There used to be a time back in the ‘90s when we had to make our way to the nearest Blockbuster store to rent all of our favorite movies. We’d grab a friend, make the trip, grab a couple of movies, and then watch them with our friends and return the movies as well.
However, things changed as the internet was introduced to the world in the late ‘90s, and then developments in technology made it easier for people to watch movies from the comfort of their homes. People stopped going to Blockbuster and instead started utilizing the internet to stream shows and movies at home.
Now, the process is fairly simple. All you need is a steady and superfast internet connection, like the one included in Xfinity WiFi plans, for streaming. Then, you simply have to connect your streaming device, such as your Smart TV, laptop, or smartphone, to the internet connection and stream content on platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and HBO Max.
Still, if you want to make the best out of your streaming, there are some simple steps to follow:
Evaluate Your Internet Speed
The first thing that you need to do is to evaluate your internet speed to see whether it can cater to the resolution that you wish to watch movies in. According to Netflix Help Center, here’s an approximate breakdown of the required internet speed that you need for different resolutions:
| Standard Definition (SD) | 3-4 Mbps |
| High Definition (HD) | 5-8 Mbps |
| 4K Ultra High Definition (UHD) | 25 Mbps or higher |
This breakdown can help you determine how much internet speed you need to watch content at higher resolutions. If you have a 4K TV at home, then it will definitely be a great idea to have an internet connection with a speed of at least 30 Mbps. However, if you have standard screens at home, then you need a 5-8 Mbps speed, which is easily achievable.
A cable internet connection’s speed can range from 5 to 500 Mbps, and some providers even offer speeds in Gbps, which makes a cable internet connection the best option for you to stream your shows in movies in the highest resolution.
Use a Wired Internet Connection
When you use your internet connection wirelessly through WLAN (Wireless LAN), the signals dissipate into the surroundings, which results in a poor internet connection. The signals transmitted by your router can be disrupted by pieces of furniture, cement walls, and other electromagnetic devices such as cordless phones and microwaves.
It’s a better idea if you use your internet connection through an Ethernet cable instead. One end of the cable connects to your router, while the other end connects to the device you want to stream on, such as your laptop or your Smart TV. Doing so eliminates the risk of your signals dissipating, and it gives you a relatively faster internet connection, which results in you having a better streaming experience.
Improve Placement of Your Router
If you do intend on using your router wirelessly instead of a wired connection, then you need to make sure that your router placement is optimized. You should place it in a central position in your home that is slightly elevated. Ideally, your router should be near your streaming device so that you receive the maximum number of signals.
This is best for your streaming needs, as you can stream in the highest possible quality when you have the most internet signals. Otherwise, you would just be stuck staring at the buffering wheel until your movie or show starts playing again.
Free Up Your Internet Bandwidth
If you are already using too much of your internet bandwidth, then it is very likely that your movie or show won’t stream as well as you want it to. This is what happens when you try streaming your content, and other devices are also connected to the network, which results in a poor streaming experience.
However, you can mitigate that if you disconnect unnecessary devices from your home network and clear up some of the bandwidth. These devices can include your smartphone (while you aren’t using it), any smart home devices, and your PC when it isn’t being used. If you are streaming on your laptop or your smartphone, then close any unnecessary apps running in the background since they would be taking up bandwidth as well.
If I were you, I would start off with improving the placement of my router and then connecting my Smart TV through an Ethernet cable so that I can stream flawlessly? Same goes for wireless connections!