How can you cut the cord without cutting your options?
More and more people are ditching cable TV entirely in favor of only streaming media. However, if you've never tried streaming, it can be really difficult to figure everything out.
That's why we put together our guide to "streaming for dummies." Keep reading to learn everything you need to know to get started!
What Are the Benefits of Streaming?
We've put together a solid guide for how to start streaming multimedia. First, though, we must answer the question: what are the benefits of streaming?
The main benefit is that you can watch movies and TV shows on your own time. Instead of worrying about catching something live or recording it, you can watch your favorite shows whenever you want.
Another benefit is easy navigation. With a quick search, you can sift through thousands of options and find exactly what you want to watch. This is much easier than scanning up and down the dial and it gives you more options!
Finally, streaming may be a cheaper option for you. Many users find that they can get access to several different streaming services for less than the cost of their cable bill.
What Are the Disadvantages?
Everything has a downside, and streaming is no exception.
First of all, streaming requires a fast internet connection (more on this soon). If you are in more remote areas or simply have a slow speed internet plan, streaming may not work well.
Second, streaming can consume a lot of data. If you are on a limited data plan, then streaming a ton of shows may actually put you over on your monthly data usage.
Finally, streaming forces you to choose from many different streaming options. It can be annoying navigating many different apps, and you may end up missing being able to access all of your movie and TV shows from a single service.
What Devices Do I Need?
So, you've decided to try streaming out. But do you know which devices you'll need to use?
The good news is that it's easier to stream than ever. For example, many TVs are "smart TVs" that have a variety of streaming apps built into them. All you have to do is sign up for a streaming service and get started.
Similarly, there are smart Blu-Ray players that have apps built in. And there are smaller devices you can connect to your TV (such as an Amazon Firestick) to start streaming.
If your family has any video game consoles in the house, most modern consoles allow you to download and use streaming apps. If you're on the go, your smartphone should be able to stream from all major streaming services along with your other mobile apps.
As you can see, streaming is quite easy. You most likely already have everything you need to get started!
Will My Internet Work for Streaming?
Streaming requires an internet connection. Unfortunately, not all internet connections are perfectly suited to stream.
For example, streaming over Wi-Fi is fine so long as your wi-fi signal is strong enough and your overall speed is fast enough. If the wi-fi signal is weak, you may need to use a device that is connected directly to your internet via an ethernet cable.
If you access the internet via satellite, it can be difficult to stream. As we said before, it mostly comes down to your overall internet speed.
The other limiting factor is your data plan. Unless you have unlimited data from your internet service provider, you must be mindful of how much data you are consuming by streaming media.
Different Ways to Stream
It's easy to think that all streaming works the same way. However, you actually have a number of interesting options when it comes to how you stream media.
"Video on demand" is what most people think of when they think of streaming. This is the service that Netflix popularized: you click on the title you want and begin streaming it.
There are also "time-shifted" media options. This is when something is available for a limited time (such as a cable network letting people stream the most recent episodes of a TV show but not stream anything further back).
Increasingly, many streaming services are offering live broadcasts. This allows someone to enjoy the immediacy of something like cable TV while still enjoying all the benefits that come from streaming services.
Different Streaming Services
For better or for worse, there are countless streaming options. It mostly comes down to who has the selection and service you want.
Netflix set the gold standard for having the most titles available for users to stream. And even though they have a lot of competition, Netflix still leads the pack when it comes to great original programming.
Hulu has a lot of movies, but they are primarily known for TV streaming. Hulu works with various networks and allows users to stream episodes of their favorite TV shows in as little as one day after the original broadcast.
Shudder is a smaller, scrappier service that focuses exclusively on horror movies and TV shows. If this is your favorite genre, it may be worth checking out.
Amazon Prime is another streaming contender, and it comes free with your prime membership. They offer a little bit of everything in terms of movies, TV shows, and original programming. Users can also pay an extra fee to stream the latest releases as a kind of video rental.
The newest option is to stream through an IPTV dedicated server. This is arguably the best way to digitally stream live television and stream premium content.
Streaming for Dummies: The Bottom Line
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How can you cut the cord without cutting your options?
More and more people are ditching cable TV entirely in favor of only streaming media. However, if you've never tried streaming, it can be really difficult to figure everything out.
That's why we put together our guide to "streaming for dummies." Keep reading to learn everything you need to know to get started!
We've put together a solid guide for how to start streaming multimedia. First, though, we must answer the question: what are the benefits of streaming?
The main benefit is that you can watch movies and TV shows on your own time. Instead of worrying about catching something live or recording it, you can watch your favorite shows whenever you want.
Another benefit is easy navigation. With a quick search, you can sift through thousands of options and find exactly what you want to watch. This is much easier than scanning up and down the dial and it gives you more options!
Finally, streaming may be a cheaper option for you. Many users find that they can get access to several different streaming services for less than the cost of their cable bill.
Everything has a downside, and streaming is no exception.
First of all, streaming requires a fast internet connection (more on this soon). If you are in more remote areas or simply have a slow speed internet plan, streaming may not work well.
Second, streaming can consume a lot of data. If you are on a limited data plan, then streaming a ton of shows may actually put you over on your monthly data usage.
Finally, streaming forces you to choose from many different streaming options. It can be annoying navigating many different apps, and you may end up missing being able to access all of your movie and TV shows from a single service.
