How Much Speed Do You Need for Live Video Game Streaming?

It's almost as common to watch others play video games as to play it yourself. And people don't watch big names like the internet. The most popular streaming site for Twitch has more than four million unique creators who stream every month. You could be one of them if you want to share your gaming experience with the world.

An Internet connection to manage the video is one of the key to a successful stream (like fiber). Nobody wants to waste money and time getting your lights and camera for an internet connection just right to reduce your stream to a choppy, pixelated confusion.

However, don't worry! We'll walk you around everything you need to know about internet speeds and live video games to watch your stream.

Livestreaming Is All About Upload Speed

Livestreaming is one of the few things that do not really matter when you download speed (the speed your internet plan normally advertises). Your upload speed must be all about you. You will learn more about the download-up rate difference here.

When you are live, video from your computer is sent, or uploaded somewhere on the internet from your home to a video server. That's the other way around which video data typically streams because most people consume more video online than they make.

Uploading speed is also a little more difficult to determine because most ISPs do not publicize it as prominently as downloads (your "advertised" speed refers to your download speed). Your download speed is much lower than your download rate for other forms of Internet access. The download speed can also fluctuate, meaning that a speed test is the best way to find your current upload speed. The best bet you have is fiber if you want a download speed that suits your download speed.

That said many online activities are still important and need a good download speed. You must make sure you have enough download speed to ensure a seamless experience if you play an online game or stream Royalty-free music while you are on stream. But the only thing that you have to think about is your upload speed to get your stream online.

You Need a Stable Video Stream with Extra Internet Speed

We recommend that you try to reach an upload speed of 10 to 15 Mbps higher than the minimum video quality requirement you are trying to stream, even if you know that your connection has frequent slowdown issues.

Another good thumb rule is that your bitrate is twice as high as any other bitrate you set to be just to be secure. Not all your viewers note the subtle difference of 30 to 60 fps, but everyone knows that your stream is starting to freeze and stutter.

The slightest fluctuation in your connection will impair, or even crash, your stream only if you meet the velocity criteria that you are trying to stream. That's why watching content from Netflix is much trickier. As the stream is not pre-specified, the server cannot buffer the regular Internet speed-ups or downs.

Also, please note that you need enough total bandwidth to stream to multiple platforms at the same time, so each stream has load speeds. In Twitch (minimum 6 Mbps) and YouTube (minimum 3 Mbps), for example, when streaming 1080p video you would need upload speeds of at least 9 Mbps, but in actual terms, you would need 15–20 Mbps to keep both streams stable.

What Type Of Internet Is Best For Live Streaming?

In general DSL and satellite connections are not fast or stable sufficient for streamers, so you'll probably need cable or fiber. Although cables and fibers are roughly equal to download speeds, the upload speeds vary drastically.

Cable connections can achieve upload speeds from 5 Mbps to 50 Mbps so that the best cable plans can accommodate HD streaming, but slower connections can provide little above the standard of Game Boy. Cable is generally slowed down at peak hours, so you might have to plan around the inevitable fall in speed unless you are streaming in the middle of the night.

Fiber has symmetrical upload and download speeds, ensuring that you get the same speed for uploads as you have gigabit upload speeds. Fiber is also a much more secure connection and does not have the same sluggish problems as cable. All these factors make fiber the perfect stream connection.

How Does Latency Affect Livestreaming?

Latency is the time it takes to access an internet server from your computer. The time of reaction for your internet connection is basically decided. With a high pause, the responses can delay and trigger issues in games or phone conversations.

Since streaming is mostly one-way communication, latency is treated somewhat differently. Streaming software typically encodes and compresses the video further (but you can change it in your settings) so that final output can be enhanced at the cost of a few seconds late. Usually, the audience won't notice it unless you broadcast a question and answer session or live event.

It is necessary to use a wired connection to your router instead of Wi-Fi if possible. While fast and stable Wi-Fi allows for some extra latency, it certainly makes a wired connection preferable.

Why Am I Still Getting Dropped Frames?

Do you have a strong connection to the internet, but even your video looks choppy? Video play streams also suffer from dropped frames, where the same frame plays twice in a row instead of playing the video smoothly. It can lead to a rude, uneven video if enough frames are dropped.

While it may trigger a stream to drop frames by a slow or unstable Internet connection, the dropped frames are always a problem with your card. If your capture card cannot quickly enough record and encode your video data to hold it up, the effect would be a drop of frames.

There are a few options you can do before you buck the money to upgrade your capture card. Next, check your internet speed to make sure that you get the speed you think you are uploading. Make sure also that you're wired to your router and don't have Wi-Fi access.

Try changing the settings in your streaming program, and lower your bitrate if you are sure that it is not your connection. You may also attempt to upgrade network drivers of your device.