DVDs are long gone. So the only real challenge to streaming is cinemas. Yet, the advantages of streaming compared to watching at the cinemas are plentiful.
Streaming at your comfort means you can organize family movie nights. You can also watch what you want, when you want, without distractions, and in whatever you want. Pretty cool, right?
It can get even better. This article looks at tips to make your already convenient streaming experience even better. Here are nine of the best to incorporate.
Get a Reliable Internet Connection
Without great internet, your streaming experience will be bad. Your movies and shows will take ages to buffer and still stop just as things get interesting. In fact, it would happen often enough to frustrate you into stop watching. The only solution is a stable connection with enough bandwidth to support your needs. Get it done. Maybe even consider a wired connection while you’re at it.
Choose The Right Streaming Platforms
Streaming platforms are not the same. They might have slightly similar prices and share some content, but they are all different. For starters, their video resolutions and content libraries vary.
Be sure to research both before selecting any. Whenever there are options available, there is a choice to make. However, if you’re not satisfied with your selected streaming service, you can unsubscribe and give other options a try.
Use a VPN
There are two scenarios when you should consider a VPN: to avoid bandwidth throttling and to improve security. You might take “at your comfort” to mean watching a movie in a restaurant. In this case you would attempt to do so on public WiFi. However, public connections aren’t the safest as they are vulnerable to hacks. A VPN secures your device and makes the risky connection much safer.
For the other reason, your ISP wants you to enjoy yourself. However, there are several reasons why ISPs throttle bandwidth to slow down users. A VPN that hides your activity might discourage them from doing so sometimes. However, it’s important to select a reliable VPN provider. If you don’t know where to start with that, benefit from customer reviews and helpful sources like the VPN comparison table.
Consider Your Device
Sometimes the problem isn’t your streaming platform or your internet connection. It can be the device. In your enthusiasm, you may be pushing your device to its limits. If that’s the case consider switching settings to reduce the strain and improve the experience.
Some device-specific settings to consider include:
- Resolution and video quality settings;
- Frame rate adjustments;
- Network quality monitoring/detection and data usage;
- Download quality and storage settings.
You should place particular emphasis on video quality, download quality, and data usage.
Employing network quality detection of streaming platforms can help automatically adjust video quality. Video quality may be affecting both the frequency of interruptions and data usage. Figure out a balance between quality and usage, and have fun without breaking the bank.
Expand Your Content Library
Your content library is not infinite: you are limited to what the streaming platform provides. However, it’s not fixed: geo-restrictions might be stopping you from getting optimal value.
Some streaming platforms may grant users access to channels for an extra fee. They might also provide access to additional titles you can purchase. However, a viewer's favorite is to bypass geo-restrictions and access everything available.
VPNs with multiple available locations can help with this. For Netflix and Amazon Prime, VPN performs well and lets you bypass the geo-restrictions. So, with a good VPN, you can spoof locations and access anything geo-restricted.
Consider a Smart TV
Smart TVs are expensive. That said, they can take your streaming experience to a new level. Chances are you may still be streaming on your mobile phone or laptop. A smart TV lets you take the experience to the big screen of the house. You can cast content or use the built-in streaming apps. Either way, you leverage the better visuals and audio. The following are some other advantages of a smart TV:
- Possible Universal Search Functionality to search all streaming platforms simultaneously;
- Higher quality displays;
- And possibly the Automatic Content Recognition.
The particular benefits depend on your TV. Pick the right one if this tip appeals to you.
Download Content
If you don’t have the finances to revamp your internet connection infrastructure or battle bandwidth throttling, just download your content.
Streaming platforms offer the option to users. Many who would like to view offline at their convenience take it. It eliminates internet issues as a factor and increases convenience as well. If you are planning a movie night, consider this to ensure no interruptions.
Follow Recommendations
Where you would normally think to ask friends for movie recommendations, streaming apps now provide this. Trusting these recommendations inherently asks you to follow the lead of strangers. However, it helps people discover hidden gem shows they might otherwise have ignored. Recommendations are part of the reason why a long-forgotten box office flop can become a big deal on a streaming platform. Leverage them.
Conclusion
There are many ways to improve your content streaming game. Among the tips is something for every size of wallet. So, don’t scoff; try some and be pleasantly surprised at how your experience improves.
