NBA International League Pass video quality post update

Question

Level 1

11 points

NBA International League Pass video quality post update

Ever since I updated my Apple TV 3 a few days ago, the video quality on my NBA ILP has been consistently worse than it was before. I have a 108" screen, so the difference is easy to spot.

The drop in quality coincides with the update; nothing else has happened to my network or internet connection, other than my line being upgraded to 40/5 and adding an AirPort Express a few weeks before the update. The Apple TV sits about four feet from the AirPort Express.

I've watched two or three games now since the update, and the video quality never once "peaked". Before it would "peak" and thankfully stay there for most of the game. Any drops in quality aren't happening because of anything on my side.

Overall, I think the video quality on NBA ILP is unsatisfactory. I paid a premium price but am not getting a premium product. This new drop in quality is UNACCEPTABLE though.

AppleTV 2

Posted on Mar 26, 2013 6:43 AM

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Answer 1

MacZeze

Level 1

4 points

Mar 28, 2013 3:08 AM in response to Naiera

I am experiencing EXACTLY the same problem. Even when I connected the Applt TV with a LAN cable to my airport express, it still had trouble... What is the problem?! Seems somehow related to the update...

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Answer 2

Tones

Level 1

68 points

Mar 28, 2013 3:51 AM in response to Naiera

Yep, same here (Australia). Bloody awful video quality after about the first quarter of eash Lakers game. Wasn't sure where the problem was, didn't think of ATV software.

I have sent a blistering email to Leage Pass support warning that they won't get any more of my money unless they can guarantee video quality in future. 😠

Let's see where this one goes...again.

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Answer 3

Naiera Author

Level 1

11 points

Mar 28, 2013 6:14 AM in response to Tones

I was actually contacted by League Pass support after creating this topic. As usual with that kind of support, it seemed like they hadn't actually read my post or understood my problem. For example, they suggested that I use a cable from my AirPort Express, even though it's like four feet away from the Apple TV. My computer sits in the other room, at least ten feet away and through a brick wall, and gets 40/5 easy using Wi-Fi.

I watched the Heat-Bulls game last night (😢) and I have to report that I think the quality was back up to its usual level. For once there were no drops in quality either; it was REALLY smooth all the way through. I don't know what happened, but for now the problem seems to be gone here. I'll see again when LeBOAT and his crew visit the Pelicans on Friday.

Thanks for chiming in with your own experiences though, guys. It's nice to see that I'm not the only one experiencing serious lapses in quality on ILP. As mentioned, I pay a premium price, but I don't think the service lives up to it. If there was another 'level' of video quality, above the usual highest one, I think I would be cool with it, as long as the service stayed consistent as well.

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Answer 4

Tones

Level 1

68 points

Mar 28, 2013 1:32 PM in response to Naiera

OK, just received an email back from Neulion (NBA League Pass support)

"Greetings!

We're very sorry to hear you're having quality issues with NBA Game Time!

We're including top suggestions for improving your video experience, based on what tends to work for most customers:

Please try the following steps and see if this helps.

• Make sure that the Apple TV is not being blocked from receiving a signal from your wireless router.

• Move your router closer to your Apple TV device

• Unplug your Apple TV from the power supply, wait a couple of minutes and plug it back in and try again

• Use a wired connection to your Apple TV as opposed to wireless

• Power down or 'reset' your modem and router -- you may have some bad pathing/routes cached in your network appliance.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

If none of the above steps have improved your status, please include the following in your reply:

• Your IP address, visit: http://www.whatismyip.com

• The operating system that you are using

• The device you are using (Apple TV Gen 1, Gen 2, Gen 3)

• Your device ID

• Your physical location (City / Country)

• The name of your internet service provider

• What type of network are you using? Home network? Hotel? Campus? Commercial/Business?

• Are you using a Wired or Wireless connection?

• Your download speed, visit: http://www.speakeasy.net/speedtest -- Please select NY in order to establish a baseline

• Also please check your download speed at this location: http://speed.neulion.com:1855/nlspeedtest/

• Does the archive or live version work on your computer?

• What games in particular are you having issues with?

We look forward to resolving your quality issue.

Best regards,

NBA GAME TIME Support"

I was shocked to see the download test results from their suggested sites.

1.88 Mbps from the NY site

0.93 Mbps from Neulion !!!

I have no problem watching anything from iTunes. It always builds up a healthy buffer to prevent any streaming issues.

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Answer 5

MacZeze

Level 1

4 points

Mar 28, 2013 6:46 PM in response to Tones

Thanks for posting this.

I actually tried one of the suggestions.

I unplugged by router for a few minutes and plugged it back in...

And what do you know, it seems to have worked!

Since I did this, streaming has been smooth with no problems.

Thanks again for sharing this info.

Cheers.

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Answer 6

Tones

Level 1

68 points

Mar 28, 2013 12:59 PM in response to Naiera

I haven't heard back from Neulion yet, but I've also just emailed a guy at Apple who worked hard to help with the infamous ethernet issue back in November.

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