VUDU NOT READY FOR PRIME TIME

[lglmoris@nm.net]

Re: VUDU NOT READY FOR PRIME TIME

Ron: I'm working with AdamS on trace testing. I have repeatedly run the vudu and speedtest.net tests. Vudu's runs from 12mbps down to 1.0 depending on the time of day. Speedtest and the others 2wire, speakeasy la, cox las vegas, are all consistant and much higher than vudu.
As far as I'm concerned, Vudu is the issue not Comcast. Kerry

[RonV]

Re: VUDU NOT READY FOR PRIME TIME

Tcfish: Thanks for the reply. I used benchmark to obtain the highest DNS servers for my area. The best happens to be Comcast Denver. I have tried Vudu's primary DNS servers 4.2.2.1 & 4.2.2.2, but Comcast Denver is way better.
On the issue of Vudu's not coming out with real info on Comcast, that would be foolish on their part. Vudu's survival may be on the line and to survive, you can't wimp out. But I'm thinking Vudu is the problem both technically and with being open about their current limitations. Kerry

VUDU does not run DNS servers, DNS 4.2.2.1, 4.2.2.2 belong to Level3, a CLEC are are available for anyone to use. They aren?t the fastest but they are easy to remember and they always seem to work. Many times the DNS built into routers are caching DNS's that don't fully follow DNS rules for expired entries. That is why you were asked to configure using a more reliable DNS host.

On your other comment, why should VUDU come out with real info on Comcast? VUDU has no impact to how they run their business. They don't have any type of partnership with Comcast. From VUDU's point of view Comcast is just a open pipe to your house. Anything can happen between the CDN where movies are streamed from and past experiences has shown that the local ISP has the most control on your internet bandwidth.

Also I am still waiting to see your test results using the VUDU speed test I posted in this thread. It's real important to look at the speedtest node that is in the CDN location vs. a speedtest node that is located on some ISP backbone. Here is the link again:

http://speedtest.vudu.com/cdn1/

[davidp71]

Re: VUDU NOT READY FOR PRIME TIME

I have an LG 570 which I purchased specifically to have access to VUDU. I've had the unit for about 1 month. I, along with many others, have had problems with streaming at all quality levels, SD, HD, HDX. I have Comcast 16mbps. I have repeatedly tested and verfiied the speed. I have tried all of the fixes and none have improved VUDU's performance on my LG 570. I do not have any problems with any other service-e.g. Netflix, Pandora, Roxio, etc. I find that the streaming problem is most acute during prime time. (6:00pm to 11:00pm) My suspicion is that VUDU does not have the equipment - servers, storage, etc. to satisfy the demand at prime time.

With Walmart's acquisition of the company, my hope is Walmart will make a substantial investment in equipment and infrastructure to accomidate what is likely to be a substantial increase in demand as consumers purchase LG, Samsung, & other TVs and BR players with VUDU access. If Walmart fails to do this, it is likely VUDU will fade quickly from the scene.

I would appreciate serious discussion and detailed comments from VUDU's technical staff regarding this. Thanks, Kerry

Kerry.....thanks for bringing this up. I have also asked the question on "pixelation issues". I have comcast highspeed with power boost and run about 18MPS. On the VUDU test I ran 14529 kbps (well above what it calls for for SD, HD and HDX. I have only rented HD in the past 2 weeks. I rented Ninja Assasin and the newer Dawn of the Dead. Both had the pixelation and never have an issue with Pandora or Netflix. I was told that Netflix streams at SD quality. I could have gotten bum info. I have the LG BD590 and have similar issues. The pixelation issues happen quite a few times through the films and is "very" annoying to say the least. I agree 100% on the Walmart comment.

[lglmoris@nm.net]

Re: VUDU NOT READY FOR PRIME TIME

Tcfish: Thanks for the reply. I used benchmark to obtain the highest DNS servers for my area. The best happens to be Comcast Denver. I have tried Vudu's primary DNS servers 4.2.2.1 & 4.2.2.2, but Comcast Denver is way better.
On the issue of Vudu's not coming out with real info on Comcast, that would be foolish on their part. Vudu's survival may be on the line and to survive, you can't wimp out. But I'm thinking Vudu is the problem both technically and with being open about their current limitations. Kerry

[tcfish19]

Re: VUDU NOT READY FOR PRIME TIME

Try this speed test and change the location to LA to upload and download to and from. I fought Comcast for 4 months with the same issue. It was only resolved when I changed the DNS servers, if two servers are listed in your router you have to change both.

I actually confirmed that it was a Comcast issue for me. Had to get a senior tech out to check the system.

The guys at VUDU may know that an ISP is not optimal but they need, if your a lawyer you'd understand, to keep their mouths shut and not throw them under the bus.

http://www.speedtest.net/

[lglmoris@nm.net]

Re: VUDU NOT READY FOR PRIME TIME

Neither, I live in Albuquerque, NM. Comcast and Qwest(DSL) are the primary providers for residential internet service. Unfortunately, Qwest only provides 1.5mbps in my neighborhood or I would consider switching. Kerry

[tcfish19]

Re: VUDU NOT READY FOR PRIME TIME

Do you live on the east or west coast?

