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Question

Streaming live TV on PC hesitates

Aug 28, 2017 7:56AM PDT

I’m sure this has come up before, but I couldn’t find anything using search on Cnet or on Google. Download speed is 118 Mbps and upload is over 11. Trying the following: http://www.msnbc.com/now

Computer works fine otherwise. Have run some “Anti” programs. I "think" all "drivers" are up to date. Dell site seems O.K.

Webspeccy attached.

Thanks in advance

http://speccy.piriform.com/results/FVxBwgbumXwKKuuTfcgoVcK

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Found a VPN.
Aug 28, 2017 8:02AM PDT

nordvpn-service for example means you are at the mercy of relaying speeds from site to site to vpn to you. I'm going to decline going any deeper but a VPN is usually going to cause streaming and other issues.

How to fix? The VPN supplier has to work this one.

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I don't use the VPN when I am trying to watch
Aug 28, 2017 10:39AM PDT

live streaming. Just an FYI, this is a desktop PC and it is hard wired, not wifi. As you know, VPN can be turned on and off.

thanks for any suggestions on how to improve. Would somehow increasing the "buffering" help. Don't know how to do that, just asking.

Thanks

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check your data plan
Aug 28, 2017 10:58AM PDT

as previously stated, you are at the mercy of the sites. if the sites are busy with others watching the same time as you, then there could be buffering. If you have an internet service package on the low end, then there could be buffering. when I cut the cord, I had to subscribe to a better internet service in order to prevent buffering but it still happens at times and there really is nothing that can be done.

if you get a lot of buffering, just pause the video for about five minutes, the start playing it again and it should not buffer anymore unless the site is extremely slow.

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Check data plan?
Aug 28, 2017 11:15AM PDT

How to do that? As previously stated the download speeds are over 100Mbps. Which is what the plan calls for, I think that's what you mean. It's "live" TV, not an "youtube video", so how to pause "live TV" for "five" minutes?

Thanks for replying,

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I totally messed up on this one
Aug 28, 2017 1:24PM PDT

should have slept at an Holiday Inn Express last night, maybe I would have known not to have posted the post I am replying to.

oh well...

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Still saw a VPN in the report.
Aug 28, 2017 11:29AM PDT

It's not off.

As to buffering I usually find that if I hit pause as it starts the buffers fill and I'm good from then on out.

There is a change I would make as to the DNS. I'd test it without the VPN entirely and the DNS to 8.8.8.8 and 4.2.2.1 as that may pick another CDN (read https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Content_delivery_network )

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Beware of NORDVPN
Sep 29, 2017 12:32PM PDT

I am VERY unsatisfied with NORDVPN. Your VPN was malfunctioning and NORDVPN turned me over to one of the "partners" who tried to scam me out of $200 for a "computer optimization." I was told that NORDVPN would be issuing me a refund to my PAYPAL. NORDVPN has not issued the refund they have promised nor has responded to my emails following up on the status of the refund.

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Thanks for this.
Sep 30, 2017 8:43AM PDT

As many flocked to various VPNs, the amount of BIZARRE network issues and calls for support at office and forums did go up.

I know what a VPN is and use one but during travel. It's the TAILS OS and it's great. For not as heavy treatment I use the Opera VPN since it's price is right and works great without tampering with the OS or stack.

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Answer
Did you add a NEW question about pausing live TV?
Aug 28, 2017 11:30AM PDT

That would be an issue of the video player. Not all players can pause and resume. Most just pick up at the current time and you lose what was going on just like a normal TV works.

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Sorry, I'm a little confused?
Aug 28, 2017 1:07PM PDT

Yes - I have a VPN installed. I can activate it or not. Currently I can go and check IP address and it shows my 'correct' IP address, and I can go to NordVPN and it shows that I am "not" protected. That tells me the VPN is not engaged. Or am I wrong. I know that when I have the VPN "engaged" other issues arise, no need to go there "now", just know that I can tell the difference when the VPN is "engaged or not".

I have been talking about "streaming "live TV" all along. That's when the video pausing issue shows up. And "yes" video pausing when I'm on YouTube or looking at a "movie trailer" is somewhat normal. Was just asking if this same "issue" occurs when looking at "live streaming TV video"? Can anything be done?
Thanks for replying,

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Yes.
Aug 29, 2017 8:41AM PDT

And here's where we have to break down the question. Yes, there are apps that are on say the Samsung Smart TV that can pause a Live TV feed for a few minutes but I haven't seen such on Windows for some time. So yes, something can be done, there might be an app (I'm sure there is somewhere) but I don't have one handy for a streaming site.

This is a new question and off topic but thought I'd break it down a little.

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Answer
to make sure it is not you
Aug 28, 2017 1:37PM PDT

a few things to try
1. bypass the router and plug directly into the modem to make sure the router is not slowing you down
2. boot to safemode with network to see if any software you have installed is causing the problem
3. try a different browser to see if possibly the browser is causing speed issues.
4. when buffering starts, run a speedtest
5. if it is only one website then most likely the problem is the site itself. immediately try another streaming site and see if it is any better.
6. make sure nobody in the house is online and try. sometimes other users can interfere.

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Issue can not be resolved due to "site" issue
Aug 28, 2017 2:59PM PDT

“bypass the router and plug directly into the modem to make sure the router is not slowing you down” – Not using a “router” - cable wire to modem to desktop PC

“boot to safemode with network to see if any software you have installed is causing the problem” – Unfortunately “audio” is not available in ‘safe mode’ – So can’t really tell if the issue remains.

“try a different browser to see if possibly the browser is causing speed issues” – Normally use Firefox, tried IE 11 – issue remains

“when buffering starts, run a speed test” – Speed test remains constant, that is to say download speeds have been consistent, above 115 Mbps

“if it is only one website then most likely the problem is the site itself. immediately try another streaming site and see if it is any better” – O.K. - It must be the ‘site’ – thanks – tried CNN and did not have a issue. So I guess nothing can be done, so we’re done with this issue.

thanks again