Painfully slow Netflix downloads (Win 6.0.0.5)

[Cats4U]

jpp72 I was much happier when I thought everyone was getting 18-25MBps on Netflix downloads. The 57MBps in your screenshot shows that’s not the case.

He has synchronous gigabit service from the looks of it. There is no way you will catch that with your 400Mbps service. Actually if you break out your calculator, you are both getting pretty close percentage-wise out of your service with SF. I hope I'm going to do this right otherwise I'll look like a mathematical fool. I have one defense, it's been a long time since I was in school.

57MBps = 456Mbps 456Mbps / 1000Mbps = 45.6 % of maximum throughput
23MBps = 184Mbps 184Mbps / 400Mbps = 46 % of maximum throughput

So, in a way and in these particular examples, Zapt is getting a tiny better return on his Internet speed with StreamFab than Jpp72.

[jpp72]

Well, today at 4:30pm, i am getting 28MB/s... Might have something to do with how busy the servers are... I will try late tonight and early tomorrow morning

[zapt]

Perhaps a better way of looking at this is considering what can limit throughout. The obvious things include the ISP deliberately throttling, streaming service periodically throttling or permanently cutting/halving the speed of downloads, Internet network traffic based on time of day, and issues with my hardware that didn’t exist a couple of weeks ago (router, modem, Ethernet cable, and the coax cable coming into the house). In addition, there’s the current StreamFab/Win version—perhaps intentionally slowing throughout.

My assumption is that if something isn’t purposefully slowing throughout or reducing bandwidth, I should be getting similar results to what I previously did. Admittedly, though, this is NOT my area of expertise. L

But if we assume that: 1. SF downloads are occurring as fast as Netflix is pumping out the data over the internet and as fast as SF can handle the data, and 2. whether we are paying for 1gb (jpp) or 400mb (me) service and either should be easily capable of accepting the speed that Netflix is pumping out, shouldn’t both of us be getting relatively similar download speeds? I’m not sure that percentage of maximum is a reasonable comparison or relevant.

Although this one may not be solvable, my only concern is that SF or my hardware is the reason for my sudden drop in speed. If it’s the former, I can complain and ask for the rationale, but ultimately have to accept it; if it’s the latter, I can do some troubleshooting, repair what’s causing the issue, or learn to live with it.

It would be helpful, though, if more users would chime in with their typical download speed for each service, whether it’s been relatively constant (as mine was until SF 6.0.0.x), and whether it’s recently dropped substantially.

[zapt]

I should add that if I’m the ONLY one who’s noticed or cares about a major drop in speed, this may not be worth pursuing. If that’s the case, I do thank those who’ve taken the time to respond.

[jpp72]

When i download stuff, it's almost never to immediately watch so i don't really care if it's 25, 50 or 75 MB/s.

I do care when it is in kb/s. It has happened often with DRM MPD and that usually something i want to watch right away. I got so frustrated with it that i actually paid for a US phone number that accepts SMS verification shortcodes so i could sign up for Amazon US. They have way more channels available than Amazon Canada so now i get Love After Lockup from there instead of using DRM MPD on wetv.com. In any case, DRM MPD hasn't work for a few weeks now so i am glad i got the US Amazon account.

[zapt]

UPDATE: I'm now averaging a mere10mbps on Netflix downloads; 43% of the speed I was getting last week and only 20% of the speed I was getting originally. The last StreamFab update re-separated video and audio downloads from one another (as they were originally), so there are obvious issues they're trying to address. Perhaps the slower downloads are part of a deliberate--but, hopefully, temporary--attempt to correct a software problem or to try to prevent streaming services from changing their DRM yet again by putting less strain on their servers. Or maybe it's just me. Anyone else see their speed cut in half again this week?

Speedtest still shows I'm getting my full speed: 430mbps down and 20mbps up.

jpp72 Has your speed dropped to between 10-13mbps, too? Let me know because if it's affecting you as well, I can at least rule out that I'm having equipment or cable issues.

[jpp72]

Hey zapt,

I am still using 6.0.0.6 and my speeds are still good.

Netflix is the fastest for me out of all modules...

[jpp72]

If you are using 6.0.0.7, i would revert to 6.0.0.6 cause .7 is supposed to be slow for stuff using the new DRM.

But looking at messages from others, seems like ALL downloads are slowed down and not jus new stuff.