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There’s something rotten in the state of online video streaming

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Re: There’s something rotten in the state of online video streaming

#21

Post by nitrogen »

j_m_b wrote: post #19

As a comcast customer, I've noticed that if I am having a problem with streaming video that if I go to speedtest.net, the video streams fine after the initial ping test from speedtest.net. It will be fine for a few moments (seconds to minutes), but will slow down or stutter again eventually. A fresh visit to speedtest.net again corrects the problem. I have a hunch that a visit to speedtest.net will disable traffic sh…

In my area, Comcast runs its own Speedtest.net server to hide the fact that the closest peering point that leads back to the same state is a few thousand miles away and is insanely oversubscribed.

If Speedtest had more integrity, ISP-owned servers would be deprioritized.

Re: There’s something rotten in the state of online video streaming

#22

Post by jstalin »

j_m_b wrote: post #19

As a comcast customer, I've noticed that if I am having a problem with streaming video that if I go to speedtest.net, the video streams fine after the initial ping test from speedtest.net. It will be fine for a few moments (seconds to minutes), but will slow down or stutter again eventually. A fresh visit to speedtest.net again corrects the problem. I have a hunch that a visit to speedtest.net will disable traffic sh…

Yes, this happens to me as well. Netflix downloads at around 500kbps. Try using a VPN service. When I do, the throughput jumps to 8-10mbps.

Re: There’s something rotten in the state of online video streaming

#23

Post by nitrogen »

shigginbotham wrote: post #20
existencebox wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think if you could do some detection of what connectivity is being used, and other sorts of relevant connection data, it would be a valuable motivator to see, "We've detected you are 30% slower than other customers with x and y differences in service" This is super hand wavy, but I think with proper data it could be a useful tool.

That's what many of the tests at M-Labs are trying to do (I encourage people to take a look http://www.measurementlab.net/ ) but packets don't traverse networks in a straightforward path. I think focusing on that data and trying to figure out ways to prove traffic manipulation and pinpoint consistent places/times/applications where it slows would be valuable. It's also worth understanding how the FCC currently measur…

Indeed; ISP-level stats aren't fine-grained enough. We need route- and hop-level stats to find the real bottlenecks.

Re: There’s something rotten in the state of online video streaming

#24

Post by vvvVVVvvv »

jstalin wrote: post #22
j_m_b wrote: post #19

As a comcast customer, I've noticed that if I am having a problem with streaming video that if I go to speedtest.net, the video streams fine after the initial ping test from speedtest.net. It will be fine for a few moments (seconds to minutes), but will slow down or stutter again eventually. A fresh visit to speedtest.net again corrects the problem. I have a hunch that a visit to speedtest.net will disable traffic sh…

Yes, this happens to me as well. Netflix downloads at around 500kbps. Try using a VPN service. When I do, the throughput jumps to 8-10mbps.

How about a script that'll randomly request Speedtest page while you stream ?

Re: There’s something rotten in the state of online video streaming

#25

Post by tenpoundhammer »

This is fine let them keep screwing around with Netflix, Amazon, and Google(Youtube) it won't be long before they get pissed and build their own internet backbone/service providers(already happening).

I can't wait to get Amazon High Speed Internet.

So please, let them keep acting jerks.

Re: There’s something rotten in the state of online video streaming

#26

Post by pronoiac »

ogreyonder wrote: post #8

Is there any interest in a Chrome plugin that would passively report anonymized download speed for things like YouTube or Amazon? I can imagine that kind of info would be useful.

YouTube used to offer a view of your download speed, compared to other customers of your ISP, other ISPs, and other countries, but it appears to be closed down, sadly.

* youtube.com/my_speed

Re: There’s something rotten in the state of online video streaming

#28

Post by Buttons840 »

blueblob wrote: post #2

Make the cable companies common carriers! https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/restore-net-neutra...

I see that petition has already meet the required signature count. I haven't followed the state of petitions.whitehouse.gov; do we expect them to actually comment on this petition?

Re: There’s something rotten in the state of online video streaming

#29

Post by coffeedrinker »

j_m_b wrote: post #19

As a comcast customer, I've noticed that if I am having a problem with streaming video that if I go to speedtest.net, the video streams fine after the initial ping test from speedtest.net. It will be fine for a few moments (seconds to minutes), but will slow down or stutter again eventually. A fresh visit to speedtest.net again corrects the problem. I have a hunch that a visit to speedtest.net will disable traffic sh…

Netflix is unwatchable during prime time where I live.

However, I have also noted that on two separate occasions when I began examining the Frontier FIOS site, I received a personal knock on my door from my local Comcast representative. Wondering if there was a connection to my search for another provider and the person at my door, I asked her if she was talking to everyone in the neighborhood or just me. It was just me--they sent a person out to personally ask me about my Comcast service.

All they have to do is fix the evening streaming.

Re: There’s something rotten in the state of online video streaming

#30

Post by jcampbell1 »

incision wrote: post #16

Reminds me of the Comcast situation with Bitorrent in 2007 [0]. I have little doubt that ISPs will continue to escalate this game of service degradation and denial without strict regulation. 0: http://consumerist.com/2007/10/27/damning-proof-comcast-cont...

Many people don't realize much of the bit torrent debate ended because bit torrent switched from TCP to µTP. The problem was bit torrent clients caused massive congestion by making hundreds of TCP connections. µTP is extremely congestion/network friendly. It backs off based on latency, so it doesn't fill every buffer on the network.
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