Broadband and streaming tv

melbury

As previously posted, I am hoping to get some kind of box to enable streaming of films to TV from Amazon or Netflix.

Does anyone know if broadband is an issue in doing this? I have a contract with Orange (EE) which is called "Home Select" 20mb, but am not sure exactly what the 20mb means:o Is this some kind of restriction on use? I thought all broadband was unlimited use now and presumably this is what would be needed to watch a few films a month.

Please reply as if speaking to an idiot because when it comes to technology, I am one:o

Daz2009

I think you'll find the 20Mb refers to the speed of the connection not the amount of download

Inner_Zone

melbury wrote: »

I thought all broadband was unlimited use now and presumably this is what would be needed to watch a few films a month.

All broadband is certainly not unlimited, (see the BT adverts for example). You need to check your limit with your ISP, or you may end up with a large bill, don't assume. If is is not unlimited ask about changing to an unlimited package or move ISP to one which is unlimited (don't forget to ask for and use the MAC code if you do this).

melbury

Have just phoned them again and Daz2009 you are absolutely right, it is the speed:o The woman I spoke to yesterday seemed to think it was the max download.

Seems that this package does not have a usage cap:)

penrhyn

Its highly unlikely that you have a download speed of 20 Mb, unless you are living next door to the exchange.
I suspect that in fact you have a 20 Gb cap on your broadband contract.
That is important as streaming content in standard definition consumes about 600 Mb, or 0.6 Gb.

ISPs tend to bill you if you go over your limit.

So check that you are on and unlimited contract.
Also check your speed, http://www.speedtest.net/ is fine for a quick test. If its above 6 Mb you should be OK.

bod1467

From a quick search, the Home Select 20mb plan is an up to 20mb ADSL broadband package with unlimited data. (Subject to a FUP no doubt).

woody2234

Also what is your speed because ie needs to be at least 5mb for this service or for that amazon tv box or now tv box or apple tv box or netflix and blinkbox through playstation or xbox or nintendo consoles

benje302

penrhyn wrote: »

Its highly unlikely that you have a download speed of 20 Mb, unless you are living next door to the exchange.

Most of these are "up to" and 20 meg these days is possible for many people.

My connection is 72 down and 19.5 up

Most streaming sites recommend a minimum of 2 mb.

Always make sure you are unliited as things can get really expensive. My monthly download is 250 + GIG.

Ben

penrhyn

Thats 'cos you are on FTTC or Cable. Most folks are still on ADSL. I should have made that clear.

shaun_from_Africa

penrhyn wrote: »

Thats 'cos you are on FTTC or Cable. Most folks are still on ADSL. I should have made that clear.

Well, I'm on AOL ADSL and I'm currently getting 18.4Mb download speeds (checked on 2 different online test sites) so someone getting 20Mb isn't really unbelievable.

Tropez

penrhyn wrote: »

Thats 'cos you are on FTTC or Cable. Most folks are still on ADSL. I should have made that clear.

Yep, when I was on ADSL I was on an "up to" 16Mb... the reality was I actually got about 3! :rotfl:

On Fibre, advertised as up to 76Mb, getting 72.