How Much Internet Do Streaming Services Use?

blog TCC Jun 23, 2020

netflix

Streaming services have become a natural luxury of modern society. While they offer endless entertainment, they can run through internet data fairly quickly. This can be especially important for those watching data usage. Let's ask the basic question: How much internet do streaming services use? 

 

Streaming services have become a natural luxury of modern society. While they offer endless entertainment, they can run through internet data fairly quickly. This can be especially important for those watching data usage. Let’s ask the basic question: How much internet do streaming services use?

Netflix

As the world’s most popular streaming service, Netflix is very transparent with its data requirements. Depending upon the quality of video chosen in your settings, data usage will run between 0.3 GB/hour for Low to 7 GB/hour for Ultra HD. The default setting is SD at 3 GB/hour.

Disney Plus

The newest vault of streaming videos offered comes as Disney Plus. Typically, data usage will run between 700 MB/hour and 1.5 GB/hour for SD and 1080p HD, respectively.

 Hulu

Though similar in nature to Netflix, Hulu lists many different data requirements. Ranging from 0.68 GB/hour for standard definition, their lowest setting, to 2.7 GB/hour for 1080p Ultra HD. Their only option for mobile devices uses 1.3 GB/hour and is HD.

Amazon Prime

The video streaming service from Amazon provides three options for computers and a data-saving mobile device option. Ranging from 800 MB/hour at SD to 6 GB/hr for 4K Ultra HD, Amazon Prime has an option for every data plan.

YouTube

The video-sharing platform does offer streaming options, most famously the live stream. The lowest resolution setting, 480p, uses 562.5 MB/hour, while the highest setting, 4K Ultra HD, uses 15.98 GB/hour. With such a range, users need to be cognizant of their resolution preferences.

Streaming services, though a seamless entertainment option, requires some forethought from their users particularly concerning data usage. Most services offer a range of video quality and with it a range of data requirements. On average, customers can expect to need about 600 MB/hour for the lowest quality and 6.5 GB/hour for the highest setting. So, to answer our question: How much internet do streaming services use?, it depends. That’s why you need a trusted data provider. For any setting or streaming option, Tuckersmith Communications can help you with your data needs!

How to Keep Your Kids Safe on the Internet

blog TCC Jun 16, 2020

smiling-woman-with-daughter-using-laptop-4173206

The Internet might seem safer and more user-friendly than ever before, but there are still plenty of dangers to be found online. Children are still frequent targets of online attacks, so you still need to work to keep your kids safe on the internet. 

The Internet might seem safer and more user-friendly than ever before, but there are still plenty of dangers to be found online. Children are still frequent targets of online attacks, so you still need to work to keep your kids safe on the internet.

Use a Virtual Private Network

Using a virtual private network or VPN is a good idea even if you don’t have kids who like to go online. A VPN connects your device to a secure offsite server while encrypting your connection. This hides your IP address and makes it nearly impossible for someone to track your physical location online, but it also prevents any data that is sent over public networks to be intercepted. You might not be able to get a VPN for every device in your home, but getting one for your main computer and smartphone can definitely help keep your kids safe on the Internet.

 Follow Basic Security Guidelines

Simply following basic security guidelines for all of your devices can help keep them and your kids safe. Always use the most recent version of your operating system, keep your malware and antivirus software updated, and use strong passwords to protect your accounts.

Know Your Kids’ Skill Level

If your children have always been around computers and smartphones, there’s a good chance that they are savvy with these devices. Unfortunately, this also means that they won’t think twice before doing potentially dangerous things online. Even if you trust your kids to be responsible with their devices, check-in with them to see what they are doing and how they are doing it.

Know Who They Talk To

People have been telling kids not to talk to strangers for decades, and that advice still applies to the Internet. If you let your kids use social networks or any other services that let them chat with people, take some time to learn who those people are. Since your kids will almost certainly come across someone online they don’t know, remind them that they are never to share any personal information such as their real names and addresses.

Limit Screen Time

If you’re really concerned about keeping your kids safe on the Internet, you can always put limits on their screen time. You don’t have to ban them from going online entirely, but you can limit their time to one or two hours a day, or make it a rule that you need to be in the room with them when they use a computer or smartphone.

For more information about how you can keep your family and your devices safe, contact Tuckersmith Communications. We do our best to keep our services safe and easy to use, and we will be happy to provide any advice to improve your home’s cybersecurity.

All TCC Locations Now OPEN!

blog TCC Jun 7, 2020

open

Over the last several weeks we have been reopening our retail locations & we are excited to tell you that as of this morning, ALL our stores are now OPEN! We'd like to thank all our customers for their patience through these times & for helping our reopening go so smoothly by respecting all the new safety measures put in place in our stores. 

