More and more multimedia content is displayed in our homes via Internet connection, using one of the many IPTV services available, such as DAZN or NOW TV . Unfortunately, we do not always manage to enjoy the highest image quality: sudden buffering, blockages during the most popular events or grainy and "square" images are the order of the day when it comes to live video streaming (quite different from online videos). demand or VOD, where content is stored on servers and only needs to be started).
In this guide we offer you the best solutions to try to solve problems with live video streaming via the Internet.
By applying (where possible) all the advice provided we will be able to significantly improve the speed of the connection and the use of the multimedia content chosen, thus excluding any possible problem between the socket at home and our playback device (PC, Smart TV, TV Box, decoder etc.).
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Before continuing, we remind you that the problem does not always concern us or our line : although rare, there may be problems with the servers that provide multimedia content via the Internet, even more if the stream to be reproduced is of a live event (Live IPTV).
If all the recommendations below do not solve the problem, you should contact the content provider to inquire about the quality of service or any server problems.
1) Check the connection to the modem
One of the first problems with streaming streams is related to the goodness of the connection that reaches our playback device (the Smart TV or the TV Box for example).
If we use a Wi-Fi connection, be sure to use (if available) the 5 GHz wireless modem, less subject to interference and therefore faster than the standard connection (which operates on the 2.4 GHz frequency); obviously also the playback device must support 5 GHz otherwise the connection will not take place.
To learn more about the network frequencies, we refer you to the guide to the differences between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi networks .
If our modem is close enough to the Smart TV or TV Box (in the same room for example), we can also use an Ethernet network cable for the connection: it offers a much more stable and interference-proof Internet signal.
A cable long enough for the purpose we can find it here -> CSL - Network cable 10m - CAT.6 Ethernet (11 €).
Is the TV or TV Box too far from the modem?
As previously mentioned, we avoid using 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi (too slow) and rely on alternative solutions such as the Powerline (which we talked about in a dedicated guide ) or let the network cable pass through the channels of the electric wires (help from an electrician may be required).
We absolutely avoid Wi-Fi repeaters : they can generate delays in sending and receiving the signal, therefore they must be avoided to connect a TV or a TV Box.
2) Check the use of the fixed line
Nowadays about 10 Megabits per second in download are enough to be able to see all the streaming content at a good quality.
One thing that is often underestimated, when we use the Internet line at home, is that all connected devices use "a slice" of the bandwidth provided by the modem: if we have 100 or more Mega this thing may not affect that much, but if we have less than 20 Mega, a computer and two smartphones connected to the same network as the TV or TV Box can be enough to make the odious symbol of buffering appear.
This is possible because the computer may download substantial updates during the live event we are following or the smartphone may in turn start playing a video or download a full-bodied file: the result is that the 10 Mega enough, the line becomes clogged and none of the connected devices surf the Internet correctly .
As we can expect the first to manifest problems are the devices that use the most bandwidth (as in the case of our TV or TV Box).
Solving this problem is therefore simple: we disable all Wi-Fi devices that are not useful when viewing the streaming event, leaving only the device used to reproduce the stream (Smart TV or TV Box) on the network, even better if connected via cable!
If disabling all Wi-Fi devices can be annoying and boring, let's cut the bull's head by turning off the Wi-Fi on the modem or router in use : if we have used the network cable we can finally enjoy the streaming content without blocking and without defects using all the bandwidth offered by our landline.
Smartphones will still be able to navigate in 4G (if they have an active data plan), while PCs and notebooks will have to "wait" for the end of the event (but we can always use the hotspot on the smartphone to connect them if necessary).
3) Check line speed
As mentioned in the previous chapter, at least 10 Megabits per second are required to download in order to enjoy a live video streaming without interruption.
To check the speed of our line, we connect a notebook via Ethernet cable to the modem, disconnect any other device, turn off the Wi-Fi and, from the connected laptop, we start a speed test from the Nperf page.
At the end of the test we check the download speed and make sure it is at least 10 Megabits per second in download .
If the speed is lower than this value, we could have serious problems when playing streaming content, especially if it is less than 6 Mega (the minimum necessary to play any network stream).
In these cases we can try to solve in various ways:
- we restart the modem, in particular if we haven't done this for some time: it could improve the network speed just enough to support streaming;
- reset the modem: if we have changed some settings and the network speed has worsened after the change, we can always return the modem to its initial conditions.
In this regard, we recommend reading our guide on how to reset the modem .
- we change the telephone cable that connects the modem and the telephone socket: if old or worn it could affect the speed of the line; a good telephone cable can be found here -> HAMA Telephone cable plug 6p 4c / plug 6p 4c, 3 meters (5 €).
- change modem / router : as a last resort we can change the whole modem, with a more powerful and performing model, so that we can hook a better signal.
Some good advice on modems to buy can be found in our guide to the best Modem to buy .
If even these tips have not brought the desired result (i.e. the increase in line speed), we must consider the operator change or the technology change: if we are in ADSL we can switch to FTTC fiber or dedicated FTTH optical fiber, so as to definitely increase the performance of the home line.
To find out more about these connection technologies, we refer you to reading our guide below.
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