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flamin lib

(14,559 posts)
Wed Oct 28, 2020, 03:08 PM Oct 2020

Streaming question.

I stream to my TV using a stick computer. 1.44 GHz & 2 GB ram, 32 bit . It freezes and buffers streaming some online news sites but handles netflix and the like ok.

What do I look for in an upgrade? I see some inexpensive products that offer 1.5 GHz rising to 2.3 burst and 6 GB ram, 64 bit.

Want to keep it $200. Any suggestions?

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Streaming question. (Original Post) flamin lib Oct 2020 OP
The stick might not be the problem. Earthshine2 Oct 2020 #1
Without a lot of diagnostics ... CloudWatcher Oct 2020 #2
I love my Shield Betty88 Nov 2020 #3

Earthshine2

(3,945 posts)
1. The stick might not be the problem.
Wed Oct 28, 2020, 03:44 PM
Oct 2020

I stream using a powerful computer, fast Xfinity internet, and direct ethernet (no wifi).

MSNBC and CNN freeze up frequently. Amazon and Netflix video never freezes.

It has something to do with synchronization of the signal. I can't speak in great detail, but video streams can get ahead or behind where they are supposed to be, and the freezing is an attempt to resynch the flow of packets.

In my house, it'll freeze on one computer while doing fine on another; same time, same channel. It's the individual video stream, not the collective.

I did have some problems with Amazon on another computer. In the BIOS, I increased the video memory allocation of the processor. Problem solved.

CloudWatcher

(1,845 posts)
2. Without a lot of diagnostics ...
Wed Oct 28, 2020, 09:23 PM
Oct 2020

Without knowing why it's freezing, there's no way to guess if a change will resolve the problem.

Given that it's able to handle Netflix, there's a fair chance that your stick computer and your network are not the problem. If so, then you could sink a lot of money into a replacement and it won't make a bit of difference.

Easiest first step would be to try and stream to a different device (e.g. iPhone or Android phone, Mac or PC) hooked up at the same spot (e.g. same WiFi, close to the same location) .. and to the same streaming source ("some" news sites) and see if they too are having similar issues.

I.e. if the problem is really your news site, then no amount of upgrading your stick computer is going to make any difference.

Betty88

(717 posts)
3. I love my Shield
Tue Nov 3, 2020, 08:02 PM
Nov 2020

Nvidia Shield is a great streaming box and more about $150/200 depending. It plays games, you can add storage turns a stupid tv wicked smart.

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