Netflix and low mbps- please help
Discussion
Hi all. We live in a rural area in Dorset. The max internet speed in the area is around 7-8 mbps although in reality it's more like 3-5 mbps. I watch a lot of Netflix via my Xbox One (wireless) and I have the HD package included. Every now and again I can view it in HD, but sometimes it's a bit blurry/distorted. More often than not I don't get any interference and it's quite content running in SD quality, and I am aware Netflix requires 5 mbps to view in HD. It's just a pain when it isn't running smoothly. We usually turn off as many wireless devices as possible when streaming which seems to help. A little more info that may help; we use our landlords internet (with his permission) via an Ethernet cable that runs from his house directly next door. His speed is roughly 5 mbps.
I don't really care if it's in HD or not to be fair, I just want a smooth viewing experience. I'm not very tech savvy if I'm honest, would I be correct in assuming that if I changed my Netflix plan to an SD package it wouldn't (shouldn't) have as much connection issue, as it wouldn't be trying in vain to achieve HD? Would I still be able to view everything or would certain HD films/programmes be unavailable to me as they are only filmed in HD? Finally, as I watch it though an Xbox One, would it be beneficial for me to plug the Ethernet cable directly into the console? The router and console are in the same room, although we live in a 300 year old cottage with very thick walls!
Sorry about the novice nature of this thread or if some of it seems a bit like I'm asking a stupid question, however I am not terribly savvy on these things, but would appreciate any advice! Cheers.
I don't really care if it's in HD or not to be fair, I just want a smooth viewing experience. I'm not very tech savvy if I'm honest, would I be correct in assuming that if I changed my Netflix plan to an SD package it wouldn't (shouldn't) have as much connection issue, as it wouldn't be trying in vain to achieve HD? Would I still be able to view everything or would certain HD films/programmes be unavailable to me as they are only filmed in HD? Finally, as I watch it though an Xbox One, would it be beneficial for me to plug the Ethernet cable directly into the console? The router and console are in the same room, although we live in a 300 year old cottage with very thick walls!
Sorry about the novice nature of this thread or if some of it seems a bit like I'm asking a stupid question, however I am not terribly savvy on these things, but would appreciate any advice! Cheers.
Thanks all. Worth noting we do not have a phone line in the cottage. Our only source of internet is via the Ethernet cable coming through the wall hooked up to our router. I will get an Ethernet switch and a longer Ethernet cable and hook the Xbox up directly.
We have a 49 inch full HD Toshiba set.
We have a 49 inch full HD Toshiba set.
Appreciate the help so far, thanks. £35 later and the Xbox One is plugged in to an Ethernet cable. It has marginally improved but still drops to around 3-4 mbps on occasion, but seems a bit better overall. Oddly the wifi speed also seems to have increased slightly now, at times last night up to the dizzying speeds of 6 mbps, I'm guessing because it doesn't have to cope with the Xbox. I had to purchase an Ethernet splitter/switch as everything (router, Xbox, splitter/switch) is running off that one Ethernet cable that runs into our cottage from our landlord, we do not have any separate access points at all. The router and Xbox is running off that switch now, and the switch directly connected to the landlords cable.
Would someone else streaming over wifi have any detrimental effect on the Xbox One's wired connection, or should it make no difference? Because it still dropped a little when my fiancée was watching something upstairs and went a bit fuzzy for a couple of minutes. I wonder if plugging the Ethernet cable into the smart TV (I believe it has that facility) would improve things further?
Also I've noticed our wireless router has two channels, 2.4 Ghz and 5Ghz. The Xbox when it was connected wirelessly was on 5Ghz and everything else is on the 2.4Ghz channel, two phones and an iPad. The iPad is not connected to the wifi when not in use. Is there something we can do there to improve things? My brother in law helped us set up when we moved in. He told me to keep our main streaming device on the 5Ghz channel as it provides a better connection?
Thanks all.
Would someone else streaming over wifi have any detrimental effect on the Xbox One's wired connection, or should it make no difference? Because it still dropped a little when my fiancée was watching something upstairs and went a bit fuzzy for a couple of minutes. I wonder if plugging the Ethernet cable into the smart TV (I believe it has that facility) would improve things further?
Also I've noticed our wireless router has two channels, 2.4 Ghz and 5Ghz. The Xbox when it was connected wirelessly was on 5Ghz and everything else is on the 2.4Ghz channel, two phones and an iPad. The iPad is not connected to the wifi when not in use. Is there something we can do there to improve things? My brother in law helped us set up when we moved in. He told me to keep our main streaming device on the 5Ghz channel as it provides a better connection?
Thanks all.
Thanks. I won't spend any more money but I'm happy the console is hard wired now. I do have a Chromecast but get much the same result with that. I will change the settings on Netflix to normal quality rather than high. I don't mind not getting HD, I just don't want a fuzzy or blurry experience!
JamieBeeston said:
It wont be wireless causing the issue, it'll just be the DSL.
I watch 4k over my wireless without any issues (15mbit)
I download 330mb/sec from the internet to my iMac over wireless, so unless you've got the worlds worst Wifi, it wont be that.
How do I go about checking my DSL/knowing there's an issue? I watch 4k over my wireless without any issues (15mbit)
I download 330mb/sec from the internet to my iMac over wireless, so unless you've got the worlds worst Wifi, it wont be that.
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