Terrible streaming! | Viasat Internet Community

Terrible streaming! I have the Freedom 25 plan with 150 GB. Should I be able to stream movies with my Apple TV with this plan? So far, the buffering has been so bad it takes over 3 hours to watch a 2 hour movie. Would I be better off using my own router instead of the combo modem/router from Excede?

Lanie N

8 Posts
2 Reply Likes

Posted 2 years ago

2 years ago

Jim16

2453 Posts
2183 Reply Likes

First thing to do is make sure you have Netflix and Youtube playback set to AUTO. On Netflix, you go to your account on a computer and change it. What streaming speed are you getting? Use this test to check your STREAMING speed....https://fast.com/ ... Your streaming speed should not be throttled on the Freedom plan. I had a terrible time with my Apple TV device when I got Viasat. Got a good Roku player and zero problems and no buffering.

(Edited)

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2018-03-31T19:07:20+00:00

Lanie N

8 Posts
2 Reply Likes

Yes they are on auto and my Apple TV is set to standard dimension. My streaming speed is around 1.6 in the evening. Today mid morning it was up to only 3.4. Will using a different router help. I see conflicting answers to that question in other threads.

2018-03-31T19:19:07+00:00

Jim16

2453 Posts
2183 Reply Likes

Wi-Fi has been an issue with some modems. I would run an Ethernet cable to the AppleTV, that may require you to use your own router, I don't know if the Wi-fi modem has more than one Ethernet port. Your speeds of 1.6 and 3.4 are good enough for streaming. Have you ever gotten good streaming from your Apple TV with Viasat? I never could.

(Edited)

2018-03-31T19:39:09+00:00

Lanie N

8 Posts
2 Reply Likes

Thanks. I just moved to a location where satellite is my only choice so my prior experience was with a cable connection. Looks like I may have to find another way to get movies now. I was very spoiled with my unlimited and fast cable.

2018-03-31T19:47:37+00:00

VeteranSatUser, Champion

5133 Posts
3176 Reply Likes

Definitely a culture shock!

2018-04-01T04:12:49+00:00

Oliver

324 Posts
104 Reply Likes

Have you disabled the video optimization from your account page? You can turn it off on freedom (new) accounts

2018-04-01T12:18:46+00:00

Lanie N

8 Posts
2 Reply Likes

Is video optimization the same as video data extender? That is the only thing I see I can turn on or off. Will having it on slow down streaming?

2018-04-01T12:28:19+00:00

Old Labs (VS1-329-L12FZ)

4281 Posts
4367 Reply Likes

Yes, it's the same thing as "optimization" that's used on the unlimited plans. On non-unlimited plans such as Freedom it is on by default but can be turned off. When on it throttles the streaming rate of detected video streams to that which is typically only suitable to 480P.

Content providers utilize adaptive streaming, detect the slower speed and send it in a format suitable to that lower streaming rate. Try turning it off to determine if there is a difference.

P.S. If you turn it off and on, you can compare the differences using the fast.com speed test - that test is geared toward the video streaming experience and shows a significant difference for me when turned off vs. on.

(Edited)

2018-04-01T16:01:01+00:00

Lanie N

8 Posts
2 Reply Likes

Thank you. I will try that.

2018-04-01T16:07:01+00:00

Lanie N

8 Posts
2 Reply Likes

Wow, when I turned it off I get 17 vs 2.6 when I turn it on. Will I burn much more data if I keep it off? I have set the Apple TV to standard definition.

2018-04-01T17:08:10+00:00

VeteranSatUser, Champion

5133 Posts
3176 Reply Likes

You could burn more data, but if watching in standard def shouldn't eat as much as HD streaming.

Many of us have found, if you can turn the video resolution downgrader off, do so and manage your data and video resolution manually.

2 years ago

VeteranSatUser, Champion

5133 Posts
3177 Reply Likes

Some of us have been experiencing really bad speeds. Depending on your location, that could be why streaming is not working for you.

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2 years ago

Deku (The #1 Hero Data Saver), Champion

931 Posts
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OH!!! and dont forget about spring break!!! cause the little kiddies are out from school now @>@ and oh boy!!! will the network congestion be so bad @>@ man @>@ also!!! during the holidays and when the kiddies are out for the summer from school... itll be mostly congested @>@ cause they will be playing youtube videos and so on @>@

BUT!!! when you do sign up... they do say speeds up to which means you are not guarenteed of the promise speeds they offer onto the plan you signed up for... just outta let ya know that :3

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2018-04-01T12:22:55+00:00

Lanie N

8 Posts
2 Reply Likes

Geez, I never thought about that! I know they say “ up to” as the catch to protect themselves. It’s all a bit deceptive and definitely frustrating.

2 years ago

Mark

50 Posts
19 Reply Likes

That's funny, I know they say you can on the TV commercial.

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2018-04-01T08:21:28+00:00

VeteranSatUser, Champion

5133 Posts
3176 Reply Likes

I saw that. But it was a Hughesnet commercial.

2018-04-01T14:28:26+00:00

Jim16

2453 Posts
2183 Reply Likes

Satellite is Satellite. Don't expect that much of a difference on other service(s).
Some have great service, some don't.

New Poster
23m ago

Re: 2 years of Horrible service

"I can't wait for my birthday as well!! I have the gen5 and it sucks as well. The speeds it claims I have never reached. For $20 more a month I can get verizon fios with lightning speed. "

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