Amount of Data and Bandwidth Required for Streaming Video | GoBrolly (2024)

FAQs

How much data is enough for streaming? ›

On average, streaming video data usage for SD quality is around 0.7 to 1 GB of data per hour, while HD streaming can use approximately 1.5 to 2.5 GB of data per hour. UHD or 4K streaming typically consumes even more data, with estimates ranging from 7 to 10 GB per hour.

As a general rule of thumb, the best streaming speed is usually between 3 and 12 megabits per second (Mbps). Unless you're streaming at ultra-high definition resolutions (or very low resolutions), this is a comfortable range for most live streams.

8 Mbps is a decent speed for standard HD streaming, but it should be noted that ultra-high definition is usually synonymous with 4k resolution, which needs much more bandwidth. We recommend a connection with at least 25Mbps to get the best quality video.

Bandwidth requirement refers to the need for a high amount of data transmission capacity in order to relay real-time images or videos with high resolution in a timely manner, while considering various constraints such as communication channel capacity, UAV speed, wireless link reliability, and security concerns.

For On-Demand video, the amount of bandwidth required will depend on the size of a video and how many times it is viewed. Each time a video is viewed the video is transmitted to the viewer. So, if a video is 10MB and it is viewed 100 times it will use 1GB of bandwidth.

Streaming standard definition video content uses about 1-2GB of data per hour, while high definition content can eat approximately 3-4GB of data per hour and streaming the ultra HD (4K and beyond) stuff can chew through as much as 10GB of data per hour.

Streaming data is data that is emitted at high volume in a continuous, incremental manner with the goal of low-latency processing. Organizations have thousands of data sources that typically simultaneously emit messages, records, or data ranging in size from a few bytes to several megabytes (MB).

For a 720p resolution stream at 30 frames per second, you'll need a minimum of 3-6 Mbps of internet speed. For a 1080p resolution at 30 frames per second, you'll need a minimum of 6-9 Mbps. For 1080p at a higher frame rate of 60 frames per second, you'll need at least 9-12 Mbps.

40 to 100Mbps should give one user sufficient bandwidth to satisfy the demands of modern telecommuting, video streaming and online gaming. 100 to 500Mbps allows one to two users to simultaneously engage in high-bandwidth activities like videoconferencing, streaming and online gaming.

How do I reduce bandwidth while streaming? ›

Tip 1: Reduce Video Quality

Most streaming apps let you change the video quality right in the settings menu. Just a few clicks, and you're good to go! Most streaming services allow you to adjust the video quality. Lowering the resolution, especially on mobile devices, can significantly reduce data usage.

Your network should have a download speed of around 25-30 Mbps to reduce or even avoid buffering. Besides slow speeds, dead spots are common problems in home WiFi networks.

A 4K stream uses around 25 Mbps of bandwidth, which is much higher than standard or high-definition streams. For smooth streaming, a stable internet connection with at least 50 Mbps download speed is recommended. Bandwidth usage can vary based on factors like video length and the platform used for streaming.

Netflix recommended minimum speed for optimal streaming quality. Netflix recommends a minimum speed of 3 Mbps for SD quality (standard definition) and 5 Mbps for HD quality (high definition). However, if you're watching in Ultra HD, or 4K, then Netflix recommends a minimum download speed of 25 Mbps.