Why do I lag when my headset is on??

[cyrus079]

I have only recently started playing online; I have a wireless router and a PS Bluetooth headset. While playing online people are telling me to turn off my headset because I'm lagging like crazy; as soon as I turn it off everything is fine, even if the room is maxed out with people.
I have read that you can set you router to have a static IP for the PS3; I haven't tried it yet, because my wife is playing right now.
But if I'm not lagging until I turn on my head set; wouldn't that mean that there's something wrong with the headset? ( I'm quite ignorant when it comes to computers !!)
I have cleared my PS3's cache. Would doing the static ID thing help this issue?? Or should I be looking at a different headset? I don't want to spend a fortune on a headset, and my console is about 17 feet from where I sit, so a wired headset won't work for me.
Thanks for any and all help.

 

[doyley101]

It's probably because it takes more bandwidth to send and receive data for the headset on top of the races' data

 

[GTPorsche]

More bandwidth is being used with the headset on, and you are on a wireless network, which probably isn't optimized for online gaming.

 

[cyrus079]

is there a site or link that will explain how to optomize my internet for gaming?

 

[iamsupernasty]

is there a site or link that will explain how to optomize my internet for gaming?

Hardwire your PS3. Youll get a much stronger and more reliable connection with a cable versus wireless. Even then you may just not have a strong enough connection, but the wifi is NOT helping.

 

[cyrus079]

Hardwire your PS3. Youll get a much stronger and more reliable connection with a cable versus wireless. Even then you may just not have a strong enough connection, but the wifi is NOT helping.

My modem and PS3 console are on different floors of the house and at opposite ends!! There's no realistic way for me to hard wire the console.
Thanks though

 

[iamsupernasty]

My modem and PS3 console are on different floors of the house and at opposite ends!! There's no realistic way for me to hard wire the console.
Thanks though

So then I'd say it's safe to assume that the wireless router is upstairs also? Since you're asking the signal to cross that distance that is too far to even cable, then there should be no surprise that you have connection issues from time to time.

It would appear there is likely no way to fix your problem without either adding the cabling, moving the wireless access point (which would require cabling as well), or stopping your usage of the mic.

 

[marcus_war]

The same thing happens to me, but I have a hardwired connection, which leads me to believe that the Bluetooth could be data-intensive. I have pronounced lag with it on.

 

[bs13]

Ideally you want a wired connection as others have suggested. This guide was posted by a forum member on how to setup a static IP and put your PS3 in the routers DMZ. http://forums.station.sony.com/dcuops3/posts/list.m?topic_id=10560

The room host can also set the mic quality before he starts the room. Setting it to low may help. I always set the room mic quality to low and have had no problems hearing people.

 

[GTP_Monkey]

My modem and PS3 console are on different floors of the house and at opposite ends!! There's no realistic way for me to hard wire the console.
Thanks though

Thats the exact reason your having problems, I was on wireless with 50 fibreoptic and ps3 only 6ft away from router and had disconections went hardwired never had a problem. You really need to look into having a wire around or over your house, If you dont you will allways have problems.

 

[jgancherjr]

Thats the exact reason your having problems, I was on wireless with 50 fibreoptic and ps3 only 6ft away from router and had disconections went hardwired never had a problem. You really need to look into having a wire around or over your house, If you dont you will allways have problems.

... Or just a better router.. Mines 40ft away and
I pull 95-100% on reception with 40MB Internet.. I have a linksys G-Router.. I'm not exactly sure on the model bit it was about 150$ US and well worth it!

 

[Argon]

Seems that the issue is purely one signal loss due to distance from the router. There is an alternative to running new cables. Netgear do a product called Powerline that converts the house electrical circuit into an ethernet capable LAN, instant cabling to any room that has a power outlet. Placed between the router and your gaming room you would have a hard wired network that can support anything between 85 and 500mb

Might be worth a look.

p.s. Netgear are not the only manufacturer if you have an aversion to them

 

[Bluntified]

I'm surprised no one mentioned changing the mic quality. You can adjust the mic quality through your PS3s settings, look for Bluetooth accessories and look for your mic, you have an option for standard and high quality. Try changing it to standard, it really helps as it doesn't need to send much data.

