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Netflix App Problems

R

RRKPL

macrumors member
Original poster
Dec 8, 2007
44
4
I've been using the Netflix app for a few days and have found that it will stop and re-buffer from time to time (sometimes quite a bit). Has any else experienced this? I have a fast internet connection 10+ Mbs hooked to an airport extreme. The ABC app does just fine so I'm thinking it might be a buffer size issue with the Netflix app.

Richard
 
I think this is a Netflix problem. When I watch instant play on my TiVo, I have the same problem with probably every 5th movie/show I watch.
 
I've had many issues with the netflix app. I just assume they rushed it out so it would be available at launch. Hopefully they've gotten an iPad to actually test their app and fix bugs.
 
Haven't had to rebuffer once though at times I get kicked out. Some of the kick outs happen when the screen changes (if I don't use the lock screen) it helps. Other times I have no reason why.

I'm sure it will have a update to it to fix these problems.
 
I think it has to do with the lack of ram on the iPad. Try clearing out your Internet cache it seems to make the device much snappier. I don't know exactly what the problem is but I think it's something to do with safari never actually closing it stays open in the background even after you close it and seems to hog up all the ram on the device.
 
I have not seen any of those issues. I use NetFlix at home via my XBOX 360 on two different XBOX's and I don't have any issues.
 
RRKPL said:
I've been using the Netflix app for a few days and have found that it will stop and re-buffer from time to time (sometimes quite a bit). Has any else experienced this? I have a fast internet connection 10+ Mbs hooked to an airport extreme. The ABC app does just fine so I'm thinking it might be a buffer size issue with the Netflix app.

Richard
Click to expand...

Same problem here. I stream "play it now" movies thru my macbook pro w/o issue. The ipad struggles...:confused:
 
I also have this problem especially watching all the season of Lost. This was a problem i would have before using the XBOX 360 Netflix app as well but I ddo not have any more issues since the last XBOX 360 update. I hope they patch the Netflix for Ipad app soon as this is a great app.
 
Yeah I am having the same problem. I couldn't figure out if it was my Internet but then it started working fine with my xbox. It just keeps buffering. It's annoying because abc player can buffer 45 minute shows but i can't watch arrested development? Fail!!!!
 
Perfect for me. Once I lock my iPad so it doesn't boot me. No buffer problems as yet for me -- so far so good. Best app. I have.
 
Yeah, I retried it with some of the techniques. It didn't help. It's definitely a buffer issue. It looks as if netflix is using like 10mb of ram ( random value) And then spits it out. I get about 8 seconds Of video before it starts to rebuffer. I got like one tv show episode to work okay.

This is annoying to say the least. I'm more shocked that this is the place that has seen issues and posted about it on the web. I googled it and found no issues with everyone else.

Could it be my wifi network? My xbox is wired.

Edit:It's many issues. Netflix keeps track of the time location. During these bufferings, it seems like netflix can't track my spot in the movie and keeps starting back at X second after the billion hour buffer time is complete. Sometimes, when the video freezes because of buffering, if you pause it and wait...3 minutes and I get a whopping 30 seconds of video....sweet. Except weeds...that seems to work alright. Good show
 
I finally got it to work by switching to the 5Ghz band on my router and putting the other computers in the house on a wireless router running at 2.4Ghz. I'm pretty sure the problem is as was stated above, that it doesn't have a big enough buffer so if your wireless connection isn't as fast as it likes it stops and starts. NetFlix sent me an email with a survey about viewing experience and one of the questions related to start and stopping so at least they are aware and may fix it.
 
Netflix is a high bandwidth service. So your more likely to see network related issues with your Internet or wireless network. If there's an issue it rebuffers, usually to a lower bit rate. Not sure though how much the iPad version differs from the desktop/settop service if at all.
 
dagomike said:
Netflix is a high bandwidth service. So your more likely to see network related issues with your Internet or wireless network. If there's an issue it rebuffers, usually to a lower bit rate. Not sure though how much the iPad version differs from the desktop/settop service if at all.
Click to expand...

Yeah. This is a bit strange when all my other netflix devices work okay. I will have to do more debug. I wish there was a system debug mode that always dispayes my network transfer rate.

All I know ia that I can watch abc player in full HD or highest ...whatever...and I heard netflix and abc use the same type of algo in examining the bandwidth and deciding which connection to use.

If anything, netflix should of gave me the lowest quality mode. Something is up.
 
I haven't had an issue with Netflix on the iPad..but I have only watched two full movies and 8 or 9 TV episodes. Has worked brilliant for me.

On my XBOX I have had very few incidents (rebuffering) and they seem to occur during high volume use timeframes (6pm-11pm EST). My system is a Dual Band AEBS and has always had full bar reception. MW2 lagging issues aside (varied connection values...but can be dependant on the host). Again, in the hundreds and hundreds of video's watch on my XBOX I had *maybe* 10 or 12 rebuffers...so they are rare.

You know they are going to update...the interface is a copy of the website. Just wait until the update and we'll see how the handle any connection issues.

Still one of my top apps..
 
Here are my bandwidth results: used my iPad with an iphone app since there isn't a bandwidth app fir ipad yet. I'm just surprised I did all this without a computer. Sitting here on my couch with my iPad!!

http://tweetphoto.com/17882751

9.8 down
3.8 up
Latency 65ms
 
Netflix to TV via macbook

Does anyone know how to hook up a macbook with a mini displayport to the old fashioned yellow, red, and white ports on the front of the non-HD TV? This would be used to play my Instant Netflix movies on my TV. Any thoughts?
 
arolswim said:
Does anyone know how to hook up a macbook with a mini displayport to the old fashioned yellow, red, and white ports on the front of the non-HD TV? This would be used to play my Instant Netflix movies on my TV. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...

You will need two adapters. The Mini DisplayPort to VGA, and VGA to your old fashioned ports. The video will look terrible though.
 
Dammit Cubs said:
Here are my bandwidth results: used my iPad with an iphone app since there isn't a bandwidth app fir ipad yet. I'm just surprised I did all this without a computer. Sitting here on my couch with my iPad!!

http://tweetphoto.com/17882751

9.8 down
3.8 up
Latency 65ms
Click to expand...

It's possible that your connection is too good for Netflix ;) Netflix player (at least on PC) picks resolution depending on the bandwidth. In your case it might pick a high resolution but then iPod might not be able to sustain required throughput due to small RAM. Just a guess on my part.
 
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