INTERNET SPEED REQUIREMENTS FOR VIDEO STREAMING
There's a minimum recommended internet speed to stream video from websites and services, such as Netflix, Hulu, Vudu, Amazon, Youtube, SmartElite and EliteFlix. If your internet connection has difficulties loading a movie, and if this happens every minute or two, the connection may not be fast enough to stream movies.
IMPORTANT NOTE.
Before reading any further please note the important - Ondemand Service i.e. Netflix, EliteFlix, Youtube work different to LIVE STREAMING - SmartElite (Premium) service.
What is the difference? Simple Terms:
LIVE TV (Premium - SmartElite) - is LIVE Feed/ Streams (plays live - not stored in database)
OnDemand (EliteFlix, Netflix etc.) is on STORED Feed (stored in a database to access)
Back to understanding Streaming:
MINIMUM SPEED RECOMMENDATION FOR STREAMING MOVIES/ TV SHOWS
To have smooth standard definition video, a connection that is more than 2 Mb/s is recommended. For HD, 3D, or 4K, that speed is much higher. It's also different depending on the service that streams the videos.
ELITEFLIX
These are the recommended internet connection speeds to stream movies and TV shows on EliteFlix:
5.0 Mb/s to view high definition video (720p).
15 Mb/s or more for the best 1080p experience.
25 Mb/s to stream 4K (but 25 Mb/s is preferred). Also recommended is a 4K Ultra TV with an HEVC decoder.
EliteFlix system recommends stability, Ethernet is best option however, if on Wireless, Wireless Channel 2.4ghz is recommended
EliteFlix video quality is not compressed/ optimised via compression so you get RAW image for best quality based on connection.
NETFLIX
These are the recommended internet connection speeds to stream movies and TV shows on Netflix:
0.5 Mb/s to view standard definition movies on a laptop computer. While you can stream Netflix at speeds of 0.5 Mb/s, the quality is grainy on a large screen, much like watching an old VHS movie. Netflix recommends at least 1.5 Mb/s.
3.0 Mb/s to view standard definition video (480p) on a TV.
4.0 Mb/s to view high definition video (720p, 1080p).
5.0 Mb/s or more for the best 1080p experience.
15 Mb/s to stream 4K (but 25 Mb/s is preferred). Also recommended is a 4K Ultra TV with an HEVC decoder.
Netflix automatically adjusts the video quality to match your internet speed. If Netflix detects a slow internet speed, it will not stream high definition quality video, even if the movie or TV show is available in HD. This limits interruptions and buffering of the video but the picture quality suffers.
AMAZON VIDEO
These are the recommended internet connection speeds to stream movies and TV shows on Amazon Video:
3.0 Mb/s to stream standard definition content.
5.0 Mb/s to stream HD content (720p and 1080p).
25 Mb/s for 4K Ultra HD videos.
YOUTUBE TV
These are the recommended internet connection speeds to stream videos on YouTube:
3.0 Mb/s to stream SD content.
7.0 Mb/s to stream 1080p HD content.
13 Mb/s to stream 1080p HD content with other devices streaming on the same network.
SMARTELITE - PREMIUM LIVE TV
Simply anything over 25Mb/s is good, noting that stability of the stream and internet is important (we will confirm if we are having issues with streams but rule of thumb for LIVE TV is:
RULE: If all channels are buffering/ pausing, it is user - end, if one or two channels are buffering/ pausing, report to team to be reviewed.
You will also note, LIVE Channels sometimes have more channel source i.e. SD, HD and FHD - pick one to suit your internet
STREAMING will never replace traditional TV or stability that larger organizations offer via Satellite or their own service, we offer value for money at a fraction of cost.
How Fast Is My Internet?
Your streaming device speed is true speed to your streaming requirement, each SmartBox device comes with a Speedometer on Home Page (refer to GETTING STARTED! if you have not found this already)
What Affects Network Speed
While your internet speed caps out at what you're paying for, other things affect that speed such as the devices you're using.
On an old, hardly-working router or modem, or laptop or phone, it's harder to utilize the bandwidth from your ISP.
If your are having issues streaming online videos, boost the strength of your network's Wi-Fi signal, or disconnect from Wi-Fi and use a physical Ethernet connection. It's possible that the Wi-Fi signals are weak in that particular place in the building, or that the device is interfered with by other wireless signals.
If network bandwidth is shared between other devices on your network, connection speed decreases. For example, with an 8 Mb/s internet speed and four devices online at the same time (such as two desktops, a laptop, and a gaming console), each device may only download at about 2 Mb/s, which isn't enough to stream SD content from any streaming services.
If you have trouble with buffering and videos neglecting to fully load and boosting the Wi-Fi signal or connecting through Ethernet doesn't solve the problem, stop using the other devices.
You may be putting to much demand on your home network. If you have video streaming issues, don't download files on your laptop and be on Facebook on your phone while streaming videos from your Xbox.
You can also find more information around Free Streaming options and few additional information HERE