AARP Hearing Center
It’s never been easier to cancel your cable or satellite TV service and instead watch sitcoms, dramas, specials, movies, sports and other programs from an internet-delivered service such as Netflix, Hulu, DirecTV Now or YouTube TV.
But that doesn’t mean everyone — especially those uncomfortable with technology — will find it simple.
How streaming works
Instead of asking a TV provider, such as Comcast or DirecTV, to send you programs via their cable lines or satellite transmissions through a leased set-top box, you can connect a streaming device to your internet service.
Your viewing experience will only be as good as the quality of your internet service, which includes wireless or Wi-Fi connections if you have a home network. They must be fast and reliable, sending strong signals to any place you want to watch your shows.
If you get a weak link, then you’ll stew over dropped signals, frequent buffering pauses in your programs, pixelated images and garbled audio. You can minimize these problems, but even the best systems stall out from time to time. Remember that all the services and technologies are still young and evolving.
Picking the right internet service
The first thing you need to know is how fast your internet service should be. Netflix recommends a minimum download speed of 3 megabits per second (mbps) to receive a standard definition video picture on a single device, and 5 mbps for high definition. But, for example, Sony’s PlayStation Vue service wants more: 10 mbps for a single device, plus 5 mbps for each additional device. Internet providers typically price plans based on mbps speed (check with yours on options) so that you have choice in what you buy.
Go higher if several people in your home use the internet at the same time.
Because of the need for speed, you literally may find it hard to cut the cord from your cable or phone company. Why? Because if you plan to watch a lot of your entertainment choices at home, then you’ll want a wired broadband connection — not a wireless one. And depending on where you live, it probably only will be available from a cable or phone provider. But even they might offer wired broadband options that are too slow for your needs, so (again) be sure to check out the mbps.
