Netflix Buffering Problems

If your Netflix experience has been disappointing due to "Please Wait ... Buffering" problems -- sometimes several times during the same video, the fix might involve replacing your streaming device altogether. Before you take the plunge though:

(1) Make sure you are getting the speeds your ISP promised you. We get close to 50Mbps down/20Mbps up bandwidth, plenty for a great HD streaming experience. Test the speeds on wired devices (LAN), wireless devices (laptops), and smart phones for a more comprehensive result.

(2) Make sure your HSI modem and router are up to task. I found out I needed to update the firmware on my wireless router, and that I have a slightly older model of modem from Comcast. Even so, these impediments should not mean a poor streaming experience, but it helps to have them fixed.

(3) If you have a Sony Blueray/DVD player, dump it! The Internet is full of bad reviews of these devices in serving Netflix content. I've learned that Netflix content is routed via your streaming device's manufacturer's servers, and that Sony's servers are the bottleneck. On replacing this set-top with a Samsung variety, I no longer see the buffering problems, and the picture quality is better, even at peak times.