The biggest cause of a stuttering picture in internet television is neither the app nor the TV, but a connection that is too slow or unstable. The good news is that the requirements are easy to calculate. This article shows how many Mb/s you need for each picture quality and how to avoid mistakes with several devices.
How many Mb/s for each quality
Bandwidth use depends on the picture quality, the compression and the particular broadcast. The values below are approximate, but they work well for planning.
| Picture quality | Approximate speed per device |
|---|---|
| SD | 3 to 5 Mb/s |
| HD 720p | 5 to 8 Mb/s |
| Full HD 1080p | 8 to 12 Mb/s |
| 4K UHD | 20 to 25 Mb/s |
Sport and fast action scenes usually use more bandwidth than calm programmes, because the picture changes more often.
What counts is download speed
For watching, the download speed matters, meaning what you receive from the internet. Upload speed does not matter here. The result of the test you run should therefore be the download result.
How to add up several devices
If several people watch at the same time on different screens, the speeds add up. Add about 25 percent of headroom for other activity on the network, such as browsing or updates.
Example: at home two TVs in Full HD and a phone in HD work at the same time.
- Two TVs at 10 Mb/s make 20 Mb/s.
- The phone in HD is about 6 Mb/s.
- Together 26 Mb/s, plus headroom: about 33 Mb/s.
Such a home should have a connection of at least 40 Mb/s, and preferably more.
How to check your connection speed
- Connect the device you watch on to the same network as usual.
- Open any internet speed test in your browser.
- Run the test and note the download result.
- Repeat the test at different times, including the evening, when the network is busiest.
A result from a computer connected by cable shows what the line can do. A result from a phone next to the TV shows what actually arrives over Wi-Fi.
Wi-Fi or cable
The same contract with your provider gives different results in different situations.
- An Ethernet cable is the most stable. If your TV or box has a network port, use it, especially for 4K.
- 5 GHz Wi-Fi is faster and less crowded than 2.4 GHz, but has a shorter range. Place the router near the TV or without walls in between.
- 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi has better range but is slower and easily disturbed by neighbours and household devices.
Not only speed: stability
Two lines with the same speed can behave differently. Stability matters too, meaning whether the speed is kept without drops. Warning signs are big differences between tests and stuttering in the evening, when more people use the network.
What you need in practice
- One device in HD or Full HD: usually 15 to 25 Mb/s is enough.
- A family with two or three screens: plan for 40 to 60 Mb/s.
- 4K on one TV: at least 35 to 40 Mb/s, preferably by cable.
- Several screens, including 4K: 100 Mb/s or more.
What to do when the line is not enough
If the result is lower than you need, you can lower the picture quality in the app, reduce the number of screens on at once or talk to your provider about a faster package. You will find more tips in the guide IPTV buffering: causes and fixes.
Not sure which plan to choose? See the prices by number of devices or message us. We will advise how many screens you really need.