topic Re: WiFi and Streaming in Electronics

WiFi and Streaming

Jordan2 — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 17:32:04 GMT

I moved into my one bedroom apartment last June. I have Verizon Fios, and get my internet from them ( cable was too costly). I have HULU Live and have had problems from day one. The router sits in the living room the tv has a Roku Stick. I don't have that many issues with it (I put up with buffering, freezing, and being thrown off line). In my bedroom which isn't far away I have a Fire Stick in the tv and have more problems. I called Verizon yesterday there is nothing wrong with my signal (I have 300 mbps which is supposed to be enough as it is only me on the internet only using one tv and my computer at the same time). I don't have issues watching content that isn't live (could be a problem with live content on HULU Live). Would purchasing a new ROKU stick with claims of long range Wi-Fi perhaps enhance my connection? I have an offer from ROKU for their $50 stick for $35.

Re: WiFi and Streaming

kaydee50 — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 18:52:59 GMT

I don't have those problems with my cable TV--LOL!!!

Re: WiFi and Streaming

Etoile308 — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 19:38:46 GMT

@Jordan2, just wondering if you have a smart TV and could you access HULU app directly through the TV without going through a Roku or Firestick to see if that makes a difference?

Re: WiFi and Streaming

hckynutjohn — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 19:41:32 GMT

@Jordan2

Don't have any of that stuff, but I do stream free Amazon movies etc. No expert on this for sure, so will ask you this.

Did you have these same services in your previous home, and was it also an apartment? If so, I am assuming you did not have these problems.

With 300mbps? I felt like I went to heaven when ours went to 5mbps, which now tops out at 40mbps. I have no problem with buffering streaming even 4k data, and those packets carry 8 times the size of information as standard definition, SD programming.

I'm sure someone here that uses these Roku and Fire Sticks can give you some help figuring this out.

hckynut 🇺🇸

Re: WiFi and Streaming

Jordan2 — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 19:49:51 GMT

@Etoile308 wrote:
@Jordan2, just wondering if you have a smart TV and could you access HULU app directly through the TV without going through a Roku or Firestick to see if that makes a difference?

@Etoile308 both TVs are Smart TVs, they are old models (2013) although they work fine. How would I watch directly through the app on my tv, would that screw up my other streaming apps ( my TVs are old and I don't think all the apps are available to me I have Samsung TVs and they don't offer the newer apps )?

Also, are older models of the Roku sticks not getting updates anymore, mine is a 2018?

Re: WiFi and Streaming

Etoile308 — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 20:02:15 GMT

Do your televisions have the Hulu or other apps on the remotes? Or if you change your input or source to Smartcast or Smarttv or whatever Samsung calls that input do you get a screen of streaming apps?

If you can find that screen I would try streaming from there and see if you have the same problem.

It shouldn't affect using a Roku or Firestick. You can always return to using those devices just by changing back to those devices in the TV's input.

Re: WiFi and Streaming

Jordan2 — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 20:36:46 GMT

@Etoile308 my tv remote doesn't have apps on it. I think I may invest in a new, better Roku Stick. @hckynutjohn prior to living in my newish apartment I lived in my mother's house and she had cable.

Re: WiFi and Streaming

Caffeina — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 20:46:12 GMT

@Jordan2

Have you checked your speed yourself? If you haven't, go to speedtest dot net and run it. If your computer is a laptop, run one near the router and another in the bedroom to see if there's a difference. There are a number of reasons speed can vary.

Re: WiFi and Streaming

hckynutjohn — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 20:51:31 GMT

@Jordan2

What method does Verizon Fios use to connect to the internet?

We have Dish Network for TV, but use our phone company for our internet(copper wires I made for many years) connection.

