Buffering issues with new box (black box)

[Anonymous User]

I have had my now tv box for just over a week and try as I might I have not yet successfully watched anything in full.
When I select a film or programme the four coloured balls swirl around, the programme begins and then the balls swirl ( blue, pink, yellow and green) and this continues every 60 seconds or so.
My internet provider has reset my router, which is working fine with other appliances. I have checked the settings, I am correctly connected. In system update it shows an update took place on at 7.01pm just now when I selected system restart. I am now trying to watch Game of Thrones and it has buffered with the coloured balls 2 or 3 times in the last 5 minutes. Please help.

[schnapps]

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@Anonymous User wrote:

I have had my now tv box for just over a week and try as I might I have not yet successfully watched anything in full.
When I select a film or programme the four coloured balls swirl around, the programme begins and then the balls swirl ( blue, pink, yellow and green) and this continues every 60 seconds or so.
My internet provider has reset my router, which is working fine with other appliances. I have checked the settings, I am correctly connected. In system update it shows an update took place on at 7.01pm just now when I selected system restart. I am now trying to watch Game of Thrones and it has buffered with the coloured balls 2 or 3 times in the last 5 minutes. Please help.

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Unhappybunny

What's your internet speed like, are you using the NowTV box over WIFI ?

Have you read the guides below, it might give you some pointers.

http://help.nowtv.com/article/Slow-loading-or-buffering-with-a-NOW-TV-Box

http://help.nowtv.com/GEN_DFEngine?articleId=kA6G00000000DcYKAU&flowStepQuestion=%40%40a1NG0000003wzaeMAA&flowTargetLabel=%40%40a1OG0000007V9WpMAK&nextStepId=a1NG0000003wzajMAA&ppvTransactionValue=&snValue=

http://help.nowtv.com/article/Troubleshooting-NOW-TV-Box-and-Roku

[Anonymous User]

Haven't been able to watch anything all day,neither live tv or catch up. It plays for a few seconds then buffers, and occasionally reverts back to a black screen. I've tried all the solutions I can find on here, but still can't stop it buffering. Anyone else having issues or have any other suggestions. Thanks 

[schnapps]

@Anonymous User

What internet broadband speeds do you get on average in your house ?

How far is the box from the Router ?

What make is your Router and does it offer 5ghz option ?

Is it practicaly possible to run a hardwired Ethernet cable between your Router and NowTV box ?

[Anonymous User]

No idea on Internet speed, shows as good. 5ghz no idea. Router is at the bottom of the stairs, box is in bedroom upstairs. Has worked fine for 5 months. No possible to run a cable

[schnapps]

@Anonymous User

Assuming you have tried rebooting your Router ?

[schnapps]

@Anonymous User

When you say the screen goes blank, does it look like a dark screen with a lighter greyish cloud in the middle and pressing the remote control buttons does nothing at all (ie the box freezes) ?

Again, i am assuming you have rebooted the NowTV box by switching it off/on at the mains power outlet ?

[Geluk]

Is your broadband via a phone line provided by BT or Plus Net; use this site to see your speed:

 http://speedtest.btwholesale.com/

or there are plenty of other speed checkers.

[Anonymous User]

Hi I'm beginning to think I've got a duff box! Have one upstairs and one downstairs. Upstairs works absolutely fine. Downstairs is a nightmare. Buffers constantly, poor picture quality, sometimes won't even get to different channels home pages just gets stuck loading them.
Have checked internet connection and it's good. Have done a speed test, no issues. No other devices using Internet (particularly during the day which is when the issues are worst). Router is upstairs but connection still works for other devices and this one at times so don't think it's that
I've done the ffwd x5 home button, rwd X 5 thing and disabled pings after looking at advice on this forum but still doesn't help.
Any ideas?!

[Anonymous User]

@Anonymous User how do you get on if you swap the boxes over? It's possible that the one downstairs is in a connectivity blackspot, so swapping them over will identify if it the box or location.

[Anonymous User]

Thanks, don't know why I didn't think of that! Will give it a go

[Anonymous User]

If you still have issues you could also try making sure that the box is not located next to other wifi/radio devices such as cordless home phones and bluetooth devices. These can interfere with the WiFi signal.

[ukbobboy]

@Anonymous User @Anonymous User @Anonymous User

Hi Eleanor

If you can confirm that the downstairs box is OK then your probably need a wi-fi extender, as mentioned before you may be interference or it could just be a distance problem.

Either way with an extender downstairs, along with your Now TV box,  everything should now be sorted out.

UK Bob

[Anonymous User]

Good morning  thanks for all your help so far it is just that I now have another problem I recently changed broad band supplier sky to virgin fibre optic    I have also upgraded two white boxes to black boxes these are used solely in bedrooms (as her indoors dominates downstairs tv) the problem is daughters room picture quality fine my room ? well the viewing is equivelant to a bad dvd rip I have swapped the boxes around changed tvs from room to room swapped all leads but the fault persists ? I have just plugged in the old white box & hey presto it is perfect no buffering & clear picture . The room that is having the problem is furthest from the router could this be my problem poor signal etc ? if so why would it work with the white box

cheers Ed 

[4268]

@Anonymous User  are the boxes connected via 2ghz or 5ghz?  

[Anonymous User]

My nowtv box is fine during the day but starts buffering in the evening and is unwatchable.

My internet connection is good so please none of the usual check your speed, restart the box ect.

This must be due to demand on your service so I would like to know what you are planning to do to address this.

[Anonymous User]

Hi @Anonymous User

Thanks for your post and welcome to the forum.  What shows are you finding this happens on, live TV or catch up or both, movies or sport?

Thanks

[Anonymous User]

Has been happening for a week or so. On demand Downton Abbey and GOT

[4268]

@Anonymous User that sounds like clogged up WiFi. Channels are shared so can get busy. You can change the Wi-Fi channel you transmit on. Check with your provider on how to do so.

[BicBasher]

Yes, I agree with @4268 Manually change your wifi channel and see which works best for you.   I live in a block of flats with wifi congestion, so finding the clearest channel will dramatically change your viewing experience.

If not, connect an ethernet cable from your router to the black box and it normally works faultlessly.

[Anonymous User]

As I said I know there is no problem with iternet speed or wi-fi