It could be a network issue - but one that has followed me through two apartments, three routers, and four computers. The only constants in the equation have been Time Warner Cable and me.
No matter what the cause, however, the fact is that streaming media is vulnerable to network issues, and downloaded media is not. It may take longer to get, but once you have it, you know you have it.
I think your point about sloppy internet is so true. American ISPs are in a sorry state overall.
Well, Time Warner Cable is a terrible network. So I think his point still stands. It might not seem like a big deal but IMO, the difference between occasional High speed internet and Actual High speed internet is huge. I am literally willing to pay several hundred a month extra to have an apartment connected to FIOS on top of what FIOS actually costs.
My favorite (and I do mean my favorite) part of Time Warner is that to connect to my servers at CWRU a 5 min walk away I have to go through an public exchange node in DC. Seriously, Time Warner you and Level3 need to get that peering thing sorted out!
No matter what the cause, however, the fact is that streaming media is vulnerable to network issues, and downloaded media is not. It may take longer to get, but once you have it, you know you have it.
I think your point about sloppy internet is so true. American ISPs are in a sorry state overall.