Not All Streaming Bundles Work The Same Way When You’re Away From Home Here’s A Rundown Of The Restrictions And Workarounds
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In theory, cutting the cable cord should give you lots more freedom to watch TV on the road. Because youre no longer bound to a cable box, you should be able to stream live TV from anywhere.
But with streaming TV bundles such as Sling TV, YouTube TV, and Hulu + Live TV, thats not always the case. Depending on where you are, what you want to watch, and which streaming bundle youre using, viewing restrictions can apply. As the summer approaches, heres what you need to know about how each streaming TV bundle works when youre on vacation:
Streaming Services Are Getting Pricey
If you hate paying for TV, then youve probably calculated the yearly price of services like Netflix or Hulu. As it turns out, a subscription to Netflix and Hulu will cost you more than $200 a year, and additional services will only bring that number higher.
When you consider the current cost of streaming services, the yearly price hike of Netflix and Amazon Prime, and the addition of new services like Disney+, the future looks bleakor at least expensive. We tend to think of these services as an escape from cable, yet theyre starting to look a lot like cable companies. Is there an escape from streaming services?
Luckily, you dont have to pay for Netflix or Hulu to get your online TV fix. There are plenty of ways to watch TV online for free, and some of them will make you wonder why anybody pays $12.99 a month for a streaming service subscription.
Does Streaming Use The User Datagram Protocol Or The Transmission Control Protocol
Some streaming methods use , and some use . UDP and TCP are transport , meaning they are used for moving across networks. Both are used with the . TCP opens a dedicated connection before transmitting data, and it ensures all data packets arrive in order. Unlike TCP, UDP does neither of these things. As a result, TCP is more reliable, but transmitting data via UDP does not take as long as it does via TCP, although some packets are lost along the way.
If TCP is like a package delivery service that requires the recipient to sign for the package, then UDP is like a delivery service that leaves packages on the front porch without knocking on the door to get a signature. The TCP delivery service loses fewer packages, but the UDP delivery service is faster, because packages can get dropped off even if no one is home to sign for them.
For streaming, in some cases speed is far more important than reliability. For instance, if someone is in a video conference, they would prefer to interact with the other conference attendees in real time than to sit and wait for every bit of data to be delivered. Therefore, a few lost data packets is not a huge concern, and UDP should be used.
In other cases, reliability is more important for streaming. For instance, both HTTP live streaming and are streaming protocols that use TCP for transport. Many video-on-demand services use TCP.
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The Battle For Latin American Subscribers
In the last year, Latin America has seen the debut of several global players: Disney Plus, Star Plus, HBO Max, Discovery, and Paramount Plus were some of the big video streaming services that started operating in the region.
The bulk arrival of these services is due to slower subscriber growth in more mature markets, such as the United States and European countries: the subscriber base has reached a plateau, and the number of paid users has stalled. So it is time to explore markets with a more receptive audience: in Latin America, streaming video subscriptions are expected to reach 76 million by the end of 2021 up from 53 million, a 43% growth year-over-year, according to Digital TV Research.
READ ALSO: Latin Americans become more choosy and reduce streaming subscriptions
What is the result? Fierce competition. Netflix, the absolute leader in the region, is expected to end 2021 with a 50% market share in Latin America, followed by Disney Plus , HBO Max , and Prime Video and Viacom CBS , according to Netscribes primary research.
Latin America Turns Out To Be A Big Fan Of Podcasts
The skyrocketing streaming market has also boosted audio streaming services, which are expected to reach $1.2 billion by the end of the year, placing Latin America as the fastest-growing region for audio streaming in the world.
As has been the case with video streaming platforms, audio streaming players are also focusing on improving the customer experience by investing in local content through partnerships with emerging and established artists in different Latin American countries. Offering local and original content is even one of the main factors in users choice when subscribing to a service.
But perhaps the biggest news when looking at the streaming audio market in the region is the fast rise of original podcasts. Spotify, now the leading audio streaming platform in Latin America, said in a report to shareholders that podcasts have been useful even in new user acquisition strategies. Deezer, on the other hand, informed that Brazil and Mexico are two of its main podcast consumers worldwide.
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Should I Get A Streaming Device If I Already Have A Smart TV
There are two major advantages to using a streaming device over the built-in options on your smart TV: Youll get access to more streaming services and a more user-friendly interface and search system.
Most smart TVs come with a handful of streaming apps pre-installed, and you might not be able to add any more beyond that. If you want to watch Mulan, say, but Disney+ isnt on your TV, youd be out of luck.
Streaming devices also provide a better ecosystem for all of your streaming apps. They make it easier to navigate back and forth between services, and allow you to search for titles across every app available on the device.
If you search for Jaws on a streaming device, for example, it will show you that its available for free with a subscription to HBO Max, but also for rent through apps like Amazon Video and Vudu. This saves you a lot of time searching through individual apps, as well as the money you might have spent to rent a movie thats already included in one of your subscriptions.
