Netflix Ranks The Best ISPs for Streaming > Doesn't seem to be a significant difference

Doesn't seem to be a significant difference

POW...You are correct sir.

The point is you don't need to have 1000Mbps to watch a 2.5 Mbps stream. Most people chronically overpay for internet and haven't a clue for what they are paying for. Some people think that a 15 Mbps cable modem connection has more latency than an 85 Mbps connection. Answer: They are the same (assuming congestion isn't a problem). Biggest folly, gamers. I read that mistake at least once a day in forums. Cable, DSL, and FTTH are all conditional access mediums (even though Verizon LIES about this constantly). Latency increases/decreases with the base technology not the speed tiers (for instance latency on MoCA higher than Ethernet into my GPON).

What does a "faster" speed get you, faster downloads (steam, etc). Now if someone wants to pay, let them. I'm democratic.

So take TW 15/1 "standard tier" This should be able to stream *5* hidef streams simultaneously.

The ONLY killer w/ cable is upstream (My fios 25/25 no problem), and this is for cloud apps, video conferencing, etc... and of course people w/ D2 cable modems sucking up a channel...

So even a POS DSL line that can get 3 Mbps can stream "almost" 1 hidef stream, and netflix will adapt if the line is sucking wind.

So while the "uncapped" nature of Google is alluring and so is the price, keep it coming....but in theory 5-7 Mbps will get you your youtube, and netflix humming at the same time, while surfing... For some, that isn't enough but for 80% more of America it's good.

reply to bbeesley
The difference by half a megabit per second can make quite a bit of difference quality wise since the player dynamically adjusts the quality based on the available bandwidth. So if you're on a connection that has a very low amount of bandwidth and is just barely keeping up with the stream the quality will go down. 2-3 Mbps is fine for SD content. You need 2 times that or more for HD content.

The numbers on their own are also skewed since they're averaging over customers streaming SD and HD content. If they split out the numbers for SD vs HD content then you would see much higher average speeds.

Netflix can adapt down. It can do a 720 stream at about 2.5Mbps with some quality loss but it still looks good, but say almost 4 for great. The others aren't as advanced and you can need up to 10 for ultra high quality.

As time goes on we will need more bandwidth, agreed...

My inlaws had Bell DSL which would get maybe a little over 3 and HD netflix streams looked pretty good.

reply to elefante72

reply to elefante72
Which is why I watch Netflix just fine on Comcast Economy plan...

reply to bbeesley