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    Network Bandwidth

    Discussion in 'Networking and Wireless' started by Jarhead, Jan 1, 2012.

  1. Jarhead

    Jarhead 恋の♡アカサタナ

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    Hey guys, quick question:

    My family's considering to dump DirecTV and switch to streaming to the TVs (specifically, two Roku 2 boxes and an extra Xbox360). Right now, our internet connection (ADSL 1.5Mbps down, using a Wireless-G router) is fine for our current uses (desktop, iPod touch, two Nooks, laptop, and Xbox LIVE).

    My question is that if we start using streaming instead of satellite (Hulu and Netflix) as our regular TV service, would 1.5Mbps w/Wireless-G be sufficient (as in, little to no slowdown/buffering), or should we upgrade to the next step up (3Mbps)? I'd rather not have to go any higher than that due to budget concerns.
     
    Jarhead, Jan 1, 2012
    #1
  2. downloads

    downloads No, Dee Dee, no! Super Moderator

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    It would be better to upgrade. 1.5mbps is very slow so even if it word you'll have no safety margin and when someone decides to use Internet while someone else is watching TV you'll en up with one, the other or both users very annoyed and dissatisfied with quality of service.

    It's your call but would stick to satellite or significantly upgrade Internet connection- even 3mbps and streaming is not that safe.
     
    downloads, Jan 1, 2012
    #2
  3. 3Fees

    3Fees Notebook Deity

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    What is the minimum Internet connection speed I need to use my Roku player?

    Roku Support
    posted this on Jul-19 2011 15:19


    "In general, the faster your Internet connection, the better the video quality. For the best viewing results, we recommend a minimum of 1.5 Mbps for standard definition and 3.0 Mbps for HD content."

    What is the minimum Internet connection speed I need to use my Roku player? : Featured Questions

    I set up an roku for a friend,,he has an 150N network, the faster the better.

    Cheers
    3Fees :)
     
    3Fees, Jan 2, 2012
    #3
  4. SHoTTa35

    SHoTTa35 Notebook Consultant

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    Netflix and such does about ~3-5Mbps for HD but will obviously downscale if you can't handle it. The problem however comes in when you want to play on Xbox Live and 2 people watching 2 different shows. In that case i'd say you'd need about 10Mbps minimum for no buffers and all that.

    1.5Mbps is nothing these days, in 1998 i switched from 56K to 10Mbps broadband and haven't gone back to anything lower than that since then. Just think minimum of 5Mbps per TV and you should be good (for HD anyways).
     
    SHoTTa35, Jan 5, 2012
    #4