Any Direct Connect generally works much better than any type of wireless. I have all of our electronics, except cell, hard wired to the components, don't use wireless.

hckynut 🇺🇸

Re: WiFi and Streaming

BalletBabe — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 21:02:12 GMT

@Jordan2 wrote:
I moved into my one bedroom apartment last June. I have Verizon Fios, and get my internet from them ( cable was too costly). I have HULU Live and have had problems from day one. The router sits in the living room the tv has a Roku Stick. I don't have that many issues with it (I put up with buffering, freezing, and being thrown off line). In my bedroom which isn't far away I have a Fire Stick in the tv and have more problems. I called Verizon yesterday there is nothing wrong with my signal (I have 300 mbps which is supposed to be enough as it is only me on the internet only using one tv and my computer at the same time). I don't have issues watching content that isn't live (could be a problem with live content on HULU Live). Would purchasing a new ROKU stick with claims of long range Wi-Fi perhaps enhance my connection? I have an offer from ROKU for their $50 stick for $35.

@Jordan2 I have Roku sticks in every room. ILove them. I also have Fios. The new one they have come out with is great (Roku Stick) If you have internet issues the Roku stick won't help you. This is the one I have that is new. Very Fast

6 VIDEOS

Re: WiFi and Streaming

Jordan2 — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 22:50:57 GMT

@hckynutjohn I have a router (I rent from Verizon) that sits on a table.

Re: WiFi and Streaming

hckynutjohn — Thu, 13 Apr 2023 04:58:59 GMT

@Jordan2 wrote:
@hckynutjohn I have a router (I rent from Verizon) that sits on a table.

@Jordan2

How does the router connect to Verizon?

hckynut 🇺🇸

Re: WiFi and Streaming

gadgetgal613 — Thu, 13 Apr 2023 11:29:13 GMT

@Jordan2 wrote:
I moved into my one bedroom apartment last June. I have Verizon Fios, and get my internet from them ( cable was too costly). I have HULU Live and have had problems from day one. The router sits in the living room the tv has a Roku Stick. I don't have that many issues with it (I put up with buffering, freezing, and being thrown off line). In my bedroom which isn't far away I have a Fire Stick in the tv and have more problems. I called Verizon yesterday there is nothing wrong with my signal (I have 300 mbps which is supposed to be enough as it is only me on the internet only using one tv and my computer at the same time). I don't have issues watching content that isn't live (could be a problem with live content on HULU Live). Would purchasing a new ROKU stick with claims of long range Wi-Fi perhaps enhance my connection? I have an offer from ROKU for their $50 stick for $35.

Sometimes old devices can't take advantage of the higher speeds. If you check your speed and are getting 300 mbps, there shouldn't be any buffering. I have Smart TVs but use my Apple TVs to stream only because I have it set up the way I like it and it's easy to use. The best way to figure this out is to select a show and stream it on every device you own. Stream it through the Roku, the TV, your computer and phone and see if any of the devices buffers. If the Roku is the only one with the problem, you may need to update. Post back with your results.

Re: WiFi and Streaming

gardenman — Thu, 13 Apr 2023 12:58:29 GMT

WiFi is a radio signal and anything metal between the router and the device receiving the signal can severely limit the signal strength and quality. Moving the router a bit, horizontally and in some cases vertically, can vastly improve matters. Things like a stove, refrigerator, or metal bookcase between the router and the receiving device can impede things. Doing a speed test is good advice, but the WiFi won't be the full 300 MBPS in most cases. The closer you are to the router the faster the speed should be.

WiFi also transmits on channels and if your WiFi and some nearby neighbors are using the same channels, that can affect your signal also. There's lots of information online on finding and fixing WiFi issues. I have heard of lots of people with good internet having issues with live Hulu. It could be a Hulu issue more than a WiFi issue.

Re: WiFi and Streaming

Jordan2 — Thu, 13 Apr 2023 15:05:21 GMT

@gardenman I think my problems are a result of the HULU app. I don't have trouble with any of my other apps, only when watching live tv on HULU. This is an ongoing problem if others have complained why can't they fix it?

Re: WiFi and Streaming

gardenman — Fri, 14 Apr 2023 09:33:14 GMT

@Jordan2 wrote:
@gardenman I think my problems are a result of the HULU app. I don't have trouble with any of my other apps, only when watching live tv on HULU. This is an ongoing problem if others have complained why can't they fix it?

