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Is anyone able to explain how this works?
My Freeola (via Entanet) connection is currently getting it's normal results when using normal speedtests - just under my 5000 IP Profile. But I get continuous buffering when trying to use the BBC's iPlayer. No problem all weekend so I appreciate it's just the Olympics that must be causing this due to all the extra traffic but I'm confused at the results when checking my connection via the BBC's "iPlayer Diagnostics" www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/diagnostics
My results can be seen here.
I understand things get sticky on my connection when my IPSC node hits the red but then I see everything slow down not just iPlayer?
Streaming video from non-BBC sources all works fine so it looks like a bottleneck between my ISP and the BBC? I don't think it's a general iPlayer issue as I'm sure I would see lots of others mentioning this.
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There is the node, and also the peering to where the iPlayer content is served from.
Sounds like it was that.
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The author of the above post is a thinkbroadband staff member. It may not constitute an official statement on behalf of thinkbroadband.
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Hi there,
As you say your normal speeds are fine for your ip profile, do you know how to log in to your router?
because this could be a dns issue, i use opendns and there are different servers i am routed to on the bbc's services than if i use my isp's dns servers, (BT).
If you know how to fiddle around with your router change both your dns servers to
208.67.222.222
208.67.220.220
the reason for the dns change is that many isp's try to serve external content from within their own network to save on data charges accross external pipe's.
if you dont know how to login to your router say so and i will guide you.
Let us know how you get on.
Hope to hear back soon.
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Register (or login) on our website and you will not see this ad.
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Entanet chap picked up my Tweet and is investigating...
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"Accordingly, our diagnostics page performs a total of four tests: The first tests the download speed from our BBC web site servers, the next three tests measure the Flash RTMP streaming speed from each of three major content distribution networks (Akamai, Level3, Limelight) "
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/bbcinternet/2009/04/bbc_i...
(scroll down a lot)
It's testing a specific type of traffic to three locations and giving lower results than a straightforward download, so it's either those three oroutes (big coincidence) or the traffic type that's the issue.
--
Phil
MaxDSL - goes as fast as it can and doesn't read the line checker first.
MaxDSL diagnostics |
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Thanks.
Things looking much healthier for me now.
On a similar theme - The 'live rewind' features on iPlayer and the BBC Olympic Player come and go for me? I'm not seeing them today (on numerous browsers) but they were available over the weekend?
Edited by b4dger (Mon 06-Aug-12 17:34:00)
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On a similar theme - The 'live rewind' features on iPlayer and the BBC Olympic Player come and go for me? I'm not seeing them today (on numerous browsers) but they were available over the weekend?
that pop-up grey bar at the bottom that appears when you mouse over ? It's there now at http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/2012/live-video/... for me
--
Phil
MaxDSL - goes as fast as it can and doesn't read the line checker first.
MaxDSL diagnostics
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Thanks.
Following that link i'm not able to move back in the 'timeline' the block just jumps back to the right-hand side when I drag it back in time. I also don't get the LIVE link displayed - and the 'extras' link does nothing?
I'll try again later and see if it returns...
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I don't know if it was Freeola/Enta specific problem, but my results were the same this morning and are also now back to normal.
http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/5226/bbctest.jpg
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'Extras' pops up 3 links to other sport streams, and a news ticker thing across the bottom.
I can drag the timeline left and it rewinds and plays.
www.adobe.com/software/flash/about/ says :
You have version 11,3,31,222 installed
--
Phil
MaxDSL - goes as fast as it can and doesn't read the line checker first.
MaxDSL diagnostics |
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Might be part of their load balancing, to keep things running smoothly at times of peak load, i.e. reduce functionality to keep feeds streaming
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The author of the above post is a thinkbroadband staff member. It may not constitute an official statement on behalf of thinkbroadband.
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'Extras' pops up 3 links to other sport streams, and a news ticker thing across the bottom.
I can drag the timeline left and it rewinds and plays.
www.adobe.com/software/flash/about/ says :
You have version 11,3,31,222 installed I only see those 'Extras' when it's working - i.e. not today?!
Even though it seems like I'm 'always' updating Flash it seems I'm on 11,3,300,268 so I'll try updating now.
EDIT: No still the same.
It would be nice to hear if anyone else sees the same.
Edited by b4dger (Mon 06-Aug-12 18:19:57)
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Could well be. Wonder why it always picks me? 
