But only a few-typically models near the top of a company’s player lineup-support the new WiFi 6 standard, which offers faster speeds and the ability to support more devices. Models that support the 802.11ac standard are now more common. You’ll appreciate models that can search across multiple services to find shows and movies so you don’t have to check each service individually.Ī streaming device with dual-band WiFi can help performance by relegating video streaming to the higher 5-gigahertz frequency band, sidestepping possible interference with other devices at home, such as cordless phones and microwaves, that operate on the 2.4-GHz frequency. It helps you avoid having to scroll through seldom-used options. Some players include a USB port for playing your own media, such as music and photos, through the device.Īs more channels become available on these devices, the ability to reorder (or delete) apps and customize your home screen is a plus. All can hook up to TVs via HDMI connections, but it’s getting harder to find models with legacy analog-video connections for use with older TVs that lack an HDMI input. ![]() You simply press a button on your router and another on the device-and voilá!-you’re securely connected.Īll streaming media devices have built-in WiFi, and some have an Ethernet jack for a wired connection to a modem or router. WiFi Protected Setup (WPS) means you don’t have to enter a password manually. It’s probably worth getting one of these models because nearly all new televisions are 4K models, and streaming services provide lots of 4K content. But you’ll need a relatively fast connection, at least 15 to 25 Mbps, to stream 4K content.Īll the major streaming player brands now offer at least one model that supports 4K videos with HDR. Most of these services also now support 4K videos with high dynamic range (HDR). That includes Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, Disney+, Fubo TV, HBO Max, Paramount+, Peacock, and Netflix, among others. But most also now offer lots of 4K content as well. Note that if you’re connecting via WiFi, your router also needs to support a decent speed.Īll streaming services can deliver ordinary high-definition picture quality. (Check out " How Much Internet Speed Do You Need" for a calculator that can help you figure it out.) Regardless of how fast your connection is, picture quality may initially be poor but then improve after a minute or so as the service adjusts to the connection speed. And with more of us working remotely and streaming more entertainment than ever, you may need much faster speeds. Most homes these days will need at least 25 Mbps, the Federal Communications Commission’s latest definition of high-speed broadband. You’re Likely to Need a Speed of at Least 25 to 50 Mbpsįive megabits per second is the absolute minimum to support a high-definition stream, but that’s barely adequate, and only if you’re streaming to just one device at a time. So if Gal Gadot’s jawline seems less than chiseled or that rom-com won’t play without buffering, buffering, buffering … you may need a more robust broadband connection or some adjustments to your WiFi network. Your internet connection will help determine picture quality: Netflix and other services adjust the signal you get based on the speed of your internet connection. Plug them into your TV and then connect to your wireless network, and you’re good to go. I’ve added external streaming devices to several smart TVs in my home.Īt Consumer Reports, we test streaming media devices thoroughly, and we’ve found that generally they’re reasonably priced and simple to connect. And even if your TV is already internet-capable, a dedicated streaming device may be more convenient to use or more powerful, or it may offer some services you can’t get from your specific television. Otherwise, a dedicated streaming media device is a simple, relatively inexpensive way to make any TV a smart one. Blu-ray players and the major video game consoles may have this feature, too. Most televisions these days are smart TVs with the ability to access a variety of streaming services from the internet. ![]() (Scroll to the bottom for more information on streaming options.) ![]() Whether that’s true for you or not, you probably subscribe to at least one streaming service. Given the ever-rising price of traditional pay TV, it’s no surprise that a growing number of us have cut the cord with our cable or satellite company.
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