Emergency BU Alert Testing! This is a BU Alert test message.

  • Skip to search form
  • Skip to main content
  • Go to the homepage
  • Skip to service alerts
Boston University Information Services & Technology
Navigation menu
Get Help 
  • Services
  • Support
  • About

Important alerts

  • Incident: Intermittent Internet Connectivity Issues Across Campus

    There have been client reports of intermittent internet issues across campus, for both wired, and wireless clients… [read more]

  • Resolved: The Links are Unavailable

    The Links (Student Link, Faculty Link, Faculty/Staff Link, Business Link) are currently unavailable…. [read more]

Breadcrumb navigation
  • Home
  • ···
  • Services
  • Client Computing & Collaboration
  • Television
  • Xfinity on Campus
  • FAQs: XFINITY on Campus
x

FAQ: XFINITY on Campus

What is XFINITY on Campus?


Boston University is deploying Comcast’s IPTV service for on campus resident students. XFINITY On Campus™ is an IP video service available on the Boston University campus.

With XFINITY On Campus you can stream the same live broadcast and cable channels that Comcast already provides to subscribers, plus watch the best selection of current shows and hit movies with XFINITY On Demand™. Now you can enjoy live sports, TV shows and movies, plus thousands of XFINITY On Demand choices anytime, anywhere on campus!


What devices can I use to watch XFINITY On Campus?

You can enjoy XFINITY On Campus on Windows PCs and Macs as well as iPhones, iPads, and 4th generation or later iPod Touches.


How do I access XFINITY on Campus on my computer?

  1. Make sure you’re on campus and your device is connected to the Boston University wired or wireless network.
  2. To access XFINITY On Campus on your computer, visit https://xfinityoncampus.com and click the Start Watching button.
  3. Select XFINITY Guest from the drop down menu.
  4. When prompted, enter the trial user name and password provided to you by Boston University.
  5. Once you have been authenticated, you can begin using the XFINTY On Campus player immediately.


How do I access XFINITY On Campus with my Apple or Android devices?

You can download the XFINTY On Campus app for:

  • IOS at the App Store
  • Android at the Google Play store

Once you have installed the app, follow the steps above to begin enjoying live TV and XFINITY On Demand.


The XFINITY On Campus video player says I am off-campus and won't let me watch TV.

XFINITY On Campus requires you to be on campus and connected directly to the Boston University wired or wireless network. Third-party networks found on campus or the use of VPN will not allow you to watch XFINITY On Campus. There are of subset of channels called to-go channels that can be viewed while off campus.


How many devices can I register? How many shows may I watch simultaneously?

You may use up to three different devices with XFINITY On Campus, but can only stream video to one device at a time.  Devices (up to the limit of three per user) will register automatically – as each phone, tablet or computer is used to access the player, but the can also be managed in the player under the Settings/Devices menu.

Devices will be removed automatically, too – on a first in, first out basis. Ex., using a fourth device will deactivate the first device registered, etc. Using the menu provides a little more control with regard to removing devices.


What is the quality of the video that is being streamed?


XFINTY On Campus gives you access to a wealth of HD programming. You’ll find that channels or video assets are typically listed as HD or SD quality in the guide or with XFINITY On Demand. Our video player uses adaptive bit rate streams to deliver the highest quality video given the bandwidth available once you have made your selection.


How do I find a specific XFINITY On Demand program or live shows?

The XFINITY On Campus app allows you to search On Demand programs by name and to sort TV shows and movies by category. All live TV channels are listed in the Guide, which includes shows currently playing and what’s coming up.


There are some channels listed in the Guide and XFINITY On Demand content that I cannot access, like HBO shows and movies. How can I watch this content?

Full-time users of XFINITY On Campus will be able to subscribe to Premium content such as HBO, Showtime and Sports Entertainment pack channels like CBS College Sports on a monthly basis. As the trial is being limited to just about a month, this content is not available to Boston University trial participants.


How do I control video streams?

Once a program starts, you will have access to a variety of on-screen options. The options will disappear if you do not click or tap on the screen. If you would like the options to reappear, simply click or tap the screen.

The bottom bar of the on-screen options displays your progress in video-on-demand (VOD) programs. The total time is displayed on the right. Your current place in the program is represented by the gray dot, with the time elapsed displayed above. You may move forwards and backwards in VOD programs by sliding the gray dot with your mouse. You may also pause VOD programs at any time by clicking the pause button.


What should I do if I get an error message when I try to access XFINITY On Campus or the video won't play?

  • Confirm that you are on-campus and connected to the Boston University wired or wireless network.
  • Close, then reopen the XFINITY On Campus video player and retry.
  • If the video will still not play:
    • Try playing another video or a different episode from the same network or programmer.
    • Still not playing? Try a different channel or program entirely to confirm operation of the app.


What do I do if video streams are slow, skip or buffer?

There are many reasons why you might see video buffering, most of which are specific to your computer, browser or network capacity. The video streams provided allow for a variety of bitrates (i.e., levels of quality) to ensure that your device receives the best quality signal.

The video player also dynamically adjusts your stream upwards or downwards based on a number of factors, including network capacity, CPU and memory utilization, graphics card capabilities, etc., so that you’re getting the ‘optimal’ video quality based on your computer’s specific capabilities.

Buffering typically is related to network constraints. Visit www.bandwidthplace.com to run the Internet Speed Test and confirm that your download and upload speeds are at least ‘Cruise Control’ level.

To ensure best results for your stream, prior to viewing:

  • If using a wireless internet connection, ensure you have very good signal reception and that there are no other internet applications utilizing your internet connection
  • Ensure you have the latest browser versions installed on your computer or device
  • If you have any problems after trying these tips, try restarting your computer or device and attempt viewing again.


What do I do if there is no sound/audio being projected, and I can only see the video, not hear it?

  • Check that the volume is not muted and that your speaker volume is at an adequate level.
  • The top bar of the on-screen options displays the volume of the program.
    • The gray dot represents your current volume. You may adjust the volume by sliding the gray dot to the desired volume.
    • You may also mute the sound by clicking the speaker without lines to the left of the bar, or maximize the sound by clicking the speaker with the lines to the right of the bar.

  • FAQs: XFINITY on Campus
Boston University Information Services & Technology Boston University Information Services & Technology

Contact Us

  • 617-353-HELP (4357)
  • ithelp@bu.edu
  • •Contact Us
  • •Feedback
  • •Privacy Statement
  • RSS Feeds
    • RSS
    • ATOM
  • Twitter accounts
    • @buithelp
    • @bumcit
    • @edtechbu
  • Facebook page