Video Streaming Over Mobile Internet: TV, Movies & Entertainment on the Go

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TV & Movie Streaming with Mobile Internet

RVing and boating don't mean giving up Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, or any streaming service - you can still stream video while traveling using mobile internet sources like cellular data, satellite, and public Wi-Fi.

While nomads enjoy getting out and exploring our new locales, hiking in nature, and visiting with friends – when travel is a lifestyle, it’s all about finding balance.

There’s no shame watching some television after the hike - or bailing on yet another museum to stream a good flick.

For a full-time nomad, this is life on the road or water - not an endless vacation.

We aren't spending all our days playing tourist and evenings roasting marshmallows over a campfire.

There will be bad weather days, blood-sucking bugs, days you’re not feeling well, or days you’re just bored of exploring (yes, it happens) when you'd rather just Netflix and chill at home.

So do it.

Unwinding after a day of work, exploring, or socializing by plopping down in front of the TV is part of modern-day life!

The problem:

With life in constant motion, many old ways of staying entertained don't work like you might be used to.

The cable is cut, satellite TV is hit-or-miss through trees or masts, local over-the-air channels are unfamiliar, and online streaming can leave you fighting with poor signal and fearing data caps.

And let's face it - few things consume data more quickly than streaming video!

Enjoying HD (and even glorious ultra-HD 4K) video requires astronomical amounts of data.

If you have a fast and unlimited landline internet hook-up, these data demands are no big deal. You might not have ever thought about how much data is required to stream a movie or TV show (it requires a lot!) - which can be a major challenge with mobile connections that usually come with data restrictions, caps, and speed throttles. 

But never fear - you don't have to give up your favorite shows to live a life on the go. If you learn a few tricks and the ways to avoid the worst pitfalls, there are actually still plenty of options to keep you entertained no matter where you roam!

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Video Overview

A quick video overview sharing top tips from this guide:

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Streaming Fundamentals

Video streaming allows you to watch live TV or specific shows on-demand over the internet anytime you like.

Just click on your computer, smartphone, tablet, Smart TV, or streaming box.

Because video streaming has become very common and affordable, we often forget that the technology behind the scenes makes this possible is nearly magical. And the amount of data and resources required to provide and receive it are mind-boggling.

We so often hear from RVers and cruisers that they have just basic mobile internet needs - just e-mail, web surfing and video streaming.

Even though video streaming is commonplace and may appear simple, it is often not simple when it comes to streaming over mobile internet .

Video streaming is one of the most bandwidth intensive things you can do online, and is the area where your experience will change along with the quality of your connection and your mobile internet source.

So what does it take to stream successfully, particularly when relying on mobile internet?

How Fast of a Connection Do You Need?

The simple answer: the faster, the better.

Particularly if you want to watch in HD.

For example, the current minimum speed recommendations for watching Netflix content are here. Other video services have similar needs:

• 3 Mbps - 720p HD
• 5 Mbps - 1080p HD
• 15 Mbps - 4k Ultra HD

~1.5 Mbps is good enough for 480p ("DVD" quality). Streaming at lower speeds can still work, but the resolution will drop to very low depending on the streaming service, and eventually, it won't work at all or require a ton of buffering.

If your connection is barely fast enough for the resolution you have selected - you may encounter pauses for buffering or lengthy delays when you jump to a new location in a show.

If your connection is particularly fast, you may burn through way more data than intended, which can be a concern if you use a limited data plan.

Some video streaming services will automatically adapt to deliver as much resolution as your connection will allow. And some services allow you to manually pick a quality setting, giving you some control over resolution and data use.  However, if you pick a resolution higher than your data speed can support - you'll experience a lot of buffering pauses.

TIP: Keep in mind that some mobile internet connections restrict speeds for video content to limit resolution and control data usage. You can check to see if your service is throttling video by comparing a speed test using Fast.com (run by Netflix, so it uses a video file to test) with a more general speed test service like SpeedTest.net.

How Much Data Does Streaming Use?

Lots. And if you are watching in HD or Ultra HD - Mega LOTS!

