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The issue is the upstream bandwidth of your father's ISP. 460 kb/s is actually quite good. I have Comcast regular Internet and usually only achieve an upstream bandwidth of 300-400 kb/s when I am viewing remotely.
How exactly does a person increase their upstream bandwidth, besides calling their ISP? My dad is in the US and setup the SlingBox for me, since I'm living in Europe and always asking him to Tivo things for me. The SlingPlayer stays optimized at about 460 kbps but the picture quality isn't crystal clear, especially when viewed in full screen. Is there a maximum kbps rating for the SlingPlayer or is 460 normal? I know it has something to do with his upstream bandwidth. Please give step by step instructions.
March 4, 2006 11:22 AM
So there is no way he could be at fault by not making some setting adjustment on his computer or router to allow the SlingBox to take advantage of the highest possible upstream bandwidth available? Like I said, I wasn't there when he set it up and wonder if there is some upstream bandwidth option where you can choose a little or a lot? He has Road Runner high speed and before I tell him to call his ISP for more Upstream speed, need to make sure his setup is taking advantage of every little drop. Does anyone else get somewhat blurry backgrounds or distorted images to? Is there a cap on kbps you can view remotely. Mines maxed at 492.
March 4, 2006 5:01 PM
According to the Road Runner Web pages, the fastest upload speed I have seen in any location is around 580 kb/s which is where you are at already so I doubt that you will get any further benefit unless you get your father to upgrade to a dedicated internet T1 which runs around $500 to $800 per month. Defintely not worth it for a small marginal increase in Picture Quality.
Road Runner use a very asymmetric format to maximize their download speeds. This is a function of their network equipment and nothing to do with your router or modem settings.
I use my Slingbox both at home on the LAN with around 1300 kb/s and also remotely with around 360 kb/s. Though there is a small difference between the two, it is not huge and I find the 360 kb/s very watchable.
March 5, 2006 2:21 PM
Okay, think I'm beganning to understand it all now. One last question (I think) While I'm viewing remotely from a wifi access point, if there are other computers using that same access point, will that slow down the kbps stream I recieve?
March 5, 2006 8:28 PM
It may slow it down a little in some circumstances. I don't have a lot of experience of how people use bandwidth at hot spots. From a casual observation, most seem to be web browsing which will not have a big impact at all. If you had lots of people at a hot spot all viewing their slingboxes then I anticipate it would start to slow down.
I work at a Private School and I notice that my connection is usually not that great during the day. It does noticeably improve after the students go home. Not too surprising really since we have 5 Computer Labs and 900 students and 150 faculty. We only have a 1500 kb/s two way T1 connection which in my opinion is a little on the thin side.
March 6, 2006 12:58 AM
My dad called Road Runner and got two answers for upload bandwidth. First someone at Bright House said he had 512 kbps and then they switched him to someone at Road Runner and they said 768 kbps. They said he can have the download speeds upgraded but the upload will stay the same. So I think 492 kbps is the maximum possible stream a SlingBox can handle...unless you've (or anyone reading this) ever gotten higher?
March 6, 2006 8:45 AM
The Slingbox will stream at around 1.5Mbs maximum, and this is the speed you will nominally see when viewing from within your LAN (where you have at least 10Mbs and more likely 100 or 1000Mbs (10/100 or gigabit ethernet). If you have a broadband connection with 1.5Mbs upstream, you will get close to 1.5M to your desktop Slingplayer even on the Web.
It is the broadband connection speed that is limited with your Dad's ISP. He has TWC like I do, and even with their "Premium" service, the upsteam bandwidth is 512kbs. The Slingbox is sending its data out over that connection, so it will never be higher than the bandwidth that is available - around 500kbs in this case.
Nomadz said:
So I think 492 kbps is the maximum possible stream a SlingBox can handle...unless you've (or anyone reading this) ever gotten higher?
The Slingbox will stream at around 1.5Mbs maximum, and this is the speed you will nominally see when viewing from within your LAN (where you have at least 10Mbs and more likely 100 or 1000Mbs (10/100 or gigabit ethernet). If you have a broadband connection with 1.5Mbs upstream, you will get close to 1.5M to your desktop Slingplayer even on the Web.
It is the broadband connection speed that is limited with your Dad's ISP. He has TWC like I do, and even with their "Premium" service, the upsteam bandwidth is 512kbs. The Slingbox is sending its data out over that connection, so it will never be higher than the bandwidth that is available - around 500kbs in this case.
March 23, 2006 11:08 AM
Nomadz, I am in the exact same position as you (slingbox at parents' place in North America, me living in Europe), except I am maxing out at only 200kbps streaming, which does not give a very good picture.
I am checking what their upstream bandwidth is but they have cable internet and 200kbps max seems pretty low.
March 24, 2006 1:33 PM
OK my parents' upload bandwidth is 512kbps, so why am I streaming at only 200? Any suggestions much appreciated.
March 24, 2006 10:27 PM
delaloi, is 512kbps what your isp tells your parents, or have you run a speed test and come up with this number??
My DSL line is rated at 384-512, and I get about 430kbps. My cable line is rated at 768, and I get about 700kbps.
If you haven't already, have your parents check the actual upload speed of their connection...that might be the problem. With a 512kbps connection, you should be receiving video at about 475-500kbps.
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