Community Forums

JerryRendich · 03-19-2011, 02:42 PM

Good afternoon experts! I'm new to this website and seeking advice. What I would like to accomplish is to be able to download streaming media (i.e. Netflix movies) when camping (assuming that the campground has WiFi). I've poked around a little bit to learn about WiFi repeaters but am very unclear about whether that would solve the problem or whether I would need something additional. I will welcome your comments!

Jerry

Thorfinn · 03-19-2011, 07:59 PM

Hi,
All you need is a PC or game console with wifi and you should be able to watch Netflix. Nothing special is needed. With a cable you can even connect your laptop to your TV and watch just like cable.

Good Luck!

Wizard · 03-20-2011, 06:45 AM

Also check on the campgrounds wifi, a lot of them restrict bandwith and downloading movies is a PITA especially when a lot of people are using the wifi at the same time.

baraff · 03-20-2011, 07:36 AM

We have a Roku box at home:
Roku Streaming Player | Watch Netflix, Hulu Plus, Amazon Video On Demand, and MLB.TV on Roku Player
Starts at $60 and goes up from there.
That said, streaming movies using a campground's wireless will effectively kill it for everyone else. I doubt most campgrounds can support the bandwidth needed for streaming with 25+ users all accessing their system at once. You can only get so much through the "pipe" at once.
I suspect most campgrounds block the ports on their routers that are commonly used for streaming for this reason. However I've never tried it so I don't really know.
You can stream over Verizon's 3G service, but it eats up Gigabytes pretty quick: that should give you an idea of the demand placed upon a campground's wireless system if people try to use for streaming.

Wayne M · 03-20-2011, 09:49 AM

I have not tried streaming at a CG yet. I do stream here at the stick house using different methods.

1. iPad
2. PC Laptop
3. MacMini

We have the original iPad that came with the paid "unlimited" download. So I can stream all I want as long as I keep paying them every month.

The PC is used in two ways. One is to directly stream from sources, and Second is to record the movies for conversion to the M4V movie format. Once done the movies can be stored on the PC or MacMini.

I just recently bought the MacMini as a "home Theater" type of recorder. I have it set up next to the big screen and we can watch television programs that we have missed, or movies that are available. I don't like to pay for anything (you'll find out if we go out to eat together) so the tv programs and movies are free. Not the most current, but eventually the current ones become old ones, and we watch them then. I plan on taking the MacMini on our RV trips.

Good luck.

Ray,IN · 03-20-2011, 10:43 AM

Streaming video and other bandwith hogs are the main reason some RV parks now block such websites and restrict an individuals download ability; or, they bite the bullet, buy more expensive bandwidth and increase fees. When we want to watch a movie, a rental store are usually not far away.
Sorry that sounds harsh, but it's reality.

gpearston · 03-22-2011, 06:55 AM

I use the Roku with Netflix and it works very well for us. We do a couple of things a little differently though. We limit our bandwidth ourselves to 0.5 mbs on the download so we do not steal everyone's bandwidth. When we do that the system functions properly but you will get pauses while the download catches up - that can be annoying unless you are patient. To get around that we start the show and then let it sit for 20 or 30 minutes. That allows the download to get far enough ahead that we do not have the pause/download issue.

We have not had any complaints and I have even asked our neighbors to see if they have noticed a problem and none so far. If you park blocks access to Netflix I can't help you on that one.