Netflix, Roku, Vodafone - something's amiss

Forums › Online streaming services › Netflix, Roku, Vodafone - something's amiss

Woodworker

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#150578 27-Jul-2014 12:54

I have read some great posts on here, so I decided to join and share my experience trying to get Netflix working...

Details:

DNS service: Getflix
ISP: Vodafone, 10Mbps+ unlimited ADSL
Modem/router: Netgear N600, static routes configured to block:
- 208.67.220.220
- 209.244.0.3
- 208.67.222.222
- 8.8.4.4
- 8.8.8.8

We normally stream Netflix content through PC or Mac connected to the TV, but they tend to use quite a lot energy doing this, so I decided to purchase a Roku streaming stick from Amazon for less than $60 shipped to NZ. It arrived this week.

Setup was easy - the instructions Getflix provide are very detailed. However, it just doesn't want to play ball with Netflix. HuluPlus, Vudu, Blockbuster all work fine.

I can log into the Netflix app and browse titles just fine. Yet, trying to play anything results in a brief loading period in which the progress never reaches 100%, followed by the message:

"We're having trouble playing this title right now. Please try again or select a different title"

Enabling & disabling static routes doesn't appear to make any difference as far as how the Netflix app behaves.

I also tried using Unblockus to see if is might have been an issue with just Getflix. This didn't make any difference either.

I have spent several hours on this now, so I'm pretty much at the point where I'm considering my options. Namely,

- switch from Vodafone to another naked broadband provider
- cancel Netflix

Not sure if switching ISP will be worth it though? If nothing else works I will have to cancel Netflix. Would be a shame for my kids though. So, if anyone's got any suggestions, I'd love to hear them. Thanks!

TheKlaw

3 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1096650 27-Jul-2014 16:06

Hi,

I had similar problems setting up my Roku 3 with Netflix on Vodafone. Same issues and it would work suddenly then stop and wouldn't hold settings on rebooting. It took weeks of troubleshooting till I finally called it quits and looked for an alternate provider.

I chose Orcon for their Fibre Unlimited plan and zero buyer's remorse so far. It took longer sitting on hold waiting to talk to Vodafone to cancel my account than it took to get Netflix working flawlessly - and then Vodafone still messed up my disconnection.

They (Vodafone) let Sky know to cancel my subscription but seem to not have cancelled our Vodafone subscription and have billed us again for another month. Seems they have customer service issues.

Wise

Send money globally for less with Wise - one free transfer up to NZ$900 (affiliate link).

MileHighKiwi

782 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#1096678 27-Jul-2014 16:56

Sorry I don't have a solution but just wondering whats up with blocking certain static routes?

I'm on Vodafone with an unlimited plan (50 mbps) and access Netflix via UnblockUs and a Roku 3. I just changed the two DNS settings in the router and didn't block anything.

It works seamlessly (Had it running about two months) except for on two occasions when it dropped out for around 30 minutes. I just rebooted and it returned to normal.

Perhaps the static routes are part of the problem?

Or is your internet speed too slow for the stick? Is 10Mbps the max you can get? Can you run a speed test via the stick?

Sorry, I wish I could help :)

skewt

748 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1096688 27-Jul-2014 17:47

MileHighKiwi: Sorry I don't have a solution but just wondering whats up with blocking certain static routes?

I'm on Vodafone with an unlimited plan (50 mbps) and access Netflix via UnblockUs and a Roku 3. I just changed the two DNS settings in the router and didn't block anything.

It works seamlessly (Had it running about two months) except for on two occasions when it dropped out for around 30 minutes. I just rebooted and it returned to normal.

Perhaps the static routes are part of the problem?

Or is your internet speed too slow for the stick? Is 10Mbps the max you can get? Can you run a speed test via the stick?

Sorry, I wish I could help :)

The Roku3 and other devices have started using their own DNS servers for lookups in the netflix app, so they will lookup using google dns and the video will fail to play
This is why you use the static routes to block the traffic and force the device to use unblock us dns servers

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
79015 posts

Uber Geek

Administrator

ID Verified

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#1096690 27-Jul-2014 17:56

I have an Amazon Fire TV and it works perfectly on Vodafone cable - Netflix is our most used application, followed by Hulu and Amazon Instant Video. We use Unotelly.

My technology disclosure

Predated

177 posts

Master Geek

#1096750 27-Jul-2014 20:43

Hi

What part of the country are you in?

There is still an issue with Vodafone and Netflix in the lower South Island that they won't address

See more here http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumId=151&topicId=146618

Woodworker

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1097199 28-Jul-2014 15:54

Gosh, I would never have guessed that where one lives within NZ might have been a factor with VF and Netflix (US). How strange. I'm in Dunedin.

10 Mbps for downloads is a fairly typical speed on average for us. 15 Mbps is probably the fastest I have seen. It seems to be ok to support 720p streaming with Dolby Surround on Vudu; usually without any buffering. And with the PC hooked up to the TV, 720p on Netflix is usually what we get.

We're on a waiting list at the moment with VF for VDSL, which is due to come through Aug/Sept. That said, if switching to another ISP fixes our Netflix issue as others have found, then I might forgo VDSL for now. We're supposed to be getting fiber in our area in 2015 anyway.

Time to give Bigpipe a try I think. Fingers crossed.

Coil

6614 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1097204 28-Jul-2014 16:09

The guy that was looking after the Netflix south island issue is on leave currently. Ill rise it with one of his team members again and see if we get progress.

Cheers.

Coil

6614 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1097210 28-Jul-2014 16:16

The Roku shouldnt have an issue we have identified it to only be Apple devices at this point. If you have issues on an apple device send me a wireshark PCAP while using netflix. Not too sure how to get PCAP from a Roku unless its taken off a network device, Example Fritzbox.
See what people can contribute as i can get it looked into faster with the more info we have.

Woodworker

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1097233 28-Jul-2014 16:41

Cheers TimA - it's good to know that VF has a presence here, even if it's not by way of official support.

Coil

6614 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1098479 30-Jul-2014 11:21

Woodworker: Cheers TimA - it's good to know that VF has a presence here, even if it's not by way of official support.

I can get it fixed or atleast looked into. can you source some PCAP's from your traffic so we can identify the issue as we have nothing to work off right now.
https://www.google.co.nz/search?q=wireshark+PCAP&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&channel=sb&gfe_rd=cr&ei=ayzYU-_JLcnC8geN5IGwCw

Woodworker

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1098555 30-Jul-2014 13:11

Does this help, TimA?
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BxCrko-qmYbnRDBEUWVlRUpTYlE/edit?usp=sharing

Thanks,
Matthew

Coil

6614 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1098745 30-Jul-2014 18:25

Capture as many as you can :)
Thye help, A lot.