Netflix pausing/buffering issues

I have seen no issues with their service, I am very impressed. There may be a lot experiencing this problem, but maybe there are a lot more who aren't.

Recently, in the last week, Netflix streaming of content on my AppleTV2 bogs down and stutters about 35-40 minutes into the show I am watching. I then stream the same thing on my PS3 Netflix with no problem. As I said this just recently started (even after today's firmware update) but it did not occur since Netflix originally available on my AppleTV2.

Netflix was fine on my AppleTV until the last software update. Now it pauses quite often.

I think the problem is the new software upgrade. I bought ATV this past summer for the tv on my porch. Streamed movies all summer with no problem. Now with new software, every movie is slow. Buffers every minute or so. Tried the reinstall, but it just goes to download new software. Apple has to fix the problem, really don't think it's Netflix. Streaming is perfect on my MacBook.

I am sorry you are having the problem too, but it is not just the new download, I posted this long before. Since I have also gotten a new Roku, which rarely has the problem. I am now telling all my friends who plan to get an ATV about the issues, which are not limited to this problem. The really annoying problem is that the ATV remote changes the screen on my iBook every time I use both. I am keeping the ATV because I like to play the podcasts on it.

This is slightly off-topic, by you can get around the iBook problem by pairing it with a different Apple Remote or disabling the infrared receiver completely, in your Security preferences.

I too have terrible buffering issues some days. I can go a week at a time without major issues, followed by a few days of nearly unwatchable content. Some shows seem worse than others. (Bandwidth-related, perhaps?)

Been loving Netflix on the AppleTV (which we just got in October)...

until the software update a couple days ago. Now, 15 or 20 or 30 minutes into a show, we get the pause. Then it starts again, then it pauses. on & off. It is MADDENING!

Clearly unusable now. There's no other reason to have this device than to watch Netflix.

I can't believe there's no responses to this problem.

I'll be calling Apple about it tomorrow (or maybe I have to wait 'til Monday?) I'll post if there's any useful answers.

I've had this problem exactly - even in low def titles. The sound will just go out while the video continues to play, then it skips really quickly to catch up and get back in sync.

I also have the issue where it will just pause - usually 3 or 4 times in a 30 minute show. At the time is pauses, I do a speedtest.net reading on my wireless notebook and desktop.. both show a ping of 85ms or lower and download around 12mbps and up 3.5mbps.

I also never had this problem on the Wii or Xbox 360 - Perhaps the Apple TV doesn't do a good job at predicting problems.. or doesn't buffer far enough ahead to compensate for whatever dips in connection it thinks it's having.

Hopefully, Apple will be paying attention to this and will offer a solution - Much prefer the ATV, but might have to get a Roku instead if this isn't fixed in the next few months. 🙂

Marc

I've had trouble streaming Netflix on my ATV before and after the software update. Tried wired and wireless networks. Tried Google DNS settings, which seemed to help quite a bit before the software update. Switched back to DHCP, same problem. My wireless router is a 2TB TimeCapsule. The frustrating this is that through all of this Netflix streaming has worked just fine on my Wii using my wireless network and DHCP settings. I guess I'll try a reset of the ATV and see if that makes any difference. Apple needs to figure this one out soon. I cannot recommend this device to anyone at this point.

I have a similar problem - streaming a show on the apple TV, stop it and come back later and apple spins and spins, and never restarts. But can restart it on the Tivo or PS3 no problem.

Any ideas?

I just bought appleTV yesterday so i can move my ps3 to another room. and every few minutes the netflix stream stops. If I then hit pause and play again it continues to play. i have no problems with netflix using my ps3. If that is not fixed until january first i am just going to return it.
I am also no fan of not being able to buy a tv show or movie on itunes and just rent it.

Last night, with the ATV2 and the latest FW, I was going to watch Restrepo on Netflix. On a wired connection, the movie paused and stuttered in the first few seconds and wouldn't continue to play more than a couple of minutes before pausing again. In frustration, I turned on my PS3 and streamed the same movie and it was gloriously free of pausing, not to mentioned looked absolutely stunning, clarity-wise, for Netflix.

This, on top of trying to rent "Elf" and being told the movie would be available to watch in 9 hours or so ⚠. So - again, switched to the PS3 and watched Knight and Day in HD and was able to watch the whole thing without pausing after about two minutes of renting it.

I returned my apple tv and cancelled my Netflix subscription due to this problem which made the device unusable.

I just enrolled in Netflix inorder to watch streaming movies on my new Apple TV. I have ATT "Internet plan named 'Pro' according to which you should get 1544-3072 kbps download speed. The upload speed should be 384 kbps. 1544 - 3072 kbps is equal to 1.5- 3.0 mbps." Netflix says that they require 1.5 to 3.0 mbps (megabits per second) download speed, so I meet their requirements. However, the SWOD (spinning wheel of death) remains on the screen for most of the time. I actually watched one movie (an old low def movie) - and it took about two times as long as the stated running time. Both Apple TV and Netflix are useless together. I will try to contact Apple again today to see if any fix is in the works, but I am not optimistic.

Message was edited by: Lyrinda Snyderman

If that is the advertised speed you may not necessarily be getting that. Do a speed test to see your actual speed. 3mbps would be fine for SD material, but make sure you disable HD.