RE: TV options

[Sprinter]

We're using DSL at speeds of about 1.6 to 2 Mb/S. We use Netflix on a Roku. Netflix adjusts the playback quality to match network speeds. We find the image quality good and the interruptions (buffering) infrequent unless other users are hitting our router hard.

Thanks. What quality do you usually get from those speeds (720, 480, 320)?

 

[hilbiliarkiboi]

Up there in YELL county, the telephone company just installed fiber optics to the home.

 

[Mr A]

If you have MetroPCS available, you can get a cell phone with a HDMI output, that gives you unlimited Netflix streaming, The phones are not cheap, but the cost works out to a savings if you keep it 2 years + compared to a 2 year contract with , say Verizon, AT&T, etc. and they cap the data at 2.5gb

 

[semipro]

Thanks. What quality do you usually get from those speeds (720, 480, 320)?

I'm not sure and don't know how to tell. When the movie file is first buffering you see a graphic that shows relative "quality" level but there's no numerical indication.

 

[bluedogz]

I use Netflix only at the our RI - along with an apple TV (99) and it provides all the TV and Movies we desire. There are lots of other options within it other than Netflix, but that does the job for us......

Same here... the ONLY reason we still have cable at all is that mrs. Blue is flat-out addicted to BBC and HGTV. Even without a DVR, I can grab a lot of content through my Apple TV through the iTunes store; further, my laptop connects to the AppleTV through Wifi and thus can push through any show available online in HD quality.

 

[Seasoned Oak]

I had all of it but my kids(and myself)wont watch cable or dish cuz they dont like commercials. Never a commercial on netflix. I have ROKU as well ,and the HD is great. YOU need at least 5MBs internet to get HD,if its slower it still works but not in HD. No way will i ever pay $100 a month again to watch commercials. Whatever you watch there are alternatives to cable and sat.

 

[Seasoned Oak]

We're using DSL at speeds of about 1.6 to 2 Mb/S. We use Netflix on a Roku. Netflix adjusts the playback quality to match network speeds. We find the image quality good and the interruptions (buffering) infrequent unless other users are hitting our router hard.

You need 5MBs for HD I gat the higher speed for an additional $7.50 a month from DSL.

 

[BIGDADDY]

We're using DSL at speeds of about 1.6 to 2 Mb/S. We use Netflix on a Roku. Netflix adjusts the playback quality to match network speeds. We find the image quality good and the interruptions (buffering) infrequent unless other users are hitting our router hard.

Does your Internet providers have a max bandwidth usage for peak times like 5 pm to midnight. Mine does and whe I was watching Netflex I exceeded my bandwidth usage which I did not know I had until I got a letter from my Internet provider telling me if I exceeded it again that my Internet would be turned off for one month and if it happened again it would be shut off permanently. The gave me instructions on how to check my bandwidth usage and I started watching more on non peak times.
You probably never heard of it like I said I did not either until the letter.

My provider is Prolog and my speed is 10 meg

 

[semipro]

Does your Internet providers have a max bandwidth usage for peak times like 5 pm to midnight. Mine does and whe I was watching Netflex I exceeded my bandwidth usage which I did not know I had until I got a letter from my Internet provider telling me if I exceeded it again that my Internet would be turned off for one month and if it happened again it would be shut off permanently. The gave me instructions on how to check my bandwidth usage and I started watching more on non peak times.
You probably never heard of it like I said I did not either until the letter.

My provider is Prolog and my speed is 10 meg

We don't seem to have any limitations on overall usage just speed. We're on Verizon DSL. I think a speed upgrade is available. With two 20 something sons at home I'm starting to think we need more speed.

 

[Pallet Pete]

I got sick of dish then direct then charter screwing us over again and again that I said to heck with this and have not paid for contract tv in years. We have an antenna and Apple TV with Netflix Hulu and all the movie rentals we could want at our finger tips. Hulu actually has a huge library of current seasons 7.99 I believe and Netflix is 7.99 as well. So for 14 dollars a month you can have a lot of tv as well as 1.99 to 3.99 new release movie rentals and be able to cancel anytime if needed or wanted. We had a Roku and to be honest the streaming ability sucked compared to the Apple TV that said the Roku has way more channels than Apple TV. Direct tv would lower our price and that was great till couple bills later it would go right back up again and I had to threaten to cancel again to get it back down ! The same for dish and charter.

Pete

 

[BIGDADDY]

Pete how did they screw you? i am getting just what I signed up for and loving it.

 

[Seasoned Oak]

Does your Internet providers have a max bandwidth usage for peak times like 5 pm to midnight. Mine does and whe I was watching Netflex I exceeded my bandwidth usage which I did not know I had until I got a letter from my Internet provider telling me if I exceeded it again that my Internet would be turned off for one month and if it happened again it would be shut off permanently. The gave me instructions on how to check my bandwidth usage and I started watching more on non peak times.
You probably never heard of it like I said I did not either until the letter.

My provider is Prolog and my speed is 10 meg

You have CABLE internet so i think its a different setup. Verizon does not limit my usage with DSL. We have 4 computers going and a TV just about full time,not to mention 3 Iphones on the same Wifi . I get 4-7 MB enough for HD and my ROKU service is excellent. I may drop HULU as i only watch 1 or 2 shows but netflix is a keeper.

 

[semipro]

The way I understand DSL versus Cable is that with DSL you pretty much always get the same speeds. With cable, your speed is more dependent on what other cable users are doing. Many cable users report their speeds decrease in the early evening when everyone is hitting it hard.

 

[Seasoned Oak]

I think i like the DSL better cuz who wants to be hounded about your going OVER your usage allowance. This year i paid $35 a month for 4-7 Mb No limits on usage.

 

[Pallet Pete]

Pete how did they screw you? i am getting just what I signed up for and loving it.

Not to be a jerk big daddy but I do not want to steal jakes thread and believe me I could with all the bs weren't through ! So I will leave it at.

Pete

 

[BIGDADDY]

Not to be a jerk big daddy but I do not want to steal jakes thread and believe me I could with all the bs weren't through ! So I will leave it at.




Not to be a jerk Pete but that makes no sense to me. OK

 

[BIGDADDY]

I think i like the DSL better cuz who wants to be hounded about your going OVER your usage allowance. This year i paid $35 a month for 4-7 Mb No limits on usage.

Really and they didn't even make me aware of a peak time usage limit until I went over it. Great way to learn what service you have. I had the same Internet provider for over 7 years before it was a problem. I was watching Lost on Netflex in the evenings. I dropped Netflex way back when they raised their rates. I had t when streaming and 1 dvd a time was $9.99 a month. The only DSL I can get is only 3 meg and cost the same as my 10 meg with my cable provider.
I am pretty happy with what I have overall. Directv and fast cable Internet.
I can stream YouTube videos with my Directv. I also can use unlimited bandwidth 1am to 5pm. The limited bandwidth applies only like 5 pm to 1 am and is plenty when your not streaming 5 or 6 hours daily.

 

[jeffoc]

What connection speeds are you getting? I also only have DSL but it is pretty consistent between 3 and 5 mbps. I'm wondering if those speeds are fast enough for HD viewing of Hulu and Netflix without a lot of buffering pauses or anything.

I live way out in the country, so I'm not sharing with too many people. I don't keep real time track of my speed, but they say it is up to 1mbps. I have yet to have it buffer through the Wii. Sometimes it will online though.