Why can't they fix it? Time and money. Modern apps typically have several million lines of code. The Twitter app reportedly has ten million lines of code while Facebook's app has sixty-two million lines of code. Hulu probably has over a million lines of code in their app. And those who developed the app and created those lines of code were likely fired after the app was created. Their job was done. When problems pop up, there's typically a very small pool of software engineers left to sort through the code to find and fix the issues. Sorting through a million plus lines of code and trying to figure out if a change here or there will affect something else, is challenging. If there's a fundamental issue with the code you sometimes have to start over and creating a million plus new lines of code takes time and money.

And things get absurdly complicated when you're dealing with the app needing to work across multiple devices (Android, iOS, smart TVs, Roku, Fire TV, etc.) Testing an app for every possible configuration can take months or years and with new operating systems coming out on a routine basis, it's a never-ending task. It's not really a surprise an app is glitchy. It's more of a surprise when one works perfectly in every situation.

Re: WiFi and Streaming

gadgetgal613 — Sat, 15 Apr 2023 10:16:39 GMT

@Jordan2 wrote:
@gardenman I think my problems are a result of the HULU app. I don't have trouble with any of my other apps, only when watching live tv on HULU. This is an ongoing problem if others have complained why can't they fix it?

Have you tried to uninstall then reinstall the app? People now call everything an app but, they really are programs which can get iffy or have problems. I would look for an update to the app and see if there is an update for your Roku device.

Re: WiFi and Streaming

Drewps5co0tt — Sat, 15 Apr 2023 01:04:28 GMT

@Jordan2 wrote:
I moved into my one bedroom apartment last June. I have Verizon Fios, and get my internet from them ( cable was too costly). I have HULU Live and have had problems from day one. The router sits in the living room the tv has a Roku Stick. I don't have that many issues with it (I put up with buffering, freezing, and being thrown off line). In my bedroom which isn't far away I have a Fire Stick in the tv and have more problems. I called Verizon yesterday there is nothing wrong with my signal (I have 300 mbps which is supposed to be enough as it is only me on the internet only using one tv and my computer at the same time). I don't have issues watching content that isn't live (could be a problem with live content on HULU Live). Would purchasing a new ROKU stick with claims of long range Wi-Fi perhaps enhance my connection? I have an offer from ROKU for their $50 stick for $35.

Your problem is not your speed (you have MORE than enough speed to stream...I MEAN WAY MORE than enough)! Your problem is you are using cheap hardware (anything Amazon, Roku, etc., is a NO-GO). I suggest you invest in an Apple TV, you'll never look back!

Also, if you're router is not a 5GHz/AC router, I suggest you upgrade to one and make sure your hardware supports Wi-Fi AC, it's super fast (or you could upgrade to the latest Wi-Fi 6 but it's super expensive right now (the routers are anyway). I have Wi-Fi 5 (AC) and never have any issues streaming. I dumped cable last year and everything I do in my APT is over the internet now. I have no issues, and even am subscirbed to a lower speed tier than you have.

Re: WiFi and Streaming

sugar plum — Fri, 21 Apr 2023 22:25:05 GMT

@Jordan2

It could be your router. I would suggest purchasing your own router. I never had luck with any router rented from a provider. Plus you'll save money. You can purchase a router from Amazon, Best Buy, etc. TP Link is a good brand but it died last year after 10 years of use. Right now I'm using an Eero from Amazon that I purchased on Prime Day at a good discount.

I have Fios internet only with the same speed. My 2011 LG TV with a 3 year old Roku Ultra is in my bedroom where the router is located. My old Roku streaming stick is in my LR with an even older TV and I have no problems using either.

Re: WiFi and Streaming

Jordan2 — Thu, 11 May 2023 01:08:58 GMT

OP here, so I replaced my Amazon Firestick with my second Roku stick. This is my bedroom set which was giving me a lot of problems. So far the Roku stick is working better than the Amazon Firestick did, hopefully I won't have to buy a new set yet.