to increase your bandwidth you are paying for...it can only stream so much data at a time...it is more money. My friend just increased hers and loves it. She has time Warner as well.

 

[mcraige]

We routinely see the same thing when streaming from our blue ray player. We have Verizon FIOS (50Mbps fibre optic). Whenever this happens, we just stop the movie, and then replay where we left off, and it seems to resolve the issue. I'm not sure if it is caused by the blue ray player's inability to buffer, or by Netflix's network, or both. I do know it is frustrating.

 

[zoemurr]

This has been happening to us more and more when we stream through the Blu-ray. We switched to using the wii and it seems to have solved the problem. Not sure why.. it also never happens when I watch through the ipad.

 

[dgthree]

This has been happening to us more and more when we stream through the Blu-ray. We switched to using the wii and it seems to have solved the problem. Not sure why.. it also never happens when I watch through the ipad.

I only have DSL, but I have the same issue with streaming using a Samsung blu ray player. Switched to Roku, and no problems. Sure makes me think it's a problem with the blu ray, not my internet connection.

 

[SandrA9810]

I also wanted to note, Netflix announced it was updating all of its apps for various devices and the website to be more streamlined. I wonder if this update is the cause of some players working and others not working as they should.

http://www.engadget.com/2013/11/13/netflix-new-tv-experience/

 

[wiigirl]

You need to increase your bandwidth you are paying for...it can only stream so much data at a time...it is more money. My friend just increased hers and loves it. She has time Warner as well.

 

[timmac]

As another data point, the quality of your in-home wireless can be part of the problem as well. Especially true if you have a wireless device that was provided by your cable (or DSL, or Fiber) company... most of them are okay but not great.

Even with a good wireless router, and decent wireless adapters in end-user devices, there can still be issues with overcrowded wireless channels, particularly if you're in a neighborhood with many wireless networks in sight. Then, there are also things to consider like the layout and construction of your house, relative to where the router and the end-user are each located.

The problem often times isn't about bandwidth... as you noted you're on the highest tier TWC offers. For many people the issue of a good net experience is no longer about the last mile to a provider, but is more about the last 30 feet in your own house. Though not ideal for long-term usage, try plugging the laptop into your router directly with an ethernet cable, and see if your issues go away... that will give you a good litmus test if it's your in-home wireless that is the bottleneck.

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

One thing I found that helps is to turn down the video quality when it is acting up like that.