iPlayer buffers even more after upgrade to Fibre

[aa2000]

I used to experience some occasional buffering while on an otherwise very good ADSL2+ connection.  Since switching to Fibre Medium (again seemingly a very good connection) earlier this month, I'm shocked to discover that the buffering seems to happen more often and will often occur 2 -3 times during a one hour tv programme.

The buffering wheel spins until eventually an iPlayer error message appears, pointing to a possible loss of internet connection.  At that point even data for the Youview Guide fails to appear. 

I have to come right out of iPlayer, wait for a couple of minutes then go back into the programme via the Guide.   This can happen at any time of day, but recent events have occurred mid to late afternoons. The Youview box is connected to the router via Devolo Powerline Adaptors.  HG633 Router with latest v2.0 firmware. 

Help - Please advise how this issue can be overcome.

[aa2000]

---

@paulshent wrote:

I am now waiting for their latest Sagecom router to see what it's process speed is like.

---

Hi again @paulshent 

Yes the new Sagemcom sounds interesting. I spotted a short review from the ISPreview website..

https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2018/05/new-and-faster-wifi-router-spotted-at-broadband-isp-ta...

[aa2000]

---

@paulshent wrote:

Hi.  First thing let me say is that i do not work for TalkTalk, and that i am passing on what i found during testing and how i got around the issues.

Your software and box are at the same level as mine. So no problem.

I have now moved my settings back to 1080p without any issues, since i had the xx.xx.145 release of software.

Thanks.  I've had xx.xx.145 software for about ten days now and it did not cure my buffering issues. 

I find it a lot faster than previous release.

What i did find (and still do), is that if i use an HG633 router on ANY release version of firmware inclusive of V2.0, then i get breakups, network loss and / or pixilation of the channels. I even got an issue where the router would just for no reason reboot. This issue applies to both my tv boxes. One is connected with direct ethernet cable the other over TalkTalk supplied network wall plugs.

Once i got hold of an HG635  (TT used to supply these), and used that then my network breakup / pixilation / dropout issues stopped.  So in other words since i started to use an HG635 my issues went away.  To be honest i don't think the HG633 is of any use except for standard none TV usage.

Having made my internal networking / socketry changes (as I've detailed in this thread) I'm so far finding that my HG633 seems to work just fine for tv usage (Note: I basically use the TT box for watching and recording the Freeview channels, Catch-up players and Netflix only).

An HG635 can be had from E-bay and is a TT supported router.

I am now waiting for their latest Sagecom router to see what it's process speed is like.

Hope that helps a little

Interesting, thanks.  Have to say though, with respect, nothing you have revealed is tempting me to go back to my old setup, as even the latest TT box software update did not cure my issue before I made those changes.  The HG633 now seems to work for me so I guess 'if it ain't broke'.  I'd still prefer to have the Router located where it used to be (ie.in the Primary Master Socket room), but it's a sacrifice I'm prepared to make, as it means I'm finally rid of the dreaded buffering.  

aa2000

---

[paulshent]

Hi.  First thing let me say is that i do not work for TalkTalk, and that i am passing on what i found during testing and how i got around the issues.

Your software and box are at the same level as mine. So no problem.

I have now moved my settings back to 1080p without any issues, since i had the xx.xx.145 release of software. I find it a lot faster than previous release.

What i did find (and still do), is that if i use an HG633 router on ANY release version of firmware inclusive of V2.0, then i get breakups, network loss and / or pixilation of the channels. I even got an issue where the router would just for no reason reboot. This issue applies to both my tv boxes. One is connected with direct ethernet cable the other over TalkTalk supplied network wall plugs.

Once i got hold of an HG635  (TT used to supply these), and used that then my network breakup / pixilation / dropout issues stopped.  So in other words since i started to use an HG635 my issues went away.  To be honest i don't think the HG633 is of any use except for standard none TV usage.

An HG635 can be had from E-bay and is a TT supported router.

I am now waiting for their latest Sagecom router to see what it's process speed is like.

Hope that helps a little

[aa2000]

---

@paulshent wrote:

Hi.

I have just finished running the trial on multi room

So i suggest you change following until you have latest software uploaded to your tv box

Undersetting i assume your tv is set to 1080p

Just reset this to 720p.

Buffering will then stop

Once you have latest software auto updated then you can reset back to 1080p

Tell me what type of box it is and level of present software. Will then tell you what to look out for.

Both the recordable tv box and the Multi room box will run fine over the mains supplied network extenders.

---

Hi @paulshent

Encouraging to hear this.

You claim that with the latest software that you've just finished testing that "Both the recordable tv box and the Multi room box will run fine over the mains supplied network extenders".   To what extent had you experienced buffering yourself previously and on which players?  Difficult question maybe, but how sure can you be that the latest software you're referring to will definitely cure the buffering problems that I described?  Sometimes local electrical issues have been known to defeat even the best of PLA's.

