Though hardware and software components can improve or hinder your video streaming abilities, there are other solutions to improving video streaming abilities that don’t involve upgrading or purchasing a new computer.

Adjusting packet delivery size:

In some cases, improving connectivity is as simple as adjusting the size of the network packet. Configuring the packet size provides a choice between responsiveness and overall throughput. Larger packets provide less packet overhead and better throughput. Smaller packets are more reactive.

An application can change the packet size by using the DB-Library DBSETLOACKET call. The packet size can also be changed while using the BCP and ISQL utilities, using the /a packetsize parameter.

Bit Accelerator applications:

There are dozens of products on the market today that operate by accelerating the transfer of data by utilizing a multi-connection algorithm. The multi-connection algorithm operates by simultaneously uploading data from various positions in the video and recombining it for seamless playback.

Bit Accelerator applications can greatly improve streaming speeds. If your connection is slow or there is a bandwidth bottleneck, you will essentially be uploading various portions of a given video at the same slow speed.

Network Path Optimizer applications:

Several applications, like Asankya, improve streaming speeds by seeking the optimal route for delivering packets from one server to another, often rerouting it through multiple networks for the quickest possible delivery.

Check the connection:

Sometimes improving streaming speeds can be as simple as testing for a stronger signal in a different part of the house, or by ensuring that your network requires a key for use. Simple maintenance of your personal network can go a long way in improving streaming speeds.

Although finding the solution that works best for you may require some trial and error, one thing is for sure - with the percentage of Internet users watching online videos likely to increase, streaming will probably never be as simple as pointing and clicking ever again.