IPTV bandwidth calculator
Calls, gaming, downloads
Video streams
7 Mbps
Recommended broadband speed
23 Mbps
Including other use and 30% headroom
Uses typical bitrates: SD 2, HD 4, Full HD 7 and 4K 20 Mbps per stream, plus 30% headroom for evening slowdowns. Individual channels vary. This is the speed that needs to reach your devices, not just your router.
How it works
Each quality level uses a typical bitrate: about 2 Mbps for SD, 4 for HD (720p), 7 for Full HD (1080p) and 20 for 4K. The calculator adds your streams and other use, then adds 30% headroom. Individual channels vary: sport at 50 frames per second uses more than a talk show.
Reading the result
- Your broadband is above the recommendation: the line itself is fine. If you still see buffering, the Wi-Fi to the TV is the likely bottleneck. See Wi-Fi vs Ethernet.
- Your broadband is below it: reduce simultaneous streams or quality, or consider a faster package. Test your real speed at the TV first; see how to test your speed properly.
The full explanation, with tables for each quality, is in internet speed for IPTV.