WE’RE OPEN
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Over the last several weeks we have been reopening our retail locations & we are excited to tell you that as of this morning, ALL our stores are now OPEN! We’d like to thank all our customers for their patience through these times & for helping our reopening go so smoothly by respecting all the new safety measures put in place in our stores.
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A quick recap below;
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BEFORE VISITING PLEASE KNOW:
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1️.  We are back to regular store hours — found here for each location https://www.tcc.on.ca/contact-us.
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2️.  For the safety of our employees & customers the doors may be locked but we open & close them allowing 1 person in the store at a time.
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3️.  Should a line form outside, we ask you practise safe physical distancing habits & stay clear of doorways.
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4️.  Remember our full team is still available to serve you via phone, email, website chat & social media. We ask that if any of your questions or concerns can be solved through those methods to please do so.
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Our website & social media outlets are always your first destination for up to the minute information regarding all things TCC!

WE’RE OPEN!

blog TCC May 11, 2020

open

We are OPEN!

BEFORE VISITING PLEASE KNOW:

#1 Our hours of operation will be Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm [4:30pm in Brussels]

#2 For the safety of our employees & customers the doors may be locked but we will open & close them allowing 2 people in the store at a time.

#3 Should a line form outside, we ask you practise safe physical distancing habits & stay clear of doorways.

#4 Remember our full team is still available to serve you via phone, email, website chat & social media. We ask that if any of your questions or concerns can be solved through those methods to please do so

..

Our website & social media is always your first destination for up to the minute information regarding our hours of operation and store re-openings. We thank everyone for your patience during these times. We’re all in this together.

Clinton Location Re-Opened May 4th

blog TCC May 4, 2020

open

As you know, we've been working away behind the scene since closing our doors to the public on March 20th. Today, we have re-opened our Clinton location to help continue to support our customers and communities through these times.

TCC CLINTON IS OPEN
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As you know, we’ve been working away behind the scene since closing our doors to the public on March 20th. Today, we have re-opened our Clinton location to help continue to support our customers and communities through these times.
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BEFORE VISITING PLEASE KNOW:
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1️⃣ Our hours of operation will be Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm.
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2️⃣ For the safety of our employees & customers the doors will remain locked and we will automatically open & close them allowing 1 person in the store at a time.
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3️⃣ Should a line form outside, we ask you practise safe physical distancing habits & stay clear of doorways.
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4️⃣ Remember our full team is still available to serve you via phone, email, website chat & social media. We ask that if any of your questions or concerns can be solved through those methods to please do so
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Our website & social media is always your first destination for up to the minute information regarding our hours of operation and store re-openings. We thank everyone for your patience during these times. We’re all in this together.

Easter Colouring Contest

blog TCC Apr 6, 2020

colour

Keeping those littles occupied at home these days is no small feat #igetit#letushelp

✨CONTEST ALERT✨

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Keeping those littles occupied at home these days is no small feat #igetit#letushelp
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TCC’s Easter Colouring Contest is sure to keep them busy for .. 20mins?
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Submitting your masterpiece is easy…
☑️ Download & Print the pictures BELOW
☑️ Take a picture of your submission [& the artist if you’d like! and post it in the comments of our FB page!
☑️ We’ll select 3 lucky winners on FRIDAY. Each winner will receive a $100 Amazon OR Walmart gift card they can use to stock your craft supplies, get a new board game, maybe some school workbooks or outside toys like bubbles or chalk! Whatever you need to keep busy, delivered to your door!!
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We hope everyone is taking this opportunity to slow down & enjoy the little things in life with their families …. like colouring together on a rainy day!
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We can’t wait to see your submissions, enjoy & good luck!

 

TCC EASTER COLOUR CONTEST OPTION #1

TCC EASTER COLOUR CONTEST OPTION #2

Ways to Pay your TCC Bill

blog TCC Mar 30, 2020

money

We know many of you choose to pay your monthly TCC bill at one of our 5 locations so, during the current closures we wanted to remind you of all the alternative ways to pay your bill...

We know many of you choose to pay your monthly TCC bill at one of our 5 locations so, during the current closures we wanted to remind you of all the alternative ways to pay your bill…

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ONLINE through your Financial Institution
ONLINE directly through our website using ‘PAY NOW’ feature
LEAVE PAYMENTS at either our Kippen or Clinton location through the available mail slots
MAIL PAYMENTS to 40023 Kippen Road, Kippen ON, N0M 2E0
REGISTER FOR SMART HUB our online portal where you can access your TCC account, pay bills & add automatic payment through your bank or credit card
☎️ CALL US to add automatic payment to your account

**NEW ONLINE E-TRANSFER** You can now also e-transfer your TCC bill amount through your financial institution. E-transfers can be sent to tcc@tcc.on.ca. Please reference you account number in the memo field of the transfer.

