Does the new Vodafone TV work on ADSL?

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CeeDeeHee

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#258480 5-Oct-2019 17:37

Hi all, I'm new here, (old-time geek though!) We've been trying to find out if the new Vodafone TV boxes will work on ADSL? - The recommendation from Vodafone is that they need fibre or a minimum of VDSL. The only reason being given is that they "may experience unacceptable buffering", however no one seems to have tested this. - this was the opinion of one of the shop staff. We are successfully watching the RWC, Netflix, Neon, and Sky-go without too much trouble, and while the internet stutters now and then, we cope. :)

Rural on unlimited copper, average down about 5MBPS average up about 1MBPS. - The rugby only fails when the rate drops below about 3.5MBPS.

* There are currently no options for unlimited on anything but copper where we are, and no future plans to go better than ADSL it seems.

Thanks in advance for any experiences.

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#2331106 5-Oct-2019 17:45

@CeeDeeHee Yes it will work on a ADSL connection but I would be worried about buffering as well at those speeds, Can you borrow one and try it out?

What part of NZ are you located in?

Apsattv

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#2331198 6-Oct-2019 03:16

The freeview streams run around 6mbit..but i believe they will drop to lower bandwidths and quality based on your connection.

Im sure any shop that sells them will let you take one and trial it with the usual return policy within x days

CeeDeeHee

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Wannabe Geek

#2331209 6-Oct-2019 08:25

Hi, thanks for the replies. The shop didn't offer the loan of one, but thanks for the suggestion. It is an option if we really can't find out whether this might otherwise work or not.

We are rural West Auckland. Please would you be able to elaborate why the buffering would be a problem? Specs say the processor is quad-core 1.5GHz. Thanks!

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#2331213 6-Oct-2019 08:37

CeeDeeHee:
Hi, thanks for the replies. The shop didn't offer the loan of one, but thanks for the suggestion. It is an option if we really can't find out whether this might otherwise work or not.

We are rural West Auckland. Please would you be able to elaborate why the buffering would be a problem? Specs say the processor is quad-core 1.5GHz. Thanks!

The buffering is not CPU related but internet speed related

Vodafone has advised best on fibre / HFC / VDSL for a reason

If you connect it up to a ADSL connection you are going to have issues it will even be far worse if you are connected to a Conklin cabinet

Many cabinets out West Auckland now have VDSL or good ADSL2+ have you checked the ChorusNZ site for any upgrades in your area?

hio77

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#2331346 6-Oct-2019 10:47

I wouldn't expect max quality but will work fine.

Internet is Internet...

Just remember with a connection that slow its easy to cause buffering.

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quickymart

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#2331347 6-Oct-2019 11:17

Would line stats be useful here? Just to make sure you're getting the most out of your connection.

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#2331348 6-Oct-2019 11:20

quickymart:
Would line stats be useful here? Just to make sure you're getting the most out of your connection.

@quickymart yes for sure and also using the ChorusNZ address checker

CeeDeeHee

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#2331369 6-Oct-2019 13:12

Linux:
quickymart:

Would line stats be useful here? Just to make sure you're getting the most out of your connection.

@quickymart yes for sure and also using the ChorusNZ address checker

Please can you let me know what you mean by "line stats" thanks? :)

Modem-router is an Asus DSL-AC68U, which is stable and relatively trouble free, and works nicely with slower connections.

Chrous address checker tells me i am on the best connection i can get (ADSL) - sigh, Chorus have been telling us the same thing for years - i keep hoping the result will be different. We asked Spark and Vodafone what we could get via 4G, and Spark said the cell phone tower is pretty much maxed out we could get a 20GB plan. Vodafone said apy us mega bucks for 120GB. - We use much more than this, large household.

I think the above may be side-tracks anyway, given we can't alter anything.

What i really want to know, is anyone able to define why the buffering would be worse with a vodafone TV box for live TV channels than what the live streaming is? :) - I'm really interested in the details here. Alternatively, does anyone know the reason why they recommend fibre speeds?

Thanks again all. :)

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#2331375 6-Oct-2019 13:31

@CeeDeeHee The only way to know would be for you to buy one and try it! I can't help as I am on Fibre

Vodafone has advised what is best for connection

hio77

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#2331422 6-Oct-2019 14:09

What part of Rural west auckland is this? I've got a few local Fixed wireless options that i might be able to direct your way :)

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#2331424 6-Oct-2019 14:13

If you can set these to standard definition, then should be ok, but HD you really need a consistent 5-6Mbps. Approx where are you? Have you done everything you can to ensure your ADSL is as fast as it can be, e.g. master filter etc?

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CeeDeeHee

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#2331523 6-Oct-2019 17:59

hio77:

What part of Rural west auckland is this? I've got a few local Fixed wireless options that i might be able to direct your way :)

Thanks, have PM'd you.

CeeDeeHee

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#2331525 6-Oct-2019 18:08

coffeebaron: If you can set these to standard definition, then should be ok, but HD you really need a consistent 5-6Mbps. Approx where are you? Have you done everything you can to ensure your ADSL is as fast as it can be, e.g. master filter etc?

Hi, yes hopefully we have done what we can. Thanks very much. :)

Apsattv

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#2331667 7-Oct-2019 04:59

Tested setting the Gen1 box to 576P output, bitrate remains at 6074. Was thinking that if the HDMI output was set to lower then it might have the smarts to downgrade to the stream to a lower bitrate sd one.

Or I just found something that needs looking into?

suggests new feature, "Bandwidth saver" where Box defaults to not streaming channels by default and can be forced to limit bandwidth to sd or 720 resolution streams. or capped max bitrates.