Netflix performance on Xbox360 via UnoDNS over Vodafone Cable

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JimmyC

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Topic # 138637 11-Jan-2014 15:43

Hi all,

I finally got with the program and setup US accounts for iTunes, Netflix and XBox Live. I'm trialling UnoDNS currently to access Netflix but performance is terrible and I'm not sure where the issue lies. At first I thought it might be my WiFi seeing the Xbox and router are reasonably far away so I've just run a cable under the house directly from the router to the Xbox in the living room but the issues persist.

The program initially loads quickly from Netflix but without fail will re-buffer within a minute, sit at 25% for around 20 seconds, then either spit me out saying the Title is Unavailable, or it will start playing again, only to re-buffer again a minute later. Exactly what happened via WiFi.

I'm on Vodafone's Ultra Fast 130 plan, Cisco cable modem connected to the gigabit WAN port on a Linksys E4200 router. Xbox is connected to that directly now, also on a gigabit port.

UnoDNS suggested I try the OpenDNS test to see if Vodafone's transparent proxy is the issue but that test came back clean so at this stage I'm at a bit of a loss. If anyone has any suggestions I'll gladly take them.

Edit: I should add, I've only configured UnoDNS settings on the Xbox as that's the only device accessing Netflix...

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Reply # 965151 11-Jan-2014 16:09

I had similar problems when I was on Telstraclear cable (Now Vodafone)

The problem is caused by your ISP making use of transparent proxies. I never got it sorted and my Netflix/Hulu never worked properly on Telstraclear. It worked fine on my PC etc .. but the apps never seemed to work nicely on my PS3, Roku etc Constant buffering. (I think these devices use different ports to access the services, while your PC just uses 80/8080 and hence it works)

It sounds like its a problem with your ISP. Try using a VPN instead of a DNS service. Otherwise I can highly recomend Snap. I "upgraded" from cable to copper and the performance is great.

Edit: Interesting bug on geekzone: The word roku in my post above seems to have been created into a url all on its own, with a link to Amazon!

JimmyC

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Reply # 965171 11-Jan-2014 17:01

I suspect you're right about Vodafone's proxy... a lot of people I know are using this Netflix setup with extremely good results. I'm the only one I know on cable and the only one having such issues. Then I think about the past and ongoing issues with Youtube buffering, crappy iSky performance when it first launched... I've had cable for about 12 years now but this may be the last straw.

Incidentally, any one know if Apple TV uses specific ports too, or does it try and stream over 80/8080? I'm not keen on paying an ongoing Xbox Live sub just for Netflix either...

Klipspringer

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Reply # 965213 11-Jan-2014 18:56

You might want to give Vodafone a call and see if its possible to disable the transparent proxy.

Your other option is by using a VPN.
I did use Astrill VPN for a while. If you have a dd-wrt compatible router its possible to load your VPN into the router, in effect achieving the same results.

I could never really reach decent HD speeds over the VPN though because my router was not powerful enough. But its an option you may want to try out and I know Astrill also offers a trial.

BigMal

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Reply # 965231 11-Jan-2014 20:38

Klipspringer:I could never really reach decent HD speeds over the VPN though because my router was not powerful enough. But its an option you may want to try out and I know Astrill also offers a trial.

What router did you use? Based on your suggestion I just signed up for the Astrill trial using a WRT54GL router. So far it's pretty sweet! I may choose this instead of unblock-us :-)

JimmyC

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Reply # 965329 12-Jan-2014 09:21

Klipspringer: You might want to give Vodafone a call and see if its possible to disable the transparent proxy.

I think there's more chance of snow in hell but I'll definitely be sure to ask ;-) If Vodafone can't do something about it, they'll definitely be losing this customer however. Services such as UnoDNS are so much easier, more flexible than a VPN.

Also, perhaps my OpenDNS tests would have come back clean due to testing them via PC, not via an app on an Xbox using a different port?

Klipspringer

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Reply # 965373 12-Jan-2014 11:14

BigMal:
Klipspringer:I could never really reach decent HD speeds over the VPN though because my router was not powerful enough. But its an option you may want to try out and I know Astrill also offers a trial.

What router did you use? Based on your suggestion I just signed up for the Astrill trial using a WRT54GL router. So far it's pretty sweet! I may choose this instead of unblock-us :-)

I have a Cisco WRT310N

As mentioned it worked well. Just not powerful enough to achieve the sufficient speeds for the Netflix HD /Vudu HDX quality stuff.

stenknz

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Reply # 965905 13-Jan-2014 09:49

I have just finished my trial of unblockme-us and now trailing UnoDNS.

This is just via a HTPC that I have hooked up to my tele (wi-fi) Telecom ISP.

So far UnoDNS is a lot slower then unblockme-us, I tried to use the Auckland DNS server but for some reason that server was not available.

Unblockme was a lot faster for me but was not able to get to BBC iplayer or ITV. For use with netflix it was fast and responsive, at this stage can not say the same about UnoDNS.

JimmyC

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Reply # 966071 13-Jan-2014 12:09

I'm going to trial a similar DNS offering from getflix.com.au tonight, see if that makes any difference. Will post my findings.

stenknz

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Reply # 966078 13-Jan-2014 12:16

JimmyC: I'm going to trial a similar DNS offering from getflix.com.au tonight, see if that makes any difference. Will post my findings.

I'll try them as well before I commit. Have heard some good stuff about getflix.com.au

Interested to see your findings.

JimmyC

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Reply # 966553 14-Jan-2014 08:23

Well all I can say is... wow. Switched my Apple TV to getflix.com.au DNS last night and it's like night and day. Not only is there no Netflix re-buffering, the picture quality is simply superb. DVD vs crappy VHS type difference. Very impressed, and I'd like to say problem solved but I'll give it another couple of days.

stenknz

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Reply # 966575 14-Jan-2014 08:47

Will try them after UnoDNS.

Still not too impressed with UnoDNS not as snappy as blockme-us was. Good that you can trial them before you commit.

geekiegeek

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Reply # 966592 14-Jan-2014 09:18

if your router isn't powerful enough for decent VPN speeds or you don't have one that can do VPN another option is to install the VPN on a PC and then use internet connection sharing to share it to other devices on your network. I use this set-up on a virtual machine running on my file server and I get Netflix super HD without issue.

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JimmyC

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Reply # 966597 14-Jan-2014 09:28

What sort of internet connection do you have incidentally?

stenknz

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Reply # 966618 14-Jan-2014 09:59

geekiegeek: if your router isn't powerful enough for decent VPN speeds or you don't have one that can do VPN another option is to install the VPN on a PC and then use internet connection sharing to share it to other devices on your network. I use this set-up on a virtual machine running on my file server and I get Netflix super HD without issue.

This could certainly be my issue. but the difference at the moment is pretty big between the two DNS providers.

It does play in HD after about 5mins (states buffering in HD) so not too bad, can certainly deal with that. Havent set it up yet on my smart Blu-ray device (LG) not sure if I can get the Netflix app installed on that as I am not sure I can change region on it. Hope I can. Still need to look into it a little more.

What ADLS2+ modem\router do you suggest. I'm on Telecom

Speeds pretty good imho 14mbps down and 1mbps up

Tk421nz

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Reply # 966677 14-Jan-2014 11:04

On a note specific to the Xbox I used to use Netflix on it but once they did the most recent update to the app (new UI) I found it was terrible. It used to dynamically adjust the quality now if it needs to change the quality it stops and re buffers. This might explain some of the difference between the Xbox and Apple TV I find that is the best for me now compared to a console

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