Did you see how I have now managed to overcome the issues?   I'm very grateful for your advice but having now taken the time and trouble to make these changes, I'm understandably a little bit reluctant to revert to my previous setup without further solid assurances and ideally additionally from a TTTV Trials Team member.   

Just to add, with my new setup, while it has overcome the buffering issues, I would actually prefer to have the router in its former more discreet location (in Primary Master Socket room) rather than under the tv (which is on a glass stand) where it's hard to conceal its flashing lights.  Ironically, I'm still now using the Devolo PLA's to feed my laptop in the room where the Router used to be located. 

Box:  DN372T.01.02.P

Current Software: 72.45.145

aa2000

[paulshent]

Hi.

I have just finished running the trial on multi room

So i suggest you change following until you have latest software uploaded to your tv box

Undersetting i assume your tv is set to 1080p

Just reset this to 720p.

Buffering will then stop

Once you have latest software auto updated then you can reset back to 1080p

Tell me what type of box it is and level of present software. Will then tell you what to look out for.

Both the recordable tv box and the Multi room box will run fine over the mains supplied network extenders.

[Karl-TalkTalk]

Hi

Thats great, thanks for keeping us updated.

Karl

[aa2000 · Accepted solution]

Success.  I'm pleased to report I've managed to convert a redundant extension phone socket next to my tv equipment into a secondary Master Socket (MS) and rewired the primary Master Socket, to take advantage of its A and B terminals. Connecting cable is Cat5e so perfectly good. Have now connected router to the secondary MS and everything is hunky dory, no buffering and no significant degradation in speeds. 

[aa2000]

Thanks Karl, much appreciated.  I shall also drop the Trial Team a line with a link to this thread.

aa2000

UPDATE: 08 May :  

Apparently I'd somehow been dropped out of the trials due to my Fibre upgrade.  This most likely explains the older software. I'm now being reinstated next week. 

[Karl-TalkTalk]

Hi

I've dropped an email too the trial team to look at this.  I notice the STB firmware is not the latest, and this may be on a trial firmware so I cannot change this, so I've flagged this to them.  you may want to also contact your trial contact your self so they can pick this up.

Thanks

Karl. 

[aa2000]

Here's what tends to happen:

The programme starts to buffer. After some seconds of buffering I get an iPlayer 02100 Error Message..

"Something went wrong playing this programme. This is usually a temporary problem. If it continues 

• check your Internet connection
• change the video quality in Settings"

I then exit the player and return to the Guide to once more find the programme, only to find that the Guide is snarled up displaying "No information available" in place of programme information. Generally, If I exit the Guide and return to it after a minute or so, this clears the problem, allowing me to resume the programme, but the whole problem (buffering etc.) will often repeat minutes later.

All very annoying especially since I supposedly have such a good connection. 

[aa2000]

Thanks Ady.  I'm a TalkTalk tv triallist in case that makes any difference.

aa2000

[Ady-TalkTalk]

That's great thanks for the information. I'll raise this to the TV escalation team for investigation. I'll post back to let you know it's sorted. 

[aa2000]

---

@Ady-TalkTalk wrote:

Hi aa2000, I've run a line test and your line is great. Speeds look good. Have you reset the box? If you watch IPlayer on your TV directly do you get the same buffering? 

---

Hi @Ady-TalkTalk .  Yes I did a complete box reset just a few weeks ago.  I don't get the same buffering when I watch iPlayer on my tv directly (also fed via the same set of Powerline Adaptors).  

[Ady-TalkTalk]

Hi aa2000, I've run a line test and your line is great. Speeds look good. Have you reset the box? If you watch IPlayer on your TV directly do you get the same buffering? 

[aa2000]

No.  I would like an OCE to investigate based on my existing setup which would point to my adaptors not being the cause. 

[ferguson]

Have you managed to get hold of that long cable yet so you can try connecting the box to the router directly?

[aa2000]

Can an OCE please investigate this issue?  Thanks.

Please note..

• existing Powerline Adaptors satisfactorily supply buffer-free player playback of all Youview players except iPlayer via the TalkTalk box. 
• existing Powerline Adaptors do supply buffer-free iplayer playback via my smart tv set's own internal player facility. 
• iPlayer works buffer-free on my PC which is connected to router (HG633) via ethernet cable.  

[ferguson]

OK, not much more I can suggest I'm afraid, other than buy a longer ethernet cable (cheap as chips).

[aa2000]

---

@ferguson wrote:

Not even temporarily moving the box/router? Or getting a long ethernet cable? It really is worth ruling out the adapters before looking elsewhere.

---

Much as I'd like too, my longest Ethernet cable isn't quite long enough and I'd otherwise have to move my tv to a room on a lower floor.  I really have no reason to suspect the adaptors as they satisfactorily serve the tv directly too and provide consistent YouTube and iPlayer connectivity via that link.

[ferguson]

Not even temporarily moving the box/router? Or getting a long ethernet cable? It really is worth ruling out the adapters before looking elsewhere.