Slow streaming of foreign Netflix catalogues

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Kiwifruta

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#173628 30-May-2015 09:58

Hi everyone, just noticed in the last few days really poor quality streaming quality from Netflix. Doesn't appear to be an issue for the NZ catalogue. Although I couldn't find the example short clip in the NZ catalogue to do a proper test.

On the UK version, the example short clip was running at best 784kbps, which if I remember correctly was about 360p (or possibly 480p).

I tried both UnoTelly and dns4me with the same result. Using my tablet on wifi to run a speed test shows around 12Mbps, so my general internet speed is fine. I have tried both wifi and ethernet connections to my firetv with the same results.

I am with Trustpower using adsl unlimited, and stream with a firetv, and on the 2 device HD plan with Netflix. I've Netflix for 2.5 years and never had this issue before.

Could this be some form of throttling of non NZ catalogue content? I have emailed Trustpower about what speed I should expect. UFB is coming soon so this might all go away then.

Anyone else experiencing similar things?

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374 posts

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#1314918 31-May-2015 06:22

I would say you have the same congestion issue that people on ADSL and VDSL are talking about also known as the Netflix effect.

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myfullflavour

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#1315011 31-May-2015 10:52

Chances are your NZ Netflix is streaming from a less congested path to NZ/AU servers vs where Netflix serve the non-NZ catalogue from.

Kiwifruta

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#1316915 3-Jun-2015 17:52

For Trustpower users of Netflix, here is their response emailed today confirming Open Connect Appliance installation.

Thank you for your email and apologies for the delay in replying.

Unfortunately we cannot give exact speeds to expect for Netflix due to the speeds varying with each connection and setup. Netflix have a page of what speeds are required for different quality types on their service which may be of help - https://help.netflix.com/en/node/306

I am also happy to confirm that we recently installed our Netflix Open Connect Appliance during the Weekend which means we can better deliver content from the New Zealand Netflix Catalogue to our customers. This means that popular titles and content will load from within our own network rather than the Netflix server’s located in Sydney ensuring a smoother service. I

f you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us

Kind Regards,

Tech Support Team
Trustpower

T 0800 87 87 87
E techsupport@trustpower.co.nz
Trustpower Limited, Private Bag 12023, Tauranga Mail Centre, Tauranga 3143

trustpower.co.nz

From: xxx
Sent: Saturday, 30 May 2015 9:16 a.m.
To: Tech Support
Subject: Re: Netflix Open Connect Content Delivery for ISPs Thanks for the email.

What Netflix streaming speeds should I expect for adsl and UFB?

I notice the NZ catalogue streams at far higher quality than the overseas catalogues.

Kind regards

NonprayingMantis

6434 posts

Uber Geek

#1316919 3-Jun-2015 17:57

Kiwifruta: For Trustpower users of Netflix, here is their response emailed today confirming Open Connect Appliance installation.

Thank you for your email and apologies for the delay in replying.

Unfortunately we cannot give exact speeds to expect for Netflix due to the speeds varying with each connection and setup. Netflix have a page of what speeds are required for different quality types on their service which may be of help - https://help.netflix.com/en/node/306

I am also happy to confirm that we recently installed our Netflix Open Connect Appliance during the Weekend which means we can better deliver content from the New Zealand Netflix Catalogue to our customers. This means that popular titles and content will load from within our own network rather than the Netflix server’s located in Sydney ensuring a smoother service. I

f you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us

Kind Regards,

Tech Support Team
Trustpower

T 0800 87 87 87
E techsupport@trustpower.co.nz
Trustpower Limited, Private Bag 12023, Tauranga Mail Centre, Tauranga 3143

trustpower.co.nz

From: xxx
Sent: Saturday, 30 May 2015 9:16 a.m.
To: Tech Support
Subject: Re: Netflix Open Connect Content Delivery for ISPs Thanks for the email.

What Netflix streaming speeds should I expect for adsl and UFB?

I notice the NZ catalogue streams at far higher quality than the overseas catalogues.

Kind regards

4 days to respond to a simple email? wow.

I know your request wasn't urgent, but 4 days seems a lot.

steve98

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#1316923 3-Jun-2015 18:11

One business day. He sent it on a Saturday and Monday was a public holiday, so you can't really "start the clock" until Tuesday.

Kiwifruta

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#1316924 3-Jun-2015 18:12

There was a long weekend. I'm not at all concerned about the number of days it took to reply to the email. Just happy that Trustpower are now using Netflix Open Connect Appliance.

By the way, 80% of the time Trustpower answer the phone immediately, one time before I even heard the ring tone. I prefer calls answered immediately and emails after a little while than around the other way.

NonprayingMantis

6434 posts

Uber Geek

#1316931 3-Jun-2015 18:29

steve98: One business day. He sent it on a Saturday and Monday was a public holiday, so you can't really "start the clock" until Tuesday.

Fair enough, although I would think they would have support available during public holidays.

