Buffering issues w/ Netflix

[utmck]

Tried to watch a movie last night (streamed) and it kept stopping for about 30 seconds then it would play for a couple of mins. After the 4th or 5th time I deleted and started watching another movie and it happened as well.

Does aanyone know how to correct this? My internet connection was showing 100 mbps.

 

[Third Coast]

I saw the same problem last night in prime time a couple of times while streaming an HD movie. I checked my internet connection and it was fine, so I assume it is something on the Netflix end.

 

[TNLonghorn]

the problem is usually on Netflix's end. I know I just received an email from this last week I believe about buffering issues. They'll credit your account if notify them. That's about all that can be done until they fix what's wrong on their end.

 

[GRhino]

HERE'S THE EMAIL I GOT LAST WEDNESDAY
We're sorry you may have had trouble watching instantly
Dear XXXX,

Recently you may have had trouble instantly watching TV episodes or movies due to technical issues.

We are sorry for the inconvenience this may have caused. If you attempted and were unable to instantly watch TV episodes or movies yesterday, click on this account specific link in the next 7 days to apply a credit to your next billing statement. The credit will be 3% of our $7.99 a month plan that lets our members instantly watch unlimited TV episodes and movies. Credit can only be applied once.

Ready to start watching again? Check out our latest selection.

Again, we apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding. If you need further assistance, please call us at 1-866-923-0898.

–The Netflix Team

 

[hooklahoma]

Maybe this needs its own thread, but all of the sudden half the people I know get their TV over the internet. I cant imagine these kinds of problems wont increase as bandwidth demand skyrockets both on the ISP end and the servers where the programming originates.

 

[14tokihorn]

On the Techie side of things; there is a intermediary system on the 'Net called (going from memory here) Content Delivery (or Distribution) Network.

"akamai.com" is a major player - ring a bell?

Its intent is to minimize these problems with the advance of streaming content. So while it appears that everything is coming from NetFlix, these CDNs are more geographically / connection-wise shorter (if you will) closer to the end-users. So actually the CDNs cache your selections, instead of everything originating from NetFlix.

Some tech forums claim that setting up your Network Properties with faster DNS servers supposedly might cure your ills.

It would take some time and effort to experiment, though.

 

[utmck]

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[Third Coast]

You'd think they would at least issue popcorn vouchers.

 

[Dionysus]

A Family Pack of Raisinets would have settled the issue for me.

 

[Texas Jack]

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[Texas Jack]

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[wherzwaldo]

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[Third Coast]

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[l00p]

A download speed of 16.24 is good, right? I think they say I will get 15.0. I just ran a speed check and that is what it said.

 

[Dionysus]

There are 8 bits to the byte, so l00p your 16 Mbps = 2 MBps which is OK. I just ran a test and got 22 down on Comcast cable but it varies a bit.

Netflix performance is going to be affected by your ISP or the CDN (Content Delivery Network) that Netflix partners with to stream the video. Akamai and Level Three Communications are a couple they use, there may be others. I know they had some problems with Akamai a few months ago and started using Level Three to diversify their platform a bit.