Expectations too high?

by thatsnottoobad

I have been experimenting with a few services on a few different devices. Came to the conclusion that a dedicated box was required so I upgraded my android box to a T1. Service dependability increased but I am however facing ongoing buffering/lagging issues. Mainly with sports. Since I have tried multiple services, many mentioned in the sub, I am thinking 2 things, either my setup including ISP needs tweaking/upgrading or my expectations of bufferless/lagless is too high. I have the typical settings on my T1 and I have the 20mb package from Sunwire . Everything is hardwired in my house, gigabit routers and switches. I can watch/stream videos flawlessly on Netlfix and kodi. Only seem to be experiencing buffering and lag using iptv.

Any Ideas, Thanks!

vtpi

We also need to know where in the world are you....

makecry

Mainly with sports.

Use Smoothstreams. I haven't had a more flawless service for sports. An Ideal setup for me right now would be Smoothstreams for sports and Fab for entertainment via their entertainment only package.

The issue here is that it should be that your ISP might be throttling that service.

I have tried 4-5 different services and I usually don't encounter too much buffer (maybe a few times on a couple of times) on Comcast USA on a 200mb connection.

Try a VPN and report back, also tell us what server you are using.

asjaro

I think it's a bandwidth issue too, or at least you need to rule it out.

Give QoS a try. It is a feature a lot of routers have that allows you to allocate a priority level to any device on your network. That priority level allows you to give devices more or less speed and bandwidth.

BlinG480

First thing we should know is what IPTV service are you using/trying?

vtpi

If you are in the republic of congo.. then IPTV is not for you.

Blue-Thunder

The sports thing is a problem. As someone mentioned, smoothstreams is your best bet. They also have a way to add it to your kodi, so you would be able to use your account with kodi, without actually having to change things around. I would also suggest if you're watching hockey, to try the acestream addons in made in Canada and Pro Sport in Kodi (SPMC if you are using Android :P) There is actually a branch of FTMC you can install on your T1 which has all updated python. http://freaktab.com/forum/tv-player-support/general-tv-player-dicussions/xbmc-talk/575588-ftmc

FTMC is a fork for Kodi and provides hardware acceleration and more features on rockchip mainstream chips(rk3228, rk3229, rk3229h, rk3288, rk3368, rk3399) and most android version(Android4.4, 5.x, 6.x). In the case of hardware allowed, FTMC supports 4K2K、4K2K 10bit(H264,HEVC),MVC 3D (bluray & mkv), high profile audio passthrough. And also maintain Android 4.4 support for older devices, also maintain a better support for Amlogic S9xx Chips, and preserving the amlogic AMCODEC (only on Android version from 4.4 to 6.x, since in 7.x amlogic removed the support for it)

Ferris419

I'm in the same boat as you I've tried a few different services as well and I get the same issues on both dreamlink T1 and STBemu. Also hard wired with a 24mbps (ATT Uverse) I'm in a bigger city in the Midwest USA. I'm almost to the point of giving up as it feels like I'm just throwing money in the wind. Also as you stated I have no issues streaming from kodi Netflix YouTube or Hulu.

EpochHosting

Also check with a VPN bud, made a million dollars difference for alot of our clients

Greencon10

I'm actually left guessing your expectations may simply be too high.

None of these services are going to be 100%, or even on par with more legitimate streaming options like Vue/Sling for that matter. That's just the price reality trade off being made, regardless how many different people you find chiming in about how "flawless" their own experience with Provider_X has been.

Honestly and with all due respect, anybody claiming or suggesting you a 100% service here usually falls into one of 3 categories. The reseller trying to make a sale, the fanboy justifying what they spend their own money on, or the guy/gal who doesn't actually spend a lot of time watching TV.

Plus you have to take into account that your working 90% of the time might not be the same as somebody else's 90%, given all the different needs and variables that may go into that. Picking a service essentially boils down to one big game of give and take imo...there is no "gold standard". Finding something that works most of the time but with some acknowledged setbacks is about as close as it's gonna get. The expectation of at least some server side lag is going to be a part of that process regardless what you choose as well.

TLDR : If you truly want 100% or close, you aren't going to be able to cut that corner of paying for a more legitimate service.

damian5145

One thing to consider is that even though you are paying for 20mb you may not be getting that speed. Are there other people in your house using internet as well? Try doing a speed test on your box to see what actual speed you are getting.

Maniac1000

If you are on a UK ISP you will probably have to turn of a shield or similar.