[Snap] Netflix performance on Snap

Forums › 2degrees (including Slingshot, Orcon, Flip, Stuff Fibre, MyRepublic, 2talk and Vocus) › [Snap] Netflix performance on Snap

JamesL

956 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#147362 17-Jun-2014 11:10

So I decided to give Unotelly a go just to see what it was like compared with Astrill VPN and the speeds aren't that great, which got me wondering why.

With Unotelly it streams Netflix at ~8mbit/s max so it takes awhile to get to SuperHD (using the Windows 8 Netflix app). Using Astrill connected to the LA server it streams at ~24mbit/s so it starts playing in SuperHD much quicker.

With Unotelly it appears that I'm either being served content out of Atlanta or Orlando which probably explains why Astrill is faster given I'm pulling from LA.

Are there any changes Snap can affect to route better to either location? Does anyone on Snap get good speeds using DNS services and Netflix?

Below are tracerts:
Tracing route to ipv4_1.lagg0.c008.atl001.ix.nflxvideo.net [108.175.40.103]
over a maximum of 30 hops:

1 <1 ms <1 ms <1 ms router [192.168.1.1]
2 5 ms 5 ms 6 ms 105.37.69.111.static.snap.net.nz [
3 4 ms 4 ms 4 ms 104.37.69.111.static.snap.net.nz [111.69.37.104]
4 13 ms 13 ms 13 ms 32.27.69.111.static.snap.net.nz [111.69.27.32]
5 15 ms 13 ms 13 ms 33.27.69.111.static.snap.net.nz [111.69.27.33]
6 13 ms 13 ms 13 ms ae5-2.akbr7.global-gateway.net.nz [210.55.202.213]
7 15 ms 24 ms 13 ms ae1-10.tkbr12.global-gateway.net.nz [202.50.232.37]
8 138 ms 165 ms 137 ms xe-0-0-7-3.sjbr3.global-gateway.net.nz [202.50.232.18]
9 138 ms 138 ms 138 ms ae0.pabr5.global-gateway.net.nz [203.96.120.74]
10 139 ms 138 ms 138 ms 206.111.12.141.ptr.us.xo.net [206.111.12.141]
11 206 ms 203 ms 206 ms 207.88.13.237.ptr.us.xo.net [207.88.13.237]
12 227 ms 227 ms 227 ms vb15.rar3.dallas-tx.us.xo.net [207.88.12.45]
13 234 ms 227 ms 227 ms te-4-0-0.rar3.atlanta-ga.us.xo.net [207.88.12.1]
14 226 ms 225 ms 225 ms ae0d0.cir1.atlanta6-ga.us.xo.net [207.88.13.153]
15 229 ms 228 ms 230 ms 216.156.108.74.ptr.us.xo.net [216.156.108.74]
16 225 ms 225 ms 225 ms ipv4_1.lagg0.c008.atl001.ix.nflxvideo.net [108.175.40.103]

Tracing route to ipv4_1.lagg0.c112.ord001.ix.nflxvideo.net [108.175.39.175]
over a maximum of 30 hops:

1 <1 ms <1 ms <1 ms router [192.168.1.1]
2 4 ms 4 ms 4 ms 105.37.69.111.static.snap.net.nz [111.69.37.105]
3 4 ms 4 ms 4 ms 104.37.69.111.static.snap.net.nz [111.69.37.104]
4 13 ms 13 ms 13 ms 32.27.69.111.static.snap.net.nz [111.69.27.32]
5 13 ms 13 ms 13 ms 33.27.69.111.static.snap.net.nz [111.69.27.33]
6 13 ms 13 ms 13 ms ae5-2.akbr7.global-gateway.net.nz [210.55.202.213]
7 14 ms 13 ms 13 ms ae1-10.tkbr12.global-gateway.net.nz [202.50.232.37]
8 168 ms 137 ms 169 ms 203.96.120.142
9 142 ms 176 ms 145 ms ae3-10.sjbr3.global-gateway.net.nz [122.56.127.25]
10 142 ms 142 ms 142 ms ae0.pabr5.global-gateway.net.nz [203.96.120.74]
11 142 ms 142 ms 142 ms 206.111.12.141.ptr.us.xo.net [206.111.12.141]
12 231 ms 226 ms 236 ms 207.88.13.233.ptr.us.xo.net [207.88.13.233]
13 229 ms 228 ms 227 ms te-3-0-0.rar3.denver-co.us.xo.net [207.88.12.57]
14 236 ms 227 ms 227 ms te-4-1-0.rar3.chicago-il.us.xo.net [207.88.12.21]
15 * 225 ms * 207.88.14.194.ptr.us.xo.net [207.88.14.194]
16 236 ms 236 ms 237 ms 216.1.123.66
17 195 ms 195 ms 195 ms ipv4_1.lagg0.c112.ord001.ix.nflxvideo.net [108.175.39.175]

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1097 posts

Uber Geek

#1067337 17-Jun-2014 11:25

I'm happy with the performance on Unblock-US
It is an issue you would need to raise with the DNS provider if you want to be connecting to a different location in the states - Snap couldn't influence where you get connected to

geekiegeek

2513 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1067345 17-Jun-2014 11:32

I had the same experience as the OP on Snap VDSL. I'm not sure its snaps fault though but would be good to compare routes for other ISPs using DNS services.

