Xbox 360 lagging

[gbb]

Any Xbox officionados out there ?

Here's my (my sons actually) setup.
Virgin 20mbps (i think)...into the modem, ethernet from the modem to a wireless router, Xbox connected to router by ethernet.
I cant connect directly to the modem because it only has one ethernet port.

When we're on the laptop (via the router), the xbox lags all the time. Christ, i wish i could be bothered to learn to play COD..it looks phenomenal. But while lagging, its fustrating for him.

Anyone had this ? i gather its a common problem. I just had a thought...get a hub, ethernet from the modem to the hub, then seperate ethernet connections to the router and xbox. Does that sound feasible ?

Virgin dont have a definitive answer...'we can supply you a modem/router combined..that'll probably solve your problem..£60'

Probably !!!...doesnt sound very convincing.

 

[2Loose]

The problem is that when your laptop asks for web information, it takes too much of the available bandwidth, effectively snatching some back from the xbox game.

A proper solution (which a combined modem & router is not likely to be) requires a router that allows for 'Priority Streaming' or is able to restrict bandwidth to any specific attached device. In effect being able to say 'Xbox is on, so I will only allow the laptop 25% of the bandwidth I have, and I will also respond faster to the Xbox than the laptop'.

'Gaming Router's or those that offer 'priority streaming' will solve the issue.

It is also possible change the firmware on some more common routers to give them this kind of functionality - Tomato Firmware is one of these, but it does require quite a techie head to do it without busting a blood vessel.

 

[Crackle]

If you are able to access your router and do some configuring, like port forwarding and NAT, you may be able to improve things. If your router doesn't allow this then buying one that does, as 2loose suggests is the way to go, provided you can do this with Virgin. Even then, Virgin broadband might not be good enough to always give you a good connection or it might be Microsofts gaming servers on the blink which is giving the lag or the fact that whoever is hosting the game is in Russia or something.

It's a can of worms once you start looking at all of the things that can affect online gaming. A good Broadband provider is key, a good router is 2nd, spending time understanding how it needs to be configured is third and even when you've done all that, you'll still get variability due to internet usage demands, gaming server glitches and game peculiarities and game hosting. Start with the router.

 

[gbb]

I havn't forgotten guys, thanks for the input. Routers Priority streaming etc etc etc (where's that crying emoticon when you want it )

Looking into it all, got a friendly guy from Virgin coming round this afternoon (nod nod wink wink)...i'll keep you informed.

 

[gbb]

Time'll tell, but the first thing he said was...'your modems ancient'. Its the old NTL one and he said it can't keep up with the bandwidth. New one on the way.
He did a speed check...we're on 20 mb...we're getting 15 to 17 when he checked, so that was ok (in his opinion).
Just have to see when the new modem arrives....

 

[Crackle]

They sent someone round. Is that part of their service or some extra you pay for?

A new router may well improve things but you don't need huge bandwidth for gaming, other factors matter more but see how you go with the new router which may well have a more modern firmware and configuration.

 

[gbb]

They sent someone round. Is that part of their service or some extra you pay for?

A new router may well improve things but you don't need huge bandwidth for gaming, other factors matter more but see how you go with the new router which may well have a more modern firmware and configuration.

No...a friend of a friend

'Why when i have 20mb have i still got an old modem then' i asked...they only replace them if they're broke..he said, or if you ask.
I'm not waiting with baited breath...but we'll see what happens when i fit the new one.
TBF to him, he's spotted a weakness straight away in the system...whether its the one thats causing the problem is another matter...we'll see.

 

[gaz]

I have a strange set up for my xbox to get net connection. Connected to a hub, which is connected to my iMac which bridges the net connection to that from the wireless which connects to the 16port 1Gb ethernet switch which connects to the firewall machince which connects to the 'internet'. I get no lag when i play (unless it is with an aussie host.)

I doubt it's a problem with your actual set up (apart from the network settings, as others have said)

Try going to www.speedtest.net and posting the results here. i would be intrested in your ping.