if you think to see Netflix or use any video streaming platformour recommendation is that you always do it using an Ethernet network cable and not using the WiFi wireless network. However, in many cases it is impossible to use the Ethernet network cable because we do not have network sockets at home, or simply because we cannot wire the house. In these cases, PLC or Powerline devices are especially important, because they will allow us to enjoy multimedia content without interruptions, drops in resolution or pixelations. Next, we explain why using a PLC is perfect for this type of use (as long as you don’t have the possibility of wiring).
Using PLC is always better than using WiFi
Video streaming services consume bandwidth in relation to the resolution and quality of the video, generally, in 4K resolution the bitrate is approximately 25Mbps. With current Wi-Fi networks, using 25Mbps of bandwidth continuously will not cause us any problem to be able to watch our movies and series over Wi-Fi. We must bear in mind that nowadays we can connect our Smart TV or TV Box via WiFi, although it is always advisable to connect by cable if possible. However, there are certain scenarios where using 25Mbps of bandwidth continuously is not possible:
- If we connect to the 2.4GHz bandTaking into account that it is very congested, we have a lot of interference and the available bandwidth is low, it is possible that we will have many problems with stops and drops in resolution.
- If we connect in 5GHz we should not have bandwidth problems, but it is possible that the coverage does not reach us at all well. So we should look at the coverage received by these devices. For this reason it is so important place the WiFi router in an optimal place in our houseso that coverage reaches all sites.
If you use PLC Powerline devices You will not have problems in terms of speed or coverage, because the connection to the local network and the Internet will work through the electrical network, providing us with a bandwidth of up to 800 real Mbps with high-end models. What you should keep in mind is that there are PLCs with built-in WiFi, our recommendation is that you connect the Smart TV or the TV Box via Ethernet network cable to the PLC device, to avoid the aforementioned problems.
A highly recommended model of PLC with Wi-Fi connection is the following, and that is that for only €100 you can enjoy Netflix or any other streaming service without problems:
In addition to providing this service, you will be able to expand wireless coverage as it has a built-in access point, perfect for connecting with your smartphones or tablets.
Home WiFi will improve if you use PLCs for TV
Other very important aspects of using Powerline PLC devices for this type of use is that It will allow you to “improve” the wireless network in your homedue to the following:
- By having a device less connected to the WiFi network, the other devices will benefit thus. We must remember that the more WiFi clients we have connected simultaneously, the less real speed we will get in all of them.
- Since we are not transferring data at the rate of 25Mbps, this Bandwidth will be available to other clients wireless, especially if you used the 2.4GHz band because it was very crowded. This means that we will notice an improvement in the WiFi network with the rest of the clients, such as our mobile phones.
- It will allow you to connect more WiFi clients simultaneously, without being affected by the bandwidth that the Smart TV or TV Box needed before.
As you can see, if you plan to use a streaming service on a TV or TV Box, the best you can do is connect it directly by network cable. In case this is not possible, use Powerline PLCs to have the best possible user experience. By using PLC instead of WiFi, you will not only have a better user experience, but you will allow other wireless clients to improve their wireless connection, by not having to continually transfer traffic.
