Network - Wireless & Wired Connections

[kilroyjc]

I cannot find any specifications for minimum speed requirements.

Our DSL is about 1.1MBPS down/700k up.  On a good day we might —MIGHT— break 1.2 MBPS down.

Is there a definitive specification? I really want to ditch our satellite service (which just went up AGAIN and they are dropping one of our favorite channels.)

I am on the waiting list for StarLink. . . But don’t expect it any time soon. . .

Thanks for any info!

[andyross · Accepted solution]

If you want HD, you will probably need a few Mbit. 4K tops out around 16-20Mbit. It should work with your speed, but you may be limited to SD quality depending on the service.

[kilroyjc]

Thank you!  We are perfectly fine with 1080 on our 10-year-old Toshiba, and 720 is certainly better than a blank screen if worse comes to worse.

[Strega]

1080 and 720 are HD resolutions.  SD is 480.  I ran a Roku on DSL as kind of a "proof of concept" but I wouldn't want to watch that routinely.  Your tolerance level may vary.

[MilesT]

Any HD streaming solution is likely to buffer. Netflix say min of 2mb I think 

Your connection will do "SD" I.e. 480p at best, even that will still buffer and lag.

Decent video will need to be DVD, Blueray, and ATSC (DVB outside of NA) over the air/via satellite.

Satellite internet is starting to become affordable and will do a better job.  Or a decent 4g/5g mobile data connection (using a high grade router and maybe an external antenna).