Netflix & co., The tricks to get the best streaming video quality

Netflix & co.

If you pay for six or seven different streaming services each month, you are probably aiming for the best possible video quality. Getting it, however, is not always easy. In this article we will review the different factors that affect the sharpness of images, which are not limited to the speed of your wi-fi connection, but also affect the type of device on which you are watching a movie or series and the plane on which. you have subscribed. Once you have checked these parameters, you will be able to enjoy 4K series and movies (if your devices support the standard, of course). If not, at least you will know why.

Take a look at your plan Netflix's price list

help.netflix.com It may have been quite some time since you have subscribed to your streaming subscription plan (or plans), or perhaps you have never noticed the different options offered by the service in question. In any case, it is important to know that some platforms offer different levels of quality depending on the rate you pay each month.

Netflix is ​​perhaps the best example. The basic plan, which costs 7.99 euros, does not even guarantee high definition (hd) at 720p, which corresponds to 720 horizontal lines per frame. You need to pay 12.99 euros per month for 1080p hd, and 17.99 euros per month for Ultra hd, or 4K. The maximum resolution is 2160p, corresponding to 2,160 lines per frame, three times the quality of standard HD. The good news is that most other platforms only offer a single option with resolutions up to 4K, although it's worth double-checking the plans you're subscribed to.

In any streaming service, however, not all content will be available in 4K resolution. Older movies and series, in particular, can often only go up to 720p in resolution, another possible reason why image quality isn't optimal. It is not excluded that what you are watching is simply not available in a better format.

Check your device The Disney + settings page

disneyplus.com In addition to checking your streaming plan , it is also worth taking a look at the device you are using. A smartphone or tablet with a resolution of 1080p is obviously unable to display a 4K image at 2160p. A quick web search should be enough to understand whether or not the streaming service you have chosen is available in 4K on the device you are using.

Let's take Netflix again: your TV or computer screen must have a refresh rate of at least 60Hz and support 4K resolution. On a computer, however, you need to use Microsoft Edge, Safari or the Netflix app for Windows to get the higher resolutions, which are not available on other browsers such as Google Chrome and Firefox.

Also, It is also useful to consult the settings pages of the various apps, to make sure that they are configured to offer the best possible streaming quality. In the Disney + smartphone app, for example, by tapping your profile picture (bottom right) and then App settings, you can adjust the video quality for Wi-Fi streaming, cellular network streaming and title playback. downloaded to your device.

Check the speed of your connection fast.com

Almost all streaming services are advanced enough to adjust the video quality according to the bandwidth available on the Wi-Fi network. fi (or mobile) to which you are connected. If the device you have chosen is struggling to achieve the best quality, its internet connection may not be strong enough.

If you are unsure of the connection speed of your devices in the corners of the house further away from the router, the rabbit is to test. There are many options available, but one of the quickest is definitely Fast.com (run by Netflix itself). There are no menus to navigate or settings to configure; once opened, the site will reveal the speed of your connection. Try repeating the test a few times to make sure you get an accurate reading.

Once this is done, you will need to check the minimum recommended speeds for the services you use. To give you an idea, Apple TV + recommends a speed of at least 25mbps if you want to achieve a steady 4K video stream, without which you may notice a gradual deterioration in quality.

To maintain the highest possible speed the usual rules apply to your wi-fi: keep the router as close as possible to your devices, consider connecting some of them via ethernet connections, consider switching to a mesh network system, limit the number of connected gadgets to the internet at the same time and - if you have the chance - upgrade to a faster internet package.

This article originally appeared on sportsgaming.win US.