Netflix With Roku Over DSL Optimization

Four Tweaks That Helped My DSL Roku/Netflix
Edit: Bottom line is the 37" Vizio model I am using has HDMI incompatibility with both WDTV and Roku. Two other Vizio models I have work just fine. Still, some of the below experience may help in some instances.
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After beating up on my network, I tried USB streaming and found sound distortion so network is not the issue. It must be the TV's HDMI, a cable or the Roku itself. The following DSL tweaks may be worth while anyway. I finally found other Vizio owners with the same Roku 2 sound distortion issues. Only fix is HDMI to component conversion box from Monoprice. Vizio VA370M seems to have no firmware update path. Apparently this problem is new to Roku 2.

These settings may help but if you have a TV that works with Roku no adjustments are probably needed.

DNS (Netflix recommended currently) (set your computer's NIC to other to override if desired)
Primary 208.67.222.222
Secondary 208.67.220.220

MTU (1462 was Netflix suggestion)
Open command prompt.
Ping www.google.com -f -l 1420 (the last switch is the letter L) and keep increasng/decreasing until no fragmentation/no loss then add 28 for header resulting in 1448 MTU ultimate. This was my number but actual numbers will vary. This is to find the ultimate MTU number. Once found the "ultimate MTU" must be entered into the router, often located under the WAN category and usually has a 1500 default. Online chatter suggested 1462, 1492 and others. But this test will give you the actual number that works for your particular setup and location.
See instructions here.

Set Roku MAC addresses to static.

Set Roku Mac addresses QoS (Quality of Service) to highest.

I can finally get through an episode of X-files with no sound distortion. Some movies are still impossible. 

My New (Refurbished) Netgear DSL $40 Modem Router

Edit: This is has been a great modem/router. It has not skipped a beat in a year with 5 heavy stream users in the house. I am considering buying another just in case this one goes down.

Netgear DBND3300v2 for $40 off eBay factory refurbished. It looks brand new. I had to reset by inserting paper clip with power on until power light showed red before accessing the setup page. Default log in is admin and password. Default IP is 192.168.0.1.

Here are the settings for Centurylink because the wizard will not set it up correctly:
Basic settings
Does Your Internet Connection Require A Login? NO

Internet IP Address:
Get Dynamically From ISP

Domain Name Server (DNS) Address :
Get Automatically From ISP

Under ADSL settings
Multiplexing settings:
LLC-BASED
VPI: 8
VCI: 35

It would not update firmware because it insisted on trying to use the most recent which was for Germany only. I had to download the latest for North America manually and then install. Worked flawlessly. Current firmware V2.1.00.53_1.00.53NA

The DBND3300 is beautiful to look at but I would not try to sleep with it in the same room. The LED display is 4th of July competitive. Think NORAD at DEFCON 5 in all its light flashing glory. Would I buy this again for $40? Yes, most definitely. Just be aware that you will not be doing Roku at N speeds because the N radio is 5 GHz. and Roku is 2.4 GHz only.

DSL - It ain't cable

Worse than cable but better than I feared. I've never tried DSL before so didn't know what to expect.

I tried NETGEAR DGN2200-100NAS modem/wifi router but it would not hold a DSL connection for more than a few minutes, so back to Best Buy for a refund for 100 bucks. There may have been a setting that would have fixed it but the manual setup page was so buggy I could never finish a manual setup. It kept insisting I had no internet and therefore it could not display the "page". I tried Netgear support and the only words I could make out were that CenturyLink needed to "refresh" my line. When in doubt blame the other vendor.

Something I though of after returning is I may not have networked the computer to a network slot on the Netgear and I may have only tried the uplink (or whatever we call it) slot. This may have enabled me to run the manual setup successfully. Oh well, too late now. I wish it had worked because it had some nice features. I was short of time and couldn't fool around.

Next I tried Actiontec GT701D and it works fine for half the price. Wow, I could even access the setup page and use it! Yes it is modem only. Works fine meaning I can get close to 10MB down and .7 to .9 up but the speed varies. 7.9MB down is common but it is still early and my phone line from the pedestal runs across the top of the snow if that makes any difference. At least it works and the speed is not as miserable as I had feared it would be. Maybe some tweaking will improve the speeds. It will have to wait until spring because I'm out of here, Florida, sunshine and Comcast.

CenturyLink support, while I was struggling with the original Netgear, was basically useless with the Netgear troubleshooting but I expected to be on my own. At least I could understand their version of the English language.

Actiontec Model GT701D
Just plug in PC. type in IP and set it up.
default
user=admin
password=password
192.168.0.1

3.0.4.1.1 current firmware
888.436.0657
support email only outside warranty

In quick setup choose the third setting RFC1483 via DHCP
adsl settings
llc- based multiplex
vpi 8
vci 35
ADSL2 plus
UBR

This modem performs well but even though I get 7 to8 MB down I can not run Netflix on best setting and even on better I will eventually get sound problems and need to pause and let it catch up. I installed a GB switch between modem and router/cables to cable Netflix directly without going through router and it helped. I previously could only have video on good setting. Now even at better the pausing requires a shorter time than previously. Picture is never a problem even on best, only the sound.

I seem to receive varied speed. I will hit valleys and that is when I get the sound problems but this will happen once at least with every item I watch.

I would advise just using this modem only solution and attach another router. Reviews on DSL modem/router combination are not great and it is more fun to just replace a $39 modem than the more expensive units that really are not all that great in the router function. Other brands are out there that have modem only construction, Trendnet for one.

On the other hand I wonder if a different modem would keep me from having the dips in speed and I would like a backup modem. Unlike cable modems, DSL modems can be impossible to find if not in major cities. You could be down for a few days waiting for a replacement. I just ordered the Netgear DGND3300 but as a refurb for $44 on ebay. It is wireless N dual band which I don't care if that part works or not. Just give me stable, consistent bandwidth.