Best Streaming Site Service

In the mid-1990s, movie and music downloads still had a negative touch. Because most of the regular offerings are file-sharing exchanges from illegal providers. But now it looks very different. Streaming is the new magic word. Providers like Napster, Deezer, Play Music, Spotify, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix or Maxdome have become indispensable in today's society. Many of the best legal streaming sites advertise subscribers where you can stream movies, series, music, and other entertainment media legally and at moderate prices. Of course, there are still people in 2022 who don't know exactly what streaming is. That's why we want to discuss it briefly at this point.

While Netflix is ​​now one of the leading streaming service providers in the world, the company's origins were originally in a different area. Because after the establishment in 1997, the business field in the first 10 years in the delivery of DVD and Blu-ray movies to customers. It wasn't until 2007 that the streaming service started.

Simply put, streaming means playing movies, music or other data on your own computer, phone and tablet, or smart TV, which is transmitted over the network at the same time. The network is usually the Internet. When you use streaming services, data packets are continuously sent, which are processed directly on your computer, smartphone or television. The difference with conventional file downloads is that movies, music or other offerings from streaming portals are not stored on the hard drive. Instead, files are immediately discarded after viewing or listening to their respective data packets.

Apart from that, there are other streaming variants. For example, you can transfer data from one of your devices to another media yourself. An example is streaming self-recorded video with a smartphone directly to their home smart TV.

Different types of streaming

While streaming, there are three different ways to play files directly while downloading. These are the following three streaming offerings:

1. Music streaming
2. Video streaming
3. TV streaming

Below you can learn the details of each type of streaming.

Music streaming

In technical developments, it was once popular to download the latest hits to your mobile via MP3 download. Meanwhile, however, music streaming has become widespread. Here you get access to millions of music – usually for a fixed monthly rate. Sometimes the titles can even be downloaded from Spotify, Napster, Tidal, Play Music & Co. so you can listen to music without internet connection.

Video streaming

This is similar to streaming video, except you can use movies and series. This means you're the program director yourself for Maxdome, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and other streaming services. Again, you can choose from a variety of titles.

With some Internet providers, it is already possible to order certain music, movie and series streaming services at Internet rates.

TV streaming

The third type of streaming is TV streaming. You no longer need to have cable or satellite television. With television streaming, public and private TV stations can now even be received as live streams over the Internet. Streaming TV itself is available in a variety of ways. Providers such as Magine TV or Zattoo offer television streaming as well as internet and cable network operators such as Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone or Unitymedia.

Streaming services in comparison: You need this device

A number of end devices are now available to watch movies and series from video streaming providers or to listen to the latest music titles. Apart from being on a home computer or laptop, this can also be done on a smartphone or tablet. In addition, streaming services can also be fully enjoyed through Smart TVs. Dedicated hardware like Fire TV or Chromecast is also available. Game consoles also have the option to receive individual streaming services. Since 2019, it's even been possible to use the Spotify and Netflix apps via Sky Q receivers from pay-TV provider Sky Deutschland.

Streaming difference: on demand and live streaming in focus

The fact that streaming is not just streaming is not only seen in various types of streaming. Another distinction is also very important, especially when it comes to watching and listening to content: video-on-demand or live streaming. With live streaming, you can stream events live in real time to your respective devices. It is mainly used for concerts and sporting events. When you listen to a live broadcast, you are right in the middle of the action. With video-on-demand, on the other hand, you can access movies, series, music titles or even replays of sports broadcasts at the time you want. You can watch relevant content whenever you want.

Below we take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of live streaming:

Advantages

• Content is transmitted in real time
• Live chats and discussions can be done live during the event
• Interactive content can be transmitted during live streaming
• Foreign users cannot spoil the enjoyment of streaming by publishing content first

Deficiency

• Limited broadcast time
• Content cannot be called up at any time, but usually only during live broadcasts

On-demand video streaming services are growing in popularity

On-demand streaming is increasingly becoming the most popular form of playback for video and music content in our society. The reason for this is clear. Since music, movies, and series are only transmitted on-demand by an on-demand method, you are very flexible. That is, you can access content when and where it's convenient for you. Whether it's 3:00 a.m. on the couch at home, at 8:00 a.m. at the office or even at 10:00 p.m. on the tram – this can be done at any time with on-demand streaming sites.

In order to enjoy the offerings of streaming services, you should always pay attention to your internet connection. If this is too slow, streaming can be a nuisance at times. It is possible that the video will stutter or the music track will be interrupted. Due to internet connection, the next data has not been downloaded.

This opens up a whole new technology, especially for users who are in the second half of life. Gone are the days when the whole family congregated in front of the television at 7:30 p.m. on a Saturday to catch first a hot German hit and then a big Saturday night show in front of the television. Video recorders used to be responsible for changes in the shared TV experience, but video-on-demand is now pushing fixed scheduling into the background.

State media authorities also focused on the popularity of video-on-demand offerings in their video digitization report in fall 2018. According to this, people in Germany still spend almost two-thirds of their time in front of the television with classic TV programmes. But 30 percent of those surveyed are already using video-on-demand offerings. As broadband internet expansion is on the way and people in Germany are increasingly accepting payments for streaming services, these payments shouldn't come as much of a surprise.

This will certainly increase in the future. For example, the first video-on-demand provider has secured the rights to an international soccer league. As a result, traditional TV broadcasters will have to face streaming competition in more areas in the future.

