Amazon streaming quality - unmitigated garbage

[thomsbrain]

Let's rant!

From what I can see on the intarwebz, I'm not the only one who constantly experiences absolutely unacceptable streaming quality from Amazon. Regardless of whether we are watching Prime or purchased/rented content, regardless of time of day, regardless of actual available bandwidth, I'm lucky to get 480p. Streams are constantly interrupted to buffer. How can one of the internet's biggest clouds deliver such horrific bandwidth to customers who are paying for the service? Do they have their video servers attached to carrier pigeons?

They used to offer refunds on paid content that they couldn't deliver properly, but now they don't seem to offer that anymore. Perhaps because they knew they'd have to refund every single stream they sell?

Meanwhile, Netflix is bulletproof 1080p even during prime time, and Hulu and Youtube are nearly as solid.

WTF, Amazon?

 

[deadlyapp]

I've never had any problems with my Amazon service as yet, but it's also not my go-to source (the interface sucks royally).

 

[yuchai]

I actually have the opposite experience, i.e. no problems on Amazon but have seen Netflix reduce the video quality at times. Weirdly enough it seems to be a problem on certain shows/episodes (i.e. if you switch to watching something else on Netflix during the same time period there may be no issues)

Then again, Netflix gets the majority of the viewing time so it was more likely that I will see problems on their end.

 

[SP33Demon]

vpn it

 

[Printer Bandit]

https://web.archive.org/web/19991013091817/http://amazon.com/

 

[Ichinisan]

You on a web browser?

 

[CZroe]

Netflix was probably forced to pay the ISP for priority treatment. Net Neutrality NOW!

Once all services suck just as much, Internet service providers will be forced to improve their end user connections.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

The Amazon app on my TV streams great quality. HDR and 4k looks amazing.

That being said, their interface is shit and it's hard as fuck to comb through titles.

 

[Jumpem]

I think the problem lies with your ISP. I stream 4K from them without a problem.

 

[foghorn67]

Mine is rock solid after the first 5-6 seconds.

 

[MustISO]

No issues here with either service (amazon/netflix). Only streaming at 1080P but never have any issues.

 

[DaveSimmons]

No issues streaming Amazon video to my PS3, or Prime Music to my Kindle 7.

But yes, the UI for video is eleventy kinds of horrible.

 

[OutHouse]

for me, the Showtime app on a firestick buffers so bad i just turn it off. I get some buffering with hulu running on the firestick but its nowhere as bad as showtime.

 

[Markbnj]

I've been watching Downton Abbey on prime for a couple of weeks now, and the service and video quality have been fine. It's very possible you have a local network issue that is causing problems. +1 for this explanation if everyone in your neighborhood agrees with you .

 

[PlanetJosh]

I have standard definition movies from Amazon because my tv isn't on their compatible list for HD. I'll eventually upgrade my tv for their HD. The streaming works ok. And btw for now I'm getting HD movies on Apple iTunes for Windows 7 which is working fine.

 

[ControlD]

I get consistently better streaming quality from Amazon than I do from Netflix. Netflix seems to drop into low quality mode quite often for me and I'm not sure I have ever seen Amazon do the same.

 

[Thebobo]

The UI is horrible but no problems here using Amazon

 

[boomerang]

No problems here either.

 

[CZroe]

I have standard definition movies from Amazon because my tv isn't on their compatible list for HD. I'll eventually upgrade my tv for their HD. The streaming works ok. And btw for now I'm getting HD movies on Apple iTunes for Windows 7 which is working fine.

How do they know what TV you have? Surely, it's your player that isn't HD-capable, right?

 

[Aikouka]

I think the problem lies with your ISP. I stream 4K from them without a problem.

Depending on who he has, it may be beyond his ISP and a problem at an interconnect somewhere. Although, if he's on Comcast, and Lord have mercy if he is, then Comcast is probably being an [insert your favorite not-nice thing here] and trying to get more money from Amazon just like they did from Netflix.

 

[boomerang]

How do they know what TV you have?

You have to select it from a list at the Amazon site. In my case they didn't have my exact model number but I picked one close and it works. My TV was bought at Costco and the model number may have been exclusive to Costco. The model numbers were very close.

 

[CZroe]

You have to select it from a list at the Amazon site. In my case they didn't have my exact model number but I picked one close and it works. My TV was bought at Costco and the model number may have been exclusive to Costco. The model numbers were very close.

Ah. It's not the TV that's preventing you, it the built in "Smart TV" player. That's why I would never, EVER, consider paying extra for that. All it functionally does is deny you your choice of smart player.

You don't have an Apple TV or a Roku or a smart BD player or anything you can use instead? Their app functionality is all a "Smart TV" typically attempts to add (in a non-upgradable half-assed way). Other options: Nexus Player, ChromeCast, Fire TV, FireTV Stick, PlayStation 3/4, HTPC, etc.

Most people have this stuff coming out of the wazoo. The Roku stick I got at the flea market a week and a half ago is probably around my 10th Prime HD compatible streaming device.

 

[gorcorps]

Let's rant!

From what I can see on the intarwebz, I'm not the only one who constantly experiences absolutely unacceptable streaming quality from Amazon. Regardless of whether we are watching Prime or purchased/rented content, regardless of time of day, regardless of actual available bandwidth, I'm lucky to get 480p. Streams are constantly interrupted to buffer. How can one of the internet's biggest clouds deliver such horrific bandwidth to customers who are paying for the service? Do they have their video servers attached to carrier pigeons?

They used to offer refunds on paid content that they couldn't deliver properly, but now they don't seem to offer that anymore. Perhaps because they knew they'd have to refund every single stream they sell?

Meanwhile, Netflix is bulletproof 1080p even during prime time, and Hulu and Youtube are nearly as solid.

WTF, Amazon?

What's odd is Netflix is using Amazon's servers 100% as of January:

http://arstechnica.com/information-...es-its-massive-migration-to-the-amazon-cloud/

 

[rh71]

Looks great to me just now.

 

[FeuerFrei]

I'm pleased to read the op.
Recently I cancelled an accidental purchase of Amazon video, because I won't pay for video that I have to re-download (stream) every time I want to watch it.

Dear Amzn,

Plz bring bak Unbox.

Thx, bye​