Another issue could be your upload speed, if it's low, you'll have all kinds of lag issues. Upload speed is nearly as important as download when playing online.

 

[bs13]

I'm surprised no one mentioned changing the mic quality. You can adjust the mic quality through your PS3s settings, look for Bluetooth accessories and look for your mic, you have an option for standard and high quality. Try changing it to standard, it really helps as it doesn't need to send much data.

Thanks! I didn't know about this setting. I'll let my friends with Bluetooth know about this 👍.

 

[watermelon punch]

Hardwire your PS3. Youll get a much stronger and more reliable connection with a cable versus wireless. Even then you may just not have a strong enough connection, but the wifi is NOT helping.

^^ This.
From everything I've read and seen about people's experiences... The #1 best thing you can do for your gt5 online racing experience is HARD wire your ps3 to your modem/router.

It's not 100% cure for all PSN network connection ills. But by far, people with their ps3 on a wireless network seem to overall have more problems.

I have heard people complain before about wireless headsets with mics on.

I know in our organized races, if there's probably going to be more than a few people in the lounge, and particularly if there's more than 10+ people signed up, we actually DISABLE mics in the lounge, because for whatever reason, it makes it less likely to have lag or connection problems.

 

[Bluntified]

^^ This.
From everything I've read and seen about people's experiences... The #1 best thing you can do for your gt5 online racing experience is HARD wire your ps3 to your modem/router.

It's not 100% cure for all PSN network connection ills. But by far, people with their ps3 on a wireless network seem to overall have more problems.

I have heard people complain before about wireless headsets with mics on.

I know in our organized races, if there's probably going to be more than a few people in the lounge, and particularly if there's more than 10+ people signed up, we actually DISABLE mics in the lounge, because for whatever reason, it makes it less likely to have lag or connection problems.

This is mainly for people with incompatible router types. It only supports b/g not N, so anyone with a "N only" router will suffer problems (usually ISP provided routers). I run exclusively wifi for years and never had an issue. I don't even clear my cache, since update 2.07, and everything runs smooth.

 

[zZAnonymousZz]

Its about the data being sent and received.. bluetooth is audio which requires more data or bandwidth.. the thing is wireless routers are the issue its simply the bandwidth you are able to have from your provider. i run on wireless on a first gen ps3 and i have no problems even when my bluetooth is on...

 

[watermelon punch]

@ Bluntified: I know a couple of people like you. Not many though. Indeed almost everyone who has consistent problems is on wireless - I can't think it's a coincidence.

Of course I really think PART of the problem for those people is being on wireless with OTHER PEOPLE IN THEIR HOUSEHOLD USING THE INTERNET WHILE THEY ARE RACING.
Which I think REALLY causes a problem if several people are connected to the internet doing various things while someone is racing online.

Of course that could be a problem even with hard-wired, but it seems to be even more severe a problem for people on wireless.
(For example, someone last year I knew I think lived in a fraternity house or something like that with a bunch of people connected to the wifi - had consistent problems all the time of one type or another.)

 

[Bottoz]

I doubt it's a bandwidth problem. In typical voice coding the data rate is only 8 Kbps. What it may be is bluetooth (or other 2.4Ghz) interference.

Bluetooth and WiFi both use the 2.4Ghz band. Before attempting a hardwire (the best solution), try and change your WiFi channel. There are multiple channels, try to use 1, 6 or 11.

Similar to 802.11, Bluetooth devices operate within the 2.4 GHz band. The difference is that that Bluetooth uses frequency hopping (at 1,600 hops per second) to hop over the entire 2.4 GHz band. 802.11, on the other hand, uses direct sequence and only occupies approximately one third of the 2.4 GHz band. As a result, Bluetooth hops all over 802.11 transmissions.

