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How much bandwidth will I need?

Posted on 2/15/16 at 10:16 pm
Posted by Tigrus Maximus
Baton Rouge
Member since Jul 2007
623 posts
Posted on 2/15/16 at 10:16 pm
Moving back into a home after a renovation. Had, and will be going back to Cox internet and DirecTV. Was paying $60/month for 100mbps. Never had a problem with me, the wife, and one child, streaming kids shows on netflix, playing xbox online, streaming music to a networked receiver, downloading large data files for work, etc. Never had any buffering problems or lag in gaming, or anything. Was actually hitting 125-135 mbps at times hardwired to my laptop.

Now, going to have pretty much the same usage, but adding 3 outdoor ip cameras, and a couple more tvs that may or may not have streaming devices on them. Also, going to be adding a couple wireless thermostats, a door lock, and some window sensors. The most that would ever be happening at one time would be streaming netflix, playing xbox, and streaming like HBO Now on a third TV (guessing these are the 3 most bandwidth intensive things an individual could be doing?). The cameras will be hardwired, using POE, but the actual storage is happening on SD cards in the cameras, and the network is just used for remotely accessing the stored/live video. Might possibly be adding Sonos in the future, but I think that runs it's own wireless network and doesn't really use internet bandwidth?

I guess I'm wondering if I can drop down to 50 mbps, or if I was using or may be using in the future, anywhere near 50 mbps. I have an assus surfboard docsis 3.0 and an apple airport extreme (AC), both of which will be located in the center of my home. Receiver, xbox one, and up to 5 apple tvs will be hardwired, along with the 3 ip cameras.
Posted by SlapahoeTribe
Tiger Nation
Member since Jul 2012
12074 posts
Posted on 2/16/16 at 3:33 am to
Ah, the internet of things.

I'll throw in my 2 cents, but I'm not a professional.

quote:

adding 3 outdoor ip cameras

In my experience, without knowing what type of cameras you're using or what type of encoding (h.264 is what I'm assuming), then I'd say at most you're going to use 10Mbps UP to view them on very high quality... notice that this is UP stream from your house and only while you're watching that video feed remotly.
quote:

couple more tvs that may or may not have streaming devices on them.

Netflix says that to view a 1080p stream you're using about 5Mbps, and about 25Mbps for their 4K videos.
quote:

wireless thermostats, a door lock, and some window sensors

These will use next to nothing, don't worry about their usage at all.
quote:

most that would ever be happening at one time would be streaming netflix, playing xbox, and streaming like HBO Now on a third TV

Netflix = 5Mbps; XBox = 1.5Mbps; HBO Now = 5Mbps; So, your total in this senario is less than 15Mbps

To sum up, your cameras would use UP stream and wont be affected by your download speed. Your streaming services typically need about 5Mbps each, and XBox gaming doesn't really need that much at all.

My guess is that you'd be more than fine with 50Mbps and could probably get away with half that. The only time you'll notice the lower speed is transferring large files for work or download times on large updates.
Posted by 756
Member since Sep 2004
14852 posts
Posted on 2/16/16 at 6:40 am to
50 is good - it is hard to justify more than that for an average family-
Posted by lsu480
Downtown Scottsdale
Member since Oct 2007
92876 posts
Posted on 2/16/16 at 1:13 pm to
50 should be fine and if you find it isn't and want to move to a more expensive plan I highly doubt your provider will have an issue taking your extra money
Posted by Tigrus Maximus
Baton Rouge
Member since Jul 2007
623 posts
Posted on 2/16/16 at 3:47 pm to
Thank y'all very much!
Posted by Catman88
Baton Rouge, LA
Member since Dec 2004
49125 posts
Posted on 2/16/16 at 3:51 pm to
quote:

Was paying $60/month for 100mbps


Its 72.99 for 50 now.

But the problem will be if/when Cox starts charging for going over the data cap. I checked last month and I was at 150% on my account with 1 day left.
Posted by FlipNDipN
Marietta, OH (ES LPT)
Member since Jan 2015
573 posts
Posted on 2/17/16 at 2:42 pm to
Cox are a bunch of arseholes.....But you should be good with the top tier with cox.
Posted by EventHorizon
Baton Rouge, LA
Member since Feb 2009
1029 posts
Posted on 2/17/16 at 3:08 pm to
I know Cox gets some shite, but I do appreciate them giving customers a win/win here

quote:

Cox Stands Pat, Won't Spy On Customers To Appease Copyright Holders
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