Streaming Content With a VPN
Before the Internet became so prominent, the only way to watch your favorite movie was to download it. It is effortless for people to stream video now.
Thus, video streaming started to become a significant approach for people to watch movies and TV. Everyone now streams content from platforms like Hulu, Netflix, and Amazon.
However, streaming movies also come with its setback, just like every other activity on the internet. You may be prevented from seeing some content based on where you live. This is referred to as geo-blocking. This practice has made a lot of people to devise the use of VPN or Virtual Private Network. This helps in navigating several hindrances that relate to streaming video on the internet.
Although a VPN may be productive in accessing geo-blocked content and help you browse anonymously over a network that is not secured, utilizing it has its setbacks
Streaming Media Using VPN
Streaming service can be divided into two types when utilizing VPN to stream. The first type is legal websites like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon, while the second includes pirated websites like SOlarMovies, TVMuse, and KissCartoon.
It does not matter the option you adapted; issues are bound to arise. Have you forgotten that you are trading off anonymity and convenience that comes with VPN with low speed
VPN and Optimization
You transfer your IP address to another location anytime you use a VPN. This is done using a dedicated network of servers situated in different locations of the World. This activity consumes 20% to about 50% of your bandwidth.
The uninteresting thing is that most videos come in rich media formats. Therefore the bandwidth consumption is alarming. Any reduction in bandwidth will unavoidably impact not only the quality but the consistency of your streaming.
Streaming quality is also affected by other activities on the VPN. If you are working on a 256k broadband and running a lot of apps, it does not matter how technically sound the hardware is, issues are bound to occur while streaming those videos.
The Wrong Tech For The Task
There have been several debates as touching the best choices between SSL VPNs and IPsec. Some experts support IPsec VPNs because of their latent conversion capacities, which save bandwidth significantly. Notwithstanding, it may end up being counterproductive as a result of increased latency and low throughput.
Choosing the wrong technology can backfire as the hardware is busy with decompressing. Encryption makes VPN the throughput of VPN to rely on CPU cycles instead of extra-speed broadband. What this means is that your streaming will be unstable if your technology is slower, say 3g.
Unequal Traffic
The different forms of traffic that are funneled through the VPN may vary in connection. Latency and Jitter can impact the streaming’s quality. If other videos are present on the network, it could as well trip up those forms of traffic.
Shady Endpoints
Most times, your VPN performance is impacted by the shared usage. If your boys are playing video games, for instance, which eat a more significant chunk of the bandwidth, the leftover(bandwidth) may not be sufficient to stream videos.
This issue happens typically among VPN clients who are mobile. This is the more reasons some hotels and airports disable VPN access based on the unreliability of speeds.
This is a significant challenge, especially with corporate networks. VPN usage may sometimes reach its peak as if everybody is browsing at the same time, or individuals are heavily using VPN. This can make the bandwidth to max out conveniently.
In some other cases, computer viruses can slow down the internet connection. The best strategy to achieve a faster and safer connection is to ensure you are being served by providers. You should know the risks in the terms and conditions before you accept.
You should understand that if your Virtual Private Network is not connected through closed or private circuits, Quality of Service(QoS) is not present; the internet lacks QoS.
VPN Blocking
A lot of external bodies and government are working actively to prevent the utilization of VPN or blocking data transmissions via VPN. Aside from this, VPN vendors have to face blanket bans by streaming platforms like Netflix. These enterprises are employing monitoring and filtering strategies to determine users’ behaviors. They can also block servers that have specific connection pattern. So if your VPN is active, but could not access Netflix, you may have been blocked.
It is legal to use a VPN to enjoy the services you have paid for in the confine of a specific geo-location. But, if you use VPN to access Netflix outside the United States, for instance, you have violated the ToS of Netflix, and your account can be terminated.
