question re: Internet Download Speeds

[dionfan]

I'm not the most knowledgeable guy when it comes to computers so hopefully this question isnt too ######ed.

I'm moving to Red Deer soon and am considering getting internet from Shaw. Their highspeed packages offer download speed options of 256 kbps 7.5 mbps 15 mbps, and 25 mbps.

My internet uses mainly consist of checking email, playing the odd games from addictinggames.com and similar sites (but not a hardcore gamer), and watching baseball games off MLB.tv and other videos.

My questions are, what exactly do faster download speeds do for you, and what would be the recommendation for the speed option I should get (considering my uses for it)? I dont need something super fast, just something that will load webpages somewhat quickly and that videos wont buffer too much.

[Rathji]

Regular (7.5Mbit) down is more than suitable for normal web usage. Your service will depend more on the infrastructure in your area.

Start with Regular and if you want it faster switch to Extreme. My wife canceled our Extreme a couple months back and I never even noticed and my usage is pretty much what you described.

Edit: Actullay I think it was our speed boost she cancelled

[keratosis]

I run Shaw regular high speed and it's plenty.Download large files, watch video.
And my son plays TF2 and others online with no issues.

[GoinAllTheWay]

Shaw lite is enough for the average person just checkin email and web surfing. I think it's the only package that doesn't have the speed boost (not convinced that does a ton other than padding shaws stats anyways). If you start doing any online gaming (console or PC), having the regular Shaw package would probably be the better route.

Only problem I see you having with the light package is maybe streaming the baseball games but like others have said, if it's not quite good enough for you I'm sure Shaw would be more than happy to bump up your connection.

[Hack&Lube]

If you are streaming baseball games, you definetely need 7.5MBit.

I noticed many online streams can easily stream over 300Kbps.

[Azure]

Well, are you streaming MLB.tv with the regular package, or with the package that allows you to watch high def games?

You will need 7.5mb for sure, as there is no way you can watch the games with the lower package.

[dionfan]

Originally Posted by Azure

Well, are you streaming MLB.tv with the regular package, or with the package that allows you to watch high def games?

just the regular package

[teamchachi]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

If you are streaming baseball games, you definetely need 7.5MBit.

I noticed many online streams can easily stream over 300Kbps.

7.5mbps (megabits per second) is 7680 kbps (kilobits per second). Which is enough to watch 25 of those 300 kbps streams.

Even if you're talking 300 KB/s (Kilobytes/second - which is *really* high for a stream) then you're still only talking about 2.3 mbps.

In my experience, most streams (even high quality ones) are well under 1 mbps.

So really, 7.5mbps is like shooting a mouse with an elephant gun, and the other options are just marketing. You're never going to find a host that will let you download across the net at those speeds.

Having said all that: Go with the 7.5mbps. 256mpbs is way too low, and the others are way too high.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by dionfan

just the regular package

Yeah, the 7.5mbps package would be perfect for you.

[Azure]

Well, just looking at the stream rates for MLB.tv the high quality stream runs at 1.2mbps, so you're well on your way with the 7.5mbps package.

[gottabekd]

I've witnessed the 256 kbps Shaw connection, and for "just checking email and browsing the Internet", it is noticeably slow. Usable, but slow.

I agree that 7.5 Mbps should be plenty for most users.

[burnin_vernon]

How about if you're running a wireless network through two stories? My speed is so-so but gets sluggish during heavy usage. Would the jump to 15mbs make a noticeable difference?

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by burnin_vernon

How about if you're running a wireless network through two stories? My speed is so-so but gets sluggish during heavy usage. Would the jump to 15mbs make a noticeable difference?

If your performance hit is due to network interference, then upgrading your internet connection speeds will do nothing.

Think of your wireless router as a pipe that connects your network to the internet. Normally that pipe is far larger than anything coming in from(or going out to) the internet, so there is alot of extra room in the pipe. If your network has a large amount of noise/interference it will reduce your network capacity, so your networks pipe is smaller than what is coming in from the intenet, so it doesn't matter how much faster that internet is, it doesn't change the fact that your network can't handle more traffic.