Again, using Netflix as an example, here are Netflix's estimates of how much data an hour of video will consume:

• Lowest Resolution - 0.3 GB per hour
• Medium Resolution - 0.7 GB per hour
• Standard Definition (SD) - Up to 1GB per hour
• High (HD) - Up to 3 GB per hour
• Ultra HD - Up to 7 GB per hour

Netflix sets the gold standard for video compression - equivalent resolutions on other services often burn through data even faster!

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Streaming over Mobile Internet Data Sources

If you're used to video streaming over a hard-wired internet source like cable or fiber, you likely have a fast data plan that is reliable and comes with unlimited data or a very high data cap. You probably never had to even think about how much data you were using or how fast & reliable your data was.

Mobile internet connections are much different and can sometimes make video streaming a challenge.

Here are some specific considerations for two of the most popular mobile internet sources: public Wi-Fi and cellular data.

Public Wi-Fi Streaming

Many assume they can stream all they want over campground or marina Wi-Fi networks or by tapping into neighboring public Wi-Fi networks at a nearby coffee shop, store, or restaurant.

This may occasionally work out...But don't count on it.

While many campgrounds and marinas specifically design their Wi-Fi networks to provide the capacity for their customers to stream video - this is still somewhat rare. 

Most public Wi-Fi hotspots only have enough bandwidth to allow guests access to email and basic web surfing. One or two video streams over a shared connection can sometimes bring the network down for everyone.

Many marinas and RV parks limit how much data their guests can use daily to spread the bandwidth fairly, and some simply do not allow video streaming.

Without guidance to the contrary, please be a good neighbor by limiting nonessential high-bandwidth usage to off-hours – such as late at night or mid-afternoon while everyone is at work or out sightseeing.

As counter-intuitive as it might seem, cellular or even a satellite connection like Starlink is often a better option, even when there is campground Wi-Fi!

Paid public Wi-Fi is also common, and some campgrounds and marinas offer premium paid connectivity. This can be a more reliable option for streaming, assuming it's available and you're willing to pay for the service.

Cellular Data Streaming

The cellular carriers have adjusted to consumer expectations and demand to be able to stream on the go, and every major cellular plan includes support for streaming - but often with a catch.

Consumers - and not just nomads - want to watch videos on their high-resolution smartphone and tablet screens when they're away from home. Cellular carriers partner with streaming services to meet this demand and entice consumers.

All carriers now proudly promote "unlimited" data smartphone plans, as the old tiered data model no longer makes much sense for most customers in a video-rich world.

We use scare quotes for "unlimited" smartphone plans because they do come with some restrictions since the carriers aren't able to be everyone's primary home internet connection or give unlimited data at high speed with zero restrictions.

This means cellular plans are specifically designed assuming that most use is temporary while away from a normal home internet landline connection.

The carriers try to balance increasing network capacity to handle ever-increasing demand while managing their available network resources, which are inherently limited.  They manage limited network resources via cellular plan restrictions and a network priority system that prioritizes some types of data over other types, and by deprioritizing users who use a lot of data.

Since video streaming takes a lot of data, cellular carriers all institute a variety of limitations to ensure video usage doesn't clog up the network. As a result, "unlimited plans" come with restrictions intended to make it unappealing to rely on your cellular data plan for all your video streaming and internet desires.

Here are some of the most common types of restrictions that come on "unlimited" and other plans:

• Mobile hotspot and tethering use. Using your smartphone or tablet to get other devices online usually isn't unlimited or is only unlimited at very slow speeds after a certain amount of data is used.
• Video streaming throttles.  Many plans will limit bandwidth for video content so that higher resolutions are not possible.
• Network Management. Most plans will deprioritize data after a certain amount of data is used - essentially penalizing high data use.  Some plans are always deprioritized. Deprioritization puts you in the slow lane when the network is congested and is one of the key methods carriers use to manage network capacity.

Additionally, most smartphone and tablet unlimited plans provide unlimited video streaming - but only on the device's screen and usually with restrictions on video resolution, limiting you to SD or HD quality.