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Kiwifruta

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#1316933 3-Jun-2015 18:33

NonprayingMantis:
steve98: One business day. He sent it on a Saturday and Monday was a public holiday, so you can't really "start the clock" until Tuesday.

Fair enough, although I would think they would have support available during public holidays.

It didn't require an urgent answer (hence the email). Perhaps the phone (urgent) support is on during the public holidays.

myfullflavour

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#1317082 3-Jun-2015 22:38

Kiwifruta: There was a long weekend. I'm not at all concerned about the number of days it took to reply to the email. Just happy that Trustpower are now using Netflix Open Connect Appliance.

Just for the clarification, the presence of a Netflix OCA doesn't improve the experience of non-New Zealand Netflix catalogues.

joshhill96

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#1317233 4-Jun-2015 09:42

I have Spark ADSL and have no issues streaming from Internet Explorer 11, Full 1080p HD during peak times, multiple regions Netflix (West Auckland based)

Might be your browser, if you are using chrome (Max 720p) try another browser of Firefox or IE

--
The above views are my own and not of Dish TV Technologies

reven

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#1317237 4-Jun-2015 09:52

I use to get 1080p from US netflix on snap a year ago. Then switched to unlimited internet, 6 months ago I noticed the quality slowly drop. Was getting 480p up until last month. Switched to bigpipe, now get 240p-480p (usually 480p). However NZ netflix I get 1080p.

So annoying. Going back to unlimitedinternet in a few weeks, its $20 cheaper than bigpipe, ip address doesnt change very often and same speeds.

Snap might give me 1080p, but thats nearly twice the price...

DaveB

1139 posts

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Inactive user

#1317257 4-Jun-2015 10:37

reven: I use to get 1080p from US netflix on snap a year ago. Then switched to unlimited internet, 6 months ago I noticed the quality slowly drop. Was getting 480p up until last month. Switched to bigpipe, now get 240p-480p (usually 480p). However NZ netflix I get 1080p.

So annoying. Going back to unlimitedinternet in a few weeks, its $20 cheaper than bigpipe, ip address doesnt change very often and same speeds.

Snap might give me 1080p, but thats nearly twice the price...

Interesting. I get a consistent 1080p from Netflix US and UK with BigPipe. BBC iPlayer immediately streams in Hi Def.

MikeB4

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#1317260 4-Jun-2015 10:42

I am also getting 1080 on Netflix consistently, I have noticed that some nights especially Saturday it may take a little longer for HD to kick in. I am on Vodafone Cable 100mbps.

NonprayingMantis

6434 posts

Uber Geek

#1317274 4-Jun-2015 11:09

reven: I use to get 1080p from US netflix on snap a year ago. Then switched to unlimited internet, 6 months ago I noticed the quality slowly drop. Was getting 480p up until last month. Switched to bigpipe, now get 240p-480p (usually 480p). However NZ netflix I get 1080p.

So annoying. Going back to unlimitedinternet in a few weeks, its $20 cheaper than bigpipe, ip address doesnt change very often and same speeds.

Snap might give me 1080p, but thats nearly twice the price...

it's most likely nothing to do with your choice of ISP.
More likely is just that your local area's backhaul (which is owned by chorus) tht has gradually become more and more congested s more and more VDSL customers get added and it's actually this that has been causing this gradual degradation of quality. your changing of ISP is coincidental.

I get 1080p US Netflix no problem on Bigpipe (VDSL)

Chorus will (hopefully) upgrade the backhaul soon and you'll see an improvement.

reven

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#1317278 4-Jun-2015 11:17

NonprayingMantis:
reven: I use to get 1080p from US netflix on snap a year ago. Then switched to unlimited internet, 6 months ago I noticed the quality slowly drop. Was getting 480p up until last month. Switched to bigpipe, now get 240p-480p (usually 480p). However NZ netflix I get 1080p.

So annoying. Going back to unlimitedinternet in a few weeks, its $20 cheaper than bigpipe, ip address doesnt change very often and same speeds.

Snap might give me 1080p, but thats nearly twice the price...

it's most likely nothing to do with your choice of ISP.
More likely is just that your local area's backhaul (which is owned by chorus) tht has gradually become more and more congested s more and more VDSL customers get added and it's actually this that has been causing this gradual degradation of quality. your changing of ISP is coincidental.

I get 1080p US Netflix no problem on Bigpipe (VDSL)

Chorus will (hopefully) upgrade the backhaul soon and you'll see an improvement.

yeah i figured that after changing ISPs didnt improve my speed. Everything in my house has stayed the same over the last 2.5 years, use to get 1080p netflix without issue. Then changed to unlimitedinternet and a few months later netflix quality dropped. Figured it must be the ISP, its not a big player. After changing ISPs again speeds are the same, so guess I have to wait until 2019 for UFB or move....

EDIT: actually then why am I getting 1080p from NZ netflix? Surely international vs national to my neighbourhood connection wouldnt make any difference....

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