Internet connection for streaming movies...

Doug5984 · 03-13-2010, 05:31 PM

I'm wondering how fast should an internet connection be to stream HD movies, most likely through Netflix, X-box, or PS3.

We just got Fiber in my neighborhood, offered through our city utilities- and it's a lot cheaper than Cox or Direct TV so I'm making the switch, and I have 3 choices (all speeds are both upload and download). 10 mbps, $28 / month, 30 mbps $45 / month, and 50 mbps $58 / month. Now I know 50 would be complete overkill, but should I make the jump to 30 mbps if I plan on streaming quite a lot of movies through netflix.

MacroGuru · 03-13-2010, 07:05 PM

I have Time Warner Cable that is around 15 and I use Netflix streaming on my Xbox 360 via wireless connection and it is just fine and streams the HD fine as well.

terpkristin · 03-13-2010, 07:35 PM

I have FiOS that's 15, use Netflix streaming on my 360 via wired connection. On movies, I get no buffering, but I get the digitization a bit more than I expected. I rarely if ever see that on TV shows that I stream. I mostly stream TV shows. All my streaming is HD if it's available.

/tk

Tasan · 03-13-2010, 09:14 PM

I have 6 on AT&T DSL and I stream Netflix HD just fine with a very short wait to buffer right at the beginning. Any of those speeds should do just fine.

gstelmack · 03-13-2010, 09:44 PM

Yup, around 6Mbps is fine for Netflix or other HD. Some of the higher quality ones (VUDU) want around 10.

Note that 6Mbps is about what the typical overcompressed "let's stuff 3 channels in one ATSC stream" HD stuff is, so I'm actually seeing quality on par if not better than what TWC's HD OnDemand was giving me, especially since Netflix / Amazon pay attention to how they do the compression and do a better job of it (backgrounds will blur out quicker, but faces and whatnot have very good detail).

03-13-2010, 07:05 PM	#2
MacroGuru Coordinator Join Date: May 2003 Location: Utah	I have Time Warner Cable that is around 15 and I use Netflix streaming on my Xbox 360 via wireless connection and it is just fine and streams the HD fine as well. __________________ "forgetting what is in the past, I strive for the future"

03-13-2010, 07:35 PM	#3
terpkristin Grizzled Veteran Join Date: May 2003 Location: Ashburn, VA	I have FiOS that's 15, use Netflix streaming on my 360 via wired connection. On movies, I get no buffering, but I get the digitization a bit more than I expected. I rarely if ever see that on TV shows that I stream. I mostly stream TV shows. All my streaming is HD if it's available. /tk __________________ GO TERPS! https://www.flickr.com/photos/terpkristin https://twitter.com/terpkristin

03-13-2010, 09:14 PM	#4
Tasan College Starter Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Houston, or there about	I have 6 on AT&T DSL and I stream Netflix HD just fine with a very short wait to buffer right at the beginning. Any of those speeds should do just fine. __________________ 2011 Golden Scribes winner for best Interactive Dynasty

03-13-2010, 09:44 PM	#5
gstelmack Pro Starter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Cary, NC	Yup, around 6Mbps is fine for Netflix or other HD. Some of the higher quality ones (VUDU) want around 10. Note that 6Mbps is about what the typical overcompressed "let's stuff 3 channels in one ATSC stream" HD stuff is, so I'm actually seeing quality on par if not better than what TWC's HD OnDemand was giving me, especially since Netflix / Amazon pay attention to how they do the compression and do a better job of it (backgrounds will blur out quicker, but faces and whatnot have very good detail). __________________ -- Greg -- Author of various FOF utilities

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