Cord Cutting

[imref]

Fios usually speed tests higher than advertised.  I think I read once they added a buffer to account for their tv box using data. 

i have gigabit FiOS service. Via Wi-Fi i'm getting around 400-500 up/down. If I directly connect to the router i'll get 700-800

[nfotiu]

i have gigabit FiOS service. Via Wi-Fi i'm getting around 400-500 up/down. If I directly connect to the router i'll get 700-800

I was referring more to the lower tiers.  That's about what I get with Gig too.  I think it's hard to get the speed test server/the hops in between/router/pc all to a gig without something being the bottleneck.

[dracnal]

For testing the speed, I highly recommend testmy.net instead of speedtest or ookla. It's not affiliated with any of the ISPs and has been pretty solid in my experience. just change the test server to whatever is closest to you (NY, the DC area, for example).

[imref]

For testing the speed, I highly recommend testmy.net instead of speedtest or ookla. It's not affiliated with any of the ISPs and has been pretty solid in my experience. just change the test server to whatever is closest to you (NY, the DC area, for example).

47.3 Up / 109.8 down.  Not great, but I'm a floor above my Wi-Fi router.

[DCFan]

47.3 Up / 109.8 down.  Not great, but I'm a floor above my Wi-Fi router.

19.4 up / 14.9 down     I have 100/100 with ATT DSL.

[dracnal]

19.4 up / 14.9 down     I have 100/100 with ATT DSL.

I seriously doubt you've ever get significantly better than those numbers with DSL, unfortunately. It's got problems both with number of other people using DSL in the same chain, and with distance from the Point of Presence. If you're far enough away it works, but not well. At all. It would quite possibly be cheaper to look for a 50/50 plan from a cable provider - it would likely be cheaper, and still be faster.

And if that's not an option in your area, I guess take comfort from the fact that you've got kick ass speed for the year 2002. You can just tell people you're retro.

[Natsinpwc]

19.4 up / 14.9 down     I have 100/100 with ATT DSL.

We always knew you were slow.   

[DCFan]

And if that's not an option in your area, I guess take comfort from the fact that you've got kick ass speed for the year 2002. You can just tell people you're retro.

That might be how old this laptop is. 

[DCFan]

We always knew you were slow.   

[GburgNatsFan]

No dice on MLB.TV. Tried that VPN location spoofing and it tells you "turn that off if you want to see a game."  Then when you turn it off... Nats games are blacked out.

Oh well. Charlie and Dave it is.

[The Chief]

For testing the speed, I highly recommend testmy.net instead of speedtest or ookla. It's not affiliated with any of the ISPs and has been pretty solid in my experience. just change the test server to whatever is closest to you (NY, the DC area, for example).

I got the same result from speedtest and fast.com, but more importantly I observed a consistent ~300mbps speed over a 60GB Steam (game) download.  Not going to count on it lasting but if it does, swell.

[dracnal]

I got the same result from speedtest and fast.com, but more importantly I observed a consistent ~300mbps speed over a 60GB Steam (game) download.  Not going to count on it lasting but if it does, swell.

That's the real test. Sounds like you are legitimately getting more than paid for now, which is always a good thing. Depending on how many customers they have in your area, they may keep you boosted for the word of mouth.

[CowherPower]

No dice on MLB.TV. Tried that VPN location spoofing and it tells you "turn that off if you want to see a game."  Then when you turn it off... Nats games are blacked out.

Oh well. Charlie and Dave it is.

How did you test that out?  I figured I would need to wait until a blacked-out Nats game was actually broadcasting before I could test out different VPN options.

[varoadking]

I got the same result from speedtest and fast.com, but more importantly I observed a consistent ~300mbps speed over a 60GB Steam (game) download.  Not going to count on it lasting but if it does, swell.

These are my Speedtest results from just now...no idea what it means:

Download   Upload   ConnType   ServerName
887.7242   17.95756   Ethernet   Richmond  VA

Fast.com had my Download at 540...

