Re-buffering problems with streaming services

In response to people complaining about re-buffering reports being put in supposedly inappropriate threads I am beginning this thread. It's for all services including Netflix, Vudu, Amazon, Redbox, etc. Some of us have been noting really unusual buffering behavior especially when we have high bitrate broadband.

One recent experience was trying to watch a movie on Netflix late Sunday evening called "388 Arietta Avenue" which is HD. All was well until exactly midnight when re-buffering started and bitrate dropped to below 1 mbps. I let it rebuffer several times which would result in a 1 or 2 of the film playing. Then I gave up. It was if the folks at Netflix decided no one watches at that hour so were going to do some server maintenance. Usually I have no problem streaming after 10 PM.

Then a night or two later trying to watch one of the "popular" movies "Hard Times" it would only have a very low 1-2 mpbs bit rate. This film is also in HD. Some of us have suggested that "popular" movies may have too much demand for Netflix servers. Another movie "Hick" which is in HD played just fine all the way through and this was before 10 PM.

My experience with PPV servers such as Vudu and Amazon is like "you paid for it you get it". IOW, if they don't have the capacity at the moment you might get a message they can't deliver that film at the moment though I have never seen that but have with Netflix though trying to start the film resulted in it playing anyway. I don't think I've ever seen rebuffering with Amazon and relatively none with Vudu.

Maybe it is that streaming is so new and iterative in development it is essentially not really ready for prime time.

In the past we have frequently discussed re-buffering issues. Some of these are under the streaming quality thread and some in the finds and gems thread. This thread is for posting experiences with re-buffering. Yes there are a lot of variables but others have noted too that the popular titles are often the ones they find getting re-buffered. It's sort of the luck of the game. Also I note whenever there are school holidays re-buffering complaints arise. Netflix from time to time may offer an explanation but I think we've found those seem to miss the mark. IOW, written by their PR department.

There are some of us here that find this issue interesting. If you don't you don't need to read it. Some of us like myself develop software and know a bit about technical issues. It's frustrating when the film you've picked to watch won't work unless you wait until after 10 PM.

We are also interested in ISP issues too and how they may reflect. I have U-Verse 12 mpbs service and the trucks were in the neighborhood recently and one at the pole outside my house. I asked the technician what they were doing and he said "improving service." They did replace the old junction boxes up on the pole which including mine seemed to be falling apart. However if I have re-buffering issues I pick up my Android phone and run Speed Test and it shows full speed. Also my Sony BD player runs the speed test each time you start a film and it mostly shows full speed. If it doesn't then the phone does. The phone is checking via wifi BTW.

mailang, you're closer to "the cloud". Maybe that's why you see no problems. So it is you after all!

Let me guess, the kids aren't watching TV during spring break. Must have more interesting things to do. No rebuffering even before 10 PM with HD titles.

Let me guess, the kids aren't watching TV during spring break. Must have more interesting things to do. No rebuffering even before 10 PM with HD titles.