Remember when, not so long ago, we all had to rely on broadcast services to watch news and entertainment? Low-quality media feeds and slow bandwidths made online streaming nearly impossible a few years ago. The first websites we could access were simple pages of text with maybe an image or two. Today, anyone with a fast enough Internet connection can watch high-definition films or make a video call. Streaming lets you watch your favourite TV shows and films or listen to podcasts without downloading files that take up space on your device.
Online streaming has come a long way since its humble beginnings. From Netflix to YouTube, Twitch to Amazon Prime, it has reached even footing with television and continues to grow. This technology has opened up a new world of entertainment and information sources.
What does streaming mean?
Streaming is a technology used to deliver audio or video files in a continuous flow from a remote server to your device. The media file being played by your device is stored remotely and is transmitted a few seconds at a time over the Internet. You can click Play on a song on Spotify, for example, and you can start listening almost immediately. There’s no need to wait for the song to download before you can listen to it. Streaming delivers data to you when you need it.
How does it work?
Music, video and other types of media files are hosted on a remote server or a cloud platform. When you click on a video in the online video player, the server receives your request to transmit video content to your device. Just like other data that is sent over the Internet, streaming works by breaking down the audio and video data into data packets, each packet containing bite-sized data, prearranged and transmitted in sequential packets so they can be streamed instantaneously.
You can stream content from your computer, smartphone, tablet and smart TV, or through other devices such as Chromecast or Apple TV. In addition, there are also different apps you can use such as YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ or Twitch. Some are ad-supported and can be used for free, while some are supported by a user subscription model.
Keep in mind that video streaming also needs a fast-enough internet speed to enjoy the best experience. Higher video quality, such as 4K or 1080p, need faster data speeds to play smoothly without any interruptions.
Internet for streaming
As mentioned earlier, you need a fast-enough internet connection to stream properly. For example, Netflix recommends that you have at least 5 Mb/s in order to stream in full high definition. In addition, you have to take into consideration that if other members of your family are watching their own videos, this could also affect what you are trying to watch.
To maximise your entertainment experience, you’ll want the best internet for streaming. Everyday Communications can deliver high speeds, offer good customer service and keep our pricing below inflation rates.
Still unsure what’s the best package for you? Just tell us what you use the Internet for and how many people live in your house, and we’ll let you know what’s best for you.