This presents a problem for nomads who's primary home internet connection is cellular data. RVers and cruisers don't want to just watch video on their smartphone or cellular table - they want to use their SmartTV or streaming device (AppleTV, Chromecast, Roku, etc) to watch their favorite content on the big screen.

To achieve this, you have to adapt your viewing needs, look for alternative cellular plans, or use some of the tips and tricks discussed later in this guide.

There are data plans available, usually via third-party resellers, that promise unlimited, unthrottled video streaming on whatever device you like. But these plans very often come with risks and may have hidden restrictions.

Check these guides below for leads on the current best options:

If you're willing to adapt your viewing preferences, read on for additional ideas later in this guide on using your carrier's direct plans to scratch your streaming itch.

Streaming Over Satellite Internet

Historically, mobile satellite internet and streaming video were usually very poor matches. The limited speeds, data caps, and high costs of traditional satellite data service just do not work particularly well with most streaming service options.

However, Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite systems, like Starlink, that are coming online change this limitation substantially and eliminate most of the downsides of streaming over satellite internet.  This is a constantly changing market, so check out our satellite news coverage for all the latest developments.

Note: Mobile satellite internet service differs greatly from satellite TV services, such as DirecTV and Dish, which are TV-only services.

 

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Streaming To The Big Screen from Smartphones and Tablets

When it comes to movie night - bigger is better.

After all - who wants to watch blockbuster movies and epic shows on a tablet or a phone screen?

You naturally want to use your mobile connection to watch on a larger TV screen, but a lot of the best options for streaming via cellular unlimited data plans are limited to "on-device data," - meaning that the unlimited data is only unlimited when watching on the comparatively tiny screen of a phone or tablet.

If your plan comes with mobile hotspot data, you can create a hotspot and share the connection with your Roku, Apple TV, etc. BUT...

Doing so will blow through your personal mobile hotspot data limits in a heartbeat!

A great way around this is to use your smartphone or tablet to directly feed a larger TV screen, essentially "mirroring" your device screen to the TV without using mobile hotspot data.

The overall experience may be nowhere near as nice or convenient as directly using an Apple TV,  Chromecast, Roku, or the built-in smart TV apps, but at least you can watch all you want without running into mobile hotspot data limits by taking advantage of unlimited on-device data available on many smartphone and tablet plans.

There are several ways to do this, depending on your equipment and streaming app compatibility.  And there are several important gotchas to be on guard against.

Tip: Many nomads dedicate a tablet or smartphone to be the streaming heart of their entertainment center, permanently wired to their TV.

Hard-Wired HDMI Adapters

The simplest way to get your video up on a big screen is to use your smartphone or tablet to drive the screen directly via a hard-wired HDMI video cable.

When doing this, the video content on your smartphone or tablet screen is transmitted through the cable to one of the TV's HDMI input ports. The HDMI out adapter essentially just mirrors the image from your smartphone or tablet to the larger screen.  The advantage of this method is that the data used for the video stream is still considered 'on device' and therefore does NOT tap into your hotspot data, which likely has a cap.

You're just mirroring what's shown on your device's screen to another screen.

This can be a great option for those with unlimited on-device data - just keep in mind that any video resolution limits or throttles that come with your plan are still in force.

Here are the options for different types of mobile devices - read on to be sure you pick something compatible with your device.

Apple iOS

With Apple iOS devices, it is easy - Apple's Lightning Digital AV Adapter works with all current iPhones and most older iPads and is directly supported by many streaming apps to give you a dedicated video output from your iOS device over HDMI.  At the same time, they may also enable a separate view of the control panel on your phone or tablet.

Apps not designed for HDMI output will run in screen-mirroring mode, displaying exactly what is on your device on the connected screen.

Keep in mind that Apple iOS enables this function by default, but app developers can choose to block it. Some streaming apps have specifically blocked output via the adapter and other screen mirroring methods like Airplay.

Additionally, app developers can block certain content depending on licensing restrictions - so some shows/content may work for screen mirroring while others don't, even if the app supports the feature.