If you are sure this is the issue (ie it fixed itself if you are beside the router), then the fix is to get an access point and hardwire it to the floor where you are having issues with the wireless signal.

I don't have any personal experience with them, but you would be looking for something like these.

If you don't have a cat5 cable running to that level, then you can do a pull of Cat5, or use Power Line Networking solution. Again, I don't have any experiece with these, but if you shop around you can compare prices/quality to determine the best one for you.

Edit: Actually I just noticed this powerline wireless access point, but it seems really expensive

[burnin_vernon]

Originally Posted by Rathji

If your performance hit is due to network interference, then upgrading your internet connection speeds will do nothing.

Think of your wireless router as a pipe that connects your network to the internet. Normally that pipe is far larger than anything coming in from(or going out to) the internet, so there is alot of extra room in the pipe. If your network has a large amount of noise/interference it will reduce your network capacity, so your networks pipe is smaller than what is coming in from the intenet, so it doesn't matter how much faster that internet is, it doesn't change the fact that your network can't handle more traffic.

If you are sure this is the issue (ie it fixed itself if you are beside the router), then the fix is to get an access point and hardwire it to the floor where you are having issues with the wireless signal.

I don't have any personal experience with them, but you would be looking for something like these.

If you don't have a cat5 cable running to that level, then you can do a pull of Cat5, or use Power Line Networking solution. Again, I don't have any experiece with these, but if you shop around you can compare prices/quality to determine the best one for you.

Edit: Actually I just noticed this powerline wireless access point, but it seems really expensive

Wow, excellent info. All things I didn't know. Thanks a lot.

[McG]

Originally Posted by Rathji

If your performance hit is due to network interference, then upgrading your internet connection speeds will do nothing.

Think of your wireless router as a pipe that connects your network to the internet. Normally that pipe is far larger than anything coming in from(or going out to) the internet, so there is alot of extra room in the pipe. If your network has a large amount of noise/interference it will reduce your network capacity, so your networks pipe is smaller than what is coming in from the intenet, so it doesn't matter how much faster that internet is, it doesn't change the fact that your network can't handle more traffic.

If you are sure this is the issue (ie it fixed itself if you are beside the router), then the fix is to get an access point and hardwire it to the floor where you are having issues with the wireless signal.

I don't have any personal experience with them, but you would be looking for something like these.

If you don't have a cat5 cable running to that level, then you can do a pull of Cat5, or use Power Line Networking solution. Again, I don't have any experiece with these, but if you shop around you can compare prices/quality to determine the best one for you.

Edit: Actually I just noticed this powerline wireless access point, but it seems really expensive

I wouldn't touch CAT5 (10Mb/second). I would go for CAT6 (1Gig/sec) specifically. I would also buy your cabling from a memory express or similar as Rathji notes and not from bestbuy or futureshop...they charge a premium for the same quality. its a good markup for those retailers.

i wanted to add that your WAP/router may also be the issue depending upon the type of network that you run.

I run this one: http://www.linksysbycisco.com/CA/en/products/WRT610N and i really like it...i put the slower stuff on the 2.4 ghz and the laptop on 5.0ghz. also, draft n seems to be faster as well as having a different footprint than G or B routers. of course, alot depends upon where you are starting from location wise and the sort of structure that you are in.

i agree with rathji...assuming that you have wireless you need to see the various locations and their connections to start to determine the problems with the speed.

one final comment is about content; alot depends upon where that content that you are looking at resides. if it is on the internet...that is one thing. if it is inside your house (a server or storage device) then you will notice a speed difference.

as rathji notes...there are various speed issues throughout any internet connection. in my experience, you don't want to limit yourself on your network if you can avoid it. the rest of the internet will eventually catch up with your speed.