There are a lot of amazing ways AI is changing our lives. One of the biggest is that it makes cooler videos for streaming.
Generative AI is revolutionizing the production of video into better-quality, lower-cost content at warp speed. Through the end of 2023, up to 80 percent of U.S. film, television, and animation houses had already included or were set to include AI-enabled tools in their workflows. They can build realistic scenes, de-age stars, and completely synthetic characters, reducing the need for expensive reshoots and post-production. This shift is not only growing more efficient but is also enabling top-quality material for independent artists and small production companies.
Increasing popularity of AI-created video is driving the rapid growth of the market, since worldwide AI video generator market value is $554.9 million in 2023 and is expected to increase with a CAGR of 19.9% during the years 2023-2030. Enhanced AI capabilities are going to characterize the growth of all that varies from promotion video and social media marketing material to full-length feature films.
But better-quality streaming and storing facilities become necessary with increasing use of AI-generated video. This can be challenging for individuals with limited internet bandwidth or older equipment, potentially widening the digital divide.
Streaming movies, TV shows, and live sports should be a seamless experience, but if your video keeps buffering or playing in low quality, your internet speed might be the issue. Many factors affect streaming performance, including your connection type, household bandwidth usage, and the quality of your internet plans. Before you start troubleshooting, it’s essential to check whether your internet is fast enough to support your streaming needs.
Different streaming services have specific speed requirements depending on the quality of the video you’re watching. Here’s a general guide:
If your household has multiple devices streaming at the same time, you’ll need even higher speeds to avoid buffering and slowdowns.
The easiest way to check if your internet is fast enough for streaming is by running a speed test. You can use free online tools like:
When running the test, make sure:
Once you have your download speed results, compare them with the streaming requirements listed earlier. If your speeds consistently fall below what’s needed, you may experience buffering or lower video quality.
If your speed test results are lower than expected, several factors could be affecting your connection:
During peak hours (evenings and weekends), many users in your area are streaming, which can slow down your internet speed.
If you’re streaming over WiFi, obstacles like walls, furniture, and other electronics can weaken the signal, reducing speeds.
Smart TVs, gaming consoles, phones, and other devices all share your internet connection. If multiple devices are streaming, downloading, or gaming at the same time, your bandwidth may be stretched too thin.
An old modem or router may not support high-speed connections. Upgrading to a newer model can improve performance.
If your internet isn’t meeting your streaming needs, here are some steps to fix it:
If your speeds are consistently slow, consider upgrading to a plan with higher download speeds. Fiber and cable internet options generally offer the best performance for streaming.
Connecting your streaming device directly to the router with an Ethernet cable ensures a stable and faster connection, reducing buffering.
If your internet speed is limited, consider lowering the video resolution in your streaming app settings to prevent buffering.
Restarting your router once a week can help clear any network congestion and improve performance.
Streaming should be smooth and enjoyable, not frustrating. By testing your internet speed, optimizing your network, and making simple adjustments, you can ensure your video streams in high quality without interruption.