Most people today prefer to stream their favorite shows or movies online, especially since they have easy access to faster and unwavering internet speed tiers offered by the best internet service providers in their area! This makes it quite simple for them to watch at their convenience, without any worry or hassle. And though this widespread availability gives immense power to make choices as per their preference, the one thing that most people need to keep a check on is – the speed of their home connection.
Defining ‘Streaming’
Streaming simply means connecting to on-demand content via the internet. The first thing that possibly pops into your head is that it is limited to video-based content, which can only be accessed by smart gadgets. In the past, people used to rely on traditional means to access and keep up with sports, entertainment, or the latest news.
Today, streaming makes it considerably possible to access a wide collection of online content. And since it involves all kinds of content – from streaming the latest music singles to playing the latest games to enjoying live feed via your favorite platforms – you do have a lot of choices that were never present before!
Devices You Need for Streaming Without a Hitch!
These are as follows:
An internet-connected device (smart TV, cellphone, or tablet)
Home internet connection
Access to your favorite streaming platform or mobile app
For instance, if you want to stream your past favorite seasons, you will need an internet-abled TV (smart TV) and a connection to one of the streaming platforms (Hulu, Netflix, or Disney Plus).
You will also have to ensure that your internet service has the amount of bandwidth that’s required for streaming with zero buffer at your end. This is important if you want the quality of your streaming content to be high and the service to be buffer-free!
Internet Terminologies That You Need to Know
Though our daily lives revolve around the internet, many people still are unable to differentiate between various internet-related terms. Why these are important? Simply because the next time, you stream, you know all the various aspects, which ensures a glitch-free and high-quality service!
Bandwidth – can best be described as the amount of data that is transferred from one point to another, meaning how much data was uploaded or downloaded in a certain time.
Internet Speeds – These refer to the transfer rate of data from one point to another and are measured in Mbps.
It is important to note that both these terms are co-related but they have different meanings. However, many people never fully understand them or can differentiate between these two terms and use them interchangeably.
Uploads & Download Speeds – extremely important for streaming. Your internet speed comes in handy because it helps to determine the kind of connection you will need for your activity. For instance, if you are streaming games online, then your upload speed will need to be higher.
So, if your internet has a low speed range and you are trying to stream your favorite movie then you can suffer from extensive buffering and low picture quality or even freezing of your video.
The Internet Speeds You Need for Your Next Streaming Session Online
These are as follows:
Netflix
Keeping a regular check over your internet speed calculator gives you a clear picture of your service connection. This is quite useful if you are using an app like Netflix. More so, you will also be recommended different ranges for downloads. These depend on the quality of your content. If you select SD quality, 1 Mbps works fine but Netflix will recommend that you use a faster connection because that means enhanced quality of your chosen video. In this case, speeds between 3 and 5 Mbps are recommended for HD streaming whereas at least 15 Mbps for 4K or 4K Ultra HD.
Amazon Prime
When it comes to Amazon Prime Video, users are recommended to check that they have a download speed of at least 1 Mbps, if they are streaming SD content. But that’s rarely done as more people now prefer content in HD, so a speed of at least 5 Mbps is considered perfect. Or if you enjoy streaming in 4K Ultra HD then a speed of at least 15 Mbps is ideal. However, this is not the best part yet. With this service, expect the quality of your video to be automatically adjusted, so even if you have a low-quality video, it will be of a decent output.
YouTube
YouTube’s popularity doesn’t seem to be dimming anytime soon. And why not? It is easily one of the most accessible streaming websites in the world! While a speed of 0.5 Mbps is more than enough for basic video streaming but you may need a lot more if you want to stream media files in HD or 4K. If you want to stream media content in HD, then a speed of 2.5 to at least 5 Mbps is considered ideal for HD. Whereas for 4K streaming, users are recommended at least 20 Mbps. Even with YouTube, you can expect the quality of your video to adjust automatically as per the speed available.
Disney Plus
A top-tiered connection like your nearest Fiber Internet connection is considered for high-end digital activities but it doesn’t mean that you cannot stream the latest content if you don’t have a decent connection at home. And this applies to a service like Disney Plus as well. Though a speed of 5 Mbps is ideal for streaming HD media and nearly 25 Mbps are recommended for 4K Ultra HD content but even if you have less then Disney instantly picks up your speed for it can affect the quality of your audio or video.
Wrapping It Up,
With streaming, you may get a strong grip over your media choices because the reliance on traditional TV choices like your local TV service or renting games or movies is diminished gradually. If this area is new to you or the whole thing with streaming and internet speeds baffles you, then this blog article will help you understand and serve as a guide, so that the next time you opt for a streaming service, you can better clarify and better insight into internet speed.
