I am running a Plex server on my LAN and all of my devices are full Gig Ethernet except for my TCL Roku TV which is only 10/100. This presents a challenge when streaming uncompressed UHD Blu Ray content from my server. Buffering happens when the bit rate tops 100 mbps.In comes Orbi WiFi to save the day! Or so I thought. At first my TV would not connect to the 5GHz band (need ac wireless speeds). My phone, when placed next to the TV, connects to 5GHz just fine. I proceed to separate the SSIDs via Telnet successfully. I then commence to test. I am able to choose and connect to both bands now. The problem is that throughput is slower than expected. It is even worse over 5GHz. Again, I was able to test throughput on my phone at the same spot for over 250mbps on 5GHz 802.11ac. The Roku TV works better on 2.4GHz but I still get buffering when content is pushing 90 to 100 mbps bitrate over the LAN.The same media plays fine on another machine using GB Ethernet. I am also able to stream to the phone.Anyone know of any issues with Rokus and connecting to Orbi at 802..11ac speeds?

So, after much deliberation, I solved my issue. I had to buy an Nvidia Shield with a full gig Ethernet port to use for streaming to this TV.

TCL Roku TV (r617) has bandwidth issues on Orbi 5GHz band

12 Replies

michaelkenward
Guru - Experienced User
Mar 19, 2019
If no one can suggest wifi tweaks, it might be a good idea to check out with the Roku experts – I don't see much traffic on that topic here.

When you say:

Buffering happens when the bit rate tops 100 mbps.

it is hard to see how you can do much about that if 100 Mbps is all the TV can handle, but one way to squeeze a bit more out of the network might be a wired connection to the TV. Wired always beats wifi. Does the TCL Roku TV support wired LAN?

If you can't run wires around the place, then you can now get Powerline Networking that Gb Ethernet. People often overlook Powerline, partly because the original implementations were less than great. Things have moved on since then,
- PSUHammer
  Luminary
  Mar 19, 2019
  Hi Michael,
  
  Thanks for the suggestions. Unfortunately, as I stated, the NIC on the TV only supports 10/100 and is not full gig. Major oversight by Roku/TCL in my opinion, especailly now with UHD content going over 100mbps occasionally.
  
  This should not be a major issue as the Wireless radio does support 802.11ac. Using my Samsung Galaxy S8+, I am able to pass over 270mbps over the Orbi 5GHz band. In theory, and on paper, the TV should do the same. But I am only seeing speeds of about 40-50mbps on the 5GHz band through the TV itself.
  
  I have a suspicion that it has to do with the TV/Roku wireless driver. It doesn't seem to really support 802.11ac speeds.
  
  For the record, I have the Orbi base sitting right next to the TV.
  - michaelkenward
    Guru - Experienced User
    Mar 19, 2019
    PSUHammer wrote:
    
    Hi Michael,
    
    Thanks for the suggestions. Unfortunately, as I stated, the NIC on the TV only supports 10/100 and is not full gig. Major oversight by Roku/TCL in my opinion, especailly now with UHD content going over 100mbps occasionally.
    
    My point was that 100 Mbps wired (Powerline) LAN might be better than whatever you are getting with wifi.
    
    For the record, I have the Orbi base sitting right next to the TV.
    
    Should be easy then to wire the TV to the network. No harm in trying, especially if it does track back to the TV's wifi drivers.

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TCL Roku TV (r617) has bandwidth issues on Orbi 5GHz band