As always, if you have any questions at all please do not hesitate to contact us at tcc@tcc.on.ca, 519-606-2211 or through our LIVE CHAT on our website www.tcc.on.ca

Optimizing Your Bandwidth

blog TCC Mar 25, 2020

fix

Every device you add to your home Internet network takes a bite out of your bandwidth. If you’re reading the news on your tablet, you’re only taking a small bite. But if you’re streaming high-definition video, then you’re eating up a lot of bandwidth.

Every device you add to your home Internet network takes a bite out of your bandwidth. If you’re reading the news on your tablet, you’re only taking a small bite. But if you’re streaming high-definition video, then you’re eating up a lot of bandwidth.

Bandwidth is a term used to reference the rate of data transfer on a network or Internet connection, usually measured in megabits per second (Mbps). We’re here with some helpful tips on how to optimize your bandwidth usage.

Use A Wired Connection
To get optimal speeds, a wired Ethernet connection is recommended. There are limitations with this, not all devices can support a wired connection and your devices must be close to your connection point (modem or router) to be wired.

This form of connection is best for desktop computers, gaming consoles, or streaming devices that are going to stay in the same place.

Manage Your Connections
Most households are routinely streaming content. In fact, streaming now makes up the majority of web traffic in homes. Make sure your streaming applications aren’t streaming content that you aren’t watching as it will eat up a good portion of your bandwidth.

If you have a slower Internet connection, you may have to settle for lower quality videos that don’t require as much bandwidth. If your current speeds are unable to support your streaming habits, it might be time to upgrade to a higher speed. We can help you with that, here. In most situations, we are able to do this remotely from our head office, same day.

Adjust Your App Settings
Mobile and desktop applications often run in the background of your device without the user even being aware. When an app does an automatic update or stays connected to the Internet, it’s taking a bite out of your home’s bandwidth.

Make sure you close apps after you exit them on mobile devices, or set your apps to only be able to access the Internet when open.

For Windows computers use the magic sequence; Ctrl+Alt, Delete, then open task manager. I had 103 background processes running on my desktop. None were taking up massive amounts of bandwidth individually, but they do add up and many aren’t necessary to run.

Reboot Your Modem & Router
Periodically rebooting your modem and router will restart processes and clear memory cashes. Basically, you’re giving your modem and router a fresh start (like a good night’s sleep).

When rebooting, have the device unplugged for at least 10 seconds. This will allow capacitors to drain and the memory to clear.

Yes, the old “unplug it, plug it back in” really does work! #whoknew

Manage Devices
Turn off or disconnect devices that aren’t being used on your network. Each additional connected device will take another bite from your bandwidth.

If you’re only using your tablet to play Tetris, disconnecting it from your network will free up more bandwidth for another user to binge watch the latest Netflix documentary. In a time right now when there are more people than normal all accessing, and probably streaming, in your home at once, this is very important.

*Source: City West

FREE Channels for all TCC TV subscribers

blog TCC Mar 17, 2020

popcorn

Together with multiple of networks, TCC is able to "unlock" a number of channels for ALL customers, FREE OF CHARGE. There is something for everyone. #weknow#itsawesome #binge

Having additional TV channels in times like these ….isn’t a terrible thing, right!?

Together with multiple of networks, TCC is able to “unlock” a number of channels for ALL customers, FREE OF CHARGE. There is something for everyone. #weknow#itsawesome #binge
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HERE is a complete listing & their channel numbers & dates the preview expires:

CTV News Channel – 70   [June 30th]
CP24 – 71   [June 30th]
CNN – 36   [May 31st]
CNBC – 85   [May 20th]
C+I – 252   [May 31st]
Cottage Life – 351   [May 3rd]
Documentary – 245   [May 31st]
Food – 356   [May 31st]
Lifetime – 523   [May 31st]
MSNBC – 86   [May 20th]
ONE: Get Fit – 358   [May 31st]
OWN – 344   [Apr. 30th]
Rewind – 526    [June. 30th]
Silverscreen Classics – 509 [June 30th]
CBC News – 72  [May 31st]
FX – 359   [May 11th]
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✨ You may need to reset your set top box to see these changes. You can do so by disconnecting the STB power supply for 30 seconds, and plugging it back in, allowing it to reboot. ????

COVID-19 UPDATE

blog TCC Mar 16, 2020