Showmax streaming quality/options

D

Dr Who

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Hi All

I currently have a DSTV + Showmax subscription. I also have a PC and a Chromecast. I have found that I usually always consume all my showmax via the Explora decoder, it is just easier. However, I have started to find that at peak times it takes for ever to buffer, this could be my internet but when browsing or doing a speedtest it seems OK. I have a 10mb line which runs at 6mb.

Have people tried streaming it over different devices and seen QOS improvements ? Are people finding that the showmax server itself is is the problem and would getting a faster line help at all?

Secondly I know that if I go onto the App it shows me where i left off or gives me the resume option, this is not present on the decoder access portal. Does anyone know if this is a limitation on hardware or software ? As I am hoping that updates will address this.
 
I stream Showmax via a Chromecast from Vox. Absolutely no buffering on a 2mb line. Granted the picture quality deteriorates if I'm downloading at the same time but it hardly ever buffers.
 
I've got no issues streaming on Afrihost 4Mbps.. I do the auto quality setting tho for most things.
 
Is it just me, or is there a noticeable difference in streaming quality between Netflix and Showmax?

Bad buffering and pixelation on series in Showmax - vs initial pixelation before far better quality in a series episode on Netflix, minutes apart?

Anyone else notice something similar?
 
Been buffering on Vox with both Netflix and Showmax this week, very irritating , reboot and it then comes right but not 100%.

But if i start a torrent i Get over 1MB/s on 20mb line and everything else is fine.

It seems streaming is throttled lately, not really in the mood to spend extra on another isp.
 
Last edited:
Hemps said:
Been buffering on Vox with both Netflix and Showmax this week, very irritating , reboot and it then comes right but not 100%.

But if i start a torrent i Get over 1MB/s on 20mb line and everything else is fine.

It seems streaming is throttled lately, not really in the mood to spend extra on another isp.
Click to expand...

My podcast downloading appears to be throttled to hell as well! :(

But ja - Showmax is virtually unwatchable at the moment.
As mentioned - Netflix has certainly been better in the past, but appears to be doing a better job of transcoding things across a dodgy line! As in, starts of bad - but quickly stabilises to a watchable quality. Showmax is all over the place - 2 min's clear >> 4 min's heavy pixelation >> bufffer >> 2 min's heavy pixelation >> 1 min clear >> repeat >> etc. etc.
 
Cassady said:
Is it just me, or is there a noticeable difference in streaming quality between Netflix and Showmax?

Bad buffering and pixelation on series in Showmax - vs initial pixelation before far better quality in a series episode on Netflix, minutes apart?

Anyone else notice something similar?
Click to expand...

Nope its not just you

Netflix quality is way superior to showmax. the pixelation on showmax irritates me. I have 12 Meg line syncing at 12 Meg.
 
I use Telkom LTE, I can stream showmax fine on my PC, Ipad etc. Only on my Explora decoder is it crap, I dont even bother with it.
 
vangend said:
I use Telkom LTE, I can stream showmax fine on my PC, Ipad etc. Only on my Explora decoder is it crap, I dont even bother with it.
Click to expand...

If that's the case you should probably log a ticket with support.
 
Showmax is constantly buffering here no hassles when using Netflix, is there some setting to improve it? It is a 20meg ADSL or is the answer just drop Showmax
 
Ianf1 said:
Showmax is constantly buffering here no hassles when using Netflix, is there some setting to improve it? It is a 20meg ADSL or is the answer just drop Showmax
Click to expand...
Odd, I don't have problems on my 10MB ADSL using a android TV box with Bandwith Capping set to None under Showmax settings - which ISP are you using?
 
MickZA said:
Odd, I don't have problems on my 10MB ADSL using a android TV box with Bandwith Capping set to None under Showmax settings - which ISP are you using?
Click to expand...

I use vox but figured it out the firewall on the tablet blocked it when it picked up a connection to a app starting. I cast through a Chromecast. So Netflix has a better app on Chromecast.
 
Showmax's streaming quality is extremely poor.
I signed up for the trial last night to test again after my first experience with them a year ago was bad pixelation.

Thought they might have switched over to HTML5 by now. But clearly they are still using outdated technology.
The pixelation is so bad you cannot even distinguish faces from one another. Its just shapes moving.


When Netflix gives me full HD and showmax cannot handle 80x120 pixels then its not my ISP. Its a bad services. And i will not pay the amount at the end of the trial.
 
crocopede said:
Showmax's streaming quality is extremely poor.
I signed up for the trial last night to test again after my first experience with them a year ago was bad pixelation.

Thought they might have switched over to HTML5 by now. But clearly they are still using outdated technology.
The pixelation is so bad you cannot even distinguish faces from one another. Its just shapes moving.


When Netflix gives me full HD and showmax cannot handle 80x120 pixels then its not my ISP. Its a bad services. And i will not pay the amount at the end of the trial.
Click to expand...

I've not experienced that from the app or from the explora, perhaps it's a browser issue?
 
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