An 802.11 station (client or access point) is polite and first listens to the medium before transmitting. If the 802.11 station doesn't sense RF energy above a certain threshold (meaning that the medium is idle), the 802.11 station can transmit a frame. While the 802.11 station is sending the frame, other 802.11 stations will hold off their transmissions by following the same protocol. This provides a fairly good method of sharing a common RF channel among devices complying with the 802.11 standard.

A critical problem is that Bluetooth and 802.11 neither understand each other nor follow the same rules. A Bluetooth radio may haphazardly begin transmitting data while an 802.11 station is sending a frame. This results in a collision, which forces the 802.11 station to retransmit the frame when it realizes that the receiving station is not going to send back an acknowledgement. This lack of coordination is the basis for RF interference between Bluetooth and 802.11

 

[Kamdoon]

Do you own your house? If you do (or have a copacetic landlord), you may be surprised at how easy running cat-5 line can be. I hard wired mine (before I switched to the "new" ATT) and it meant the difference between streaming 720 and 1280. Buy the cable at your local Home Depot, along w/ connectors and a connection tool, then Google the how-to. If you have any questions, pm me and I would be happy to help you. But it's well worth it, and a good skill to have!

 

[GTP_Monkey]

... Or just a better router.. Mines 40ft away and
I pull 95-100% on reception with 40MB Internet.. I have a linksys G-Router.. I'm not exactly sure on the model bit it was about 150$ US and well worth it!

I had 100% reception wireless but still far superior when hard wired, It s not allways possible to get the router your quoting for example in different parts of the world.
And its a known fact that PS3 does not like to be used wirelesly.

 

[watermelon punch]

I doubt it's a bandwidth problem. In typical voice coding the data rate is only 8 Kbps. What it may be is bluetooth (or other 2.4Ghz) interference.

Bluetooth and WiFi both use the 2.4Ghz band. Before attempting a hardwire (the best solution), try and change your WiFi channel. There are multiple channels, try to use 1, 6 or 11.

Similar to 802.11, Bluetooth devices operate within the 2.4 GHz band. The difference is that that Bluetooth uses frequency hopping (at 1,600 hops per second) to hop over the entire 2.4 GHz band. 802.11, on the other hand, uses direct sequence and only occupies approximately one third of the 2.4 GHz band. As a result, Bluetooth hops all over 802.11 transmissions.

An 802.11 station (client or access point) is polite and first listens to the medium before transmitting. If the 802.11 station doesn't sense RF energy above a certain threshold (meaning that the medium is idle), the 802.11 station can transmit a frame. While the 802.11 station is sending the frame, other 802.11 stations will hold off their transmissions by following the same protocol. This provides a fairly good method of sharing a common RF channel among devices complying with the 802.11 standard.

A critical problem is that Bluetooth and 802.11 neither understand each other nor follow the same rules. A Bluetooth radio may haphazardly begin transmitting data while an 802.11 station is sending a frame. This results in a collision, which forces the 802.11 station to retransmit the frame when it realizes that the receiving station is not going to send back an acknowledgement. This lack of coordination is the basis for RF interference between Bluetooth and 802.11

Very interesting I didn't know that. But that could explain why a lot of people complain about wireless headsets.

 

[Bottoz]

True. WiFi, Bluetooth headsets and multiple Bluetooth controllers could create a lot of crowding and interference in the 2.4Ghz band.

 

[watermelon punch]

True. WiFi, Bluetooth headsets and multiple Bluetooth controllers could create a lot of crowding and interference in the 2.4Ghz band.

Yes, when you think of it that way, which is what's happening, it makes sense.