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I believe Entanet made some 'tweaks' 
Is the BBC's 'LIVE rewind' function currently working on your Freeola connection? (even though your line is much better than my old 20CN one!)
Edited by b4dger (Mon 06-Aug-12 18:29:14)
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I have no REW on any Live BBC player, but can drag the progress bar on listen again.
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Glad (I think) it's not just me!
Does clicking the 'Extras' link (bottom right-hand side of the player) do anything? www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/2012/live-video/bbc_one_2012_hd
As I mentioned this worked fine over the weekend but not today...
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Glad (I think) it's not just me!
Does clicking the 'Extras' link (bottom right-hand side of the player) do anything? www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/2012/live-video/bbc_one_2012_hd
As I mentioned this worked fine over the weekend but not today...
None of the lower links work including 'More Video'. I also tried IE as I remembered the iffy flash update last week that jiggered Firefox, but no go. The 'Extras' link states that it supplies info just before an event is about to take place, so may be sporadic.
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When it's working the 'Extras' link drops down a box showing other videos etc.
Just in case we are at cross purposes the 'Extras' and More video links appear in the popup volume control section at the bottom of the video player not the mentions below the player.
Strange that searching on Twitter etc. I can't see anyone else suffering from this.
I can't see how it can be ISP related but it seems like the only link so far as we are both with Enta/Freeola?
EDIT:
Just after 8pm and I'm now getting full functionality!?!
Enta's (not Freeola's) 'business package' peak changes at 8pm I think - perhaps it is related but if it is it's daft - surely just coincidence?
See what happens tomorrow morning during peak hours...
Edited by b4dger (Mon 06-Aug-12 20:11:24)
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My BBC Live player page just burst into life after being stopped, So something happened to kick-start it. I now have all the features of REW and extra videos.
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See my edits on my previous post!
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This morning all my 'Extras' links etc. and the BBC 'rewind live tv' functionality has gone again?!?
I tried to check before 8am but had some other things going on so missed that 
I wonder if this is tied in with ISP 'peak times' and traffic prioritisation etc. as it seems quite a coincidence...
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All working now - problem resolved by ISP making a change!
Didn't realise this type of functionality could be controlled at ISP level.
Wasted hours on this...
Edited by b4dger (Tue 07-Aug-12 14:32:14)
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All working now - problem resolved by ISP making a change!
Didn't realise this type of functionality could be controlled at ISP level.
Wasted hours on this...
Nice to find an ISP that actually pulls in the right direction, many just pass the buck.
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What's happened to the iPlayer diagnostics page http://iplayerhelp.external.bbc.co.uk/help/using_bbc... - have they scrapped it now? I don't seem to be able to find it anywhere now from the "new" iPlayer menus, FAQ's etc.
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Could be.
I've even just found a current link on their /webwise page that ges to the same page your link gives.
My broadband basic info/help site - www.robertos.me.uk | Domains,site and mail hosting - Tsohost.
Connection - Plusnet UnLim Fibre (FTTC). Sync ~ 58.7/14.6Mbps @ 600m. - BQM
"Where talent is a dwarf, self-esteem is a giant." - Jean-Antoine Petit-Senn.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Allergy information: This post was manufactured in an environment where nuts are present. It may include traces of understatement, litotes and humour.
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It was scrapped.
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It was scrapped.
Yes, I noticed this yesterday:
"The BBC iPlayer diagnostic tool (speed checker) is no longer available.
This FAQ will shortly be updated to provide guidance on bandwidth requirements for using BBC iPlayer. So please check again soon."
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http://iplayerhelp.external.bbc.co.uk/help/using_bbc...
I think that update to the help page appeared yesterday?
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They updated their page after some 'poking' on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BBCiPlayer/status/46736859759433...
Not much of an update though...
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Not quite the same thing as the BBC's previous streaming diagnostics page...
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Not quite the same thing as the BBC's previous streaming diagnostics page...
Agreed but if one is having issues with streaming from the BBC then that .jpg file can be quite useful for testing using software such as JDs Auto Speed Tester. I ran it last year for several weeks due to a HD streaming problem during weekday "office hours" and it was actually more convenient than frequently accessing the iPlayer diagnostics/speed tester page. The results went to my ISP and the TTB routing issue was resolved
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