Does a particular router affect ADSL2+ performance for video streaming?

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  scrambledeggs on 12/06/2017 - 16:09

  +1

  What are you streaming? A video file or via a web-based service (e.g. Netflix/Stan)?

  If the prior, a better router will help.

  If the latter, your internet speed is probably the bottleneck.

  • 

    doweyy on 12/06/2017 - 16:17

    Yep it seems to be the latter, thanks for the advice, guess I'll just struggle some more on ADSL..

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  scrimshaw on 12/06/2017 - 16:12

  A Modem router is actually two distinct components — a modem that handles the transmission and translation of analogue phone signal into a digital signal your computers can understand, and a router that does, well, the routing of data packets that crosses from one device to another.

  To put it another way, the modem connects you to the internet via phone lines, while your router connects all your local devices to each other, as well as to the modem part itself.

  If you upgrade your modem router to another modem router, what you are mostly upgrading is the "router" part, while the ADSL2 modem largely remains the same — and assuming your modem router is already doing it's best it can syncing with your ADSL line, you should not expect much of an increase (or even decrease) in internet speeds when you buy another ADSL2 modem.

  That being said, your Chromecast can stream video from either the internet or from a local source. The quality of Internet streams will depend on your modem's sync speed that you can check by logging into the modem and paying attention to the downstream stats (listed as kilobits per second). If your line speeds are low, that's another can of worms and you'd need to troubleshoot with your ISP.

  The quality of your local network streams will depend on local factors, like whether or not your devices are in range of the router and can receive a decent signal. If not, you should probably try a wired connection (the cheapest method), looking for a range extender (such as TP-Link Powerline adapter) or be looking at a router combo with better range / speeds (possibly a more expensive option).

  • 

    doweyy on 12/06/2017 - 16:19

    Thanks for your very informative reply Scrimshaw, it seems like upgrading the modem/router may not affect my performance and that directly answered my question. Cheers.

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  konradthecat on 12/06/2017 - 16:15

  Try 5ghz if available and try QoS settings in router maybe

  • 

    doweyy on 12/06/2017 - 16:19

    I'll have a look into that and see if it makes any difference, thank you.

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  KitchenSink on 12/06/2017 - 19:03

  Its hard to find the needle in the haystack but some things you can lookout for

  Changing the Channel: 2.4/5Ghz
  Even multiple wifi networks can affect the throughput, so scan the channels that are broadcasting around from neighbours and use one that's not on the same channel or frequency. Use a network scanner, lots found on Google play store, or apps on PCs. Don't leave it on auto. For example channels 1,6,11 but these are the most popular so use something like 2,3,4 or whatever. You have to do a scan and find out.

  Try moving the router closer to the chromecast with a good line of sight, ie no walls or objects in the way. If it performs well then the issue is probably too many obstacles in your place like walls etc. You may need stronger wifi device or a repeater or to move the router closer. Make sure to move any cordless phones/microwaves away from the router and in between as this can affect the signal.

  Check your internet speeds from various parts of the house from your phone and see if its the same throughout. If its the good speeds and constant throughout then the issue isnt the internet speeds, but maybe the chromecast isnt getting a good connection. So refer to the above.

  Try hooking up a laptop/PC to the TV in place of the chromecast and see if you have the same problem with streaming content from youtube etc. constant buffering would result in slow internet speeds.

  Do a firmware update on the Router if you can - it can fix some bugs, but do a backup of your router's settings first in case the settings disappear after update.

  Do 1 thing at a time, not all at once. Hope this helps

  • 

    shmoney on 12/06/2017 - 21:14

    For example channels 1,6,11 but these are the most popular so use something like 2,3,4 or whatever. You have to do a scan and find out.

    There's a reason why they're popular though, they don't overlap with each other. You're better off on 1, 6 or 11 rather than the other channels.

    • 

      KitchenSink on 12/06/2017 - 21:20

      You're better off on 1, 6 or 11 rather than the other channels.

      Not if everyone is also using it. If your neighbours are all using channels 1,6 and 11, switch it to something in between to avoid interference.

      • 

        shmoney on 12/06/2017 - 21:22

        Then you'd be receiving interference from both networks on 1 and 6 if you picked anything from 2 and 5 and so forth…

        Here's a diagram so it makes more sense.

      • 

        Gunther on 12/06/2017 - 21:24

        https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.farproc.wi…

        Let an App do the work and make the decision for you.

      • 

        KitchenSink on 12/06/2017 - 22:13

        @moneybaby:
        Channels 1,6 11 is a set that doesn't overlap with between those 3 channels respectively. So doesn't 2, 7 and 12 or 3, 8 and 13 etc etc here's better diagram.

        Yes they overlap in frequencies between neighbouring channels but I'm saying if channel 1, 6 and 11 are overcrowded in a small area, that is all your neighbours using the same 3 channels, go with something else like channel 2, 4, 8, 9 or whatever, there's options for a reason. Yes it overlaps, BUT its not OVERCROWDED.

      • 

        shmoney on 12/06/2017 - 23:03

        @KitchenSink:

        Channels 1,6 11 is a set that doesn't overlap with between those 3 channels respectively. So doesn't 2, 7 and 12 or 3, 8 and 13 etc etc

        Yes, I understand that. But Channels 12 and 13 are not available in all countries, but this 1-6-11 rule can be applied globally and most people in Australia are already adopting this rule for minimal interference. We could move to 2, 7 and 12 but why change something that already works?

        Yes they overlap in frequencies between neighbouring channels but I'm saying if channel 1, 6 and 11 are overcrowded in a small area, that is all your neighbours using the same 3 channels, go with something else like channel 2, 4, 8, 9 or whatever, there's options for a reason. Yes it overlaps, BUT its not OVERCROWDED.

        Once again, it's better to be on 1, 6 or 11 because if you were on anything inbetween then you are causing interference for yourself and everyone else on the non-overlapping channels. You would still be dealing with more networks at the end if you were on anything else.

        It's already been tested by CISCO that it's better to be on one of those non-overlapping channels than a overlapping channel.

        Also, just because something is an option doesn't mean it's optimal.

        Or you could just move to a 5GHz network.

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  aoeueoa on 12/06/2017 - 19:51

  If you have a crappy connection, good hardware (modem, router, wifi setup) can definitely optimise what you have available.

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  dcep on 12/06/2017 - 21:04

  get a modem with adjustable snr and tweak to optimum sync value to achieve best speed & stability.

  if you're far fro the exchange, you need a modem with broadcom chipset for a better sync.

  but if you're more than 5km away then don't bother anything, else try vivid wireless.

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  Densor on 13/06/2017 - 08:12

  Log into your modem router and see what line speed you are connecting at. If it is crappy then no wireless improvements within the house is going to help.

  Also connect a PC directly to the ethernet port of the modem and run a speed test. This will rule out any other problems and give you a baseline to work from.

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  exceladdict on 13/06/2017 - 08:40

  Also, remember that ADSL is asynchronous so maxing out either upload or download will stunt the other i.e. if you are trying to stream Netflix and your iPhone starts backing up to iCloud, expect stuttering. This can be overcome using QOS or 'shaping', limiting all upload traffic to say 80-90% of the capacity of your current line sync rate.

  More things back up automatically these days than ever before, so it can sometimes be hard to find out what's using that traffic!