Showmax and DStv use less data than Netflix - but run at much lower quality

[Jan]

DStv and Showmax defeat Netflix in data usage

Analytico has performed testing to determine the data consumption of various streaming services in South Africa and found that DStv and Showmax are the most efficient, but lack bitrate when it comes to higher settings.

Each streaming service was tested on a laptop for an hour at a time in two different configurations:

1. The lowest data consumption setting available
2. The highest setting at a 1080p resolution

 

[Shadow07]

I would still prefer to use more data (even if I had to pay per GB) and get Netflix bitrate.

 

[Rickster]

You would think with that ~R900 per premium user they can afford to buy decent servers.

 

[Paulsie]

You would think with that ~R900 per premium user they can afford to buy decent servers.

I don't think it's about servers. I think it is about discouraging streaming, while increasing revenue by up-selling hardware (Streama etc).

 

[LCBXX]

Mobile-data prices are racist.

 

[DStvNothingOn]

If you streaming in ultra low quality 720p Max then. its easy to have low consumption.
watching some of HBO series would be better to get the DVD

 

[EL'Diablo]

Where's that DSTV meme/gif guy???? Your stage awaits! (i forgot your username, please see this)

Found you! @Cranjus McBasketball

 

[Dimpie (COMPUTEK)]

The "pirate" sites that stream supersport channels runs at a better quality than the dstv website itself ... Even if you select 1080, it's nowhere near that sometime

 

[justplain]

In my opinion, the quality of the stream for Amazon Prime is better than Netflix which is a fair amount better than Showmax.

 

[Dimpie (COMPUTEK)]

Where's that DSTV meme/gif guy???? Your stage awaits! (i forgot your username, please see this)

Found you! @Cranjus McBasketball

 

[EL'Diablo]

The "pirate" sites that stream supersport channels runs at a better quality than the dstv website itself ... Even if you select 1080, it's nowhere near that sometime

stop with the facts! they cant handle the truth

(you talking about that R120 a month DSTV from the Oom down the road right lol)

 

[Speedster]

What about netflix 4k? I'd have been genuinely interested in that stat

 

[umamankandla]

Isnt this like comparing wap to web? You cant compare bad "high" quality to good actual high quality. Good points made above about if you can afford a R2k DStv sub you can afford good internet.

Who remembers wap on phones? When internet on phones just started? Anyone still recently had to access a wap site?

 

[umamankandla]

The "pirate" sites that stream supersport channels runs at a better quality than the dstv website itself ... Even if you select 1080, it's nowhere near that sometime

What?! There are "pirate" supersport channels...?! Please do not share that..

 

[Polymathic]

360p on YouTube is equivalent to DSTVs low

 

[Dan C]

Isnt this like comparing wap to web? You cant compare bad "high" quality to good actual high quality. Good points made above about if you can afford a R2k DStv sub you can afford good internet.

Who remembers wap on phones? When internet on phones just started? Anyone still recently had to access a wap site?

R2k ? DStv Premium streaming sub is R699.

 

[Michae64]

Difficult to justify the test when Netflix and Amazon are streaming in 1080 and Showmax and, I assume Dstv are streaming in 720. This is as per the Showmax technical specs https://faq.showmax.com/eng/help/za/technical/5

 

[SilverCode]

What?! There are "pirate" supersport channels...?! Please do not share that..

No, please do share! I want to add these websites to my block list so if someone hacks into my Wifi they can't pirate these streams! Without having the URL, I can't stop the hackers from stealing money from DStv.

 

[stefan9]

Probably cause dstv now's site got about 10 errors during that hour...

 

[Grubscrew]

Candles use less electricity than lightbulbs.