mikebinstock
join:2009-06-25
Waconia, MN
| 20mb Download question
I have the 20mb "high speed" cable connection and when it is working it is nice.
Is it normal for this type of connection to hop around from 8-17mb or should there be a good stead avg?
I have had mediacom out here 3 times and everything is checking out. I had the modem swapped out last time they were here yet the connection, for what I pay, isn't up to my standards. Are my expectations too high?
Mike | |
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 Travisimo
join:2004-09-19
Moline, IL
| Re: 20mb Download question As long as your signals are good, it's probably congestion. I just went through this myself as a new customer. I got signed up for the Max plan and was getting 16-18mbps during off-peak times, but many times as low as 3-5mbps at peak.
At the suggestion of those who helped on here, they referred me to Bainch, and he was able to set up a port split on my node. Since then, I have been rock solid at 16-18mbps even at peak. I don't know how long that will last if there is growth in my area, but I'm enjoying it nonetheless!
Also, make sure you stick with one speed test site and server, otherwise you're speed measurements won't be accurate for comparison anyway. But if you're noticing the slower downloads at peak times (usually 5-10pm or so), then that's probably what it is and I'd suggest sending a PM to Bainch.
As a MAX customer, I don't *always* expect to be rocking out at max (which is just slightly over 18mbps with the overhead). But I do expect to be there or close to it most of the time.
Good luck! | |
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 | mikebinstock
join:2009-06-25
Waconia, MN
| Re: 20mb Download question If i could get something like that for a connection I would be very happy.
I IMed and mailed Bainch and hopefully he can provide some insight.
I just don't wanna pay big bucks for something I am not getting. I mainly use the connection to watch Netflix and I don't game so I am not really taxing the system.
The advice on one test site is good, which do you prefer?
MG | |
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twansenne
join:2003-10-27
Iowa Falls, IA | The standard 8Mb connection is more than enough to watch netflix. I know of several people that have the 1.5Mb DSL connection and have no problems with netflix. | |
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| | | mikebinstock
join:2009-06-25
Waconia, MN
| Re: 20mb Download question
Thank you for the speed test server. I will use that all the time to keep the avg's.
Also, thanks for the input on netflix. Would 8mb be enough for one person to watch netflex while another surfed the web?
I am close to pullin the plug on the extra cash I spend for 20mb.
Thanks all
MG | |
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| | | | k9iua6
join:2004-05-23
Dubuque, IA
1 edit | Re: 20mb Download question My son started up a Netflix account this summer while home from university, so he is regularly watching something, or on XBox Live, while the other three in the house are searching the web. Sometimes my daughter is listening to some music sites at the same time. I have not noticed any real degradation of our 8 meg connection, which is usually clocking in around 5 meg when I test using Speakeasy. Plenty of blinking on the LEDs, but no real problems. | |
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| | | | Travisimo
join:2004-09-19
Moline, IL
| said by mikebinstock  :Also, thanks for the input on netflix. Would 8mb be enough for one person to watch netflex while another surfed the web? I am close to pullin the plug on the extra cash I spend for 20mb. Yes, as the others have said, 8m is more than enough for streaming Netflix. Before switching to Mediacom, I had a 3m DSL connection that streamed Netflix with decent quality. According to an article on Netflix.com, even the HD streams are encoded at a maximum bitrate of 3400kbps, which an 8mbps connection should have no problem with.
On the other hand, if you have an Xbox 360, you should know that MS is going to have 1080p HD movie and TV streaming this fall and the *minimum* connection for that service is supposedly 8m. If you have interest in that, you might want to hold off and see what Bainch can do for your congestion first. Once you get a consistent 16-18mbps, you will be feeling the need for speed! lol
I'm paying $14 more per month to have MAX, which is acceptable to me as long as I consistently get rates that are well above 8m. This is something you'll have to decide as well. If Bainch can schedule a port split and you start getting 16-18m consistently, you might find enough value in the MAX service. Otherwise, you'll probably be happy with 8m. Note, however, if your node is overcrowded, you may not even get a consistent 8m if you drop down a service level. I was only getting 3-5m with my MAX connection during peak times!
»blog.netflix.com/2008/11/encodin···ing.html | |
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| | | | | cwake13
join:2005-07-20
Tuscola, IL
| Re: 20mb Download question Usually I get consistent speeds but sometimes they drop way down randomly for a bit. I've found that speedtest.net is always crowded so I have to pick a server that is kind of out of the way to get an accurate test. I'm in IL so it always suggests STL or Chicago but those are so overcrowded that I only test about 10-12mbit but when I use the Secaucus, NJ server, I always get my full download speed.
Also, the netflix instant watch app is free for xbox live so I can watch my instant watch queue through my xbox on my tv, but with my 8mb connection, the TV shows that were available in up to HD quality would barely ever detect my connection as good enough to stream that. Sometimes it would start in HD then readjust a few minutes into the show to a lower quality. Now with max, it always loads HD quickly and doesn't stutter.
I only wish I got my full upload speed now. I have never gotten above 1600kbps on a speed test. Is anyone getting even close to 2mb (1900+)? | |
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| | CappinHoff
join:2007-01-05
Des Moines, IA
| said by mikebinstock :The advice on one test site is good, which do you prefer? MG Don't use speedtest.net. They're test are a little screwy. Go with the www.speakeasy.net/speedtest. | |
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IowaStudent
Premium
join:2008-08-21
Grinnell, IA | Re: 20mb Download question I like speedtest.net as it tests for low/high ping's | |
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Anonymous
Premium
join:2004-06-01
IA
 ·Mediacom
| said by CappinHoff :said by mikebinstock :The advice on one test site is good, which do you prefer? MG Don't use speedtest.net. They're test are a little screwy. Go with the www.speakeasy.net/speedtest. Same thing. | |
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rick89
join:2003-12-10
Franklin, NC
| Yes the 8mbps should be fine for surfing and and watching netflix.... if im not mistaken netflix uses about 1.5mbps to stream at good quality, and surfing the web takes next to nothing cause your not streaming data, and if your router does it job it should load balance the speeds between the users. | |
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Dark1
@mchsi.com | I use both and another I usually just go with the more accurate speed that is closest to my account lol. | |
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