NOOB Question Newgroup vs Torrents

[BigH]

cable with Virgin Media (formerly NTL) - I'm in UK

so should, in theory, my download speed should be about 400kb/s ? (or perhaps 4000kb/s ?- sorry, crap with numbers)

I download from a European server - would it make any difference it I simultaneously downloaded from the servers in US (East and West) as well, or does it make no difference?

Are you getting 250 KB/sec? That would equate to about 2 Mb/sec (8 bits in a byte). I have heard that NTL throttle the speed of some heavy users to half of what it should be. If you are using a premium/paid for server, you should be able to change the port from 119 to something else (depending on what the news server suggests). This may help to increase your speed in case NTL is limiting port 119 traffic. Also, if you are uploading stuff, e.g. torrents, at the same time, they will slow down your download speed.

I am also on NTL and am thinking of using news groups, which one do you use? I haven't managed to connect to the NTL one so I think I will go with a paid one instead.

just been reading up today on the cable forum - looks like my speeds are not uncommon (throttling or over-subscription in certain areas)

I did change the port number (not at home so can't check) to something like 445 (their European server) - perhaps I'll e-mail the news server and ask them .

In any event, phoned up NTL and have moved up to 10Mb (extra £ 10 p/mnth) and see what difference that makes - I Can go back to 4Mb at any time.

Used to use torrent, but was painfully slow - hence the move to newsgroups - even at 250kb/s, it only takes 0.5 hour to download a 40min TV show (compared with, often, 12 hours using Torrent.

I tried the NTL server, but couldn't connect.

I went with 'usenet-news.net' - they do purchase of blocks as well as monthly contract - went for 10GB for £ 2.65

used it up pretty quick (had backlog of programs with Azureus!) - might go for monthly contract (unlimited at $ 20 p/m I think) - see how it goes

go on - go for it!

[popopot]

Are you getting 250 KB/sec? That would equate to about 2 Mb/sec (8 bits in a byte). I have heard that NTL throttle the speed of some heavy users to half of what it should be. If you are using a premium/paid for server, you should be able to change the port from 119 to something else (depending on what the news server suggests). This may help to increase your speed in case NTL is limiting port 119 traffic. Also, if you are uploading stuff, e.g. torrents, at the same time, they will slow down your download speed.

I am also on NTL and am thinking of using news groups, which one do you use? I haven't managed to connect to the NTL one so I think I will go with a paid one instead.

just been reading up today on the cable forum - looks like my speeds are not uncommon (throttling or over-subscription in certain areas)

I did change the port number (not at home so can't check) to something like 445 (their European server) - perhaps I'll e-mail the news server and ask them .

In any event, phoned up NTL and have moved up to 10Mb (extra £ 10 p/mnth) and see what difference that makes - I Can go back to 4Mb at any time.

Used to use torrent, but was painfully slow - hence the move to newsgroups - even at 250kb/s, it only takes 0.5 hour to download a 40min TV show (compared with, often, 12 hours using Torrent.

I tried the NTL server, but couldn't connect.

I went with 'usenet-news.net' - they do purchase of blocks as well as monthly contract - went for 10GB for £ 2.65

used it up pretty quick (had backlog of programs with Azureus!) - might go for monthly contract (unlimited at $ 20 p/m I think) - see how it goes

go on - go for it!

It will be interesting to see how fast you can get your 10 Mb/sec connection to go.

[GINZY]

Newsgroup gives you best speed of your connection but it take the money
Bitorrent can gives you best speed of your connection but it doesnt take the money

[BigH]

just been reading up today on the cable forum - looks like my speeds are not uncommon (throttling or over-subscription in certain areas)

I did change the port number (not at home so can't check) to something like 445 (their European server) - perhaps I'll e-mail the news server and ask them .

In any event, phoned up NTL and have moved up to 10Mb (extra £ 10 p/mnth) and see what difference that makes - I Can go back to 4Mb at any time.

Used to use torrent, but was painfully slow - hence the move to newsgroups - even at 250kb/s, it only takes 0.5 hour to download a 40min TV show (compared with, often, 12 hours using Torrent.

I tried the NTL server, but couldn't connect.

I went with 'usenet-news.net' - they do purchase of blocks as well as monthly contract - went for 10GB for £ 2.65

used it up pretty quick (had backlog of programs with Azureus!) - might go for monthly contract (unlimited at $ 20 p/m I think) - see how it goes

go on - go for it!

It will be interesting to see how fast you can get your 10 Mb/sec connection to go.

speeds are typically 1000kb/s (but range from 900 to 1200), so I am one happy camper - this week's South Park d/l in about 3 mins!

roll on NTL's 20MB service (starting in a couple of months time apparently, and should be free upgrade for 10MB users)

on another point, what sort of broadband speeds do Americans get ?(I believe they're a bit more ahead in this area than us Brits)

[popopot]

Newsgroup gives you best speed of your connection but it take the money
Bitorrent can gives you best speed of your connection but it doesnt take the money

You can actually 'pay' quite a lot for torrents: 1) you have to pay in terms of time for seeding, 2) you can often pay for GB's to be added to your account via 'donating', and 3) if you are serious about torrents, you will pay more for a seeder box per month than newsgroups.

[fugazi26]

[QUOTE=BigH;1805704]

on another point, what sort of broadband speeds do Americans get ?(I believe they're a bit more ahead in this area than us Brits)

It matters drastically where you live. Where I am we can get 30mb/s and 5 up but its just too damn exspensive (fios). So right now im on a 15mb/s down and 2 up for 50 usd.

[BigH]

[quote=fugazi26;1805808]

It matters drastically where you live. Where I am we can get 30mb/s and 5 up but its just too damn exspensive (fios). So right now im on a 15mb/s down and 2 up for 50 usd.

how much would 30mb/s cost per month?

In uk, 20mb is about $ 70 p/mnth (although Virgin Media are doing reductions if you phone up and threaten to leave (what with Branson's fallout with Murdoch's Sky)

[popopot]

Well I have done it. I have finally signed up to Usenet-News to test out newsgroups and to be honest I am amazed! The speed is just awesome and my connection is maxed out ALL the time, no fluctuations, just maxed out ALL the time......did I mention it is maxed out ALL the time.....I downloaded my first movie in 50 mins. I have never had a torrent go that fast and now I don't have to upload anything - yay! I haven't decided yet whether I should sign up to Newzbin or Newzleech SuperSearch, but because I am using the Alt.Binz program I think I will try Newzbin first. Although it does have the have the option to put in your SuperSearch license key, so I might go for both. Anyway, I have some downloading to do.

...Maxed out ALL the friging time! Awesome!

[magsimus]

@fugazi and popopot:

Fugazi's right, it really depends. I live in Oklahoma, and the options (with Cox) are 6Mbps or 9Mbps. I consider that pretty good for $40/month, but down the road in Dallas now, they have FiOS that goes God knows how fast.

I use torrents and get pretty good speeds. At least I'm happy with it. It really depends on how many people have the entire file and how good the tracker is. The trackers you have to get invited to or sign up for seem to produce better speeds. If you use port forwarding, etc, you'll get better speeds, blah blah blah.

Never used newsgroups, so I'm just cruising through here to see what it's all about...

[Agrajag]

Use this for Virgin Media (NTL) news.cable.ntlworld.com (In the hostname box). Use port 119.

Also adjust the max allowed connections. I just set it at the highest number.

I can get max on my 10meg connection using the newest GrabIt and these settings.

They are uppping the speed to 20meg by the end of May, btw.