Apple TV HD Rental Streaming Problem

I wanted to create this topic to ask if others are running into the same issues I am with streaming rented HD movies. I go to play the rented HD movie and am transferred to a screen that says "Loading...." for about a minute or two. Then, that message is replaced with one that says "Ready to play in [xxx] minutes"...with horribly long times listed (my movie was rented last night, and as of this evening, it shows "Ready to play in 232 minutes").
This seems like a MAJOR flaw with the Apple TV. I have no problem viewing YouTube, HD Netflix movies, HD trailers, etc. I have even been able to watch an HD TV show rental within about 5 mins of selecting it. Seems like there may be a major flaw in the streaming process for HD Movie rentals over the Apple TV.
If you haven't tested this yet (or if you have no issues), please post what is happening with your HD movie rentals.
TWP
Note: I have rebooted everything, used my Airport Express with the ethernet cord directly into the Apple TV, over wiFi, adjusted the distance between my router and the Apple TV. Nothing has worked.

I experience this problem with the rental shows, but also with the HD trailers and with the higher quality video podcasts and youtube videos. I am convinced it is because of my slow internet speeds. i pay for "up to 3 Mbps", but typically get between 1.5 and 2.5 downstream.
Based on the file-size-to-show-duration ratio of iTunes shows (example: a 720p HD tv show rental on itunes downloads at 1.44 GB for a 44 minute show), I estimate that you need a 4.4 Mbps or higher actual bandwidth to get real-time streaming that starts soon after you order it. (Just divide the first number, 1.44 GB, by the second, 44 minutes, to find that it takes about 4.4 Mbps to watch that show. Your actual download speed has to be higher than the bit rate of the movie file itself: that way the movie will download faster than the movie can play, and you will never catch up to the stream and hence it should start playing immediately. Since my bandwidth is ~1.5 Mbps, I have to wait for the ATV2 to buffer a significant portion of the show if I am to watch it without catching up to the stream.
That said, several people are posting here that they are experiencing the problem even though they confirm they have streaming speeds of over 5 Mbps. Don't have an explanation for that, but the fact that my problem is not limited to the iTunes rentals but also makes me wait for the other videos on apple tv implies that bumping up my bandwidth should help. I'm getting "up to 10 Mbps" service installed in a week. I'll let you know if that makes a difference for me.

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If on wifi try ethernet
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Welcome to the Apple Community.
Intermittent problems are often a result of interference. Interference can be caused by other networks in the neighbourhood or from household electrical items.
You can download and install iStumbler (NetStumbler for windows users) to help you see which channels are used by neighbouring networks so that you can avoid them, but iStumbler will not see household items.
Refer to your router manual for instructions on changing your wifi channel or adjusting your multicast rate.
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The following article(s) may help you.
Troubleshooting Wi-Fi networks and connections
Recommended Wi-Fi settings
Sources of Interference
Wifi Diagnostic Software (for Mac users)
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If this works for you, please buy a cup of coffee for a complete stranger or some other selfless, random act of kindness.

Welcome to the  tv Discussion Forums.
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Reinstalling itunes will replace the application but not many of the associated preference files that are more likely to be a problem than the application itself. Rather than reinstalling itunes, I'd try creating a new user and try itunes in the new user account to see if the problem persists.
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ok.
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I found this hidden away on the forum:
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3. Dont change the IP address or the Subnet Mask and Router Address. Just click "Done".
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Thanks for the pointers folks. Yeah, 1.5GB is pretty poor isn't it? There are other suppliers, but you have to get a their phone line installed to access the internet so it's an £85 setup fee plus a day off work for a guy to come round and drill a hole in your wall before you even get to the monthly costs.
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Message was edited by: McGinty

Why is Apple TV movie rentals to expensive? I love my Apple TV, but I can go down the street and get 4 Movies for the price of one rental on Apple TV. Apple should reduce the price of movies rentals to $1.00

Why is Apple TV movie rentals to expensive?
I love my Apple TV, but I can go down the street and get 4 Movies at Redbox for the price of one rental on Apple TV.
Apple should reduce the price of movies rentals to $1.00!!!

Forgive me if my solution to your problem is oversimplistic, but if the movies are too expensive for you, don't buy them.

Apple TV HD Rental Streaming Problem

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