How to perform a speed test

The following is assuming you have already cleared your cache, updated your browser, tried alternative browsers, and are still experiencing problems with playback.  

Introduction:

Without getting too technical, our videos are sized (that is, "data rate" sized) to work on connections of 1.5 Mbps.  The video’s data takes 1000 Kbps (1 Mbps), and audio data takes an additional 128 Kbps (.128 Mbps), so the combined bandwidth required is 1.28 Kbps.  We specify 1.5 Mbps to allow for room for faulty connections, packet retransmissions, etc.

When you perform the speed test, you will be testing to see if your connection has the required bandwidth to support video upload or download. 

How To Perform The Test:

Go to Speedtest.net - The Global Broadband Speed Test 

First you need to set the correct node, here’s how to do that:

Normally when you use SpeedTest.net, it tests the connection speed between your location and a destination node that is close to your location by default. Override this setting to test the speed between your location and the ArtistWorks servers. 

You can override the destination test node using the map on the Speedtest.net page, using it sort of like a Google map.  You use '+'  and '-' to zoom in and out of the map, and keep sliding the map around until you see the Chicago, IL area, and zoom into the dots around Chicago.  There are 5 dots near Chicago, each representing a node, and one of them is in Arlington Heights, IL, which is very close to the ArtistWorks servers. 

Choose that node by clicking on it…

 

…Your test screen will then look like this:

 

On the bottom left you'll see your own location, and on the bottom right you'll see Arlington Heights IL.  

Click "Begin Test" and let the test run. Note the "Download Speed" and "Upload Speed" once the test is complete, and try running the test a few times. Email the results to ArtistWorks Customer Service.

Your upload speed needs to be at least 1.5Mbps. The download speed is not as important since issues with playback are typically caused by the upload speed. 

If you have questions about how to run the speed test, please contact us. We're happy to help.