topic Re: Internet linked tv buffering in My Router

Internet linked tv buffering

Steve001 — Sat, 28 May 2022 15:27:52 GMT

I have plusnet fibre to the cabinet and Hub One.
Lately I’ve been experiencing buffering on my tv when I try to watch iPlayer or More4 or similar. It’s getting worse so I can no longer watch.
Any suggestions?

Re: Internet linked tv buffering

adamwalker — Mon, 30 May 2022 08:49:55 GMT

Hi there Steve, I'm sorry to see that there's an issue with streaming to your TV. I've just taken a look into this and line tests aren't showing signs of any problems, is the TV connected over WiFI? If it is and the TV is situated close to the router it would be worth connecting them via a network cable.

Re: Internet linked tv buffering

Steve001 — Mon, 30 May 2022 11:49:07 GMT

Unfortunately the TV is some distance from the router.
The tv is on the ground floor and the router on the 2nd floor (typical Victorian terrace house). There are (at least) 2 electricity circuits in the house and the tv and router are on separate ones.

Re: Internet linked tv buffering

adamwalker — Mon, 30 May 2022 12:06:31 GMT

No worries, I'd take a look at changing the router's wireless channels as the next step. If you have access to an Android device like a phone or tablet there's a free app called "WiFi Analyzer" which will show you the best available channel to set the router to. The information and links to support pages here should help too: https://community.plus.net/t5/Plusnet-Blogs/How-to-boost-your-wi-fi/ba-p/1450193

Please let me know how you get on.

Adam

Re: Internet linked tv buffering

Steve001 — Mon, 30 May 2022 12:14:53 GMT

Thank you.

Hmmm. The link says:
‘Here you can change the channels until you find the best one’

What exactly am I looking for?

Re: Internet linked tv buffering

Steve001 — Mon, 30 May 2022 12:53:13 GMT

Also - is there a iPhone WiFi analyser app instead please?

Re: Internet linked tv buffering

adamwalker — Mon, 30 May 2022 15:17:24 GMT

Hi Steve, I think there's an iOS equivalent with the same name if you want to take a look on the app store.

Re: Internet linked tv buffering

Dan_the_Van — Mon, 30 May 2022 15:25:39 GMT

If you use Windows 10 or 11 there is a Wifi Analyzer and Scanner by Web Provider which can be downloaded from the Microsoft Store

Without saying the windows PC has to wireless for it to be of any use!

HTH

Dan.

Re: Internet linked tv buffering

Steve001 — Fri, 03 Jun 2022 12:10:14 GMT

So I haven’t managed to get into my router settings yet but I have used the analyser.
Two days ago it was showing I was using channel 6 for 2.4 waveband but now it seems to be using channel 11. I wonder why this is.
The tv uses 2.4 and in the room I can see there are 3 other networks sharing the same channel and about as equally ‘strong’
All of the 2.4 channels look pretty busy so not sure changing to a different one willl help.
The signal is (obviously) stronger for my router the neater I get to the router itself but I can’t move it.
Any ideas?

Re: Internet linked tv buffering

bmc — Fri, 03 Jun 2022 12:22:54 GMT

@Steve001

If I recall correctly there are 13 channels for the 2.4 band. However, they over lap by 2 channels so effectively there are only 3 "clear" channels - 1, 7 & 13

Your router may be "smart" - looking for the least congested channel each time a unit connects to it.

Brian

Re: Internet linked tv buffering

jab1 — Fri, 03 Jun 2022 12:31:50 GMT

@bmc Ch. 1, 6, and 11 actually

Re: Internet linked tv buffering

Steve001 — Fri, 03 Jun 2022 12:36:14 GMT

I’m using Hub One.
Would that be able to do the‘smart’ thing?

Re: Internet linked tv buffering

bmc — Fri, 03 Jun 2022 13:02:41 GMT

@jab1

Thanks - I did say "if I recall" as I wasn't exactly sure of things. Been a good long while since I had a look WiFi channels.

Brian

Re: Internet linked tv buffering

LaurenB — Fri, 03 Jun 2022 13:07:36 GMT

Hiya @Steve001, thanks for the info. I'm really sorry for the issues that you are having!

Can you advise if your router has the 2.4GHz & 5GHz band split? If not, it may be worth doing this to see if it helps. You can find help with this on the thread here: https://community.plus.net/t5/My-Router/2-4ghz-and-or-5ghz-best-practice/td-p/1351950

Re: Internet linked tv buffering

Steve001 — Fri, 03 Jun 2022 13:26:47 GMT

I don’t know. I’ll look at the thread and see in the next few days and report back.
Thanks for now everyone.

Re: Internet linked tv buffering

LaurenB — Fri, 03 Jun 2022 13:41:37 GMT

Let us know how things go!

Re: Internet linked tv buffering

Baldrick1 — Fri, 03 Jun 2022 13:49:36 GMT

@Steve001

A few options for you to consider: https://community.plus.net/t5/Tech-Help-Software-Hardware-etc/Distributing-Data-around-Larger-Properties/m-p/1761491#M89668

Th problem with the Hub auto smart channel select is that it is so location specific, for example, mine only picks up low level neighbour transmissions in the centre of the house. Where I use most mobile devices in the rear my next door neighbours hub is closer than mine, so this can cause me problems with transmissions hardly noticeable by my hub.

Have you considered whether you can install an Ethernet link. Part of my run is down the outside of the house, fixed to the rear of the guttering downpipe.

Re: Internet linked tv buffering

Steve001 — Fri, 03 Jun 2022 13:56:01 GMT

Thanks for your suggestion but I definitely can’t put any cables running in or outside.

Re: Internet linked tv buffering

bmc — Fri, 03 Jun 2022 14:07:30 GMT

@Steve001

Is there a technical reason for not running cables outside?

I ask because you could ask for your OpenReach Master Socket to be relocated downstairs. Don't know the cost but I would expect somewhere between £100 & £150.

Brian

Re: Internet linked tv buffering

Steve001 — Fri, 03 Jun 2022 18:11:50 GMT

Domestic harmony