Specific Netflix Issue

[Ethan.Bassist.]

Hey guys, it's hard to search for my specific problem, so I thought I'd see if anyone else had the same issue I'm having.

I use Netflix streaming on my macbook and it works great. But when I have my mac plugged in to my tv, I have issues. For some reason, whereas with my mac, the movie/show will buffer as it's playing so that it never has to stop to buffer, when I plug it in to the tv, it doesn't seem to buffer as it's playing. It will buffer if I pause it, but it only buffers so far (normal, netflix doesn't buffer 100% ever). But inevitably, the movie/show will catch up and then stop to buffer every minute or so. I know it's kind of first world problems here, but a solution would be awesome.

I run a mini DVI to HDMI adapter, then and HDMI cable from there to the TV. Is it the larger size of the screen that is messing it up? Is it buffering for the small screen of my mac, but delivering a larger picture on the tv? I know it's not the internet, because the internet is awesome here so lack of connectivity or speed isn't an issue... or at least shouldn't be.

I'm going to right now make sure the netflix video software (silverlight or something like that) is up to date on my mac. But I'm kind of stumped.

Thoughts, gentlemen?
Ethan.

EDIT: I should mention I use Chrome.

 

[oakeshott]

Ethan,
This is one of those problems, given the nature of my work, I ought to know the cause of but don't. It could be that the player is trying to up-rez to the TV resolution and that is what's causing the slow down or it may be something completely unrelated. The answer to your problem though, and it's an elegant and simple one, is about 80 bucks.

shop.roku.com

It's the roku2 xd. Get one for 79.99, hook it up to your TV and enjoy Netflix as well as a bunch of other channels in HD. I've used one for years and just upgraded to this newer model. You could also solve this with an AppleTV which hooks up to your TV and can stream content from your mac through the television. I prefer the Roku, but have smarter friends who prefer the apple device.

Connecting your laptop to the TV is never going to give you as good an experience as either of these solutions. I know this is not the answer to the question you asked, but sometimes it is good to look sideways at a problem. Regardless, someone else here will surely know what is going on and can respond more directly to your problem.

 

[Phog Allen]

I am unsure if converters affect digital signals like they do analogue but the mini hdmi adapter could be an issue. I doubt it though. I bought cables from mono price that has hmdi on one end and mini hdmi on the other. They make the connection from our new Canon camera and our kid's mini video cameras. No issues but we are not streaming over those connections.

Cheers, Todd

 

[Village Idiot]

Where do you normally watch videos at on your macbook vs. where it sits when it's plugged in to the TV and how far away from the router is it in both instances? This really sounds like an issue with the wireless reception. If the macbook is sitting on or around other electronics, they can interfere with the signal. A distance of several feet could do it too if you're on the edge of your router's range.

 

[Ethan.Bassist.]

Thanks Oakeshott, should my problem persist, I may look in to that thing. Could you explain a little more in depth what it does? Because I don't have any cable/satellite service. The only tv I watch is through Hulu or Netflix.

PA: I don't think it's the cable because it plays movies and Hulu just fine. Which is why I feel like it might be Netflix's player.

VI: I'm pretty sure my mac is closest to the router when it's plugged in to the TV. I put my mac on a speaker tower next to the antique radio cabinet that the TV sits on. I'm not worried about the driver magnets in the speakers... the one closest to the top is a tiny tweeter. My neighbors are also my friends and so they let me use their internet. I just clocked it and it looks to be at 8.49Mbps Download/5.86Mbps Upload. Our apts are small so there isn't a place where reception is lacking.

Tomorrow, I'll compare streaming quality where I usually put my mac. The only variable I'll change is plugging in to my tv. I'll also give Safari a shot. Maybe Chrome is the issue. I'll report back. Thanks guys!

 

[morganjg]

Thanks Oakeshott, should my problem persist, I may look in to that thing. Could you explain a little more in depth what it does? Because I don't have any cable/satellite service. The only tv I watch is through Hulu or Netflix.

The Roku is essentially a set top box that does the streaming rather than using your computer. You set up your accounts to the apps on the device by using the easy menus and once all of your accounts are completed, use the Roku and the remote to use Netflix, Hulu Plus, Amazon Instant Video, Spotify, Pandora, FB, etc. It has a WiFi card built in and HDMI ports out, so you just hook it up to the TV and go. I have been using the 1st generation Roku for several years now. The only downside is that Roku is considered a non-web device, so some programming (MTV on Hulu Plus) denies access, so you would have to use your Laptop. Those instances are few and far between though.

