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Download Buffer

Hi all, newbie here. I'm experiencing choppiness in my downloads of streaming audio (iTunes) and video (all). I'm on a Toshiba laptop with 1G RAM running XP with a dual processor. I have Verizon broadband thru an aircard. Question: will expanding my download buffer help this or do I need more RAM? If buffer expansion is advised, where do I find it? I remember seeing it in some screen once upon a time, but darned if I can find it now. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.
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posted by John3697
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John, WAY too little RAM in general. RAM is dirt cheap--you can never have enough, IMHO.

Not too familiar with aircards, but that is a possible bottleneck. IMHO, you need at least 15Mb download speed to build a buffer quickly enough to avoid stoppages and choppiness.

Uh OH, I can hear Tommy's footsteps coming.

Sid

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posted by OldGuy46
2 months ago
Clomp clomp clomp. Oops, sorry Sid, forgot to take off my boots, I was watering the garden.

Sid's right, bump the Ram. I use a Sprint aircard but I maxed the ram in the Vista laptop and it plays streaming video just fine. The old Mac Titanium however spits and sputters with the same connection. The difference? Processor speeds and Ram. So fill it up and you should see your stuttering go away.
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posted by tommy2rs
2 months ago
HOLY COW, Tommy agrees with me. What a relief. Come on Kirk, MAKE MY DAY!...;-)

Sid

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posted by OldGuy46
2 months ago
I have 2 gigs of ram on my laptop and stream fine when connected through a Sprint Blackberry -- sometimes. I've never used an aircard, but with the BB, if I'm in an area where I get EV (the good network), I'm downloading at about 400k and that actually works. If I'm in a regular network area, it's like an old dial-up and is terrible.

It might have to do with where you are.

For a speed test, I use "WhatIsMyIP"

view link

It seems to be pretty accurate and consistent across work, home, travel, etc.. By the way, speaking of streaming, I just got a Slingbox and it's FANTASTIC.

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posted by Legfellow
2 months ago
Legfellow, YES Slingbox ROCKS. I'm using the Solo version on my network and use my cable box in the Den to feed my laptop in the Family Room. This way, I get to watch NCIS while my wife watches that sucky show on Fox in the same room. Perfect resolution and super streamin.

This and Legfellow's comments are not paid commercials...LOL

Sid
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posted by OldGuy46
2 months ago
I also have the Solo, as does my son-in-law who used his on a business trip to Germany to get his home channels flawlessly. I have mine hooked up to my TIVO, which gives me recorded shows, music and pics as well.

Their sales from word-of-mouth must be unbelievable.
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posted by Legfellow
2 months ago
no help here but I have a question for you/ how do you like your verizon air card?
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posted by msvet
2 months ago
Thanks for the info. I'll look at getting more RAM. Msvet, to answer your question,I like the Verizon aircard fine, mostly. I say mostly because I'm a fulltime RV'er and move around the country alot. If I'm near a major city I get pretty good speed, but if I'm out in the boonies it connects at speeds that are only marginally better than dialup speeds. To sum it up, I can usually get a connection, but not always as fast as I want. I don't know how this compares against other aircards........ I will say that Verizon support is pretty good, at least you get a real American person on the phone when you call.
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posted by John3697
2 months ago
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