Netflix Streaming Questions!@!

[gallerocks]

Ok, I got 10mb internet speed first off which is suppose to be pretty good. When i watch netflix on my computer and when it buffers into HD the video lags badly the whole time until it finally goes to standard. I know its not my speed bc 10mb is plenty for netflix hd streaming. I streamed Netflix on my hdtv through my blu ray player and it plays fine but honestly i dont know if it is playing in hd or not. It really doesn't tell you if its playing in HD and sometimes its hard to tell. Any ideas why such the lag on the cpu and also how do i know if its playing in hd on my hdtv bc if its in hd then it plays fine on my tv. Thanks

[gnphiker]

Of course not all Netflix titles are in HD streaming but if it is you'll see the HD indicator on the screen in the Quality indicator while the Movie is Buffering to start.

[gallerocks]

ok but what about the tv, how do i know if its buffering in hd on the tv?

[guitaristguy313]

It might be that you're not getting as much speed as you thought. Especially if you have multiple computers using up your bandwidth. Google a bandwidth speed test and see what type of numbers you are getting.

[EricJ]

Recently had to switch Internet plans ($@#$ Comcast...) to a lower stream, and I can vouch for Netflix's guide that if they can't confirm you're getting a steady uninterrupted download bandwidth of at least 3.0 Mb/s minimum, you won't get HD--
The download will automatically switch to the SD version, which, for helpful identification, is 4:3.
(The HD is pretty much network-broadcast quality, but, like the networks, still looks pretty darn good for free.)

As for the lag, it could also be the player, if you're not using something built for heavy Internet connection like the PS3, but definitely sounds like you need to check the streams.

[Stridulent]

Run this test:


http://speedtest.net/

[ewsjr]

Sometimes I think people just over-think this whole streaming thing and worry about the "numbers". I know I did. For the longest time I hesitated buying a Roku box because I did test my Road Runner lite from TWC and it registered something like 1.5 something or other (don't remember exactly what it was). But a friend said don't worry too much about that stuff and try it. So I did and have had zippo problems with regular and HD streaming. Again, not one problem (I am running a hard-wired ethernet connection from two Roku boxes and do have brief loading problems that last 2 or 3 seconds but have had maybe 4 or 5 of these for the 5 months I have been hooked up to Netflix). so my advice is to buy a good router (I spent 50.00) and just go for it. Got nothing to lose and you can always upgrade you internet if need be. Just my experience.

[Ghasta]

I have the opposite problem...Netflix plays awesome in some pretty nice HD on my computer....but when I stream (wirelessly) through PS3 to my TV....it will lag and/or stop streaming completly. But hey...its free.