Streaming allows you to watch videos and listen to music online.
What are the benefits of streaming?
Why stream?
What are the differences between streaming and downloading?
There is no need to download when you stream movies or music. Downloading depletes your data and takes up a lot of space on your hard drive or memory stick. It is like renting content. When you are done, it is removed again, offering faster viewing with no long waiting period for downloads.
What do you need to stream?
All you need is an account or subscription for paid services like Showmax or Netflix, and for free services like Facebook and Youtube – a fast-enough internet connection to stream without buffering, and enough data per month for your watching and/or listening needs.
Streaming devices
You can stream on most devices that can connect to the internet, including your laptop, tablet, computer or smartphone. You can also use a dedicated application on your device.
Alternatively, you can stream straight to your TV! Below are examples of devices designed for this purpose.
Streaming devices
Apple TV
Google Chromecast
The Telkom LIT_box
How to set up streaming devices
There are a variety of streaming devices in the market. Here is a step-by-step video guide on how to setup your streaming device. You can also follow the instructions below. It's really very simple.
Apple TV 1
1 - Apple TV comes with 1 remote, an HDMI cable, and power cable
2 - Once you’ve connected, you can turn it on by pressing any button.
3 - You will be prompted to connect to your home WiFi and log in using your iTunes account
Apple TV 2
4 - Create an account if you don’t have one
5 - Once logged in, you’ll see the home screen, where you can rent or buy movies and TV Series from the iTunes store or download streaming apps like YouTube, Showmax and Netflix.
6 - These services are subscription based, but can all be managed with your iTunes account, which is pretty convenient.
Let’s look at a much more compact and more versatile device
Google Chromecast 1
1 - The Google Chromecast doesn’t come with any form of control, so you need to use it in conjunction with your smartphone or laptop.
2 - Plug it into your TV’s HDMI port and give it power with a USB connection to your TV. You will be prompted to connect with a smart device
3 - In the browser, go to chromecast.com/setup, click the link to download the Google Home app from the Google play store or the Apple App store.
Google Chromecast 2
4 - Connect to your Chromecast over WiFi. Look for something like ChromecastXXXX.
Now your Chromecast should show up in Google Home App.
5 - Tap Devices and choose your Chromecast.
Tap Set Up and Continue.
6 - Once the app is successfully connected to the Chromecast, tap Continue. The code on your phone should match the code on your TV.
Tap I See the Code.
Select South Africa and hit Continue
Lastly, let’s take a look at a more versatile device exclusive to Telkom
LIT_TV Box 1
1 - Insert the HDMI cable into the HDMI socket on the back of the LIT_ TV Box.
Next connect the other end of the cable to the HDMI socket on your TV.
2 - Remove the battery cover of the airmouse and remove the USB dongle. Plug the USB dongle into any of the USB sockets on the LIT_ TV Box. Insert 2 x AAA batteries into the airmouse.
3 - Insert the power supply unit into the wall socket and the small round plug from the power supply unit into the power socket on the back of the LIT_ TV Box.
Power up the LIT_ TV Box by pressing the POWER ON/OFF button.
LIT_TV Box 2
4 - After switching the power on, the colour on the LIT_ TV Box will change from red to blue. The home screen will then appear on the TV. You can now connect the LIT_ TV Box to your router. You have 2 options:
Either connect via the Ethernet cable, or via WiFi.
* We recommend connecting with an Ethernet cable (not supplied).
5 - You have now connected the Ethernet cable between the Ethernet socket on the back of the LIT_ TV Box to any free LAN port on the back of your router.
Using WiFi select the SETTINGS page. You can either select ‘Quick Setup’ or ‘Advanced settings’. Then select ‘network’. Then select your SSID (WiFi Network Name) and enter your WiFi password.
6 - Select the Apps page to see a selection of available Apps. Or add the Apps to the Apps page by selecting the + sign on the Apps page. The LIT_ TV Box uses the Android operating system, so the functionality may therefore be very similar to that of many Android mobile phones.
And done
And you’re done!
You are now ready to stream your favourite services – from your phone, tablet or laptop – to your TV. Just look out for the Cast button in each app, while connected to your home WiFi. It’s usually in the right corner.
