A huge portion of modern entertainment is enjoyed online via streaming services. Whether it's a movie, TV show, or video game, a reliable internet provider and robust connection are essential. If the rate is too slow or you have a certain data limit, your fun will be cut short. To better understand what the most common streaming services require in terms of data, here's a quick guide based on hourly usage.

3 Common Streaming Services and Hourly Data Usage

1. Netflix®

Practically synonymous with the idea of streaming entertainment, Netflix has a huge selection of movies and series, from classics to exclusives. Generally speaking, an hour of a standard definition video will use up to about 1 gigabyte (GB) of data. If you want to watch something in HD, that goes up by more than double, up to 3 GB per hour. For 4K, you're generally looking at doubling the HD rate, at about 7 GB per hour. 

If the current plan from your internet provider doesn't permit this, you can adjust the playback settings to automatically stream at standard definition. You can find that in your profile setting, under the account information. In today's world, Netflix is a big reason why many people choose phone plans with unlimited data.

2. YouTube®

Although YouTube is used for streaming video, it can also double as a music service, and the quality can vary from channel to channel. Because of the variability, it's not as demanding on your data plan. 

Standard definition, which is more commonly known to YouTube viewers as 480p resolution, will use up to about 560 megabytes (MB) per hour, while 720p comes out to about 1.9 GB. However, if you want to watch things in 4K, that'll cost nearly 16 GB per hour.

3. Twitch.tv®

Commonly used by gamers, Twitch.tv has similar streaming demands as YouTube, as well as similar caveats. The quality of the stream will affect how much you'll need to be asking from your internet provider. 

At 480p, that can range from 400 MB to 540 MB per hour. However, if you raise it to 720p, that's about 800 MB to 1 GB. Many gamers prefer 1080p, which can go up to about 15 GB per hour. 

For a better internet data plan, contact TruVista. Located in Chester, SC, they've been the trusted telecommunications company throughout much of the state and areas of Georgia for more than a century. As an internet provider, they offer speeds up to 1Gbps, so you and the rest of your family can enjoy whatever movie, TV show, or video game that's online. They even have a convenient calculator on their website to help you determine which plan would be best for you. If you need unlimited data for your phone or TV services, they offer bundles to help cut down the costs. Call (803) 385-2191 to discuss your streaming needs with a team member.