Different pricing models of the best streaming services

As we have pointed out, the best streaming sites are not free to use. Fees apply here, although the models are very similar. As a rule, you pay a monthly fee to the respective provider. You can then choose from a comprehensive range of titles - whenever and wherever you want.

Avoid using torrent bit exchanges where users share the latest movies, series and music titles with others. Because here not only files are downloaded, but also uploaded and shared at the same time. This makes you liable for prosecution and, in the worst case, you have to factor in a fine or even imprisonment.

As a rule, the price of a subscription for a streaming service is about 10 euros per month. Of course, this depends on several factors, such as the quality of the movie such as SD, HD or Ultra HD, the number of connected devices or the number of accounts. In addition, students can calculate with student discounts, for example. Some providers also have family discounts or family plans. Premium subscriptions, on the other hand, often include multiple accounts.

In any case, you should first use the usual trial month with your preferred streaming service. Potential customers can initially test for 1 month for free whether the offer and technology are appropriate. On the other hand, if you sign a contract that charges a fee right away, you can usually change it easily and effortlessly every month. Annual contracts or even 2 year contracts like pay TV stations are not found in streaming. However, some providers also allow you to stream individual programs or movies for a fee.

Amazon providers are the exception when it comes to fees. Both Amazon Prime Music and Amazon Prime Video can be used as part of the Amazon Prime offering. The main subscription of the shipping giant lasts for 12 months.

Free streaming portal: caution is the order of the day

However, sometimes the cost for streaming is annoying. For this reason, free streaming offers are also very popular. This applies to both live streaming and streaming with video-on-demand offerings. However, you should always be careful with free streaming providers. The best example of a video portal that usually works well is YouTube. However, there are also free video-on-demand portals that should be treated with caution.

First of all, these are mostly illegal portals that you should immediately avoid. Because copyright is often violated here or at least not clear. In principle, streaming is legal in Germany. Because playing content that is not permanently saved is not prohibited by law. However, when it comes to copyright, things get a little more complicated. Because many movies, series, and music titles from streaming portals belong to their respective authors.

While the streaming providers in our comparison are reputable and trade with producers or even act as producers themselves, this is usually different from free portals. Because whether the author agrees with the frequent streaming in the stars. Moreover, criminals often use these free streaming sites to spread trojans and viruses.

The exception to the free streaming offer is the Zattoo provider, as this TV streaming provider also offers a free version in addition to a premium subscription. This is financed by advertising, which is always shown in this version. Radio apps like TuneIn Radio are also available for streaming music.

Incidentally, questions about the legality of streaming sites also affect live streaming. Especially if you want to watch a Bundesliga match or the UEFA Champions League, there are plenty of streaming sites on the Internet. You should, however, use this with caution. Because broadcasting rights are held by broadcasters who usually don't offer live games for free. Often there are also portals that not only work illegally, but also spread viruses over the Internet.

Basically, you should pay attention to the following:

• Pay attention to the domain name. If you are offered a streaming offer with a cryptic domain name or with a .to extension, you need to be very careful.
• If you have decided on a streaming offer and were forwarded to an external hosting offer at the start of the transmission, you must stop streaming. Because you can watch live legal streams on streaming provider websites.
• Pay attention to streaming portal websites. Because illegal providers often shine with simple site designs, which also usually have faults. The best streaming sites that operate legally regularly invest in the latest homepage designs and make them perfect in terms of content.
• However, you have to be very careful when it comes to availability. If you're offered a movie on a streaming platform that's still playing in theaters, there's only one piece of advice: Stay away from them! Of course, the time lag between theatrical release and availability is getting shorter for the best streaming sites. However, the licensing rights do not yet allow the film to be screened in theaters and on streaming services at the same time. The same goes for music titles and albums that may not even be commercially available.

Don't forget data usage

With regard to internet connection, the first question that arises while streaming is which internet connection makes sense. If you want to enjoy the latest movies and music albums in the best quality, you should choose a fast connection. Various factors also play a role here. Who, for example, in one living household, an Internet connection of up to 16 Mbit per second is usually sufficient. This generally also applies to streaming in SD quality. On the other hand, if you live under the same roof with the whole family, or if you share a room and internet connection with a flat-sharing community, you should get a connection of at least 50 Mbit/s. The same is true when streaming Ultra HD movies.

However, you should be very careful when streaming on the go. Because with cell phone contracts in Germany, the volume of high-speed data per month included in the rate sometimes runs out quickly. That's why you should use a WiFi connection whenever possible when using streaming portals. Or you can download movies to watch on the go. As with most streaming offerings, the download is included in the subscription.

Incidentally, you have to be very careful when streaming overseas. This applies to waived roaming charges for countries in the EU. However, if you're traveling in the US, Russia, or China, for example, you should avoid streaming from your phone, laptop or tablet because of the huge costs you can face.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it can be said that streaming will be more and more widespread in our society. Ease of use, flexible ways to watch movies and listen to music, and low costs will ensure that the best streaming sites will attract more subscribers. It's impossible to say in general which streaming sites are the best, as our comparison of streaming services shows. Because which video streaming service provider is the most suitable depends on the needs of each individual. Series addicts always view streaming service comparisons differently than movie buffs or sports fans. But at least: The best streaming sites are growing all over the world.

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