Netflix not streaming in HD

[Fofo]

I had a cable triple play service where I used to stream Netflix via my Xbox wirelessly and it would play in HD. I just switch to Fios and now it bogs down from HD to SD, more often in SD. It's an old white Xbox with the 802.11g wireless adapter.

Before on the cable service I had my Dlink DIR-655 router connected right to the cable mode. Now with Fios I have it connected to the Fios modem, but I turned off the Wireless radio on the Fios modem. I want to still use my dlink. Could this be a port forwarding and/or firewall issue via the Fios router?

[Interrupt]

I'm confused... why do you have the Dlink router plugged into the FIOS modem? I have FIOS too and the "modem" is actually an Actiontec router (confirm this please; I have an Actiontec MI424WR), with a firewall built in, etc. It handles the ethernet wired networking as well as the wireless in the house for a bunch of PCs.

The only reason I can think of to use the Dlink as well is because you have wireless network adapters in the computers which only work with the Dlink. If not, you should just ditch the dlink. The Actiontec router is meant to function alone and standard wi-fi NICs/adapters should be able to work with it.

Either way... what your describing is not getting the full bandwidth via your X-Box, that's why streaming services won't get the full juice. In Netflix, when you play a video, what does it say is the signal strength? Full or no? If it plays at all it shouldn't be a port forwarding issue (otherwise you wouldn't get service at all). This can be from:

1. Firewall issue such as some sort of tapering/slowing of your connection.
2. Your connection isn't fast enough for some reason; what is the advertised speed of your FIOS? (Mine is 30/30) Speed test it also on your desktops? Are you getting that? (I get higher more than lower); Also test wi-fi speeds?
3. Your wi-fi isn't configured correctly. If we find that out to be the case, I can walk you through configuring it... we may have the same router.
4. By using both the Dlink and the stock FIOS router, you're somehow tapering/slowing down your own speeds.
5. Updating Actiontec firmware through the automatic update can turn that router into a useless toaster; it doesn't sound like you did this, just saying it to be on the safe side before and if you try it.

Which unit is broadcasting the wireless? The FIOS router or the Dlink? You should have the FIOS router doing that.

Hrmm... plus a thousand other possibilities but for now (sorry if I gave you too much to think about). I'd try this first -- removing the Dlink from the equation, ensure your Actiontek is broadcasting the wi-fi; speed test a laptop or desktop PC on that wi-fi (make sure the speeds are adequate - if you need help setting up the wi-fi on the Actiontek I can help too) and report back.

[GroundZero3]

I also will ask why you have the dlink on the network

[Fofo]

I have everything connected to my dlink because all my mac addresses for my wireless devices are stored on there, I have mac address filtering and SSID off on the dlink. Plus I paid close to $100 a couple of years ago for it and am stubborn to get rid of the router lol.

Right now I have the dlink router transmitting the wireless, and the fios router's wireless radio is off. I just intend on using the fios router as the "old cable modem". Plus this DIR-655 dlink is supposedly good with bandwidth trafficking and throttling.

I know it could be 1 of 1000 things, but it's just weird how on the old Cablevision modem it was streaming Netflix HD fine, but on the new Fios modem it's not. Also I did a speed test with my desktop hard wired into the Fios router and got about 25 down and 5 up. When I hardwire my desktop to the dlink router I still get 25 down but only about 1-2MB up. I'm wondering where this bog down is occurring? Seems the dlink isn't playing nice with the fios router or just the fios router itself? The weird thing is when I do a speed test on my laptop now wirelessly via the dlink router, I get 25 down but it stays stuck on connecting for the upload on Speedtest.net. On Speakeasy.net I get 20MB down and only 1.25MB up.

[GroundZero3]

which port on the dlink is your fios plugged into?

[Fofo]

I also will ask why you have the dlink on the network

Do you know if these Fios routers are good Wireless routers?

[Fofo]

which port on the dlink is your fios plugged into?

Port 1 on the Fios router.

Internet port on the dlink router.

[GroundZero3]

The WAN port? If so that means you are doing double NAT which is a big no no.

Change the Dlink management address to 192.168.1.2 255.255.255.0 (also turn off the DHCP service on the router). Then plug the fios into one of the LAN ports on the dlink.

See if that clears up your problem

[Fofo]

The WAN port? If so that means you are doing double NAT which is a big no no.

Change the Dlink management address to 192.168.1.1 255.255.255.0 (also turn off the DHCP service on the router). Then plug the fios into one of the LAN ports on the dlink.

See if that clears up your problem

Question though, my Fios router is 192.168.1.1 and the dlink is 192.168.0.1. When you say turn of DHCP, turn if off on the dlink?

[Fofo]

Right now the fios router assigns IP's via DHCP to my Dlink, and the 2 set top boxes for TV in my house.

[GroundZero3]

What you are doing is making the dlink a wireless access point. Take the dlink off the network, change the management address to .2 and turn the DHCP service off it

[Interrupt]

Positively. The dlink must go entirely, IMO.

Another thing. Consider not using Mac filtering . It'll only cause headaches. Plus my Actiontec forgets MACs often. The alternative is using WPA2, better password, don't broadcast SSIDs. You won't need MAC filtering. Edit: also if you do value security, change the SSID. The router ships with default ones... ain't no point in turning off SSID broadcasting if you leave it default.

Plus another thing OP, WPA2 over WEP sometimes reduces speed some notice. But my XBox, for example, still pulls appropriate amount of bandwidth and Netflix is in HD.

[Fofo]

What you are doing is making the dlink a wireless access point. Take the dlink off the network, change the management address to .2 and turn the DHCP service off it

If I do this how will it assign IP addresses then to my wireless devices? Also when you say change the managment address is that just the IP address of the dlink itself?

[Interrupt]

See post above please, edited it. I mean you could turn off wireless on the Dlink and keep it after you take it off the WAN port but I wouldn't. It isn't effective to set the network up like that.

[GroundZero3]

If I do this how will it assign IP addresses then to my wireless devices? Also when you say change the managment address is that just the IP address of the dlink itself?

the actiontek has a DHCP server

[Interrupt]

Yeah I agree with GZ. Rely on the Actiontec's DHCP server. It is probably all setup to go as is.

Tell me... when just using the Actiontec to handle it all (including the wi-fi), do you get Netflix in HD on the 360? Let us know if it was the dlink that was the weakest link (couldn't help myself).

[GroundZero3]

Btw this is what I do on my fios router

[Fofo]

Thanks fellas. Got solid HD streaming via my old router. Good to know when this one craps out I can just fall onto the Actiontek.

[GroundZero3]

So you are just using the dlink router as an access point correct?

[Interrupt]

Okay awesome you got the result you desired.

Me personally? I usually stick with newer or recommended over older. There's really no settings in the dlink which can't be configured on the Actiontec in about 5 seconds. That's just my personal preference though.

I've found the Actiontec is ideal for handling FIOS & the internal firewall is adequate for regular use. I think it was generally our opinion that mixing the two is what caused the "slowness" of the connection (the inability to get full HD; can't speak for others but that's what I understood the issue to be), so if the dlink works for you by itself, more power to you!! Nothing beats personal preference so long as it works to the degree you want it to.

If the speed using the dlink alone OR Actiontek alone are the same, cool stuff. If that's the case, either of those two choices are good.