What would be the lowest down load speeds needed to use netflex.
Comcast just raised my fee to $45.00 per mo.I was on a special rate for six mo.
I don't down load much Just emails and perhaps coupons, I use my search eng.
to look up information. But my wife and I are thinking of buying a newer DVD player so we can order movies through the internet.
I don't know the speed I have now but it is fast.
Robut
Just to confirm, what you're thinking of doing is ditching your existing Comcast service because of expense and get a different, lower cost service, is that correct? (
Edit: on re-read maybe you are just trying to find out if you have fast enough service for Netflix. If you have cable internet service from Comcast, you have more than enough bandwidth.)
Regarding your question, Netflix serves up video files at differing resolutions depending on your bandwith when you request a file. I have seen varying specifications but
in general you need at least 1.5 Mbps to view the lowest resolution file which I believe is SD, 3 Mbps for DVD quality, and 5 Mbps for HD quality. That said, not all videos on Netflix are HD quality. All the Starz stuff is SD, for example.
So, you can access the Netflix streaming service with DSL which would be generally less expensive than cable, I believe. That said, your performance at the 1.5 Mbps level would be variable dependent on a host of environmental and network factors. You might need to up your service to 3 Mbps for consistent streaming performance.
As someone mentioned, the Netflix streaming library is a little sparse on recent releases. That does not matter to me as I love older movies and there are also tons and tons of TV shows that I watch...literally hundreds of episodes of various crime dramas that we are slowly making our way through. If a new movie comes out that I want to see, I just get the DVD from them. No biggie. It all depends on what your tastes and viewing habits are as to whether Netflix is a good fit. To us, it's an absolute steal.
Lastly, call up Comcast and tell them that you cannot afford the subscription and chances are excellent that they will cut you a deal. It's important that you say "can't afford" as that those are the magic words that unlock their willingness to lower your fees. Otherwise they presume you are just fishing for a deal. Here is an excellent tutorial on negotiating with your provider:
http://www.erica.biz/2009/negotiate-your-phone-bill/