[lglmoris@nm.net]

Re: VUDU NOT READY FOR PRIME TIME

Redwein & JamesS: Thanks for the imput. I agree HDX is the best quality streaming video todate. But, it's not Blu-Ray and it is too unreliable for me to consider spending $5-$10 on. On the other hand, Netflix HD is very good and maybe comparable to Vudu HD (w/o Dolby). You probably know that many of Vudu's offerings are streamed in either SD or HD on Netflix at no addditional cost. And, I've never had a streaming problem.
The folks at Vudu don't appear to be concerned about me and others in my situation. If Vudu has reliable data that Comcast is playing games with bit rates or is misleading, then they need to prove it. I am an attorney and I will pursue Comcast legally, if Vudu/Walmart will provide expert witnesses and data to support the contention that Comcast is acting illegaly. Senior management at Vudu need to reply, if they are interested in the future of their company. It is only a matter of time before Neflix offers comparable HDX streaming. Given Netflix's business model, Vudu is toast. What say you Vudu?

[JamesS]

Re: VUDU NOT READY FOR PRIME TIME

Unless things have changed recently Netflix only offers stereo sound on it's HD streams. It's apples and oranges.

[redwein]

Re: VUDU NOT READY FOR PRIME TIME

AdamS: How do you know netflix streams at a lower rate for their HD? Are you familar with their internal systems? If yes, specifically, how do they compare with vudu's. Please provide extensive details and comparisons and how you have come to know this information. e.g. are the SD stream rates the same; are the HD stream rates the same? If not, how do they differ. i.e. what are the technical differences. e.g. compression, bit rates, etc. Do Netflix and Vudu have servers in one local or many? If your going to speculate, don't, only reply with information you know first hand. I believe everyone wants vudu to provide honest answers, not blame, or false or misleading comparisons. Thanks, Kerry

Here is a blurb on Gizmodo:

http://gizmodo.com/5093323/the-tech-...flix-streaming

Netflix streams at from 2.6 Mbps to 3.8 Mbps. Vudu's HDX ranges from 9 Mbps to 20 Mbps. I don't know the rates for HD and SD specifically.

Before you bite my head off for not being from Vudu, not providing complete information, or not providing "serious discussion", I would remind you that this is a public forum and members are free to chime when they think they have helpful information. If you don't find it helpful/useful, just ignore it, simple as that.

[lglmoris@nm.net]

Re: VUDU NOT READY FOR PRIME TIME

AdamS: How do you know netflix streams at a lower rate for their HD? Are you familar with their internal systems? If yes, specifically, how do they compare with vudu's. Please provide extensive details and comparisons and how you have come to know this information. e.g. are the SD stream rates the same; are the HD stream rates the same? If not, how do they differ. i.e. what are the technical differences. e.g. compression, bit rates, etc. Do Netflix and Vudu have servers in one local or many? If your going to speculate, don't, only reply with information you know first hand. I believe everyone wants vudu to provide honest answers, not blame, or false or misleading comparisons. Thanks, Kerry

[AdamS]

Re: VUDU NOT READY FOR PRIME TIME

The idea of blaming the ISP is just not reasonable. Why no problem with Netflix? After dozens of movies, many in HD-720p with no problems, I say it's Vudu's problem. What say you Vudu?
The fact that some people don't have any problems may have to do with how their ISP connects to VUDU's servers. So what. I'm no expert, just a potential customer, like millions of others. And, to force the average citizen to fool with changing this and that in their internet setup is just plain silly. We won't do it, unless there's a much bigger payoff than merely the ability to pay Vudu to stream movies. What say you Vudu? Without a real solution for the average folks buying TV's & Blu-ray players with Vudu access, notwithstanding Walmart, Vudu is history. What say you Vudu: is it my problem or yours? Kerry

I can understand your frustration with not getting your VUDU to stream sufficiently and do not expect you to know what to change on your network without our help, which is why we are here. However, without details on your network information (i.e. trace route results) we really can't determine whose fault it is and how to fix it. If you would prefer to troubleshoot this issue over the phone, respond to the private message I sent you and leave me the best number and time to contact you.

Also, keep in mind that Netflix streams at a lot lower bit rate, requiring less bandwidth out of your network than what VUDU requires.

[lglmoris@nm.net]

Re: VUDU NOT READY FOR PRIME TIME

The idea of blaming the ISP is just not reasonable. Why no problem with Netflix? After dozens of movies, many in HD-720p with no problems, I say it's Vudu's problem. What say you Vudu?
The fact that some people don't have any problems may have to do with how their ISP connects to VUDU's servers. So what. I'm no expert, just a potential customer, like millions of others. And, to force the average citizen to fool with changing this and that in their internet setup is just plain silly. We won't do it, unless there's a much bigger payoff than merely the ability to pay Vudu to stream movies. What say you Vudu? Without a real solution for the average folks buying TV's & Blu-ray players with Vudu access, notwithstanding Walmart, Vudu is history. What say you Vudu: is it my problem or yours? Kerry

[aaronwt]

Re: VUDU NOT READY FOR PRIME TIME

I said serious discussion. It's not the bandwith, it's VUDU's issue. As stated, I have run all of the tests, including VUDU's at the relevant times. Never is my speed less than 6mbps. I have also changed DNS. etc. Be honest, VUDU just dosen't have the plant and equipment to do the job. Kerry

If it was VUDUs issue wouldn't everyone have problems? I have no problems 24/7 with my FiOS connection. I can have three concurrent HDX streams with my VUDU devices with no issues on my FiOS 35mbs connection.

[AdamS]

Re: VUDU NOT READY FOR PRIME TIME

I will try the trace route once I receive the email. Kerry

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