Buffering...................................

Clive · Nov 24, 2015, 19:10:51

I have ADSL2+ provided by IDNet and according to my broadband speed tester I'm getting 15 Mb download speeds which I'm very happy about. So why is it when I watch BBC iPlayer on my 42" Panasonic Smart TV the programme invariably starts buffering when it's about 3/4 of the way through?
It's sooooooo annoying!

zappaDPJ · Nov 24, 2015, 19:52:38

Is it connecting via WiFi?

Simon · Nov 24, 2015, 20:27:53

I don't have a Smart TV, but I have an Amazon Fire TV stick, which enables me to use BBC iPlayer, and I also find that it buffers a lot, which is strange, as it doesn't do it when I watch iPlayer on any other device, such as an iPad, or my laptop, which both connect via Wi-Fi. I was wondering if the TV itself could be interfering with the WiFi signal?

Clive · Nov 24, 2015, 22:58:25

Yes, it's WiFi and the router is underneath the TV. The Smart TV signal comes into the Panasonic PVR via a dongle.

Simon · Nov 24, 2015, 23:23:11

If the router is under the TV, have you tried a wired (Ethernet) connection, Clive?

zappaDPJ · Nov 25, 2015, 00:20:39

Definitely worth a try.

Clive · Nov 25, 2015, 09:05:00

There is no ethernet socket on the PVR which is why I have to use a USB dongle which cost me £50.

I should clarify that I have a Smart PVR rather than a Smart TV.

dudwell · Nov 25, 2015, 14:31:34

Try changing wifi channel - see current "How to choose a wifi booster" thread.

Steve · Nov 25, 2015, 21:47:03

I would look at other services on your smart PVR to see if they buffer as well i.e. YouTube HD videos, it may not be your connection or your WiFi that is the problem. If both buffer are you watching iPlayer in HD if so try SD.

Clive · Nov 25, 2015, 21:51:36

Changing channels seems a bit drastic for me!

I never delve into the router settings unless a adult or carer is present.

But I know the guy two doors away works on his computer a lot and I've convinced a lot of residents in this apartment block that he works for the CIA. No really......

Clive · Nov 25, 2015, 21:53:12

Oh good point Steve. That is do-able! I forgot HD is so bandwidth intensive. Best suggestion yet!

Technical Ben · Nov 29, 2015, 17:31:58

Anyone else in the house streaming?
Also what model and make of box? Could be the box is not up to scratch (though could be it's the bees knees, but until we know

).

Clive · Nov 29, 2015, 18:14:12

Nobody else in the house streaming. The box is a Panasonic but I'm in London at present and will give you details when I get home.

Clive · Nov 30, 2015, 18:48:05

It's a Panasonic DMR-PWT530EB Smart 3D Blu-ray Disc Player with 500GB HDD Recorder and Twin Freeview+ HD Tuners.

Simon · Nov 30, 2015, 20:58:31

I had a Yamaha Bluray player which was supposed to stream BBC iPlayer, but I always had buffering issues with it. You might be better off exploring one of the variety of external streaming devices available, such as Amazon Fire TV Stick, Clive. That one plays iPlayer for me without any problems and also has YouTube, but not ITV Player. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be one device which carries all of the 'catch up' channels. $:-\$

Steve · Nov 30, 2015, 21:20:53

According to the blurb ITV player is available now on Fire TV

http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/135484-amazon-fire-tv-gets-itv-player-at-last

Just bought a Fire TV recently , seems a decent but of kit, hoping to watch the footy for free eventually.

Clive · Nov 30, 2015, 21:46:32

Oh that's interesting. Mrs Clive isn't keen on having such a device but it would hardly be noticeable! My son has been very happy with his Fire TV.

Simon · Nov 30, 2015, 22:31:54

Quote from: Steve on Nov 30, 2015, 21:20:53
According to the blurb ITV player is available now on Fire TV

http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/135484-amazon-fire-tv-gets-itv-player-at-last

Just bought a Fire TV recently , seems a decent but of kit, hoping to watch the footy for free eventually.

That's cool. I haven't used mine for a while, so I will check it out next time there's something on ITV I actually want to watch.

Clive · Dec 01, 2015, 20:14:22

That would be never in my case!

Technical Ben · Dec 07, 2015, 14:15:48

It is a couple of generations back, so it might be changes to iPlayer and streaming are giving it trouble.
Newer players/recorders and HDMI sticks etc can usually keep up.

Clive · Dec 07, 2015, 16:13:03

Thanks for that information Ben. I've been watching a lot of TV on iPlayer since I begun this thread because our communal TV system packed up and we have had to fork out on a new system. What I've noticed is that Samsung Smart TV behaves quite well but the Panasonic Blu Ray recorder often buffers. So it does seem that the Panasonic system cannot cope. A £35 stick might be a good idea!

nowster · Dec 09, 2015, 11:14:00

iPlayer is gradually moving away from the RTSP delivery mechanism (the original Flash-based players) towards using HTTP Live Streaming (similar to DASH). They've also totally killed off the Windows Media streams (IIRC) which some platforms were using.