[bluestreak]

I actually get very close the the 1000 mb/s Verizon promises me. And before you ask whether I need it. I dont.  My wife’s job pays for us to have it because she needs guaranteed bandwidth. It’s overkill. But it’s nice to download 3 movies in a minute.

[nfotiu]

No dice on MLB.TV. Tried that VPN location spoofing and it tells you "turn that off if you want to see a game."  Then when you turn it off... Nats games are blacked out.

Oh well. Charlie and Dave it is.

unlocator has worked for me in the past.  They're not a vpn, just a dns magic thing for spoofing location.  Not sure if they've been figured out yet or not.   What device were you using?

at&t tv makes the most sense now I'd think if you are already paying for something like Youtube tv.  Or split amongst 2-3 Nats fans, it would be pretty cheap.

[GburgNatsFan]

unlocator has worked for me in the past.  They're not a vpn, just a dns magic thing for spoofing location.  Not sure if they've been figured out yet or not.   What device were you using?

at&t tv makes the most sense now I'd think if you are already paying for something like Youtube tv.  Or split amongst 2-3 Nats fans, it would be pretty cheap.

I'll check our unlocator.

[GburgNatsFan]

How did you test that out?  I figured I would need to wait until a blacked-out Nats game was actually broadcasting before I could test out different VPN options.

Os. But the message to turn off my VPN software was on every game I selected.

Edit: Now it appears to be working. I dunno. I'll try the Os game tomorrow.

[Natsinpwc]

Os. But the message to turn off my VPN software was on every game I selected.

Edit: Now it appears to be working. I dunno. I'll try the Os game tomorrow.

You may want to just visit the dark side.

[machpost]

I've also been hearing about issues with Unlocator this year, but I tested Smart DNS on my Apple TV on Friday during the O's game and it worked fine. Fingers crossed.

[GburgNatsFan]

You may want to just visit the dark side.

I'll do what I need to do to test this out. I'm making this sacrifice for all of you.

[GburgNatsFan]

What I've noticed is you have to start Windscribe in Chrome, close the Chrome window, Start Chrome again (Windscribe continues to run), and then open the app.

I'm using Chrome on a Chromebook.

[CowherPower]

I haven't tried Unlocator yet, but I tried SmartDNSProxy today and was able to bring up the MASN feed of the Orioles game on MLB.TV.  I configured my router to use DNS IP locations in a different country and then set "Channel Group D" in the SmartDNSProxy settings to Germany.  After doing that I could watch MASN on MLB.TV both from my browser and from Roku (I didn't try FireTV).  Hope this helps anyone who is looking for a solution.

[GburgNatsFan]

Would you have to reset it for day to day work-from-home activities? I imagine I might; I'm not permitted to travel overseas with my work laptop. I guess one could use a DSN IP in Missouri or something.

I haven't tried Unlocator yet, but I tried SmartDNSProxy today and was able to bring up the MASN feed of the Orioles game on MLB.TV.  I configured my router to use DNS IP locations in a different country and then set "Channel Group D" in the SmartDNSProxy settings to Germany.  After doing that I could watch MASN on MLB.TV both from my browser and from Roku (I didn't try FireTV).  Hope this helps anyone who is looking for a solution.

[CowherPower]

Would you have to reset it for day to day work-from-home activities? I imagine I might; I'm not permitted to travel overseas with my work laptop. I guess one could use a DSN IP in Missouri or something.

I could be wrong, but my understanding of SmartDNS products like this are that they only mask your location for certain sites (like Netflix and MLB.TV).  Everything else will still see your normal location and IP address. 

There are three reasons why I'm considering a SmartDNS product rather than a VPN.  First, my speed should be faster since it's not encrypting all my data.  Second, SmartDNS products are cheaper than VPNs.  And third, I don't need to mask my location for everything - just MLB.TV.