What Is Philo TV And How Do You Get It Stream Top Shows Like Yellowstone On Philo
The Philo live TV streaming service may not have sports programming or lots of local channels, but because of that they can offer their platform at a much lower price than other competitors live FuboTV, Sling, Hulu + Live and YouTubeTV.
Philo has a great deal for TV watchers.
For just $20 a month, the live streaming service allows you to watch TV channels typically found on cable like AMC, A& E and Discovery.
The Philo live TV streaming service may not have sports programming or lots of local channels, but because of that they can offer their platform at a much lower price than other competitors live FuboTV, Sling, Hulu + Live and YouTubeTV.
It sure beats the $100-plus bucks you have to fork over each month to your local cable company. Philo even offers a free trial without having to provide a credit card.
Get live and on-demand shows with Philo and stream some of the most popular shows and movies.
EPIX and STARZ can be added on.
Here are some details about Philo:
DVR?
Unlimited.
Can I record all channels?
Absolutely! With our unlimited DVR you can record all your favorite shows. You can save a show for up to 30 days so you can watch and rewatch it at your leisure.
What do I need to get started?
- A mobile phone number or email address
- A future payment method
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A Streaming Device Or Smart TV
If you already have a great 4K TV, you might want to go the streaming device route. Chances are, though, that your 4K TV already has a smart TV built in, but possibly not all the streaming apps you need.
But if you want a device that has everything, like an Apple TV, it might be worth the investment. Just plug it into your existing television.
Streaming devices
- Apple TV: An Apple TV has Netflix, Hulu, ESPN, iTunes, HBO GO, YouTube, Disney+, Sling, and more. And when a new app comes out, it will be available in the app store for you to download to the homepage of your Apple TV device.
- Roku Streaming Stick: This device works with Alexa and has apps such as Disney+, Netflix, Hulu, STARZ, SHOWTIME, NBC, ESPN, Disney NOW, and HGTV.
- : Even though its one of the least expensive options, the Fire TV has most of the apps youll need. Watch Disney+, Prime Video, HBO, Netflix, Sling, Hulu, and more.
- Xbox One: Get two in one with this game console. Play your favorite video games and also stream Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, and more.
Smart TVs
If youre looking for a cheaper option, check out our best 4K TVs under $400.
Stream From Pc To TV By Installing Plex Software On Your Pc
Pros: Plex software organizes media on a PC or NAS, making it a media server accessible to any device on your network.Cons: Quality of stream is subject to wireless network performance.
Setup overview: Install Plex software on the computer that contains the files you wish to stream. The software setup wizard helps organize media files on the server, and you install the mobile application on devices where you want to view the contenthere is where a Wi-Fi-enabled smart TV is useful, but there are workarounds if you dont have one. Keep reading.
Screen shot of Plex apps front end
Limitations: For non-smart televisions to network with a Plex server, any media streamer will do the trick Roku 3, Roku 4, Chromecast, Apple TV, current gaming consolesall of them have Plex support. These devices connect to the TV via HDMI, and a router via wired Ethernet.
Pro tip: You actually do not need additional software to stream from PC to TVWindows, OSX and Linux operating systems have built-in DLNA server features. Since DLNA is a dated standard, not every kind of media file will be recognized by the server. Plex is capable of transcoding on the fly to accommodate streaming these otherwise unsupported file formats.
Plex alternatives: There is PlayOn for Roku TiVo users have TiVo Desktop Software for PC. If you have another favorite Plex alternative, call it out in the comments.
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How To Watch TV Online For Free
Andrew Heinzman writes for How-To Geek and Review Geek. Like a jack-of-all-trades, he handles the writing and image editing for a mess of tech news articles, daily deals, product reviews, and complicated explainers. Read more…
So, youve ditched the cable company, but now youre stuck with a dozen streaming services and their rising prices. Fortunately, you can watch TV online for free. It just takes a little effort and a little patience.
Plug In An Hdmi Cable
The most obvious approach is to simply connect an HDMI cable between the phone, tablet, or laptop and the TV. Of course, while virtually all modern televisions will have a spare HDMI port, the same cant be said for mobile devices. A few tablets and laptops have mini- or micro-HDMI sockets, but less so in recent times. Current smartphones definitely dont.
There are plenty of cables to help get around that issue, but as usual, the devil is in the details. A high-quality USB C to HDMI cable will do the job for modern devices with a USB C port, but the device needs to support both USB C 3.0 and DisplayPort Alternate Mode.
None of my phones or tablets, even brand new ones, have that support built in. You may have better luck with other devices, especially Samsung ones, so just be sure to double-check the exact specifications and reviews of your device before you buy. Recent laptops are much more likely to support this: the above cable works perfectly with both a Macbook Pro and a Lenovo Yoga 920.
