Streaming Content v/s Downloading. Is Cable TV the Answer?

Gone are the days when you had to lineup outside a CD shop you get a movie. In this digital age, we have multiple platforms that allow us to download or stream movies on the go. This convenience is due to the accessibility of high-speed internet. A good internet connection makes your HD streaming a treat. However, if you are only a limited data plan, there are many considerations to make. You normally look for a Wi-Fi hotspot because HD video streaming requires a lot of data and it’s never a good idea to run out of it in the middle of the month. There are contrasting differences between downloading and streaming movies or TV shows. The only drawback to streaming is that it requires high-speed internet. Whereas, you can put any movie on download even with slow internet and watch it later on.

If you are on limited data and wondering whether you should download or stream a movie from the on-demand service offered in the spectrum select package, here is what you need to understand:

Streaming vs downloading

Despite the misconception, downloading and streaming are the same functionally. Both downloading and streaming requires your internet to get a file for the device. The only difference is that when you download a movie or show, it is saved in your device’s memory. Therefore, both of them involve downloading a file over the internet but one leaves a copy of that file in your memory so that you can access it without downloading the next time.

Therefore, downloading is ideal if you are looking to watch the show or movie some other time. You will save a large chunk of data, as streaming will require you to download it once again.

The size of the file is the same

Another important thing to consider is that the size of the file will be the same no matter whether you download it or stream it. However, the quality of the video might change this rule. If you are streaming a TV show in full-HD 1080P, it will consume a large amount of data as opposed to streaming the same TV show in 720p. Moreover, you can tweak some settings to save data consumption. For example, streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime allows you to change the video quality while watching a movie.

How to make the decision?

There are many factors to be considered. However, the only way you can make this decision is by understanding how will you use the file. If there is a song that is on repeat and you play it every single day, downloading that song is always a better option. This goes the same for TV series and videos. For example, I love watching the Big Bang Theory while I am having lunch. I download 5-6 episodes at once so that I can watch them whenever I like. This also helps me when I’m going to work on a bus or train. I can watch it without an internet connection.

However, if you want to watch something only once, you might stream it instead. Streaming does not save any data on your device. Therefore, you can enjoy the movie without losing your phone’s storage capacity. Streaming is the best option if you have a strong internet connection thoroughly.

Convenience

Streaming brings a lot of conveniences. Many streaming services let you stream a movie and play directly from the spot you left the next time you stream it. Streaming services are good at starting right from the spot you paused. Most importantly, when you start watching a movie and leave it in-between, it results in less-data use. The streaming downloads only a small portion of the movie while you are playing it and keeps on downloading more as you proceed. Conversely, the downloading will require you to have the entire file in the memory. Therefore, streaming is more convenient if you want to watch in bits and chunks and save data on top.

Final Verdict

There are multiple interpretations of this query and there are no fixed answers. If you live in an area that has a strong internet connection and unlimited monthly data, you can stream to save space on your device. If you have a faulty internet connection that goes on and off, it is better to download the movie before the movie night.

Business graduate, digital marketer by profession and a writer by passion. Nida shares her expertise and writes for businesses to improve their rankings on Google. Her work has been posted on multiple blogs and e-zines across the web.