 

[tjg5181]

I know that Netflix has been having streaming issues since Christmas. They had an outage on Christmas eve and another one on New Years day. I attempted to use Netflix on my Roku last night and was unsuccessful. I was able to browse all of the movies, however, when the movie itself tried to load the screen merely went black. Not sure if that was due to the outage, but I restarted my Roku hoping that would be a quick fix, however, upon restarting, I had the same issues. I will give it a few days to clear up, however, normall, the Roku is a great device to stream Netflix to the TV, however, I like the UI of the Apple Tv for Netflix a little better

 

[morganjg]

I know that Netflix has been having streaming issues since Christmas. They had an outage on Christmas eve and another one on New Years day. I attempted to use Netflix on my Roku last night and was unsuccessful. I was able to browse all of the movies, however, when the movie itself tried to load the screen merely went black. Not sure if that was due to the outage, but I restarted my Roku hoping that would be a quick fix, however, upon restarting, I had the same issues. I will give it a few days to clear up, however, normall, the Roku is a great device to stream Netflix to the TV, however, I like the UI of the Apple Tv for Netflix a little better

I've been hearing of Netflix outages but haven't actually experienced any of them. I was watching Netflix on Christmas Eve, New Years day, and last night and have still not had any issues. I must be one of those people who watch material no one else is interested in!

 

[tinashubby]

I have a roku, and love it! They do offer one for 50 bucks as well.

 

[sychodelix]

I have a Blu-Ray player that can run Divx, Netflix, Youtube, Pandora, etc. The funny thing is, I don't have a single Blu-Ray.

Roku does look great though, and the price is cheap.

 

[oakeshott]

The Roku is essentially a set top box that does the streaming rather than using your computer. You set up your accounts to the apps on the device by using the easy menus and once all of your accounts are completed, use the Roku and the remote to use Netflix, Hulu Plus, Amazon Instant Video, Spotify, Pandora, FB, etc. It has a WiFi card built in and HDMI ports out, so you just hook it up to the TV and go. I have been using the 1st generation Roku for several years now. The only downside is that Roku is considered a non-web device, so some programming (MTV on Hulu Plus) denies access, so you would have to use your Laptop. Those instances are few and far between though.

That's it.

the best money I have spent lately. Gave my original one to my daughter who doesn't have cable and bought the latest model.

 

[Ethan.Bassist.]

Guys. I think I figured it out. Here's the solution for posterity's sake:

I was just about to update my Silverlight player (what Netflix uses) and realized it's up to date. Silverlight 5. But, upon further investigation, my specific combination of OS and browser is 'incompatible.' OSX 10.5.7+ in combo with Google Chrome 12+ is not compatible. I've found that software companies will say a product is incompatible even if it might work. The program might work, but not be stable or it might just be untested. This would explain why it works, but doesn't work well.

I dusted off Safari (the one browser along with Firefox that is compatible with OSX 10.5.7) and put on an episode of Futurama and it seems to be working juuuust fine. I was just testing it, so I didn't even watch the whole thing, but it appears to already be buffering whilst playing and everything. So I'll just have to open Safari to watch Netflix. It's a workaround, but it's a free workaround.

Thanks again for the replies.

 

[jrward2]

If the problem comes back. 1) I would further add to the compliments about the roku player. and 2) I used to have this problem as well, the only thing I could determine was that my computer was doing to many RAM killing processes at once. My CPU usage was pretty outrageous and I though my computer was about to get lift from the fan blowing so hard. I determined that my computer just wasn't able to have a browser open, stream netflix, up convert, and display on the TV through a HDMI cable. I toyed with the aspect ratio and this was the only thing that seemed to work slightly, even though it still didn't work that well. So I gave up and splurged on a Roku.

Hope thats not the case for you and that your solution continues to work.

 

[Ethan.Bassist.]

Thanks a lot jrward2, should the problem come back, I will definitely look into the Roku. I watched a full episode of Futurama, two actually, and it didn't stop to buffer once. Success. As my mac is aging (purchased in 08) I've noticed it's been slower especially when I'm running CPU intensive things. But that was never the problem here. 80% of the day I only have two, maaaybe three apps open. Usually Chrome and iTunes. I'm really glad Netflix is working.

And just a fun little thing: I changed the Safari icon to a netflix icon and renamed it 'Netflix' and put it on my dock... it looks super legit. I also changed my preferences so when I open Safari it opens straight to the Instant page all logged it and everything... basically a Netflix app now hahaha. Let me see if I can post a pic...