Buffering

Ashok_2

I was wondering how to cut down buffering when watching TV on the ITV website.. I have a 2MB connection, and not downloading anything else, or using internet in any other way and it regularly stops for buffering?

I desperately need to watch the Bill at 8 o clock, hopefully it will show online as can't watch on TV!

Thanks.

superscaper

Maybe cut down on non essential processes in the task manager. Start with obvious names of programs you aren't using.

Ashok_2

That wouldn't effect "buffering".. it's something to do with internet. Thanks anyway.

espresso

Have you tried using Firefox?

Ashok_2

Doesn't work in Firefox, not compatible.

espresso

Ashok wrote: »

Doesn't work in Firefox, not compatible.

Sorry I have not used ITV streaming but it says that it works fine on a 512kb connection, so your 2Mb connection must be appallingly slow!

Have you checked your actual speed here?

Genghis

Ashok wrote: »

That wouldn't effect "buffering".. it's something to do with internet. Thanks anyway.

If you have a lot of programs running, each allocating memory dynamically.. could this not impact on the buffer you're trying to fill up? Bit of a long shot perhaps but I wouldn't rule it out.

It may be something to do with your hardware.. do you notice any other problems with your internet connection? Any electrical stuff running nearby that might cause interference?

It might be the case that packets are getting dropped along the way as I'd assume the digital feed would be unwatchable unless all the packets are present, this might explain why it takes so long buffering (assuming its sent over TCP).

superscaper

Genghis wrote: »

If you have a lot of programs running, each allocating memory dynamically.. could this not impact on the buffer you're trying to fill up? Bit of a long shot perhaps but I wouldn't rule it out.

That's what my thoughts were, if there are other processes slowing the pc down, there would be less processor capability for throughputting the streamed data effectively and would potentially take longer to buffer.

Genghis

superscaper wrote: »

That's what my thoughts were, if there are other processes slowing the pc down, there would be less processor capability for throughputting the streamed data effectively and would potentially take longer to buffer.

Yep, most people tend to forget that much of the stuff you do online will require some CPU/memory. I guess I'm just constantly reminded of this fact by my 6 year old laptop, who's just about hangin' in there

Ashok_2

Hardly running any programs.. It stopped after a while though. Shame I missed the Bill...

I wish there was some way to catch up:(

wakandem

It may just be internet conjestion. see if it works better at less conjested times. Your connection to the exchange may be good but routed from there to the serving computers of itv may be slow. no good for 'the bill' though