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Perhaps you have asked yourself what streaming actually is. Find out how it works and what you need to bear in mind.
What is streaming? Here’s what you need to know
In general, streaming refers to playing content on your laptop via the Internet or a network.
- While you stream, data packets are continuously transmitted and processed directly.
- With streaming, however, the videos do not have to be completely transferred before you can watch them. Even a small transferred portion is sufficient.
- Of course, a stream can also take place 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 freeze significantly because the next data has not yet been downloaded.
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 parts.
- These are then sent to your device and played directly.
- Unlike a conventional download, however, the data is not stored permanently, but is discarded immediately after playback.
These streaming portals are available
There are now quite a few streaming portals that you can use in Germany. You should be familiar with the most popular providers.
- Netflix: The streaming provider from the US offers TV series and movies as well as many of its own productions. The cheapest subscription with advertising is available from €4.99 per month, while the standard subscription without advertising costs €12.99 per month and the premium subscription with 4K resolution and simultaneous use on multiple devices costs €17.99 per month.
- Amazon Prime Video: The online retailer’s streaming service is also very extensive and offers a wide variety of series and films. It is available as a separate streaming subscription for €8.99 per month or as part of a Prime membership, which costs €89.90 per year.
- Maxdome: Maxdome no longer exists in this form, but has been integrated into Joyn PLUS+. There, you can access series, films, and live TV for $6.99 per month.
- Disney+: Here you will find a wide range of Disney originals, all Pixar films, and all Star Wars films. The version with advertising costs €5.99 per month, while those who want to watch in Full HD without advertising pay €8.99, and the premium subscription with 4K quality is available for €11.99 per month.
- Sky: Choose between different packages and decide what you want to watch. Sky offers flexible streaming packages via the WOW portal: Series start at €7.99 per month, the combination package with films and series costs €9.98, and for live sports you can expect to pay from €29.99 per month.
- Apple TV+: If you only want to stream original Apple films and series, Apple TV+ is the right choice for you and currently costs €9.99 per month.
- RTL+: Here you’ll find a wide range of movies and series, including “The Bachelor” and “Love Island.” The premium subscription costs $6.99 per month, and the larger RTL+ Max package is available for $12.99.
