Reducing data use on metered Internet

[Anonymous User]

I have a Roku Streaming Stick, and need to find a way to reduce the quality of the downloaded video (typically NowTV films) so as to help keep within my internet data cap.

I've seen the bit rate adjustment page but I don't think this actually affects the amount of data - just the way in which its downloaded?

I've already set to 720p

Up to now I've been spoiled with unlimited tethering data on 'The One Plan from Three', (uk mobile provider) however that luxury has now gone.

I'm not sure NowTV has the same flexibility as Netflix in deciding bitrates, but maybe someone can point me in that direction.

Whilst I can always pay for more gigs, it starts getting serious money above 50GB

Due to my location - I have to rely on Internet thru a MiFi unit from a data only sim, and have about 20g of 4G data to play with each month.

Any ideas please?

[BicBasher]

Now TV uses a system where the bitrate is adjusted to the speed of your connection.

If you get 4MB down or above, you will get the full bitrates for all the channels.

Some tips:

Watch live where possible, the bitrates are lower than the 3100mbps catch-up/box sets streams (except for Sky Sports channels, Nickelodeon and Nick Jr.)

Live stream bitrates tend to be 2500mbps for Ent channels and 1700mbps for the Sky Movies channels.

[Anonymous User]

Thanks BicBasher

thats really helpful. If I were to limit my connection speed below 4mb - by perhaps turning off 4g.... And also maybe 3G. Then would the slower speed use less data from my allowance?

am I right in understanding that watching films is one of the most economic uses of the data?

[BicBasher]

Hi @Anonymous User

Turning 4G off yes, 3G no.  However even if your 3G is above 4MB down, it'll still render the same amount of data.   2G wouldn't be able to render a stream.

The most economical way of watching is to watch LIVE movies only which use the least amount of bandwidth.

[commanda6]

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@BicBasher wrote:

Now TV uses a system where the bitrate is adjusted to the speed of your connection.

If you get 4MB down or above, you will get the full bitrates for all the channels.

Some tips:

Watch live where possible, the bitrates are lower than the 3100mbps catch-up/box sets streams (except for Sky Sports channels, Nickelodeon and Nick Jr.)

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Hi @BicBasher

Don't you mean 3100Kbps or 3.1 Mbps 

3100Mbps would be a ridiculous bit rate that not even my Internet connection could handle

[BicBasher]

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@commanda6 wrote:

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@BicBasher wrote:

Now TV uses a system where the bitrate is adjusted to the speed of your connection.

If you get 4MB down or above, you will get the full bitrates for all the channels.

Some tips:

Watch live where possible, the bitrates are lower than the 3100mbps catch-up/box sets streams (except for Sky Sports channels, Nickelodeon and Nick Jr.)

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Hi @BicBasher

Don't you mean 3100Kbps or 3.1 Mbps 

3100Mbps would be a ridiculous bit rate that not even my Internet connection could handle

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Of course!

[commanda6]

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@BicBasher wrote:

Of course!

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Hi @BicBasher

No worries.  I only pointed it out because a lot of people get confused between the different notations so I wanted to avoid confusion.

But I think in your case it was probably just a typo