Streaming Video

Video streaming whether it’s on a smart phone, tablet or TV is normally the main source for data usage in most households. There are steps you can take to help curtail your data usage when you stream video.  The higher the quality of video you stream, the more data the stream will use.

Most streaming apps offer you the ability to change the streaming resolution.  If you’re using a device to stream your video like a Roku Streaming Stick or an Amazon Fire TV Stick, you normally can change the settings on the device itself so all the apps associated with the device will stream to you in the video setting you choose.  We do suggest unplugging devices when not in use just to ensure you’re not using data.

Roku Streaming Stick

Change the Display type on Roku:

  1. Press the Home button on your Roku remote.
  2. Scroll up or down and select Settings.
  3. Select Display Quality (Lower Quality = Lower Usage)
  4. Choose one of the available display types.
  5. Your Roku player will analyze the HDMI connection.

 

 

Amazon Fire TV Stick

Set up a Monthly GB Limit:

  1. Go to Settings and click on Preferences.
  2. Choose Data Monitoring and then click Set Data Alert.
  3. Click Monthly Top Data Usage.
  4. Choose one of the available display types.

*The Fire TV Stick will also tell you which apps use the most data at the end of the month.

 

Change Video Resolution:

  1. Go to Settings and click on Display & Sounds.
  2. Click Display and then Video Resolution.
  3. Choose 720p 50Hz to use the least amount of data.

 

Please note:  Once you change the settings on the device you use to stream, you can also go into individual apps to ensure the video resolution has been changed.

Netflix

Change Display Type:

  1. Login to Netflix.
  2. Click Your Account and then Your Profile.
  3. Click Playback Settings.
  4. Select Display Quality (lower quality = lower usage)

*Using “Auto” will select the highest quality possible for your bandwidth speed.  If you have a 4k TV and leave “auto” on, the data consumption will be about 85 cents per hour.  More information from Netflix.

Hulu

Using your WEB account:

  1. During playback, click the gear icon (circled in red).
  2. Click quality.
  3. Select your preferred quality setting.

*Using “Best Available” will select the highest quality possible for your bandwidth speed, which will use the highest amount of data.

Using your MOBILE device:

 

  1. From the home screen, select the account icon. (looks like a person)
  2. Tap Settings and then Cellular Data usage.
  3. Select data saver.

Amazon Prime

  1. Login to Prime Video on your browser or phone.
  2. Click My Stuff and click the gear icon (which is your settings icon). On a desktop you’ll choose your Profile Name and then Account & Settings.
  3. Click Stream & Download and click Streaming Quality. On each device, you can choose your streaming quality. The amount of data used will be dependent on your device and its capabilities.

*Amazon Prime will also allow you to change the download quality.  If you select Always Ask, you’ll be able to decide each time you download.

Disney+

On Mobile Devices:

  1. Choose your Profile icon and navigate to App Settings.
  2. To adjust your data usage while streaming over WiFi, select Wifi Data Usage and select the option that best suits your needs.
  3. Your selection will be saved and applied to all profiles on your device.

On Connected Devices/Set-Top-Boxes:

  1. Open the navigation menu
  2. Select Settings
  3. Choose App Settings
  4. Select the data usage option that best suits your needs.
  5. Your selection will be saved and applied to all profiles on your device.

On Web Browsers:

  1. Hover over your profile icon in the top left.
  2. Select App Settings from the dropdown menu.
  3. Select the data usage option that best suits your needs.
  4. Your selection will be saved and applied to all profiles on your device.