Netflix pausing/buffering issues

Update: Netflix issues have been solved. Using Sonicwall TZ100 with the Gateway Intrusion/Antivirus turned on is slows things down and creates a pausing in Netflix. This is beacuse the Gateway Intrusion service is bascially acting like a network sniffer, examining every packet and therefore slowing the data to all devices on the network, like an AppleTV. It is solved by turning this service off or going to a fast processing firewall (if you need that service kept on for network security).

After unplugging my new black paper-weight, it is still unable to play a movie without the 'spinning spoke'. While I'm not an extreme technical geek, I have tried switching the CDN (at least I think that is what it was) to a google CDN and now it's doing a terrible noise with the sound. I guess I should have written down the previous numbers, as now I don't remember what they were! Can anyone please help me?

I live on the outskirts of Los Angeles county and are using Time Warner for our service.

Thanks so much for any help you can give,

Crystal

Hi Crystal,

Well, frankly this whole Apple TV/Netflix relationship is pretty bad. I've never had complete success with it. The best adivce I can give for a better viewing experience is to do the following:

1. Just use your ISP's DNS. Google's doesn't work (at least for me). I believe it's way too crowded.

2. If you don't have a 5ghz router, perhaps invest in one (unless you hardwire). It provides a better, clearer channel than 2.4ghz router. I have an Airport Extreme that transmits both signals that way my iPhone can still connect to WiFi when the ATV is accessing the 5ghz signal.

3. Unplug your ATV every so often. And your router/modem as well.

All these steps are the closest I've come to a good viewing experience. I still have problems though. Sometimes the quality dips (variable) in the middle of shows. Annoying. No reason for that. And lately I've been having the Apple spinning wheel a lot. Not when I'm trying to play a show, but just access it from my queue or the main menu.

Hope this helps!

Aaron

Hi Aaron,

Thanks for your response! Yeah...now the squealing is gone and I tried unplugging the ATV AND the Tv...still not working like it should. I actually got to watch about 5 minutes of the movie uninterrupted!! That was the longest section I've seen in quite awhile.

How do I find out what my ISP's DNS is? I'll have to check with the hubby to see what the other things are. I do know we have the Airport Extreme..we even purchased a signal booster (apple, of course).

Thanks so much,

Crystal

Hey Crystal,

You can do one of two things (and probably more):

1. Open up Airport Utility in your Utility Folder & click on the Internet Tab. Then I believe it's one of the tabs from within. I don't have it in front of me, so I'm shooting in the dark.

2. On your Apple TV, go to Network Settings & instead of entering a custom DNS, just click Configure IP: Using DHCP. That will default to your networks DNS. Here's a little article: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3623

Hope this helps!

Thanks again Aaron =)

I give up....I'm going to take the hunk of junk back! I've already purchased the Roku and will see how that works! I can't believe that Apple actually put their name on this black paper-weight!

You're welcome, Crystal. Sorry it didn't work out. I know that frustration ALL TOO WELL. I'll be honest, the Roku streams so much better & is more reliable. I just like the Apple Interface better & the compatibility with iTunes Match & my iPhone. I've had the ATV 2 since it came out in 2010 & have waited & waited for them to fix this problem.

To be honest Netflix has been having issues with multiple devices, especially in recent weeks. They said they were working on it and today it is working flawlessly.

That's funny. This morning it was working flawlessly for me too. Maybe they did fix it. Either way, Netflix has to get their act together...in a lot of different ways actually.

I'm hoping so and I agree.

The AppleTV 2nd Gen definitely has buffering issues with Netflix, and the problem is not with Netflix or the network.

1. I have used 2 other streaming devices (Sony PS3 and WDTV Live Plus) on my network (hardwired 100BASET) and Verizon FIOS (allegedly 35Mbps download speed) ISP connection with no Netflix issues.

2. When I stream a movie stored on my iTunes Server through the AppleTV, everything is great. The AppleTV streaming progress bar shown at the bottom of my TV screen indicates that the movie is streamed to the AppleTV well ahead of the current playback point. For example, the progress bar shows that an hour long video clip is completely downloaded to the AppleTV before I have watched the first minute of the video.

3. In Netflix mode, the streaming progress never gets passed the current playback point. It doesn't seem like the AppleTV is buffering anything. In this case, any network delay at all will cause a playback issue.

Hope this description helps Apple solve this problem.....

iTunes content is fixed bit-rate and buffers content, which is why those on a slower connection have to wait for playback. Netflix works on a variable bit-rate, and has to contantly adjust based on the connection, and yes it seems little network issues will cause a delay.

Others have posted it working on other devices, but there are also those with no issues on this device as well as those who have issues on PS3 for example. It isn't clear but it does fall to Netflix, ATV may play a part but I don't believe it's all in their court.

Just trying to cut through all the obfuscation regarding this buffering issue and "the network". The bandwidth from Netflix to my AppleTV is as good as it gets. Other streamers work fine. I'm betting on an AppleTV bug.

One thing I forgot to mention - When I pause playback of a Netflix movie, I would expect the streaming to continue and that some "buffer" time would be built up. Apparently this is not happening as the streaming progress bar never passes the current playback point. Why would that be? How does Netflix know that I hit pause?

That's just the way Netflix has implemented the streaming. I think it's a combination of Apple and Netflix and maybe in certain locations as not everyone is experiencing it