how much data would streaming a movie use
The amount of data used when streaming a movie depends on several factors, such as the quality of the video (resolution), the streaming platform, and any compression used. Here’s a general breakdown of data usage based on common video resolutions:
1. Standard Definition (SD) – 480p:
– Around 0.7 GB to 1 GB per hour.
– This is often used for lower-quality streams or when data usage is a concern.
2. High Definition (HD) – 720p:
– Approximately 1.5 GB to 2.5 GB per hour.
– Common for many platforms on standard settings.
3. Full High Definition (FHD) – 1080p:
– Roughly 3 GB to 4.5 GB per hour.
– Provides good quality for most streaming services.
4. 4K Ultra High Definition (UHD) – 2160p:
– Around 7 GB to 15 GB per hour.
– 4K streaming uses significantly more data due to the higher resolution and more detailed video.
Example for a 2-hour movie:
– SD (480p): Around 1.4 GB to 2 GB.
– HD (720p): About 3 GB to 5 GB.
– FHD (1080p): Around 6 GB to 9 GB.
– 4K UHD: Between 14 GB and 30 GB.
These numbers can vary slightly depending on the streaming service’s compression methods and whether any adaptive bitrate settings are used (which adjusts video quality based on available bandwidth).