3 ms·

If you're trying to stream UHD Blu-ray remuxes, you'll have best luck with a Shield TV.

mrandish 3y ago
Yes, you're correct but I was actually just referring to streaming Netflix and/or Prime Video 4k content within the official Netflix/Prime apps. These streams have much lower sustained bit rate requirements than UHD BD remuxes but were auto-falling back to HD due to insufficient bit rate (as reported by the official streaming service app's own network diagnostics). I was surprised and disappointed because this is such a low bar to clear. The issue may not be entirely due to the USB 2.0 interface since, in theory, that's 480 Mbps which should translate to peak throughput close to 40 MBps but according to the network speed test in the official Amazon Prime app their own brand new flagship 4k streaming stick couldn't sustain 30 MBps for 4k HDR10 and would thus fall back to HD. I suspect Amazon didn't bother optimizing the USB driver stack to maximize the bandwidth available from the hardware. Maybe they just assume that no one uses 'old fashioned' 1 gigabit ethernet anymore (sigh). It's double annoying because my home theater gear is all neatly rack mounted in a metal frame that just happens to be a pretty good EM shield. So I have to hang the damn stick out of the rack on a USB extension cable so it can get decent 5Ghz wifi throughput. All when I have a perfectly capable gigabit switch plumbed right into the rack. Excuse me while I step outside to yell at some clouds....
- doublepg23 3y ago
  That suggests to me connectivity issues up the stack. I’d at least confirm the Ethernet drop is known working and your ISP isn’t doing any funny business.
  - mrandish 3y ago
    Thanks for the suggestions. I did already check that the ethernet drop is not the problem by trying another device on it. Also, checked the USB->Ethernet adapter on another device as well as checking with a local speed test running on my home server.

Yes, you're correct but I was actually just referring to streaming Netflix and/or Prime Video 4k content within the official Netflix/Prime apps. These streams have much lower sustained bit rate requirements than UHD BD remuxes but were auto-falling back to HD due to insufficient bit rate (as reported by the official streaming service app's own network diagnostics). I was surprised and disappointed because this is such a low bar to clear. The issue may not be entirely due to the USB 2.0 interface since, in theory, that's 480 Mbps which should translate to peak throughput close to 40 MBps but according to the network speed test in the official Amazon Prime app their own brand new flagship 4k streaming stick couldn't sustain 30 MBps for 4k HDR10 and would thus fall back to HD. I suspect Amazon didn't bother optimizing the USB driver stack to maximize the bandwidth available from the hardware. Maybe they just assume that no one uses 'old fashioned' 1 gigabit ethernet anymore (sigh). It's double annoying because my home theater gear is all neatly rack mounted in a metal frame that just happens to be a pretty good EM shield. So I have to hang the damn stick out of the rack on a USB extension cable so it can get decent 5Ghz wifi throughput. All when I have a perfectly capable gigabit switch plumbed right into the rack. Excuse me while I step outside to yell at some clouds....

doublepg23 3y ago
That suggests to me connectivity issues up the stack. I’d at least confirm the Ethernet drop is known working and your ISP isn’t doing any funny business.
- mrandish 3y ago
  Thanks for the suggestions. I did already check that the ethernet drop is not the problem by trying another device on it. Also, checked the USB->Ethernet adapter on another device as well as checking with a local speed test running on my home server.