Hulu, Netflix Stuttering

[Greencardman]

So occasionally, Hulu and Netflix streaming stutters for me on my Dell Laptop. Hulu does it more often, but Netflix has a problem when there is a lot of action on the screen. I'm trying to figure out the problem.

I think it could either be that my video card isn't up to snuff, or my internet connection isn't fast enough.

I have DSL from AT&T. Not the fastest one they offered, I think it was the slower one.

My laptop is an Inspiron 9100. It's a desktop replacement laptop with its own video card, a Mobility Radeon 9700. However, that video card runs a 1680 x 1050 display.

So I'm trying to figure out what the problem is. I was thinking about buying a small desktop to use as a HTPC, and one of the biggest things i'll be doing on it would be Hulu and Netflix. But if my internet isn't fast enough it will be silly to do that only to have stuttering. Cause I seriously hate stuttering. But upgrading the DSL probably means another 2 yr contract which i don't want.

 

[MasterNile]

Is that the only computer you have? If not does it do the same thing on other computers on the same internet connection? Are you running Hulu full screen? popped out? or regular size? I have this problem at work (using a DSL connection) when I have the show popped out, but pausing it for a while then hitting play solves the problem.

 

[Greencardman]

yeah, pausing for a while works for me as well on Hulu, but not on Netflix when there's action on the screen. Unfortunately, its the only computer I have to test. I run Hulu at regu;ar size with the lights dimmed.

 

[macfan881]

Rember netflix streaming is in beta..

 

[rolex54]

i would check on upgrading your speed, as you can usually upgrade within the first 1 year of your contract without extending it, either that or its your CPU... How much activity is the CPU using when video is playing? If it is at 100% and stuck there than that is most likely the issue...

 

[Greencardman]

hmmm. I'll check my speed. I tried hooking up with an ethernet cord directly to the router, and i swear it was better, but i did notice some stuttering and I went back to pausing every few minutes. Is there a way to check how much bandwidth I'm using? I'll also look into the DSL, although I'm not looking forward to that. It took forever just to get someone on the line who understood that I just wanted DSL and not a phone as well. I mean forever, its like they had never heard of the idea.