With a series of on-demand services such as Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+, streaming media transmission is hotter than ever. There are also a variety of live TV streaming services, such as Sling TV, ESPN Plus, AT&T TV Now (previously known as DirecTV Now) and YouTube TV, all of which hope to take advantage of this thread cutting phenomenon.
If you can hear and hear the sound with your eyes and ears, you can most likely find it online (for a fee). With free HD broadcasting, there is no better time to kick the cable to the side of the road.
However, not everyone is considered a “lawn mower.” In theory, abandoning cables or satellites and the bills they carry sounds good, but if you don’t do research, don’t worry about it.
First things first: How’s your internet?
The problem with Internet TV is that you need a broadband connection that is coordinated with the streaming lifestyle. This seems to be a foregone conclusion, but we want to make it clear that if you want to bet on a valuable entertainment future on the Internet, it is best to have a reliable connection.
Netflix and other similar streaming video services recommend that the minimum downlink speed for high-definition streaming is 5Mbps, but this is not possible for most people, especially those who stream multiple shows or movies at a time. Cracked.
Consider that 5Mbps may provide you with a high-definition video stream, but if your network is blocked by any other traffic, you may encounter problems with loading and buffering delays.
Of course, if you want to join the streaming major league to access the growing 4K Ultra HD streaming content provided by Netflix, Amazon, Disney+, YouTube and other companies, you need to increase your broadband speed to reach at least 25Mbps.
Cable TV will not interrupt your program for buffering, so you don’t want to feel unnecessarily frustrated.
If you only plan to download 4K content from sites like FandangoNow or Ultraflix (providing 4K content at speeds as low as 4Mbps), 10Mbps may be enough, but a fast and reliable internet is essential for a good streaming experience.
We also recommend that you test the internet speed during peak hours (between 6 and 10 pm on weekdays) to determine if your neighbors are struggling under the pressure of heavy traffic.
For example, if your download volume in a day is usually about 10Mbps, but that number is about 3Mbps at dinner time, you need to call your internet provider to see if you can do anything.
Fortunately, this is an increasingly rare problem in rural areas, but it is best to check. Don’t forget to check your network equipment.
Most modern routers and modems should provide all the speeds required, but non-Gigabit devices may not be sufficient for simultaneous 4K streaming.
Any issues you encounter may also be caused by weird technical issues, such as incorrect port forwarding, wireless interference or other random events that are difficult to track. We will try some of these issues to help you troubleshoot. If you are unsure, be sure to call your internet service provider.
Get an HD antenna
Before unsubscribing to cable or satellite TV, please research the available content through the HD antenna.
For people in urban areas, high-quality HD antennas are likely to be selected for all four major networks (Fox, ABC, NBC and CBS) and up to 10-15 other HD (PBS, CW, etc.) (and, soon Launch 4K) resolution, all for free.
To make sure you get a good reception, you just need to buy one and try it out, ask nearby, or try this antenna analysis tool, it will tell you which channels you want to receive in your area.
There are numerous antennas available that will nab you plenty of HD channels, but here are a couple of our favorites:
ClearStream Eclipse
In ClearStream Eclipse, it has the best performance among similar products. The antenna is multi-directional, powerful, and versatile. There are 35-mile and 50-mile versions of the indoor Eclipse series, and indoor/outdoor 60-mile and 70-mile versions of the 2Max and 4Max models respectively, so you can choose the model that best suits your location. One side of the double-sided tape mounting surface is black, and the other side is white.
It can be painted with paint to integrate it into any decoration. The circular design of the antenna is unique and has the advantage of picking up UHF signals (a type of high-definition television signal) better than most other indoor antennas. In addition, it is multi-directional, so it is easy to find the ideal configuration to make the signal clearest.
Leaf Metro
We like Leaf Metro because of its small size and can be easily put away without sacrificing many functions. Although its range is limited to about 25 miles, it is ideal for people living in smaller apartments or rental rooms, especially in urban environments with abundant aerial TV signals.
In order to make its small size and versatility, the antenna is available in black or white colors, and you can also paint to match your interior. In addition, its adhesive coating means it can adhere to almost any surface and can be easily moved to other locations. The included 10-foot coaxial cable allows quite flexible installation.
There are more suggestions in our indoor antenna guide, which also includes instructions on how the antenna works and how to make the best settings. Do you want to record a local network TV station? Consider using Tivo Bolt OTA or other broadcast DVR.
Trade up for a real streaming device
You may have a Blu-ray player or smart TV with streaming apps, but many of them provide a frustrating streaming experience. Newer TVs from Samsung and LG have impressive smart interfaces, and Roku TVs are a great choice for all-in-one media.
If you own one of them, it’s perfect; otherwise, if you are transitioning to full-time streaming, you may need a separate device tailored specifically for the job.
Here are a small selection of some of our favorites. If you need more advice, I suggest you check the full list of the best streaming media devices we can buy.
Amazon Fire TV Cube
Amazon Fire TV has now gone through several iterations, each iteration getting better. Currently, Amazon provides several models, including the top Fire TV Cube.
This is the real revolution of the streaming media box. It provides simple operation and the ability to control the entire home theater and smart home system with sound.
With CEC control and IR transmitter, you can not only turn on and control the basic functions of other devices, but also turn on and control the basic functions of other devices, which include not only your TV, but also your A/V receiver, Even the cable box, all these functions have your own sound function. This result allowed Cube to get a perfect score in our review and to have a place on our TV console.
Of course, voice control is only part of it. Just like almost all modern streaming media devices worthy of salt, Amazon Fire TV Cube can play 4K Ultra HD content, and its latest version supports Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, HDR and HDR10+, so if you choose to join the 4K TV boom, You are lucky.
If not, then if you choose to skydive in the future, you will be fully prepared. If you happen to have no house full of Alexa devices (or none at all), the Fire TV Cube is still a good choice because it allows you to enter the Alexa ecosystem and add Prime music and video content primary subscribers to Amazon.
Most importantly, it is just an excellent all-round streamer, and it is also our current favorite in the market. If you are suitable for using Fire TV, but do not need Cube accessories, Fire TV Stick 4K is an excellent choice.
Although Amazon Fire TV Cube is our excellent product, there are also some good choices, each with its own characteristics. Here is a summary of some competitors:
Apple TV 4K
Despite rumors that the sixth-generation Apple TV 4K may be dropped at any time, Apple’s current version of the streaming media box still has everything you need: 4K UHD resolution, HDR (HDR10 and Dolby Vision are both possible), Dolby Atmos (Dolby Atmos) and 4K content.
Apple TV 4K uses an intuitive touchpad remote, which is designed to operate like an iPhone and can even be used as a game remote. The system is also faster than previous models, and the inclusion of 4K makes it a viable alternative to the other options on this list for Apple users.
The Apple TV box is compatible with the Apple TV application, which has an interface specifically designed for wire cutters. You can subscribe and access dozens of paid streaming services from the app, which is not surprising, this is the hometown of Apple dedicated to Apple TV+.
Another option for finding bargains is to find the latest generation of products on sites like eBay, but we obviously cannot guarantee the reliability there.
Although the previous generation of Apple TV is showing its era (and lacks 4K support), it is still very convenient for Apple fans thanks to AirPlay, which allows you to easily transfer media from iPhone or iPad to TV. Either way, if you are a big fan of Apple, Apple TV may be a viable option for your streaming center.