6 Ways to Evaluate Bandwidth Quality for Video Streaming

What is one way to evaluate the quality of bandwidth for video streaming?

To help businesses evaluate their video streaming bandwidth quality, we asked technology professionals and business owners this question for their best insights.

From playing videos with increased playback speed to testing the lag length, there are several ways to evaluate the quality of bandwidth and create a successful and reliable live broadcast for your audience.

Top Ways to evaluate Bandwidth Quality for Video Streaming

When you’re in the business of video streaming, quality bandwidth is the most important factor.

Here are the main ways to evaluate the quality of your bandwidth:

Play Video With Increased Playback Speed

An easy way to put bandwidth to the test is playing a video at 150% of its original playback speed. Although it won’t be a predictor as accurate as a multidimensional speed test, it can quickly point us in the right direction. Most video streaming services have this option, and there are also plenty of browser extensions that offer this functionality.

Michael Sena, SENACEA

Upload Speeds

Upload speeds will significantly affect the quality of streaming and depend on your internet provider’s service package. The upload speed needed for streaming will vary according to the platform and server specifications. For most servers, having upload speeds of at least 1 Gbps will help ensure good quality stream.

Rebeca Sena, GetSpace.digital

Use a Bandwidth Calculator

There are multiple speed testing services out there that can give you feedback on your upload and download speeds. Once you have that data, you’ll want to use a streaming bandwidth calculator to be sure you can stream quality videos with some extra bandwidth – just in case.

Jonathan Finegold, MedCline

Frame Rate (FPS)

Frame Rate (FPS) is the frequency (rate) at which an imaging device produces unique consecutive images called frames. If the frame rate drops too low, it results in poor quality video playback or buffering of data by the receiving computer’s software player. Too low of a frame rate will likely increase complaints from users about their viewing experience being “jumpy” or “jerky.

Cody Crawford, Low Offset

Evaluate Dropped Packets and Latency

The quality of bandwidth for video streaming can be evaluated by the number of dropped packets and the latency. By counting the number of dropped packets, it can be determined if there is enough bandwidth for the video stream. By measuring the latency, it can be determined how long it takes for packets to reach the destination.

Matthew Ramirez, Paraphrase

Lag Length

After the buffer is initially filled, the video starts to play, if the download rate can keep up with the bit rate, the audience will see their content in one smooth playback. However, sometimes the buffer is drained, and without enough video to continue, playback stands still. This is collectively called the lag length and is an important metric for comprehending the viewer’s experience. Ideally, your lag length shouldn’t be any greater than the initial buffer fill. If it is, you know that your followers’ experience has been alarmingly interrupted.

Joe Bowab, Lobster Anywhere

Dedicated Servers with Bandwidth That’s Optimized for Video Streaming

Our award-winning True-Unmetered Dedicated Servers are designed for video streaming and offers some of the best quality bandwidth in Europe.

An unmetered dedicated server is a type of dedicated server that has no limits on the amount of bandwidth that can be used as per its assigned bandwidth port. For example, a 1 Gbps unmetered server will be able to use its full 1 Gbps bandwidth port without limits.

Contact us today to discuss your video streaming needs. We look forward to helping you find the perfect server for your needs.