speed required for hd streaming? (netflix etc)

mutty_hc

Hi all,

Currently an unhappy VM customer and looking to swap over, seems in my area ADSL2+ is the only option as we don't yet have fibre (september this year)

Looks like I will get 8mbs, which with some tweaking might be more who knows?

Will this be enough for netflix/ amazon instant etc?

Don't really game online so ping etc isn't a big issue.

Which provider usually provides most stable adsl2+? Is it plusnet?

Was considering all of the providers at the moment, anyone have any experience of FUEL, PLUSNET or anyone else?

CHEERS.
Mutty

trubster

I use talktalk, some love it and some hate it.

I get 3mbps at times(Sometimes 8mbps) but it streams HD content well on iplayer and netflix. It all depends on how much you use the connectIon.

AFAIK the isp speeds are the same as it is all dependant on the lime quality, distance to exchange etc.

JJ_Egan

If you are VM cable then that is really the best for delivering speed .
All other services come down the BT line anyway .
Plusnet are certainly an ISP to consider but if you want the best you pay someone like Zen .

StevieJ

I only get 2.5 mbps from Sky (checked against most of the speed checkers e.g. Speedtest). I am not too bothered because I am able to play HD streaming for Iplayer Blinkbox, Amazon etc. My question is can they allow you to stream at a faster level than you can download?
I ask because I am sure Iplayer stated that you would need 4 mbps to stream HD.

Cycrow

you cant stream faster than your connection will allow.

however, most of these players have adaptive bitrates, so if its not going quick enough, it may drop the bit rate down a level.

so with a HD video, it may not actually be in full hd if your connection isn't fast enough for it

[Deleted User]

Cycrow wrote: »

you cant stream faster than your connection will allow.

however, most of these players have adaptive bitrates, so if its not going quick enough, it may drop the bit rate down a level.

so with a HD video, it may not actually be in full hd if your connection isn't fast enough for it

My VM 50 meg BB does struggle with Amazon prime streaming of HD film while someone else is streaming on another device and it shouldn't really need to buffer so much at (supposedly) upto 50 meg.

Roland_Sausage

I was able to stream Netflix in HD when I had 6Mbps ADSL. You should be fine if you are indeed going to actually get 8.

Netflix themselves recommend 5Mbps for HD.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5164529

mutty_hc

thanks all - so seems like it may be OK

Seems to be that my options would be

Talk Talk £13.97 over 18 months inc c/b

Fuel 11.33 over 12 months inc c/b and chromecast -20 (need one anyhow)

Plusnet 16.49 over 12 months inc c/b (mainly higher as I need to pay £49.99 to plusnet for a new line installation)

Which would be best? I'm needing a new mobile phone contract too and again talktalk seem good here as cashback brings it down to £2.25 a month. I know they have awful CS though so a slight risk.

Cheers all

Pincher

mutty_hc wrote: »

Currently an unhappy VM customer and looking to swap over, seems in my area ADSL2+ is the only option as we don't yet have fibre (september this year)

Looks like I will get 8mbs, which with some tweaking might be more who knows?

An interesting little fact, EE will not send out a free EE TV box if my broadband speed is below 4Mbps.


I just got activated, so they are still checking for a stable speed, and the account is showing a default value of 2Mbps, based on nothing. BT Wholesale speed test gives 11.86Mbps, so I am just twiddling my thumbs until I get it.


So I would say 8Mbps is plenty.

matelodave

If you are on ADSL then they'll all be about the same as they will all be using the BT lines from the exchange to your house and its the distance and quality of those will be the main limiting factor.

Some providers have their own equipment in the exchange (LLU) and can be a little bit faster than those who all share the BT kit especially if they've got a bit more capacity on their exchange equipment or interconnects. Have a look at the SamKnows website to see who the LLU providers are in your exchange.

I'm with TalkTalk and they are a bit faster than those who share BT (with TT we average about 1.3mbit/s whereas before we were only getting 0.8-1.0).

We can sometimes stream with Amazon Prime or Netflix but iPlayer can be very iffy as can YouTube especially between 3:30pm and about 10pm.
The only satisfactory way we can use catch-up TV is to download it onto the Sky box - an hour long programme can sometimes take an hour or more to download and HD is a waste of time - it can take all night.

mutty_hc

matelodave wrote: »

If you are on ADSL then they'll all be about the same as they will all be using the BT lines from the exchange to your house and its the distance and quality of those will be the main limiting factor.

Some providers have their own equipment in the exchange (LLU) and can be a little bit faster than those who all share the BT kit especially if they've got a bit more capacity on their exchange equipment or interconnects. Have a look at the SamKnows website to see who the LLU providers are in your exchange.

I'm with TalkTalk and they are a bit faster than those who share BT (with TT we average about 1.3mbit/s whereas before we were only getting 0.8-1.0).

We can sometimes stream with Amazon Prime or Netflix but iPlayer can be very iffy as can YouTube especially between 3:30pm and about 10pm.
The only satisfactory way we can use catch-up TV is to download it onto the Sky box - an hour long programme can sometimes take an hour or more to download and HD is a waste of time - it can take all night.

Hello mate, thanks for the input - very helpful.

Are you on around 10mb net then? And you get 1.3mb/s download?

As I think 1.3 would be 13mb so better than I'm rated. Worrying that iPlayer isn't great.

Virgin offered me a 12 month £24.99 package for 50mb and weekend calls, about £10 a month more expensive would seem.