In January 2007, Netflix expanded its operations into streaming media. Since then, online video streaming has grown to become a popular phenomenon all over the world. Streaming content from the internet allows you to watch your favorite movies, TV shows, and music videos wherever you are as long as you have an internet connection.
Online streaming is a lower-cost alternative to exorbitant cable subscriptions. With online streaming, you don’t have to pay $100 per month for a bloated channel bundle. Streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, etc. give you access to hundreds of on-demand movies and TV shows at a fraction of the cost. However, there are a few challenges when it comes to streaming content from the internet. These include:
Streaming Restrictions
Being denied the opportunity to enjoy your favourite movies and TV shows on Netflix purely based on where you are viewing from is a bummer. All streaming platforms do this, mostly due to licensing and copyright issues. They do so to avoid legal problems with content producers. . Licensing and copyright rules vary from one region to another so streaming content might be different abroad.
Buffering and Low-Resolution Videos
Buffering is one of the biggest issues people face when streaming movies and TV shows on the internet. HD and — more lately— UHD (4K) content is particularly prone to buffer. In most cases, buffering occurs when your internet connection is too slow to download video content and play it simultaneously. Your playback device will pause mid-task as it tries to download the rest of the video or just play the video in a lower resolution.
How to Avoid These Streaming Issues
Issues such as buffering, low-resolution video, and geographical restrictions take all the fun out of online streaming. The good news is that there are ways to avoid these challenges and enjoy a smooth online streaming experience. Here are a few tips to help you improve your viewing experience when streaming on Netflix.
Clear your Browser
If you are experiencing issues such as buffering when streaming content from your laptop or tablet, your internet browser could be the issue. In order to display web pages, your browser downloads temporary files. These files can slow down your browser and lower its ability to load and play video content. Open your browser settings and clear internet history, delete temporary files before you start streaming.
Minimize Connections
As stated earlier in the article, issues such as buffering and low-res video are mostly caused by slow internet connections. There are several things you can do to make your connection faster. For instance, the number of devices you have connected to the internet has an impact on your Wi-Fi speed. Reducing the number of connections by disconnecting smart home devices you are not using can help.
Use a VPN to Unlock Geo-Blocked Content
Netflix and other streaming services often block certain movies, TV shows, and other digital content from users in certain regions. Fortunately, there are ways to bypass these restrictions and access the full library of films and TV shows on Netflix from anywhere in the world. Watching Netflix with a VPN allows you to get around these geo-blocks. You can use a VPN to change your location to other countries and enjoy most of the content on the popular streaming platform.
With streaming platforms such as Netflix, users no longer have to pay for cable television through the nose to access quality movies and TV shows. The best part is that you can watch content anywhere — at home or on the go —as long as you have an internet connection. There’s no denying that streaming issues such as geo-restrictions and buffering can be annoying. Luckily, you can easily fix these issues with tools such as VPN and ensuring that you have a stable internet connection
~ Chris Jones