television

Streaming at home: smart TV apps vs streaming sticks, and internet speed needs

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Most of what people watch now comes over the internet. Whether you use the apps built into your TV or a separate streaming device, and how good your connection is, decides how smooth and sharp the picture looks. Here is how to get it right.

Smart TV apps or a streaming device?

Built-in smart TV apps are convenient: one remote, no extra box, nothing more to buy. On a recent TV they can work well. Streaming sticks and boxes plug into an HDMI port and bring their own software and apps. They can help in several situations:
  • Older TVs. Smart TV platforms tend to receive updates for a limited number of years. Once updates stop, streaming services can eventually drop support for older models and apps stop working. A new streaming device can bring the TV back up to date for a fraction of the cost of a new set.
  • Slow menus. Budget TVs sometimes have underpowered processors, and a streaming box can feel much quicker.
  • Missing apps. Not every service is available on every TV platform.
  • Moving between rooms. A stick can follow you, while a TV's apps cannot.
Streaming devices are not supported forever either. Very old models lose app support too, so check that a device is still current before buying it second-hand.

Features to check

  • Resolution and HDR. For a 4K HDR TV, choose a device that supports 4K and the HDR formats your TV supports, such as HDR10, HDR10+ or Dolby Vision. Mismatches mean you fall back to a lesser format.
  • Frame rate matching. Some devices can switch output to match the content's frame rate, which avoids slight judder in films.
  • HDMI-CEC. Lets one remote control the TV's power and volume. It is usually called something brand-specific in the TV's settings.
  • Power. Use the power adapter supplied with a stick. Some TV USB ports cannot provide enough power, which causes crashes and restarts.

How much internet speed you need

Netflix's own help centre recommends a stable connection of around:
  • 3 Mbps for HD at 720p
  • 5 Mbps for Full HD at 1080p
  • 15 Mbps for 4K Ultra HD
Other services publish their own figures, so check the help pages for the ones you use. Remember that these are per stream. If someone is streaming in another room, someone else is on a video call and a game console is downloading an update, the demands add up. Consistency matters as much as raw speed. A connection that drops sharply in the evening when the neighbourhood is busy will cause buffering even if the headline speed is high.

Improving your connection

  1. Test at the TV. Many TVs and streaming devices have a network speed test in their settings, and some services offer their own test. A test on your phone next to the router does not tell you what the TV gets.
  2. Use a cable if you can. An Ethernet connection is usually more stable than Wi-Fi. Note that some TVs have network ports slower than their Wi-Fi, so test both.
  3. Move the router or add access points. Walls, floors and other appliances weaken Wi-Fi. A mesh system or a powerline adapter can help in awkward rooms.
  4. Reduce competing traffic. Pause big downloads while streaming in 4K.
  5. Check your plan. Some broadband plans have data caps, and 4K streaming uses far more data than HD.

Privacy settings

Smart TVs and streaming devices often collect viewing data, including through automatic content recognition, which identifies what is on screen. Look in the privacy settings for options to limit this and to turn off personalised advertising. Do you use your TV's built-in apps or a separate device, and why? Tell us in the comments.

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