What is the minimum bandwidth you can have for netflix streaming? [Archive]

brant

04-19-09, 11:45 PM

I can't find this information on netflix's website.

I just got switched over to a DSL connection, but since i'm 17k feet from the switch, 1.5Mbps is the fastest we could get.

Would I be able to stream the HD quality netflix to my computer?

I know it doesn't download movies, but does the buffer load far enough into the movie that we could actually use the service?

LarryFlowers

04-20-09, 08:05 AM

You will not get HD at that speed, other than that, Netflix will test your connection to determine the best download speed for you, but you are probably going to see a lot of buffering.

I can't find this information on netflix's website.

I just got switched over to a DSL connection, but since i'm 17k feet from the switch, 1.5Mbps is the fastest we could get.

Would I be able to stream the HD quality netflix to my computer?

I know it doesn't download movies, but does the buffer load far enough into the movie that we could actually use the service?

barryb

04-20-09, 08:07 AM

I have a 1.5 connection. I get SD, and its "okay" on my TV (much better on my computer due to the smaller screen).

I do not see buffering to the point where I cancel the download, but it comes close.

brant

04-20-09, 08:43 AM

okay.

thanks for the replies.

brant

04-21-09, 10:13 AM

i signed up for the free trial to test the streaming.

its decent. i'd say its comparable to hulu video.

i tried to force a higher streaming bitrate to increase quality, but my only options are what is within my speed range (500,1000,1500).

At the lowest quality, it takes about 20 seconds to buffer, and there are no pauses in the video to buffer again.

At 1500, it takes about 4 min. for the buffer, and there are no pauses in the video for it to load again.

bluejay75

12-15-10, 10:56 PM

Davenlr

12-15-10, 11:06 PM

I believe Netflix adjusts their bandwidth to your service. Ive started watching a movie, and it started rather fuzzy, but them popped to a DVD quality PQ after about 20 seconds.

Nick

12-16-10, 05:33 AM

I just moved and can't even get 1.5Mbps .. only 0.52Kbps !!! I'm freaking.. But just out of tiredness I tried connecting my Nintendo Wii (wifi) with Netflix to the Qwest DSL router, and currently streaming "SolarBabies" .. It took about ~2 mins to buffer at the beginning and I was able to play the movie for about ~20mins before it started buffering again .. I was shocked it would actually load and play in the first place ...

On the 2nd buffer it took about 2-3mins to buffer before playing again.. I'm guessing this 2nd buffer started because I went to the computer to find this website and start posting a comment ..

Will try again during daylight time when I have more time to test.. right now sleep is a priorityBluejay, welcome to DBSTalk...good first post and contribution to the topic. I'm about to get Roku and, to think, I was concerned about my bandwidth!

http://www.speedtest.net/result/1072902814.png (http://www.speedtest.net) . http://www.speedtest.net/result/1072905822.png (http://www.speedtest.net)

And, yes, sleep is always a priority. :new_sleep

Cholly

12-16-10, 07:29 AM

http://www.speedtest.net/result/1073025038.png
:lol:

hdtvfan0001

12-16-10, 07:32 AM

I can successful get HD on Netflix with 3Mbps DSL here.

Then again, its not just about the bandwidth...its also about the latency levels of that connection at your location.

Nick

12-16-10, 09:17 AM

http://www.speedtest.net/result/1073025038.png
:lol:Yeah, but your up sucks and your ping sucks and your ISP only has 3 stars!!! :lol:

Cholly

12-16-10, 09:33 AM

Yeah, but your up sucks and your ping sucks and your ISP only has 3 stars!!! :lol:

My ping varies all over the lot. Upstream stays right around 1 Mbps. 3 stars for my ISP is probably generous, but then it's better than Windstream DSL, which I had previously. :D

Karen

12-16-10, 10:04 AM

I'm assuming this should be ok, righr?

http://www.speedtest.net/result/1073208695.png (http://www.speedtest.net)

It's been a long time since I've been concerned about ping times and can't remember if I should be concerned about that number or not...

Wow, tried a different server for this one...

http://www.speedtest.net/result/1073215136.png (http://www.speedtest.net)

Stewart Vernon

12-16-10, 10:29 AM

That's just weird that you have upload 2-3x times your download speed!

Mine is around 14-17 Mbps down and 1.4 Mbps up...

Most folks have a substantially lower upstream than downstream unless their downstream is one of the slowest/basic packages.

Karen

12-16-10, 10:47 AM

I know! I pay for "up to" 15 in each direction. I guess they haven't throttled the upload as much as they do the download. I could get up to 50 both directions, but I don't need it.

Stewart Vernon

12-16-10, 01:49 PM

I know! I pay for "up to" 15 in each direction. I guess they haven't throttled the upload as much as they do the download. I could get up to 50 both directions, but I don't need it.

That's cool.

I used to have DSL 6down/540Kup but recently went to U-verse 18down/1.5 up.

Honestly I don't need the 18Mbps down nearly as much as the 1.5Mbps up.

I would be fine probably with 12 down... but that wouldn't get me 1.5 up... so that's why I chose where I did.

