How to Improve Your Video Streaming In Just One Step

TV Answer Man Philip Swann had an article published recently entitled "How to Improve Your Video Streaming In Just One Step." My first thought was to connect without WiFi, and use a direct Ethernet connection. But here was his suggestion:  connect without WiFi, and use a direct Ethernet connection.

Why is that the answer. He explains it well:

Improving Your Streaming Picture With One Step

Connect your Smart TV (or device such as a Roku or Fire TV) directly to the modem with an Ethernet cable. That will bypass the WiFi network entirely and deliver a stronger signal to your set. The WiFi network itself, while convenient because it allows anyone in the household to connect, can slow down your speed. So if you don’t need to worry about others connecting, give the direct connection a try. Then test it on Fast.com to see if the speed increased. If it did, you should see a better picture going forward.

He absolutely correct. Many people do not realize how much WiFi can have problems, while your Internet connection is just fine.

Of course, many people don't realize that WiFi and Internet are two different things. They are. Internet connection is exactly that: your Internet connection. WiFi is simply a way to use it. A WiFi connection can exist without Internet, and Internet exists without WiFi.

Think about like this. If there is a cable running from outside to your house that carries Internet, and if you cut that cable, and you lose Internet. Internet access is delivered by way of that cable. It goes to a modem and (likely) a router (could be both), and you connect to that. You can use a cable, or you can use a wireless connection. That wireless connection is WiFi. That's all WiFi is. It is NOT Internet.

The driveway to from your house to the highway is not the Interstate. It's a way to get to the Interstate. WiFi is a way to get to the Internet. If you have multiple driveways, or just drive across the yard, you can get to the highway more than one way. WiFi is simply one way to get to the Internet; it is not the Internet itself.

Anyway, WiFi can have problems, while your Internet connection is just fine. And that's what Mr. Swann is talking about. Using an Ethernet cable to make the connection can be a better way to connect your streaming devices to the Internet.

My Streaming Life involves connecting via Ethernet cable if I can. I only use WiFi if I have to. And I rarely have streaming issues. There's something to what Mr. Swann said.