Click to Purchase on Amazon

TIP: Do NOT be tempted by discount knock-off adapters - they usually will not work for copy-protected content, which means almost all commercial video streaming services will be incompatible.

Stick with the adapter made by Apple - if Amazon is out of stock, you can get them direct from Apple and in some retail stores.

Going for the Apple-branded option is well worth the extra cost over a third-party adapter.

NOTE: iPad Pro models released after October 2018 and iPhone 15 and newer models have a USB-C port instead of a lightning port. These can use any USB-C to HDMI adapter, including the one from Apple:

Click to Purchase on Amazon

Android

HDMI output compatibility in the Android world has been hit or miss with multiple incompatible standards.

You will need to do your homework to determine what is compatible with your device. Some devices simply do not support any HDMI output capability, though almost every newer device does, especially flagship devices.

Note: Google Pixel phones, by design, do not support wired USB-C to HDMI screen mirroring.

USB-C to HDMI (HDMI Alt Mode)

Most recent Android devices have moved to USB-C charging connectors, and most support HDMI Alt mode, which is built into the USB-C specification. The advantage is that HDMI Alt mode offers a direct HDMI output over a USB-C port, so only a good generic USB-C to HDMI dongle is needed for screen mirroring.

There are many adapter options to choose from, making this a very simple and straightforward option.

Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL)

If your Android device has a Micro-USB or USB-C charging port, the device may support MHL (Mobile High-Definition Link) compatibility.

MHL was one of the most popular options until the USB-C-enabled HDMI Alt Mode was integrated into most phones.

There are four generations of MHL, with support for devices going back to 2010.  See this Lifewire article for an excellent primer on MHL capabilities for each generation. Device manufacturers may or may not include MHL support.

Amazon has a consistent supply of MHL adapters.  Just be sure to check compatibility with your device.

SlimPort

SlimPort was a competing standard to MHL for connecting to HDMI but has fallen out of favor and is mainly found on older devices (primarily 2019 and older).

Miracast Screen Mirroring: Cordless HDMI

The primary alternative to using a wired HDMI adapter for Android devices (and Windows laptops) is to use a technology called Miracast, which is essentially a "wireless HDMI" signal for screen mirroring, broadcasting exactly what is on your mobile device screen to your TV over an automatically configured peer-to-peer Wi-Fi channel.

If you are using Miracast, it acts like a wired HDMI connection, which means you ARE using the on-device data with your device's plan and not hotspot or data from another source. This is unlike other "wireless" connection options or services that "hand off" a stream, such as Airplay and Chromecast.

Some smart TVs have Miracast receivers built-in - for those that don't, you can plug a generic Miracast receiver into an HDMI port on the back of any TV. Here are some options:

• The Amazon Fire TV Stick supports Miracast.
• Amazon is full of other off-brand alternative Miracast dongles for as little as $15.
• All the latest Roku devices also have Miracast built-in too.

To mirror your screen to a Miracast receiver, a Miracast transmitter needs to be built into your mobile device.

Most recent Android phones and Windows laptops have added support, though no Apple devices have or are likely to.

Miracast is usually found and enabled in the Android Display Settings. Any nearby powered-on Miracast receivers will then be presented as a connection option.

Hybrid Wired / Wireless HDMI

If your streaming phone or tablet only supports wired HDMI output (and not Miracast) and you can't bear having a long HDMI cable tripping hazard running from your couch to your TV - one alternative to consider is an HDMI wireless transmitter and receiver.

With this sort of setup, you would still have a wired HDMI cable from your device on the couch to a small transmitter box that you can discreetly hide nearby. The receiver can be plugged in behind your TV without a long cable stretched across the room.

Many receiver/transmitter options are available with various costs and claimed ranges. Some even support multiple receiver outputs if you want to stream to a living room and a bedroom TV simultaneously. Here are a few leads to start your research:

• Wireless HDMI TV Connection Kit
• IOGEAR 4K Wireless HDMI
• J-Tech Digital Receiver / Transmitter - Supports Two Receivers

AirPlay & Chromecast

We live in a wireless world, so why not use Apple's AirPlay to send video from your iPhone to your Apple TV? Or Google's Chromecast to display your Android video stream?

