How Does Streaming TV Work?

Before the 1990s, television required bandwidth of 200 Mbit/s, an amount that could not be transmitted over a telephone cable. Since that time, people around the world saw the bandwidth of a telephone line, which was initially used to transmit internet signals increase significantly. Additionally, the transmission of a digital television decreased in bandwidth. YouTube introduced video-sharing in the mid-2000s, starting the era of streaming television, which was integrated to TV and many top-rated TVs adopted it. Many consumers use streaming through a variety of applications daily. So, how does streaming TV work?

What Is Streaming TV?

Television streaming occurs when TV content, such as shows or movies, is distributed over the internet in the form of streaming media. Streaming requires an entirely different connection and method than broadcast television. Before streaming, networks delivered their content using antennae, cable, or satellite TV systems.

Streamed content often comes from these same networks or their partners, but it comes over the internet. Anyone with an internet connection can access these streaming services, though many require a subscription. YouTube, for example, offers both free and subscription content. This service may not seem like one of the major streaming services, but its videos are streamed media.

Services dedicated to streaming television content include, but are not limited to, Netflix, Tubi, Crackle, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, Vudu, Peacock, Disney+, Apple TV+, BET+, and Paramount+. Set-top boxes, smart TVs, adapters, and video game consoles offer some or all of these services.

What Do I Need to Stream?

Streaming TV seems relatively easy to most consumers. This ease comes from the intuitive nature of most streaming devices, though the exception might be the set-up process. However, most streaming devices walk you through the process. To start streaming television, you will need a device that can access streaming services, an account for your desired streaming service, and an internet connection.

Streaming Devices

• Smart TVs are the most popular way for Americans to access streaming services, with 31% using this method. Unlike standard TVs, smart TVs provide consumers with access to their preferred streaming content without additional streaming devices. Streaming apps may be downloaded automatically as they become available, or they may be available for download. You may also want to find out what a plasma TV is and if it would be suitable for your streaming needs. Smart TVs use the least amount of energy compared to other streaming devices.
• Video game consoles often provide a way to access streaming applications. These consoles have specially designed applications that access each streaming service. The available streaming services depend on the applications available through the app store on the device. Game consoles use substantially more energy than digital media players.
• Tablets, laptops, and desktop computers each provide access to streaming services. These services may be available through apps that need to be downloaded or through websites. Tablets and laptops offer mobile access to content as long as there is an internet connection. Tablets use less energy than a laptop, which in turn uses less power than a desktop computer.
• Set-top boxes or digital media players connect to a standard TV. These appliances receive and decode the digital media being streamed, allowing users to watch on their TV. Aside from smart TVs, these devices use the least energy to connect.
• Smartphones, like laptops and tablets, provide a mobile method for watching streaming content. However, unlike laptops and tablets, smartphones typically use applications to access streamed content.

Streaming Service Account

Many streaming services require users to create and log in to an account. By requiring an account, these services often make recommendations based upon what the user has watched in the past by requiring an account. Additionally, some streaming services require a subscription that is linked to the account. However, profiles can be made under most accounts, allowing members of the household to store their watched shows and receive individualized recommendations.

Internet Connection

To stream TV, an internet connection is required. However, many find it difficult to stream episodes or movies if their internet runs slow. This issue stems from the broadband speed of the internet. Broadband speed describes the rate at which data travels to a home, and this speed is measured in megabits per second (Mbps.) This speed varies based upon the internet service a consumer has and how much bandwidth other devices being used take up. Additionally, the consumer’s router can affect the speed.

According to some streaming companies, a connection that runs at 5 Mbps is required for streaming high-definition shows and movies. However, that speed works for one user at a time. If multiple users are online, then the rate needs to be higher. Without enough speed, shows and movies take longer to load and may “buffer” (or pause as the content loads) in the middle of the content. You may also want to find out what sizes do TVs come in as it may affect the internet speed that you need.

Streaming content requires an active internet connection, an account on the desired streaming service, and a device capable of receiving and converting the digital signals sent by the streaming service. Most of these devices walk the user through setting up the device and connecting to an account.

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