Trouble streaming Amazon VOD while watching it through my TV

February 17, 2011 8:19 AM

Everytime I watch Amazon streaming video on my TV (via my laptop) my internet connection goes away. If I watch Amazon streaming on my laptop and don't connect it to the TV, I'm fine. What's the deal? Tech specs and more detail inside.

Computer: Macbook 2.2ghz Intel Core Duo, 4gm memory
TV: Vizio HDTV
Video Connection: Mini dvi to hdmi
Audio: Y-adapter
ISP: Comcast

I don't have any problems watching downloaded movies, streaming iTunes, et. al. Just Amazon. Is this an issue with my ISP? It can't be, right? Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to watch it on my laptop. Help!

posted by stevedee to Computers & Internet (11 answers total)

Best answer: My parents got a new TV and their RF remote for their DVR stopped working. Turns out the TV was the cause of interference. Moving the DVR's antenna 6-8 feet away from the TV cleared it all up.

Curious if moving the laptop away from the TV might help.
posted by maulik at 8:29 AM on February 17, 2011

I had a similar problem and needed to update the firmware on my wireless router.
posted by Blake at 8:39 AM on February 17, 2011

When you say it goes away, do you mean it is *gone*? Can't ping, "this page cannot be found" stuff? Or just slow?

I've never used Amazon streaming- could it be a DRM issue?
posted by gjc at 8:42 AM on February 17, 2011

Response by poster: When you say it goes away, do you mean it is *gone*? Can't ping, "this page cannot be found" stuff? Or just slow?

Here's how it watching a movie goes:

Movie streaming in HD (720p)
Connection degrades to SD (480i)
Connection goes away, "this page can't be found" type stuff.

This all takes place in about 1/1.5 minutes.
posted by stevedee at 8:52 AM on February 17, 2011

When does the connection return?
posted by bitdamaged at 8:58 AM on February 17, 2011

Response by poster: When does the connection return?

Disconnect from TV and restart.
posted by stevedee at 9:06 AM on February 17, 2011

Is the laptop connected wirelessly? Would it be possible to hook up an ethernet cable to see if the problem persists?
posted by contraption at 10:23 AM on February 17, 2011 [1 favorite]

What contraption said. As always, the way to troubleshoot computer stuff is process of elimination.
posted by empath at 11:49 AM on February 17, 2011

What brand of display cable are you using? I've seen reports in Amazon reviews that some non-Apple cables interfere with the wireless on some MacBook models. As mentioned above, see if you can connect to the network with a wire rather than wirelessly.
posted by CMcKinnon at 12:14 PM on February 17, 2011

Response by poster: It is connected wirelessly and they are non-apple cables. I will run some tests later tonight.

Thanks!
posted by stevedee at 1:03 PM on February 17, 2011

Response by poster: It turns out that it was too close to the TV.
posted by stevedee at 3:02 AM on February 18, 2011