Change the Video Quality Playback Settings in Streaming Apps and Other Devices – Control Data Usage
Post updated April 2025. These options are constantly changing. If you notice something different than what we have below, please contact our office and let us know.
CHANGE THE VIDEO QUALITY PLAYBACK SETTINGS. Did you know that many of your streaming devices (your RoKu, Smart TV, Amazon Firestick) actually use more data than you may need? There are even some instances where, even if you shut down your devices or Smart T.V., data will continue to stream. We call this “Data Dribble.”
In addition, many of the applications that are involved in the streaming process are set to “playback” (or stream) at the highest resolution that your Internet can handle. They assume that, if you have a large data and speed plan, you want it in High Definition (HD). They aren’t trying to trick you; they are just trying to provide you with the best possible experience with their service.
However, we don’t always need that type of playback. Especially if we have smaller children who are watching cartoons in the morning who won’t even notice, or if we are catching up on morning news before work. Maybe we want to save that HD streaming experience for later in the evening while watching a movie or gaming with your older kids. Or, you may be working in the other room and don’t want streaming going on while you are trying to video chat!
So, what does all this really mean? Here’s how data streams break down on average:
Average Data Usage Breakdown:
• Low Quality Video (240p or 320p): Uses about 0.3GB (300MB) per hour. (8 hours a day = 72 GB Data per month)
• SD Quality Video (480p): Uses about 0.7GB (700MB) per hour. (8 hours a day = 120 GB Data per month)
• HD Quality Video (720p – 2K): Uses about 0.9GB (720p), 1.5GB (1080p), and 3GB (2K) per hour. (8 hours a day = 180–360 GB Data per month)
• UHD Quality Video (4K): Uses about 7.2GB per hour. (8 hours a day = 1680 GB Data per month)
See our Streaming Video Blog Post which explains in much more detail.
You can decrease your data usage significantly by changing the settings on the individual apps. Below is a list of apps and how to update their settings to avoid using too much data.
Streaming Services and How to Adjust Playback Quality
| Service | Allows Playback Quality Adustment | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Disney+ | Yes | You can adjust settings on mobile and web. See more: Disney+ Data Settings. |
| HBO Max | No | Automatically adjusts based on bandwidth; no manual setting. |
| Hulu | Yes | Change video quality during playback via mobile or web. More info: Hulu Quality Settings. |
| Netflix | Yes | Change data usage per-screen on profile settings. More info: Netflix Help. |
| Paramount+ | Yes (Mobile Only) | Change video quality on Android/iOS devices via app settings. More info: Paramount+ Settings. |
| Amazon Prime | Yes | Allows setting quality in the app, including streaming quality for mobile and TV. More info: Amazon Prime Video Settings. |
| YouTube | Yes | Adjust video quality via the player on TV or web. More info: YouTube Quality Settings |
| Apple TV+ | No | Automatically adjusts based on Internet speed. |
| Peacock | No | Quality adjusts automatically, no manual control available. |
| YouTube TV | Yes | Change quality via settings (not available on mobile). |
| Vudu | Yes | Manual quality control during playback. |
| Crunchyroll | Yes | Adjust video quality during playback on mobile or web. |
| Tubi | No | Automatically adjusts quality; no manual control. |
| Sling TV | No | Adjusts based on internet speed; no manual control. |
| FuboTV | No | Quality adjusts based on bandwidth; no manual control. |
| BBC iPlayer | Yes | Manual adjustment available on mobile and web (low/medium/high). |
| Google Play Movies (YouTube Movies) | Yes | Quality adjusts automatically; manual control via settings. |
| Starz | No | No manual adjustments; quality adjusts automatically. |
| Shudder | No | Quality adjusts automatically; no manual control. |
| Discovery+ | No | Quality adjusts automatically; no manual control. |
Pro Tip: Certain streaming applications on LG Smart TVs, particularly those running webOS, may not offer the option to manually adjust playback quality. It’s important to note that these limitations are often due to the design of the app on the specific platform and may not reflect the capabilities of the streaming service itself.
How to Save on Data Usage
If you’re concerned about your data consumption, here are a few simple tips to help you:
- Set Lower Quality for Background Watching: For things like news, cooking videos, or kids’ cartoons, reduce the video quality to SD or lower. It won’t affect your viewing experience, but it’ll help save data.
- Download Content: Many streaming platforms allow you to download movies or TV shows. This way, you can watch them without using data. Just make sure you download over Wi-Fi.
- Turn Off Auto-Play: Auto-play can lead to unnecessary data use as episodes play one after the other. Turn it off in the settings of most streaming apps.
“Data Dribble” in Streaming Devices
“Data Dribble” refers to the continuous data usage that happens even when you’re not actively streaming. This often happens if a device is left on or set to auto-play next episodes. Here’s how to prevent it:
- Amazon Fire Stick: Make sure to manually set it to sleep mode when you’re done watching. It can sometimes continue streaming even when inactive.
- Roku: Will continue streaming until manually stopped, which can lead to data usage creeping up. Ensure you manually stop streams or press “Home” to exit.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re binge-watching your favorite show or catching up on the latest movie releases, managing your streaming data can save you a lot of headaches when it comes to your monthly data usage. Adjusting your video quality settings is an easy and effective way to keep your data usage under control, and most streaming services offer simple steps to make it happen.
If you’re unsure about what settings work best for your household, or if you need help with data usage, feel free to reach out to GoBrolly. We’re happy to assist!
