What Is Streaming? Explained Simply

What Is Streaming? Here’s What It’s All About

• While you’re streaming, data packets are continuously transmitted and processed in real time.
• With streaming, however, videos don’t have to be fully downloaded for you to watch them. Even a small portion of the data is enough.
• Of course, a stream can also be sent from one of your devices to another. For example, you can stream media from your iPhone to your TV.
• Streaming becomes problematic if your internet connection is too slow. In this case, the video will stutter significantly because the next data packets haven’t been downloaded yet.

The technical process of streaming

The technical process of streaming is relatively easy to explain.

• For example, when you watch a video on YouTube, the video or audio file is divided into small segments.
• These are then sent to your device and played immediately.
• Unlike a traditional download, however, the data is not permanently stored but is discarded immediately after playback.

These streaming platforms are available

There are now quite a few streaming platforms available in Germany. You should be familiar with the most popular providers.

• Netflix: This US-based streaming provider offers not only TV series and movies but also many original productions. The cheapest subscription with ads starts at just 4.99 euros per month, while the standard subscription without ads costs 13.99 euros and the premium subscription with 4K resolution and simultaneous use on multiple devices costs 19.99 euros per month.
• Amazon Prime Video: The online retailer’s streaming service is also very extensive and offers a wide variety of series and movies. It is available as a standalone streaming subscription for 8.99 euros per month—or as part of a Prime membership, which costs 89.90 euros annually.
• Joyn PLUS+: Here, you get access to series, movies, and live TV for 6.99 euros per month.
• Disney+: Here you’ll find a wide range of Disney Originals, all Pixar movies, as well as all Star Wars films.
  The ad-supported version costs €6.99 per month; those who want to watch in Full HD without ads pay €10.99, and the Premium subscription with 4K quality is available for €15.99 per month.

• Sky: Choose from different packages and decide what you want to watch. Sky offers flexible streaming packages via the portal WOW: Series start at 5.99 euros per month, the combo package with movies and series is 9.98 euros, and for live sports, you can expect to pay 29.99 euros per month.
• Apple TV+: If you want to stream exclusively original Apple movies and series, Apple TV+ is just right for you and currently costs 9.99 euros per month.
• RTL+: Here you’ll find a wide range of movies and series, including “The Bachelor” and “Love Island.”