topic Re: iplayer still unstable in Other TVs

iplayer still unstable

clecky — Sun, 23 Feb 2014 19:48:56 GMT

Hi. Please could a Sony person let me know what could be happening? Every 10 secs the iplayer buffers and restarts. I have asked iplayer but I think they will say jts a tv issue. I have Sony KDL 26 ex 320. Many thanks.

Re: iplayer still unstable

Anonymous — Sun, 23 Feb 2014 20:03:58 GMT

Hi there

iPlayer is working and stable. This is probably your internet connection.

Try doing a speedtest and see if you have adequate speed. Also if you are using wireless, try connecting an ethernet cable to your TV instead?

Also BBC provide an iplayer connection test : HERE

Cheers

Re: iplayer still unstable

clecky — Fri, 28 Feb 2014 22:21:02 GMT

Thanks for your reply. Iplayer says it has to be a Sony issue, I agree. I can watch iplayer on the same wireless network on my ipad with with no problems but again this evening, the same programme on iplayer in the Sony is stopping and starting. It is only since February that this has become such a problem. Network speeds in nighttime are around 3-4 Mbps. But as I say , iplayer plays on the ipad but not the Sony . It always did. Help please...

Re: iplayer still unstable

Catmambo — Fri, 28 Feb 2014 22:26:40 GMT

Worth noting that BBC runs 700+ versions of iPlayer If it was an issue with the TV, everyone would be experiencing the same problem, and thats not the case. So gut feel is that its something to do with how your network is buffering content with the version of iPlayer thats on the TV. The speeds you mention aren't especially high and so give you very little headroom for error or buffering. is your TV hardwired or wirelessly connected to the network?

Thanks

Re: iplayer still unstable

clecky — Sat, 01 Mar 2014 07:33:31 GMT

Hi, it's wireless. But so is the ipad. Ad both same distance from router etc. Both have worked fine for last year or so but tv viewing has been nigh on impossible last month or so. If jt was a speed issue surely the ipad would suffer too, this is what is confusing me?

Re: iplayer still unstable

clecky — Sat, 01 Mar 2014 07:45:50 GMT

A question about wired set up. I have a spare router, as I have just replaced Ee one with latest one from that company. Can I just connect TV to this and thus phone socket or will this somehow cause a problem with other router elsewhere generating the wireless LAN? Thanks

Re: iplayer still unstable

Catmambo — Sat, 01 Mar 2014 09:32:32 GMT

This is my point - they are both called iPlayer and serve the same content, but that's where the similarities end. They are built on two totally different platforms and so perform differently when on the same connection. I'm trying to think of another real world analogy, but struggling a little, so maybe someone else will be able to.

I'd absolutely recommend connecting via Ethernet or Homeplug. Not necessarily a problem with the current router, as I said I think its your overall speed combined with the way the BBC software operates on the TV and you are just at the tipping point where it occasionally drops out. Maybe just try temporarily moving the TV nearer the router and hardwire it to see how it performs. Also check you have the latest firmware for the TV too.

Thanks

Re: iplayer still unstable

clecky — Sat, 01 Mar 2014 09:36:23 GMT

Hi. This morning the iplayer works on TV as speed is around 13 Mbps. But could you explain why when speed is lower at peak times, it works in ipad but not the Sony TV and why this has changed over last couple of months? That would be good. I have also posted you a question in thread re wired connection of TV. Many thanks.

Re: iplayer still unstable

clecky — Sat, 01 Mar 2014 09:39:23 GMT

Our posts have crossed! Thanks. But I can't move the TV. Can I connect an older router direct to TV and phone line without it affecting the existing wireless network in house? I checked software on TV and believe it's all updated. Thanks

Re: iplayer still unstable

Catmambo — Sat, 01 Mar 2014 10:35:03 GMT

Try something like this - http://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-Link-TL-PA211KIT-200Mbps-Powerline-Adapter/dp/B004INVKP4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1393669937&sr=8-1&keywords=tp+link

Will effectively give you an Ethernet connection to your TV. II understand what you are trying to do with the router, but pretty sure that won't work. But Homeplugs distribute your Internet connection over your electricity network. You can see the review on these ones are very positive, obviously other ones are available etc etc.. but this should definitely improve the connection and make it much more robust..

hope this helps

Re: iplayer still unstable

Anonymous — Sat, 01 Mar 2014 10:55:00 GMT

@clecky wrote:
This morning the iplayer works on TV as speed is around 13 Mbps.

@clecky wrote:
Network speeds in nighttime are around 3-4 Mbps.

Hi there

The above two quotes is where I think your problem lies. According to the BBC, for HD iPlayer content is encoded at 3.2Mbps, so you need at very least that. However this also doesnt take into account for TCP/IP overheads, and any other transmission bandwidth overheads required.

So why does it work on your iPad and not the TV - As Catmambo stated above, there are over 700 versions of iPlayer. The iPad version may handle the traffic differently, or even lower the video quality on the "fly" according to your internet speeds. Pure guess as I dont know how each BBC app works.

EDIT: According to THIS, the bandwidth requirements for an iPad is lower.

What can you do:

Firstly I would connect an ethernet cable to the TV to absolutely rule out wireless issues - but I dont believe this is where your problem lies
I would be contacting your ISP (please dont tell me its TalkTalk or Virginmedia - it seems its always them) and get them to investigate WHY you have a drastic speed difference - 13Mb/s to 3Mb/s is well unacceptable.
In the iPlayer application on the TV - I think you can go to the settings area and lower the video quality. This may certainly help.

Hope this helps

Cheers

Re: iplayer still unstable

clecky — Sat, 01 Mar 2014 17:30:57 GMT

Thank you for this. Can you explain though why things have changed? I have had the tv and wireless network for 2 years or so and aside from glitches when setting up and the Dec 2013 issues with Sony and iplayer, why I can no longer watch things properly. Nothing has changed at my end. Would very much like to understand. Thanks

Re: iplayer still unstable

clecky — Sat, 01 Mar 2014 17:35:21 GMT

Thank you.
My ISP is EE.. I need to test the wired speeds to see if same degradation, but if they offer wireless router then I think there should be some resolution to this discrepancy in speed. I am wondering if this is a deliberate method of forcing customers to fibre?

Re: iplayer still unstable

Anonymous — Sat, 01 Mar 2014 19:09:57 GMT

Hi there

This document may explain the slow-down (document dated 07/01/2014 - which "may" explain the change):

http://e-gain.s3.amazonaws.com/external/content/Ts%20and%20Cs/BSG_KFI_template_-_Legacy_Off-net_v4_Jan2014.pdf

They are using a traffic management policy to slow you down between 4:30pm - 1am.

Having a scan of their community forums, your issue is not uncommon either:

http://community.ee.co.uk/t5/Broadband/Broadband-Iplayer-blocked-at-peak-times/td-p/8894

However you really need to contact them to find out the exact cause. It could even be a phone line fault.

http://explore.ee.co.uk/get-in-touch

Cheers