topic Re: BBC iPlayer buffering - HELP! in TV

BBC iPlayer buffering - HELP!

JeffJ6 — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 19:03:12 GMT

I have a 2 year old JVC 40" smart TV with Blue Tooth connectivity. To start with everything was fine, but over the past few months the situation has got worse.

BBC iPlayer buffers so much that it becomes unwatchable. Sometimes I can't even get onto iPlayer, other times I get to the programme I want and then get a message to say "something has gone wrong - try again". Netflix can be affected, but to a lesser degree. When it gets really bad I go to my PC (10 feet away, with direct internet connection) with a suitable monitor to continue watching with no problem at all.

Is it my TV, my internet connection, or a problem with iPlayer.

If it's the TV I'm prepared to buy a new one (it's out of warranty now), but I need to know before I do.

Re: BBC iPlayer buffering - HELP!

ferguson — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 18:42:54 GMT

I you are with BT you have come to the wrong place.

Re: BBC iPlayer buffering - HELP!

JeffJ6 — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 18:44:15 GMT

BT is blue tooth

Re: BBC iPlayer buffering - HELP!

ferguson — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 18:54:15 GMT

Hmm, OK! But that's not relevant when it comes to an internet streaming service like BBC iPlayer. Is your connection otherwise OK? Are other streaming players/devices working?

Re: BBC iPlayer buffering - HELP!

JeffJ6 — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 18:56:53 GMT

I don't have any other streaming devices than the TV. My smart phone and tab work fine, but I don't stream through them.

Re: BBC iPlayer buffering - HELP!

ferguson — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 19:06:17 GMT

Do you have any other streaming services available on the TV, do they work OK? Can you maybe test iPlayer on your smart phone and tablet? Subject to that, the support team will advise further when they are back online.

Re: BBC iPlayer buffering - HELP!

JeffJ6 — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 19:18:26 GMT

I haven't tried any other streaming services on my TV recently, but I had no problem with ITVX when I did.

I have just watched some of the olympics on my phone with no problem.

Not connected, but I have no problem at all with Freeview.

Re: BBC iPlayer buffering - HELP!

ferguson — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 19:22:09 GMT

OK, have you checked that your TV supports the latest version of iPlayer? It is beginning to look like it is the TV that is the issue, rather than your connection. One more thing: is your TV connected to the router via WiFi, or ethernet? If wireless, have you tried wired?

Re: BBC iPlayer buffering - HELP!

JeffJ6 — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 19:40:47 GMT

OK, have you checked that your TV supports the latest version of iPlayer?

No, I don't see an option in the menu for that.

If wireless, have you tried wired?

I could... that would involve moving the TV next to the router or buying a 12' cable. If you think that will confirm a TV fault I will try it in the morning. The only problem with that is the problem does appear to be much worse in the evening.

Re: BBC iPlayer buffering - HELP!

ferguson — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 19:53:47 GMT

You should be able to check via the iPlayer app on the TV and otherwise the BBC iPlayer help pages relating to your TV model. It is definitely worth testing with a longer ethernet cable, that will be a lot cheaper than the alternative of shelling out on a new TV which you might not otherwise buy!

Re: BBC iPlayer buffering - HELP!

JeffJ6 — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 20:04:27 GMT

You should be able to check via the iPlayer app on the TV

Now you're testing my abilities... iPlayer app on the TV????????

the BBC iPlayer help pages relating to your TV

And where do I find that?

It is definitely worth testing with a longer ethernet cable

It's cheaper to move the TV and use the internet cable for the PC... as I said I can try that in the morning.

Re: BBC iPlayer buffering - HELP!

ferguson — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 20:11:28 GMT

If you go into the iPlayer app and check settings then it should indicate what software version it is and whether any updates are available. Other than that have a look at the BBC iPlayer support pages. By all means try that moving things about solution, it will certainly help you check performance.

Re: BBC iPlayer buffering - HELP!

JeffJ6 — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 20:14:33 GMT

You're not helping... I have no idea how to access the iPlayer app on my TV or where to find iPlayer support pages.

Re: BBC iPlayer buffering - HELP!

ferguson — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 20:18:54 GMT

Sorry, I thought you were having problems with iPlayer on your TV? So when you click on BBC iPlayer that is the app. It will include a settings menu. As for the rest, do you have Google? Other search engines are available.

Re: BBC iPlayer buffering - HELP!

JeffJ6 — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 20:26:01 GMT

OK, you can call me stupid... how do I access the settings menu for iPlayer?

Are you suggesting I Google iPlayer support pages? I have done several searches about the problem but not achieved much yet.

Re: BBC iPlayer buffering - HELP!

ferguson — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 21:06:47 GMT

I can't speak for your model of TV. But when I open BBC iPlayer on mine, there is a Home menu which includes settings. Also, if your TV carries apps, there should be a place there where you can check for updates. And yes, I am suggesting you use Google for other help e.g.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/help/questions/supported-devices/jvc

I fear we may have travelled too far down these esoteric routes though to be honest, try the simple expedient of connecting the TV to the router via ethernet and let us know if that helps.

Re: BBC iPlayer buffering - HELP!

JeffJ6 — Fri, 02 Aug 2024 07:03:53 GMT

Before turning anything on I moved the TV to the router and connected directly via an ethernet cable. I watched 20 minutes of The Turkish Detective on iPlayer with no problem at all. Then I moved the TV back and watched for a further 20 minutes. During that time it buffered once for no more than 2 seconds.

I feel this is an inconclusive test. As I said previously, it is worse in the evenings. I will have to do the reverse tonight: when it is buffering a lot I will move it back to the router and try that.

In menu/apps/BBCiPlayer there is no "check for updates" only an "uninstall updates". The current version is: 2.2.22-04741a7

Re: BBC iPlayer buffering - HELP!

JeffJ6 — Fri, 02 Aug 2024 19:08:57 GMT

Of course, tonight it is working perfectly!

I will post another message as soon as it fails and I have results.

Thanks for your help so far. 🙂

Re: BBC iPlayer buffering - HELP!

JeffJ6 — Fri, 02 Aug 2024 19:49:24 GMT

Result! After I sent the last message I switched back to the Turkish Detective and basically iPlayer locked up on me. I could not access Netflix either.

I then moved the TV to the router and it reacted the same with the direct ethernet connection.

I took photos of all the screens that appeared.

I hope this gives some insight into the problem.

Re: BBC iPlayer buffering - HELP!

ferguson — Fri, 02 Aug 2024 20:07:10 GMT

OK. please wait for further advice from the support team. Bear in mind that they won't be back online until Monday.