I am tech-challenged, but do realize that tech is indeed advancing. We live out in the sticks, so there is no cable. My computer service is Hughes Net (satellite) and my TV is DirectTV (also satellite).
I’d really like to evolve into 2018 and be able to watch the things that Netflix, Roku, and Hulu provide. Stuff I can’t get on my DirectTV. Problem is, as of a couple years ago when I asked, that all that stuff is streamed through your internet and Hughes Net won’t support it speed-wise, i.e. it would constantly “buffer” and drive you nuts.
We have Hughes Net Gen4, but there is a Gen5. I don’t want to call Hughes Net because they’ll tell you “Sure, streaming will work” just to make the sale.
Maybe some of you more tech-savvy guys can enlighten me?
What kind of cell phone service do you have out there? Some areas where I live have excellent cell service, but no cable or landline phone.
At my house I am testing a Nighthawk portable hot spot that uses my unlimited data from AT&T. I can stream off it and I’m even using it right now to browse the internet.
Keep in mind that the bars may only represent voice call signal, not data. It might be worth trying out streaming from your phone. The small cost cost price very worthwhile in directing you to your next step.
Okay, I didn’t watch an hour-long video but watched the same YouTube Mrgunsngear video, one my cell phone (AT&T) and computer at the same time. The phone had no delays. The computer (Hughes Net) buffered several times.
So it would appear that there is enough AT&T data signal to run a video without a hitch. What would I need to purchase to get my TV to piggyback off my phone’s data?
Also need to check with AT&T as I don’t think my plan has unlimited data (my wife’s Facebook crap done via her phone gets us messages sent damn near every month that we’re approaching our limit).
Quick question, but what quality or resolution are you streaming the videos on? I’d recommend slowly using lesser resolution while streaming until you get to the one that makes things look blurry/blocky and then go back to the one previous. Cell phone screens are usually small enough they don’t need full HD resolution (which has more information and therefore uses more data). If you’re not watching videos full screen on your computer you can usually get by using SD quality resolution as well, for the same reasons. It all comes down to personal preference, but most streaming is default to the highest quality-resolution as possible. Depending on your computer’s age, that can be a factor in determining if it buffers video as well.
I was looking to “pipe it through” my cell phone to my TV. Looks like the safest bet for Netflix/Hulu/Roku is an actual cable feed from the street as opposed to satellite internet or routing it through my phone. There is cable service out here, I think it is Comcast (which I haven’t heard good things about). I’d imagine in the next couple of years they’ll have it to where other-than-cable resources are reliably available to the boondocks. Sure, in Nashville or Dallas or Philadelphia you might be able to run your streaming successfully in urban areas, but out in the country (as of today) it still ain’t happening. I know tech will shortly make it doable but tonight it’s DirectTV!!!
I wouldn’t recommend holding your breath on that one. Where I live, just five blocks from the main hub for the phone company, the physical infrastructure is almost 45 years old. Fiber just got put in down town last summer, but only up to a few blocks from where I’m at. I get my internet from my phone service as there aren’t any data caps, but as a trade off I have to put up with nightly drops in service during winter months and/or high winds. Now that Iowa de-regulated land lines, even calling in an claiming the voice call quality is bad doesn’t get results.
On the upside, the FCC continues to auction off the television spectrum to the cell phone companies so you may have a chance yet.