Personally I gave up on DNS services and stuck with Astrill VPN running on a VM with my Apple TV using the VM as a gateway.

JamesL

956 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#1067387 17-Jun-2014 12:27

The DNS service shouldn't affect the stream though, all the DNS service does is fool the geoblocking as to your geographic location

I've raised a ticket with Unotelly to see what happens anyway, but given geekiegeek experienced the same thing I'm just going hazard a guess that it's the best you'll get given the streams are coming from Atlanta or Orlando which aren't good locations to stream from in NZ.

JamesL

956 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#1067412 17-Jun-2014 13:19

As expected from Unotelly:

All of our regions except Norway, Finland, and Mexico are routed through SuperHD enabled servers. Actual availability depends ultimately on your connection speeds and device compatibility as detected by Netflix.

We do not control the speed and quality of Netflix streaming as our servers are optimized for maximum speed. We only unblock the links necessary to allow you into region-blocked Netflix, the video streams come straight from Netflix servers. Netflix is ultimately responsible for serving you content based on the speed they detect.

geekiegeek

2513 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1067426 17-Jun-2014 13:30

"are routed through SuperHD enabled servers" this reads to me that they are forcing you to particular servers (Orlando/Atlanta). Maybe Snaps routes to these locations aren't optimal???

dejadeadnz

2394 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1067450 17-Jun-2014 13:45

JamesL: The DNS service shouldn't affect the stream though, all the DNS service does is fool the geoblocking as to your geographic location

I've raised a ticket with Unotelly to see what happens anyway, but given geekiegeek experienced the same thing I'm just going hazard a guess that it's the best you'll get given the streams are coming from Atlanta or Orlando which aren't good locations to stream from in NZ.

If it gives you any comfort, I am on Vodafone VDSL and also have the same problem as you (i.e. being served by Orlando or Atlanta CDNs). On the odd occasion where I am able to force things to a LA CDN, performance is much improved although still nowhere near to what I can get using ExpressVPN.

JamesL

956 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#1067498 17-Jun-2014 14:12

geekiegeek: "are routed through SuperHD enabled servers" this reads to me that they are forcing you to particular servers (Orlando/Atlanta). Maybe Snaps routes to these locations aren't optimal???

You may be right :/

dejadeadnz:
JamesL: The DNS service shouldn't affect the stream though, all the DNS service does is fool the geoblocking as to your geographic location

I've raised a ticket with Unotelly to see what happens anyway, but given geekiegeek experienced the same thing I'm just going hazard a guess that it's the best you'll get given the streams are coming from Atlanta or Orlando which aren't good locations to stream from in NZ.

If it gives you any comfort, I am on Vodafone VDSL and also have the same problem as you (i.e. being served by Orlando or Atlanta CDNs). On the odd occasion where I am able to force things to a LA CDN, performance is much improved although still nowhere near to what I can get using ExpressVPN.

Thanks, guess it's just the downside of our location.

I'll stick with Astrill VPN I think

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fahrenheit

757 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1067632 17-Jun-2014 15:48

Snap VDSL with Unotelly and using rooted Chromecast with the Auckland and Sydney (secondary) DNS'. Super HD takes less than 10 seconds to start.

I haven't got any point of comparison as to whether or not this is good or bad. How much better does this get?

CutCutCut

1039 posts

Uber Geek

#1067641 17-Jun-2014 15:56

Is there any easy way to tell which server you are being served from?

JamesL

956 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#1067715 17-Jun-2014 16:56

fahrenheit: Snap VDSL with Unotelly and using rooted Chromecast with the Auckland and Sydney (secondary) DNS'. Super HD takes less than 10 seconds to start.

I haven't got any point of comparison as to whether or not this is good or bad. How much better does this get?

What are you using to cast to it because not all devices support super hd. I'm not talking about how long it takes the TV or Movie to start streaming but how quickly the "playing" and "buffering" take to reach "5800" when looking at the stream manager

fahrenheit

757 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1067721 17-Jun-2014 17:08

JamesL:
fahrenheit: Snap VDSL with Unotelly and using rooted Chromecast with the Auckland and Sydney (secondary) DNS'. Super HD takes less than 10 seconds to start.

I haven't got any point of comparison as to whether or not this is good or bad. How much better does this get?

What are you using to cast to it because not all devices support super hd. I'm not talking about how long it takes the TV or Movie to start streaming but how quickly the "playing" and "buffering" take to reach "5800" when looking at the stream manager

I use the Netflix app on android which can cast to the Chromecast and launch the native app. Unfortunately, I'm not aware of any way to monitor the stream.

JamesL

956 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#1067743 17-Jun-2014 17:26

Nvm, I see the Android app supports 1080p

fahrenheit

757 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1067762 17-Jun-2014 17:50

JamesL: Nvm, I see the Android app supports 1080p

I'm not sure that is relevant as the Chromecast is entirely responsible for the streaming and uses its own native Netflix app. The Android app merely initiates the handover and to the Chromecast and acts as a remote control. The stream does not play on the Android device when casting to the Chromecast. Same goes for PC with Chrome browser. Once the handover happens, the device is free to do other things.

Lally

100 posts

Master Geek

#1068120 18-Jun-2014 08:50

Maybe this helps, if not it's still an interesting read.

Sandvine Story

BrentR

1315 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#1068165 18-Jun-2014 09:41

No problems with my Netflix stream on Snap via unblock-us

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