{"id":6382,"date":"2020-09-17T09:46:47","date_gmt":"2020-09-17T09:46:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gfu.de\/?post_type=tech-guide&p=6382"},"modified":"2020-09-18T16:15:24","modified_gmt":"2020-09-18T16:15:24","slug":"video-streaming","status":"publish","type":"tech-guide","link":"https:\/\/gfu.de\/en\/tech-guides\/video-streaming\/","title":{"rendered":"Videostreaming"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Tech Guide
\nVideo Streaming<\/h1>\n

Movies, TV and more from the internet<\/strong><\/p>\n

Welcome to the largest video store in the world: The internet gives you access to a huge selection of feature films, TV series and other video-based content. Increasingly more people are becoming firm fans of video on demand, or VoD, the catch-all name for such media.<\/p>\n

According to the comprehensive survey run by gfu in April 2020, one in two people in Germany already use online streaming services on their smart TV (47%). And 82% of 14 to 29-year-olds, watch YouTube at least once a week, according to an online survey carried out by ARD and ZDF in 2019. But video streaming can do much more than just movies and TV: sporting events can be broadcast to mobile devices, and gamers can compete against each other in virtual arenas, families can stay in touch via video chat and teams can continue to work together online, from home.<\/p>\n

This tech guide will show you how video streaming works.<\/p>\n

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[1]\u00a0Survey by gfu, April 2020<\/a><\/span>
\n[2]\u00a0ARD\/ZDF online study, 2019<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n

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In this guide<\/h2>\n
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Playback devices<\/h5>\n

At home or on the road: Streaming works with these players.<\/p>\n <\/a>\n \n \n

Network requirements<\/h5>\n

Fast wireless, LAN and mesh systems for good video quality.<\/p>\n <\/a>\n \n \n

TVs with built-in internet capabilities<\/h5>\n

Live programs for the entire household: IPTV and TV>IP make it possible.<\/p>\n <\/a>\n \n \n

Streaming services and media libraries<\/h5>\n

Watch what you want, when you want.<\/p>\n <\/a>\n \n \n

Games in the cloud<\/h5>\n

The alternative to game consoles: Gaming platforms in the internet.<\/p>\n <\/a>\n \n \n

Stream your own content<\/h5>\n

Stream your own videos at any time \u2013 from your private media library.<\/p>\n <\/a>\n \n \n

Your own live stream<\/h5>\n

From you smartphone and computer to the world.<\/p>\n <\/a>\n \n <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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Video Playback<\/h2>\n\n\n
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Players for home and on the road<\/h3>\n

Video streaming does not depend on the traditional TV reception technology. You can receive a video signal without a satellite dish, cable connection or antenna \u2013 all you need is an internet connection. This is very flexible as streaming devices can be connected to the internet wirelessly or via a mobile phone from almost anywhere: at home, at a hotel or in public spaces.<\/p>\n

Internet speeds required<\/h3>\n

To receive high resolution video content, you\u2019ll need a high-speed internet connection. For standard definition (SD) video, a download speed of 3 megabits per second (Mbit\/s) is ideal. High definition (HD) videos run smoothly from about 5-6 Mbit\/s. Movies and TV at ultra HD (UHD) need more: Depending on your internet provider, these require a speed of between 16 and 25 Mbit\/s. If the video data arrives more slowly, playback will stall. In such instances, many streaming services will automatically reduce the resolution. For example, instead of sending UHD data, they drop to HD, or even SD data if your internet connection or network is too slow. Video playback will then be smoother, albeit less sharp.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n\n \n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n

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Big cinema on smart TVs<\/h3>\n

Smart TVs, or TVs with an internet connection, are particularly well suited for video streaming. Unbox, plug in, and enjoy! Most devices come with the popular apps installed \u2013 Amazon, Netflix and Co. If any are missing, you can download them from your TV manufacturer\u2019s app store. Then all you need is an account with your streaming provider, and you\u2019re ready to go! Video streaming works on smart TVs and their remotes without any additional devices. Voice control makes it even easier to search for a title or the name of an actor: \u201cShow me all James Bond movies with Daniel Craig\u201d \u2013 this will quickly display a list of what you have searched for.<\/p>\n

Streaming technology to retrofit<\/h3>\n

If your TV\u2019s app store doesn\u2019t have an appropriate app or it can\u2019t be installed, there are alternatives: A digital media dongle or a receiver will do the trick. Simply connect it via your TV\u2019s HDMI port, then connect it to your wireless network or use a LAN cable to connect to the internet. This is how almost all streaming services can be retrofitted to any TV, including slightly older devices that do not connect to a network.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n

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Smartphones, tablets and PCs<\/h3>\n

Devices with the Android or iOS operating system are perfect for streaming. They require internet access by default, and there are mobile apps available for all of the popular streaming services. On a laptop or a desktop computer, all you need is an internet browser: Open a new tab, enter the URL of the streaming service, log into your personal account, and you\u2019re ready to watch. The streaming provider\u2019s servers are so smart that they remember where you were up to in the last video you watched, and allow you to pick up from there across all of your devices. When you start watching a movie at home on the TV or PC, you can seamlessly continue it on your smartphone.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n\n \n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n


Networked video players<\/h3>\n\n\n
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TV with internet connectivity<\/h5>\n
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Smart TVs receive video signals via an app. Apps for the most popular streaming services are typically pre-installed. Additional players, including those for special interest programs, can be found in the app store of your device.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n

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Receivers and recorders<\/h5>\n
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Digital TV receivers that get a signal via a satellite, cable or an antenna, or hard disk recorders have much the same features as smart TVs. Access streaming services via the on-screen menu. The selection of services depends on the manufacturer and model of your device.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n

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Digital media dongles<\/h5>\n
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Not much larger than a USB stick, and just as easy to install: Providers such as Amazon and Sky sell digital media dongles to retrofit to non-smart TVs. They can be plugged into a HDMI port on the TV and can receive multiple services. Tip: Compare the apps available on the dongle before buying one.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n

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Digital media players<\/h5>\n
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The big brother of the dongle: A streaming box or digital media player, which also uses a HDMI connection to your TV, is more powerful and offers more functionality. Some models support hands-free voice control or wireless game controllers.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n

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Game consoles<\/h5>\n
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Games are usually the main event for gamers. But modern consoles do double duty as film and TV stars. All you need are apps! Plus, you can usually access the media libraries of broadcasters via the web and an internet browser on your console.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n

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Smartphones and tablets<\/h5>\n
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Streaming service apps are some of the most popular on Android and iOS devices. Each streaming service has an app for playing video on these two major platforms. Some streaming service apps may require an up-to-date version of the mobile operating system.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n

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Computers<\/h5>\n
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An internet browser gives you access to media libraries. Even if the streaming provider does not provide a native Windows or macOS app to watch video content, simply use any browser such as Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari, to watch movies and TV series.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n <\/div>\n

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