11 Messages
Do streaming apps use Wifi or X1 box?
Trying to figure out how streaming apps work in the X1 environment. Does the stream come through the X1 coax to the box out the HDMI cable to the TV or does the streaming app communicate directly with the TV via Wifi?
- Select a streaming app from the X1 remote: In this case, I am connected to "Comcast HDMI" viewing cable (and live TV). I now want to watch something on, say, Hulu. So I the click the Xfinity button on the remote and then select the streaming app.
- Select a streaming app from the smart TV menu: After powering on the TV instead of connecting to "Comcast HDMI" I select a streaming app from the smart TV menu, say Apple TV.
I'm trying to get a handle on why some of the streaming apps are painfully slow (here's looking at you Paramount+ and Prime) while others (Netflix, Hulu, Peacock, primarily) work just fine. If Wifi, I can sort of understand because even though I am paying for gigabyte speed, my Wifi speeds are pathetic. (Sometimes sub-100 Mbps to at best around 300 Mbps as measured by Xfinity speed test and Ookla, including standing right next to the gateway with a tablet.) Of course, on my ethernet connected Mac, I get 900+ Mbps so no issues there. Is the solution simply to connect the TV to the gateway (ethernet)? Just not sure why some streaming apps are so very slow or unusable while others are fine.
BIslander
Problem Solver
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471 Messages
1 month ago
Your Smart TV apps have nothing to do with X1. They use whatever WiFi platform you have in your house, just like apps on your phone, PC, or tablet.
I do not believe 3rd party apps through X1 have anything to do with WiFi. But, I think they do use internet access though the Xfinity gateway. I have not seen an answer to this here when it's come up before. But, I know that my X1 boxes know about my WiFi network name and password even though I have the gateway in bridge mode and use my own router. There's no way to login to the WiFi network from the X1 platform.
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BIslander
Problem Solver
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471 Messages
1 month ago
@user_b028d5 Not quite what I posted. Not WiFi itself, altough it might be internet access through the gateway. That's only speculation on my part since Xfinity doesn't have an explanation of how access to 3rd party apps happens.
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BIslander
Problem Solver
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471 Messages
1 month ago
@XfinityDena Thanks. The Xfinity support note about X1 apps says you have to have Xfinity Internet, but makes no mention of WiFi. It sounds like it may simply use the gateway to access streaming apps. I use a Netgear router with my B7 gateway in bridge mode and I've never seen any sign of Xfinity using my WiFi network.
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BIslander
Problem Solver
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471 Messages
1 month ago
@XfinityDemitrius Ah, thanks. That clarifies a lot. There have been more than a few references to X1 apps using WiFi. So, the X1 box has an internal cable modem and the apps work as long as you have an Xfinity Internet subscription even if there's no WiFi and even if the your gateway is down.
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