You should probably be able to do good with streaming your own stuff (like a Slingbox) outside your home with that kind of upload speed available to you.

I have more trouble with that... whereas I'm sure Netflix would be happy with my connection.

brant

12-19-10, 11:17 PM

I can successful get HD on Netflix with 3Mbps DSL here.

Then again, its not just about the bandwidth...its also about the latency levels of that connection at your location.

that would be the 2600kbps stream.

they also have a higher stream that i believe is 3800kbps.

there is only a slight difference between the two, but it is noticeable.

hdtvfan0001

12-20-10, 05:57 AM

that would be the 2600kbps stream.

they also have a higher stream that i believe is 3800kbps.

there is only a slight difference between the two, but it is noticeable.
Again...its not just the bandwidth, its the latency as well.

If the stream is reliable and steady...that's more than enough. If someone is in an area with alot of common access points tot he same server for their DSL service, the performance may drop. I'd get more if I could, but I can't in this area (yet) - then again - what's here, works.

HIPAR

12-20-10, 09:57 AM

I couldn't find the required speed on the website or on the box of my Netflix enabled Insignia Blu-ray player. Buried deep within the NetFlix website after I signed up for a trial period, they say five mega-bits is required for HD.

My DSL is only 700 kilo-bits. The video quality is worse than YouTube at this connection speed .. a sea of macroblocks .. unwatchable. Needless to say, I canceled the account but I really didn't expect it to work.

--- CHAS

gulfwarvet

12-21-10, 09:51 AM

I can successful get HD on Netflix with 3Mbps DSL here.

Then again, its not just about the bandwidth...its also about the latency levels of that connection at your location.

Same here as well, I can get HD streaming with the PS3 with 3mbps DSL consistently. I'm also beyond the outer fringe of the MAX distance on being allowed to get 3mbps from AT&T.

flexoffset

01-05-11, 09:19 AM

I've finally been able to see how it streams in real time. Seems it peaks about every 8-10 seconds and the does actually vary a little bit.

This was Netflix streaming to my AppleTV last night over approximately a 2 minute period.

http://richardbrackin.smugmug.com/Other/print-sample/IMG0730/1147637514_jbb5J-L.png (http://richardbrackin.smugmug.com/Other/print-sample/2369807_e4zov#1147637514_jbb5J-A-LB)
http://www.speedtest.net/result/1100530458.png (http://www.speedtest.net)

peak_reception

02-22-11, 09:28 PM

I used to have DSL 6down/540Kup but recently went to U-verse 18down/1.5 up.

Honestly I don't need the 18Mbps down nearly as much as the 1.5Mbps up.

I would be fine probably with 12 down... but that wouldn't get me 1.5 up... so that's why I chose where I did.

The U-Verse 18Mbps (downstream) service is called Max Plus.

The U-Verse 12Mbps (down) service is called Max.

Both are 1.5 up. You could save $10 per month if the 1.5 "up" is good enough for you.

One scroll down on this link shows it: http://www.att.com/u-verse/explore/internet-landing.jsp?fbid=1owF-PfX7Uk

peak_reception

02-22-11, 09:30 PM

How does one test for latency? Pinging? I know about the pingtest web site. At what number does the ping suggest a latency problem? If anyone knows, thanks.

Stewart Vernon

02-23-11, 02:21 AM

The U-Verse 18Mbps (downstream) service is called Max Plus.

The U-Verse 12Mbps (down) service is called Max.

Both are 1.5 up. You could save $10 per month if the 1.5 "up" is good enough for you.

One scroll down on this link shows it: http://www.att.com/u-verse/explore/internet-landing.jsp?fbid=1owF-PfX7Uk

All that is true... but the Max+ service guarantees better than 12... whereas the Max only guarantees 'up to" 12... and I had 6Mbps DSL before... so the 12 Max service wouldn't be much higher than what I had at 6Mbps... so I wanted the 18Mbps to feel like I was getting something for the extra money it would cost.

oldschoolecw

02-23-11, 08:52 AM

http://www.speedtest.net/result/1170477230.png (http://www.speedtest.net)

What is a good ping number?

Stuart Sweet

02-23-11, 02:48 PM

I've streamed Netflix with a 1.5 connection, it's possible if you let it buffer. The quality isn't as good but it can be done.

brant

02-24-11, 08:35 PM

I've streamed Netflix with a 1.5 connection, it's possible if you let it buffer. The quality isn't as good but it can be done.

I've actually moved to an area where I get 12Mbps DSL, so the speed isn't an issue anymore since starting this thread.

But when I was watching on the 1.5Mb, I found the quality to be just fine. It took about 30 seconds for the initial buffer, and after that it never paused to buffer again. I could maintain the 1500kbps stream the entire movie.

Now with the 12Mb line it takes about 5 seconds for a movie to start, and I finally get to watch the HD streams.

I did have to get another 1.5Mb DSL line for wireless network, and left the HTPC w/ Netflix on its own dedicated DSL line. If we were using laptops while watching a movie, it would drop down to the 1000kb or 500kb stream.