Apple TV+ issues on low-bandwidth connection

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Level 1

43 points

Apple TV+ issues on low-bandwidth connection

Tried to watch ATV+ last night, with abysmal results:

. Constant buffering delays (every 1-3 minutes)

. Streaming stopped 18:40 into a show (“having problems accessing content”). ATV+ did NOT remember where the streaming failed, leaving me only the option to manually advance 10 seconds at a time (with more buffering delays!) back to where it had stopped previously.

We are (regrettably) on CenturyLink DSL (no other viable options in our little town). We can generally stream NetFlix and Prime successfully; this is first time we’ve tried ATV+ here.

Apple should do better with low-bandwidth connections. Specifically:

. Degrade the image (pixelate it); ATV+ appeared not to do this.

. Please, please, please remember the relative viewing position when the stream drops!!!

Apple TV HD, tvOS 13

Posted on Feb 15, 2020 7:26 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

vazandrew

Level 8

40,894 points

Feb 15, 2020 10:31 AM in response to drengfer

Apple TV Plus is streaming at a higher data rate and streams at a fixed rate, versus the others that constantly adapt to the connection. If the connection is not adequate it will start to buffer and eventually stop if it can't load.

You can go into settings to lower the resolution if you want to avoid that.

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Answer 2

vazandrew

Level 8

40,894 points

Feb 15, 2020 10:52 PM in response to drengfer

Again, other streaming services use an adaptive method whereas Apple have always used fixed rate, plus their service streams at a much higher data rate in order to deliver the best possible quality. Lowering the resolution is the recommended solution for those on a slower speed and results in a much better experience when compared with degradation. The other option is to download it on another device and then simply stream that copy over the local network using airplay.

I have never had an issue with it resuming where I left off, and haven’t seen anything to indicate that is happening for most.

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Answer 3

drengfer Author

Level 1

43 points

Feb 15, 2020 4:21 PM in response to vazandrew

Thanks for your response on the data-rate issue. I will try a lower-resolution setting the next time around, but I have to say that it would be not unreasonable for A-TV to handle that "auto-magically" and in a self-healing way (since slow internet speeds can be a transitory rather than permanent condition). Other streaming services do that (as did QuickTime, "back in the day").

Still, the failure of the A-TV+ service to remember my last position in the stream is simply unforgivable.

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Apple TV+ issues on low-bandwidth connection

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