If youve got an older Android device with a micro-USB port, you may be able to use either a Slimport or active MHL adapter to do the same thing. Again, its important to make sure your phone or tablet supports one or the other standard before purchase.
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Great Ways To Stream TV And Movies For Free
ByTom May
How to watch films and shows for no charge.
When lockdown first kicked in, we all thought we’d be watching a lot more TV and movies. But if you rely on free-to-air broadcast channels, you may have been disappointed. With many regular shows cancelled or scaled-down due to the pandemic, and most new programming stalled, were getting an increasing diet of repeats, and so many are turning to streaming services to plug the gap.
But what if youre strapped for cash and every penny counts right now? Well the good news is, there are ways to stream TV and movies that are safe, legal and free. In this post, we bring you 10 great options for adding some colour and variety to your televisual diet. Note that whether or not these are free and the content available does vary from country to country .
Find Something To Watch
When it comes to streaming TV, there are two main types of services available: live and on demand. Live TV streaming services are like cable replacements. They air the same channels, have the same commercials and you pay a premium compared to other streaming services. On-demand streaming services like Hulu and Netflix dont have any live content you can watch their shows and movies whenever you want.
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Don’t Have Any Streaming Devices
Good. This is actually easier, because you have a wide variety of devices from which to choose.
You could buy a Blu-ray player to replace your old DVD player and be all set. Blu-ray players from Sony, Samsung, LG and others also function as streaming devices. Check on the box to make sure the player streams the services you want, and choose one with Wi-Fi if youre opting for that. Price: generally $100 or less.
The Roku 2 is one of the devices cord-cutters use to stream shows to their TV sets.
If you want to add a stand-alone streaming device, the most versatile is the Roku, which was introduced in 2008 to stream Netflix. Now in its third generation, Roku promises more than 2,000 channels, including all the biggies and smaller ones like Acorn TV, which isnt available on every player.
Roku is small, just palm-size, but its still another box. You could choose a streaming stick, which plugs into your TV set. A stick may also be good for streaming when you travel. Roku has a streaming stick , and has a voice-activated remote. Amazon Fire TV also comes as a separate box .
Apple users can consider Apple TV , which puts Siri on its remote and works with iTunes, in addition to sending content from your Apple device to your TV. But Apple TV isnt compatible with rival Amazon. Googles Chromecast is the cheapest option for a stick, but it works differently, casting anything you play via Google Chrome on your computer to your TV screen.
A Reliable Internet Connection
Your internet needs to meet certain speeds to stream video seamlessly. If your service doesnt provide enough bandwidth, your shows will regularly pause for buffering or theyll refuse to play altogether. Heres what Netflix recommends for smooth, uninterrupted video quality:
| Resolution | |
|---|---|
| Standard Definition | 3.0 Mbps |
Unless you live in a rural area, your internet speeds probably meet these minimums pretty easily. According to one report, average download speeds for fixed broadband in the U.S. were 96.25 Mbps in 2018, enough to stream in 4K on nearly four TVs at once.
If youre unsure of your internet speed, check out Ooklas Speedtest.net. It will give you an accurate reading of what youre really getting from your service provider .
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Whats On Paramount Plus
Theres a huge library of TV shows and movies to choose from. Some of the best Paramount Plus shows are:
- Why Women Kill
- Star Trek
- The Good Fight
- The Twilight Zone
- Real World Homecoming.
Paramount+ has integrated CBS Sports HQ where you can view live sports throughout the year, including events like:
- UEFA club competition matches
- Top Gun
- The Wolf of Wall Street
Soccer fans will appreciate that Sir Alex Ferguson: Never Give In the movie about the story of the legendary manager of Manchester United is also on Paramount Plus.
Everybodys Heading In Same Direction
Why stream now? Because you will eventually, experts agree. We asked Titus Bicknell, chief digital officer for Acorn TV, a streaming network devoted to TV from Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand, for some insight. He responded via email.
With Nielsen reporting that in the first quarter of this year, 50 percent of U.S. households had streaming devices, Bicknell said he thought that number would be 100 percent in five years.
Eventually, all content , will be delivered via the internet, he said. At that point, consumers will not think about whether their device is a streaming device or not.
Bicknell said the question isnt to stream or not to stream. We shall all be streaming shortly. The key will be where you find the content you want to watch, and if your interests are not met by mainstream broadcasting, then you will get to grips with streaming as a means to an end.
Asked what he thought was holding people back from streaming, Bicknell said simply, Too many remotes, adding that we tolerate an absurd level of complexity to consume content.
A challenge for Acorn TV, he acknowledged, is that the demographic drawn to Masterpiece-like British drama tends to be older.
Its a diverse world
When we asked staffers and readers via STLtoday.com how they stream TV, here are some of the answers we got.
For most of my streaming, I use my Xbox 360 . Otherwise I use my laptop. Noah
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