Simple and easy, right? But be careful - there is a catch!

AirPlay and Chromecast can display video from your mobile device to a connected screen, but whenever possible, they try to hand off the connection to the Apple TV or Chromecast. Typically, it works like this:

1. The Chromecast or Airplay device and the smartphone/tablet typically need to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
2. From a supported app on your smartphone, such as YouTube or Netflix, and choose to "cast" or "stream" the content to the Chromecast or via Airplay.
3. The smartphone then sends instructions to the Chromecast or Airplay device, telling it what content to play and where to retrieve it from, such as a specific URL on the internet or streaming service.
4. The Chromecast or Airplay device then independently fetches the content directly from the internet, bypassing the smartphone, and streams it on the connected display.

Streaming this way means the data will NOT be the "on-device" data from your smartphone or tablet.

So even though you may have started playing the video on your mobile device using your device's cellular connection - once the system hands the stream off to the Chromecast, AppleTV, or SmartTV, the data being used will come from whatever connection is configured in the AirPlay or Chromecast, both of which usually require connecting to a Wi-Fi network.

That could very likely be your capped mobile hotspot data! Unless your AirPlay or Chromecast is set up to use a plan with unlimited or a lot of hotspot or tethering data, it is best to avoid using them for streaming videos.

Video Output Incompatibilities & Issues

Using these tips, you can make a spare tablet or old smartphone essentially a dedicated "brain" and remote control for your big screen, all without worrying about exceeding any tethering data limits. But there are some issues you may run across:

• Screen Mirroring & Aspect Ratios - Most major streaming apps actually detect your TV and treat it as a second screen - running at its native resolution and aspect ratio. But other apps run in "screen mirroring" mode, displaying exactly what is on your phone or tablet's screen onto the TV. This can lead to annoying black bars framing the video since phones and tablets tend not to match the 16x9 ratio of an HDTV screen. Using your TV's "zoom" feature can help compensate for this, and sometimes a phone in landscape orientation may have a better default aspect ratio than a tablet.
• Blocked Output - Some apps actively detect and block output to a larger screen, usually due to licensing restrictions. The classic example is watching football via the NFL Mobile app, which is licensed only for small-screen viewing. But other apps also actively block video output - some on purpose, some by accident with a patch bug. Do your homework and conduct some experiments to determine which apps and content have issues on your devices.
• Geo-Restrictions & Blackouts - Some programming is licensed by location, and streaming apps try to enforce this by using your device's GPS or network-derived location to ensure you are in an authorized zone. Local TV channels and sporting events, in particular, may end up blocked if you are in the wrong place or cannot get a valid GPS fix.
• Cellular Resolution Limits - Some streaming apps behave differently when connected directly over cellular than when connected to Wi-Fi, and on a cellular connection, they lower their streaming resolution "to save your data" even if you are on an unlimited connection. Other apps always run at their maximum resolution or give you settings to allow you to go all out and take advantage of the highest possible resolution.

Cellular Data Plan Guide for Video Streaming

For each major carrier, we cover the general carrier policies for video streaming throttles, bundled streaming services, and data usage policies.

Video Streaming Services

We overview the features of major video streaming services like Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, Max, and YouTube for how mobile-compatible they are.

Optimizing Video Streaming Data Usage

We share tips for fine-tuning your video streaming services to deliver the best quality for the lowest data usage.

Alternatives to Video Streaming

We touch on alternatives like downloaded content, streaming recorders, traditional cable TV, and satellite TV.

Streaming Video Overseas

US-based streaming services might be blocked when you cross borders. This section shares some tips for getting around it.

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Summary: Video Streaming While Mobile

Video streaming is one of the biggest data hogs and one of the most popular uses of mobile data. While it can sometimes be challenging, there are various tricks to making streaming video content over a mobile internet connection work for you.

From dongles for utilizing on-device data to plans that offer media streaming that doesn't count towards your monthly data allotment, with a bit of research, you too can be watching hours of media when you don't feel like trekking out of your RV or boat to explore.