Poor Speed

[Garnett]

I have my new box all set up. I have 80 mb Sky Broadband. I am really struggling to watch anything as it constantly stalls. Have tried Wi-fi and hotplugs as a signal. No problems with Netflix on the same tv intrepid room. Tried Kodi 16 and 17. Any suggestions as it is not usable at the moment?

Thanks

Garnett

 

[ChrisM]

Can you use the YouTube add-on in Kodi please? If this plays back OK, let us know an example of one of the add-ons and specific entries you're clicking on when you experience issues, please.

 

[Garnett]

Hi

I use the BT Sport app on the box and get perfect quality without any issues. Same with YouTube.

It is only when I move into Kodi that I get issues. It was the reason that I upgraded my box 2 months ago.

I know you can’t advise on this but on Kodi 16 I use Ares and 17 Wookie. Both go for the same sources and struggle. I have tried using SD over HD sources but still get the same freezing problems.

Any advice appreciated

Thanks

Garnett

 

[Nigelar]

If at all possible try an ethernet connection to the box from the router as opposed to wifi.
If youtube and other android apps are ok, it is highly likely you are hitting contention on the hosting servers. Kodi itself will not be the cause of your problems. There isnt much you can do about that. You might see if you get better results with some of the film and tv apps.

 

[Garnett]

Hi - as explained I have tried both Wi-fi and also Ethernet via hot plugs. I had BT TV which used them so tried that option. I am not sure what you mean about film and tv apps. If I use Netflix it works fine. I have Sky Q that uses both WiFi frequencies. Is there any way that my service provider Sky may be throttling my Kodi connections? It happens with both live TV and on demand Kodi sources.

Thanks

Garnett

 

[David Savage]

Have you tried playing around with the acceleration setting inside Kodi. This might help you....

 

[Nigelar]

Hi - as explained I have tried both Wi-fi and also Ethernet via hot plugs. I had BT TV which used them so tried that option. I am not sure what you mean about film and tv apps. If I use Netflix it works fine. I have Sky Q that uses both WiFi frequencies. Is there any way that my service provider Sky may be throttling my Kodi connections? It happens with both live TV and on demand Kodi sources.

Thanks

Garnett

It is unlikely that sky can detect Kodi streaming from other internet traffic. If they are throttling,which I understand can happen during periods of high traffic, then it is likely universal affecting everything .
By TV and film apps I mean apps like movie hd, showbox and terrarium etc.
As a matter of interest,what speeds are you getting on the box itself (measured by say ookla). Also are you using a VPN which may be slowing things down.

 

[Garnett]

I didn’t know about Kodi acceleration settings. I’ll take a look. I appear to have issues with anything Sportdevil related and also Eysilum box sets.

I am not using a VPN. My laptop next to this gets 70 mb plus but will run a test on the box. I don’t think that this is the issue simply because the quality of the live BT Sport run from the App is fabulous. It is just Kodi based apps that struggle.

Garnett

 

[Nigelar]

As i said most likely cause is host server contention. Think a motorway traffic jam. Live sports? A problem for everyone with buffering and freezing. An eternal search to find a high quality stream.

 

[Alexa Anthony]

As i said most likely cause is host server contention. Think a motorway traffic jam. Live sports? A problem for everyone with buffering and freezing. An eternal search to find a high quality stream.

Yes, A VPN diverts the traffic to different nearest servers which end up speed up your internet a little bit.

 

[Garnett]

Thanks

Just to be clear are you suggesting I try a VPN and is there a good one?

Garnett

 

[bobwho]

Have you tried to make that box priorty in your Router?

 

[Nigelar]

Thanks

Just to be clear are you suggesting I try a VPN and is there a good one?

Garnett

A VPN will certainly NOT speed up your device so I would treat the advice from our colleague Alexa with a very large pinch of salt.
Even PIA one of the main players in the market say:

"You can expect to see at least a 10-15%* speed drop in the speeds you get to our servers while connected to the VPN on our network page.

* Again, this is only under IDEAL conditions. Typically the difference could be more like between 15-50% for computers and 25-75% drop for routers"

 

[Garnett]

Thanks - before I start messing with WiFi priority have I nor already tested this by using the BT ethernet hot plugs? I have 25mb using an Android speed test. Perfect netflix and BT Sport from Android. Nothing I get from Kodi either live or on demand is usable. If this is the normal ex[experience I cant see anyone using Kodi in he future. I cant see any acceleration settings in either Ares or Wookie.

Thanks

Garnett

 

[Nigelar]

As I have said several times the issue is the hosting sites the add-ons you are using to stream from are overloaded.
The fact that you are getting good performance from official subscription services like Netflix and BT sports proves that your internet connection is good and also that your box is in good shape.
I have already pointed out that live sports streaming from unofficial sources,whether in Kodi or from unofficial android apps can be problematical.

There are really only 3 solutions:
1. Free - try alternative Kodi add-ons or unofficial android apps to the ones you have said you use.
2. Read up on a premium hosting service called Real Debrid which may help Kodi movie and TV show streaming (I use this)
3. Give up on free and take up paid subscriptions to legitimate streamers e.g. Netflix or Amazon prime. There are also some unofficial subscription IPTV channels which i, personally , would not recommend.

Btw acceleration settings are not in Ares (which has gone) or wookie. They are in system settings. But it will make little difference.

 

[Bollocks77]

RealDebrid is a very useful account to have. I think its worth the small price to stream some really good fast streams to my box.
Ive never ever known VPN to ever speed up any box Ive had. Its always decreased the speed but a good paid for VPN will have better results. I have enough speed to cope with the drop so all good.
Ive used free VPN accounts and TBH they aint worked for me at all.
At the moment Im using Digibit VPN service and its great for the price.
Hope this helps
Dave

 

[Garnett]

Thanks all- Real Debrid was the answer. Made Kodi usable again. It I really essential and can now stream HD when I couldn't get 480p before.

Great software.

Garnett

 

[Bollocks77]

Nice 1. Glad it helps