Video Streaming Review

Is streaming video the future of TV?

Not long ago, streaming movies, TV programs and other video from the Internet to your TV was something not even on the radar screens of most families in the U.S. Now, however, the trend is enjoying explosive growth, fueled by the plethora of streaming video content providers as well as eager consumer-electronics makers who are adding Internet connectivity to home theater equipment, including TVs, Blu-ray players, video game consoles, digital video recorders, dedicated set-top digital media players and more. For example, Netflix (*Est. $8 per month and up), which pioneered the concept of renting DVDs by mail, said in Oct. 2010 that 66 percent of its subscribers watched streaming video and that in the last three months of that year, subscribers were expected to watch more content delivered via streaming than delivered via DVD. One survey reported that during certain peak hours (8 p.m. to 10 p.m.), streaming from Netflix represented 20 percent of downstream Internet traffic in the U.S.

Most video streaming providers make watching movies and shows on a TV nearly as easy as changing a channel or watching a Blu-ray Disc. Others make it a little more challenging, but not impossible. This report focuses on the video streaming services themselves. You can find out more about the hardware needed to get streaming video to your living room TV screen in our reports on LCD TVs, plasma TVs, projection TVs, Blu-ray players, digital video recorders, video game consoles and set-top digital media receivers.

Finding information about streaming video providers is fairly easy. We found very good comparative reviews at NotebookReview.com and TNL.net. ConsumerReports.org doesn't rate streaming video providers, but does provide a handy comparison so that you can see which ones offer the content and convenience you are looking for. Good reviews of individual streaming movie and streaming TV program sites and services can be found at PCMag.com, CNET, DigitalTrends.com, Wired, About.com and elsewhere.

Some pundits have suggested that video streaming could someday relegate physical media -- like DVDs and Blu-ray Discs -- to the scrap heap and even put broadcast and cable TV in serious jeopardy. Though we don't think that day is here yet, companies have begun to take notice and take action. Netflix's move to offer a video-streaming-only plan is one sign of this. The Wall Street Journal reports that Hulu, a joint effort of ABC, NBC, Fox and other TV networks, is facing a possible revolt of its partners over lost revenue as free streaming TV programming rises in popularity. One option, the Journal reports, is a re-positioning of Hulu as a video streaming "cable service," with channels or bundles of channels sold on a subscription basis.

But while streaming movies and TV shows is all the rage, there are some important caveats to consider. One is that your experience will depend greatly on the quality of your Internet connection. Broadband (DSL, cable, fiber) is a must even for standard-definition streams, and HD can strain the capacity of all but the fastest connections. That's not to say that HD videos will be unwatchable on slower connections, but expect some choppy moments and the occasional stutter as a streaming film buffers. Some providers measure your connection speed and dial down the image quality to ensure the most glitch-free viewing. Unfortunately, most of those that use dial-up Internet connections will find video streaming to be an unsatisfactory experience.