Upload speed unstable? Streaming, dropping frames
I've tested my upload speed consistently and it's always around +4 which is fine. But once I start streaming, I start dropping frames every so often. But with the upload speed I'm getting tested with, it shouldn't be dropping any frames. I'm not sure if my upload speed is fluctuating or something. I've tested on two different streaming programs (OBS/XSplit) and to two different streaming sites (Twitch/YouTube). But I still get dropped frames. So I know it's not the programs or the servers. It didn't start happening until 3 days ago. I had my bitrate at 5000 and it was fine, but once I started dropping frames I changed it back to 2500 then to 2000. But I'm still dropping some frames. I've also restarted my modem and router multiple times and reset it back to factory settings. But it hasn't helped at all.2KViews0likes1Comment
Poor Connection Quality at Night
I stream games on Twitch.Tv and have been in this apartment for over a year now. I have experienced the usual disconnects due to maintenance, a rogue storm, etc. Starting November 11th, however, every night around 6:00 PM -8:00 PM CST, my connectivity to Twitch takes a dive. Download seems consistent, but Uploads are choppy and drop anywhere from 25 - 80% frames. Initially, I thought this was an OBS encoding/settings issue so I spent the weekend troubleshooting and changing settings with no success. I began checking my hardware for driver updates, put additional memory into my computer, etc. I tried to fix ever issue I could find before moving onto the next step, my internet connection. Using the Twitch Broadband Tester, I got the following results: Prior to November 11th, I saw some minor dropped frames, but even at its worse, the connection never went with more than 10% dropped frames. I usually connect to the Dallas hub, but have tried Chicago and San Fransisco with no improvements. I troubleshot the Twitch connection via their website and staff and everything I keep turning up points to an issue with the ISP Cox. I've run multiple speed tests, (speedtest.net, cox speed test, testmy.net) and the only one that consistently shows a "good connection" is Cox's. I don't know if I can rely on it, because I am sure that my connection to Cox is good (4 techs visiting have confirmed it), but my connection to Twitch.Tv at night drops significantly. (Also experience slower internet over all at night, but Cox's speed test again shows everything's OK.) I've had my modem replaced (a newer Arris modem), had Ingress checked multiple times (all during the morning because us night shifters get NO love from Cox or their technicians). Performed multiple DNS flushes, Modem Resets, Changed the Cables from computer to modem, changed the splitter cable from the TV and Modem, BYPASSED the splitter cable from the TV and modem, updated the modem firmware and have called into tech support so much I have memorized a good chunk of their call center staff. After being told all is good and it was Twitch's fault, I switched over to Youtube Gaming and experienced the exact same problem. A supervisor was sent out during the daytime on 11/7 to test the lines again and found no issues, but sure enough, 6 PM rolls around and my internet tanks. He believes there may be noise intermittent noise in the line during that time frame, but no techs are available to troubleshoot at that time. Called the call center again tonight after experiencing bad connectivity and was told everything is alright. Checked the forums and found that there have been other people experiencing the same/similar issues in other parts of Cox's networks. I need to know what is going on. Please let me know what information you need, will provide it. TL;DR - Cannot stream to Twitch.Tv, Youtube Gaming or Hitbox because of poor connection quality. Send help.2KViews0likes2Comments
YouTube connectivity issues
I've read statements from cox that they do not throttle youtube, and I really hope that is the truth, but I cannot figure out why I am experiencing issues with their service. I have the 25mb speed service from Cox, yet cannot stream a youtube video at even 480p quality. If I use Vimeo, or really any other streaming service, I can load videos at 1080p+ with no issues at all. You might say that it is the youtube service itself causing the issues... but consider this: - When I try to load a video on my phone over wifi (cox) it will buffer a lot and not play well, BUT if I use vzw 4g it will play smoothly no issues. - When I use hideman VPN service to connect through another country, Canada for example, the exact same video that I was trying to watch on youtube will play at 1080p with no stuttering or buffering issues. I've uploaded a video to Wistia here that shows what I am talking about so you can see for yourself: http://bit.ly/1ah2jTj this *could* be because all traffic is encrypted through Hideman and so cox can't detect that it is youtube and slow it down. Bottom line I just want to get a decent answer about what is going on here, if it is not throttling, what else could be causing this?76KViews0likes204Comments
YouTube is unusable with the fastest connection. Is Cox responsible for this?
After having problems for weeks of not being able to stream YouTube videos, I decided to do some research. The link below shed the most light on the subject, and I would like to know if Cox is having peering agreement issues or any other type of business deal that would be making YouTube unusable for me. If any Cox customers are having trouble streaming YouTube, I suggest taking a look at this article: http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2013/07/why-youtube-buffers-the-secret-deals-that-make-and-break-online-video/ I pay $100 a month and my most recent speedtest.net results were great, 92 Mb/s down, 23 Mb/s up, but I CANNOT stream a 60 second YouTube clip at 240p resolution without it buffering 10+ times and taking 15+ minutes to play a 1 minute video clip. While AT&T U-Verse may not offer the same speeds, if I can't watch YouTube it is a deal breaker for me. From this great article (linked above), it says AT&T is one of the best behaved ensuring problems like this don't happen. "Schaeffer said this is true of all the big players to varying degrees, naming Comcast, Time Warner, CenturyLink, and AT&T. Out of those, he said that 'AT&T is the best behaved of the bunch.'" I was a U-Verse customer for 4 years and never had problems streaming YouTube videos. This is absolutely unacceptable that it is not working, and I really hope that it isn't because Cox is trying to get payments for upgrading their equipment. Considering the fact that I'm waiting on a proposal for fiber service at my work from Cox, I find this very disappointing and I would love some answers, especially after taking a look at the article on this. I would like to know if Cox participates in Google's Peering or Caching programs. https://peering.google.com/about/17KViews0likes37Comments
Youtube is SLOW!
Everything else is fast but Youtube at peak times. I have worked with your support groups and your network engineers. I have even had a tech come out and redo my lines, but still Youtube is slow as peak times. You guys really need to get a better connection to Youtube servers on the backend. I am having to resort to running a VPN to another provider to stream Youtube video and that is why I know this is a Cox problem. PLEASE tell your engineers to invest in better teaming with Tier 1 providers!3.2KViews0likes2Comments
YouTube problems
Anyone else having problems loading YouTube videos? I used to watch a lot of videos with my little daughter but lately it has become impossible. Can't even watch a 2-3 minute video without it stopping to buffer several times. And it is not YouTube. I can watch the same stuff on my phone without a problem. Is Cox throttling YouTube bandwidth???19KViews0likes6Comments
