We’ve all been there: You’re watching your favourite show on TV, when suddenly the screen freezes and you are met with a dreaded message “buffering.” You can be sure that it is not just you.
Anybody who has watched IPTV for any period knows that the Internet speed can come into play when streaming and there are very easy ways to improve it.
Internet speed will work with IPTV for streaming purposes. The speed of your Internet connection will play a large role, but there are also ways to optimize your setup and improve the quality of the image on your screen.
1. Wireless Vs Wired
The first thing you want to do is determine if you are working with a wireless network or a wired network. While most people make the choice to go with wireless, it is not always the best option.
If possible, opt for a wire-connected network connection because it can go much faster. You can also put up multiple devices on one wired connection at once instead of having to coordinate multiple wireless connections.
If you are unsure if you are using a wired or wireless connection, the easiest way to check is to check your television.
It should have a line that leads to an Ethernet cable, which would mean that it is connected by wire. If there is no Ethernet cable attached, then it likely means that the television is being powered by a wireless network.
The next step would be to connect the television by wire and see if there is any improvement in streaming speed.
The best way to check if the internet service is better wired or wireless is through a speed test. This will check your download speed and whichever has a lower Mbps has the quicker download speed.
You can find out how to set up an ethernet cable easily at our site or contact your internet provider for additional help.
2. Upgrade Your Internet Packages
This is a simple step that should be considered even before you have purchased any services. Before you sign up for IPTV, find out if your internet provider offers packages that include higher connection speeds.
If they do, then it may be possible to also upgrade the connection speed during the process of setting up the service. However, if they don’t offer upgraded packages, then it might be time to switch providers.
Just remember that usually upgrading your speed alone won’t improve things much because there are some setup limits to how well a slow connection will work with IPTV.
3. Close Other Tabs
This is a quick fix that many people forget, but it can be very effective. Be sure to close other tabs and apps on your computer because they likely are using some of the Internet connection speed.
If you have a lot of apps open, then this could be causing issues with the streaming, so try switching to one browser tab when possible.
This will ensure that your Internet connection isn’t split in different directions at once. You’d be surprised at how much faster your internet goes when your close unnecessary tabs.
4. Purchase More Bandwidth
The next step to take would be contacting IPTV providers because there is typically an option to buy more bandwidth with them.
This will allow you to download many more shows at once, which will improve your streaming every time.
Most providers offer options to buy more bandwidth for a short amount of time, typically 30 days or so, which should be plenty of time to see if the service works well and if IPTV streaming is worth it.
You might need to upgrade your plan to get better bandwidth. Some companies make better signal quality part of the package when signing up for an IPTV service.
5. Subscribe To A VPN Service
Many people are open to the idea of using a VPN service to mask their IP addresses and protect their information.
However, many VPN services also come with added benefits such as access to different countries, so you can watch TV channels in other countries.
If you are concerned with your Internet privacy and think that the government might be spying on you on the internet, then connecting with a VPN would help with this concern as well.
Some consider a VPN a necessary addition when using IPTV. Using an IPTV service by itself isn’t illegal, but sometimes the content that you stream through it is.
Providers might not have the rights to stream that content.
It’s better to be safe than sorry and keep your internet connection as private as possible with a VPN.
6. Enable QoS And WMM
Every device you have connected to your router is going to fight for more bandwidth. One device could be browsing the web while another streams videos and other downloads files from the internet.
All these activities are given an equal amount of bandwidth, even though all three tasks require different amounts of the stuff. Slower downloads have less impact than slower streams that cause buffering.
Most wireless routers let you change the settings, so some content is prioritized over others. You can configure the QoS (Quality of Service) and WMM (Wi-Fi Multimedia) to get the best experience.
Many people report no more buffering problems once they switch to WMM. Check the documentation and instructions that came with your router to see how to enable this feature.
7. Get A New Router
In general, you want to upgrade your router every few years or so.
Manufacturers spend a lot of time and money improving routers and adding new features to them due to how everyone wants – and needs – a router.
The industry continues to implement new standards for Wi-Fi devices to overcome common issues and deal with the problems of wireless transmission.
Your new phone might have the power to take advantage of these upgrades, but it can’t do it without an up-to-date router.
Here are some things to look for when choosing a new router:
- Dual-band support – can transmit on 2.4Ghz and 5.0Ghz frequencies
- WMM support for optimized broadband
- 802.11ac compatibility
- Strong signal coverage and output
Final Thoughts
Having fast and reliable internet is the key to getting the most out of your IPTV subscription. These tips can help you take your internet speed to new levels.
You might be able to do it with a few small changes here and there or you may need a new router entirely. Don’t forget to check what internet speeds your provider offers and what you can get in your area.
You could be aiming the bar too high. Avoid overpaying for IPTV by only paying for the quality of stream you can get.