Also, maybe makes sense why the wireless connection to the internet seems to be okay for SOME people, and TERRIBLE for others.
Thinking of it, the people I know who have wireless & don't have problems too often... Not living in a big household. (ie: living alone or with not too many people using the internet while they're racing)
The people on wireless who I noticed had problems a lot... Many of them living with parents/siblings or roommates... or maybe spouses & multiple kids... with everyone crowding the wireless network perhaps?

 

[cyrus079]

I have something to add.... my internet runs through the cable TV line; could I get a cable splitter, a short Ethernet cord and another 'wired' modem to hook directly into the PS3? Or something like that?
I generally play after my wife has gone to bed, so there would be no one on the computer upstairs. Also; does it make a difference if the computer is actually turned on? I usually turn it off, but leave the the modem and wireless router on.
Thanks

 

[watermelon punch]

Also; does it make a difference if the computer is actually turned on? I usually turn it off, but leave the the modem and wireless router on.
Thanks

That shouldn't matter unless your computer is doing uploading/downloading, I think.
(If that's what you mean.)

The issue is this... if someone else on the same internet connection is doing heavy uploading/downloading, you're going to have a problem racing.
Like if someone is streaming netflix/lovefilm or something somewhere in the house while you're racing - you will probably lag.

 

[Bluntified]

I have something to add.... my internet runs through the cable TV line; could I get a cable splitter, a short Ethernet cord and another 'wired' modem to hook directly into the PS3? Or something like that?
I generally play after my wife has gone to bed, so there would be no one on the computer upstairs. Also; does it make a difference if the computer is actually turned on? I usually turn it off, but leave the the modem and wireless router on.
Thanks

I'm not too sure how splitting it works, that would be worth a call to your internet provider. They could send you a router, you wouldn't need another modem, this will re-route signals for you.

As for having your computer on, it doesn't matter. As long as nothing is downloading and MAINLY, uploading, you will be fine. If you are wired and have sufficient bandwidth, it won't matter who's doing what on the computer.

Yes, when you think of it that way, which is what's happening, it makes sense.

Also, maybe makes sense why the wireless connection to the internet seems to be okay for SOME people, and TERRIBLE for others.
Thinking of it, the people I know who have wireless & don't have problems too often... Not living in a big household. (ie: living alone or with not too many people using the internet while they're racing)
The people on wireless who I noticed had problems a lot... Many of them living with parents/siblings or roommates... or maybe spouses & multiple kids... with everyone crowding the wireless network perhaps?

Just for comparison, I live in a 2 bedroom condo, pretty full, 980sqf, wife and baby. Modem/router about 15-20 feet from PS3, radio signals (any over the air signals) are cell phones, PS3 controller(s) and laptop. I don't have cable so my wife's always on netflix while I'm on my PS3.

I'd be interested in hearing anyone else's conditions.

 

[Slash]

^^^4 bedroom house, router 15 feet away, over the air? 3 Ipods, 3 laptops, 5 cell phones, 3 landline, 2 DS3's, 4 people streaming Netflix, people downloading stuff, on a 2mbps connection. Router constantly overloads. Oh, and I'm a GT5 drag racer running Wifi...

 

[Bottoz]

WiFi signals are polite. The will work together fine. Having many WiFi connections isn't the problem. I think problems occur when the WiFi router is a long distance away from the PS3 & your Bluetooth devices. The PS3 has to overcome the 'bubble' of the Bluetooth signal footprint and reach the WiFi access point. Some WiFi routers handle this better than others. The ones that handle it poorly are the ones that have collisions and exhibit lag while using voice chat.

You should only be worried about WiFi and Bluetooth, they both share the 2.4Ghz band. Other frequencies from cell phones won't interfere with 2.4Ghz.

 

[watermelon punch]

You should only be worried about WiFi and Bluetooth, they both share the 2.4Ghz band. Other frequencies from cell phones won't interfere with 2.4Ghz.

This is good information. I should learn more about the radio spectrum, it's very interesting.
How about rc cars & rc helicopters?
What else might be in that band?