Data usage with firestick

[BikerGraham]

Hi all
I have adjusted the data settings etc on the firestick and when on Netflix it uses around 0.5GB per hour which is good

However, if I use BBC iplayer it is using data at a rate of around 2GB per hour

Are there any settings in the iplayer app that i can adjust to reduce the data usage ?

This is for when I am in mainland Europe and have restricted data.

 

[Lenny HB]

The problem is nearly everything is broadcast in HD, SD uses less than a gb an hour. If you download the program you have the option to download in SD.

 

[BikerGraham]

The problem is nearly everything is broadcast in HD, SD uses less than a gb an hour. If you download the program you have the option to download in SD.

Thanks Lenny.

So instead of just streaming it, I should download it first to the firestick and in SD ?

 

[Lenny HB]

Thanks Lenny.

So instead of just streaming it, I should download it first to the firestick and in SD ?

Yep, unfortunately with iPlayer not all programs are downloadable.

 

[BikerGraham]

Yep, unfortunately with iPlayer not all programs are downloadable.

Ok, thanks I’ll give it a go

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[PEM]

Go into I player settings
Then settings and help
Video Quality
Change to Standard Defintion

I've done this and it doesn't seem to use loads of data

 

[BikerGraham]

Go into I player settings
Then settings and help
Video Quality
Change to Standard Defintion

I've done this and it doesn't seem to use loads of data

Thanks. Will have a look into it

 

[Lenny HB]

Go into I player settings
Then settings and help
Video Quality
Change to Standard Defintion

I've done this and it doesn't seem to use loads of data

You used to be able to do it but it no longer appears possible.

 

[Manic]

I thought if you set the Firestick to lower quality all apps would be low.

 

[BikerGraham]

I thought if you set the Firestick to lower quality all apps would be low.

You would think but obviously not.

Almost passed out the other day when I watched a series in iplayer. 4 hours and 9GB of data had been used.

Yet Netflix is only 0.5GB, consistently. It was much more before I lowered the quality settings.

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[pete4x4]

The app your using defines the data rate on a firestick. Firestick data rate is only for Prime Video streaming.
Iplayer has a video quality setting. On my laptop its in the video playback at the bottom of the picture, the video needs to be playing or paused.
On the firestick it is in settings found in the menu on the left if I remember correctly, the same for Netflix and Disney and Apple TV. Yes I have them all thanks to daughters etc!
Sky Go on the other hand does what it wants and uses a wodge of data!!

 

[BikerGraham]

Go into I player settings
Then settings and help
Video Quality
Change to Standard Defintion

I've done this and it doesn't seem to use loads of data

Tried this on mine and it works

Down to 0.7gb per hour. Will monitor it further

Result

Many thanks for the advice

 

[NicandJay]

Tried this on mine and it works

Down to 0.7gb per hour. Will monitor it further

Result

Many thanks for the advice

Yep works on mine too, Firestick is 4k version bought in September

 

[PEM]

You may also need to do the same on other apps itv 5 all 4 I found disney + uses a lot of data unless you change it also be aware if you watch a dvd somehow it sometimes changes you firestick back to1080 not always but it can catch you out

 

[TimSam]

Hi all
I have adjusted the data settings etc on the firestick and when on Netflix it uses around 0.5GB per hour which is good

However, if I use BBC iplayer it is using data at a rate of around 2GB per hour

Are there any settings in the iplayer app that i can adjust to reduce the data usage ?

This is for when I am in mainland Europe and have restricted data.

BBC iPlayer will not work outside the UK! I even tried to force ny VPN to use a UK IP address and that failed! Have a read of

Why does BBC iPlayer think I'm outside the UK? | iPlayer help

The guidance on this page is for users within the UK. If you are outside the UK, have a look here: Can I use BBC iPlayer when I'm outside of the UK? Programmes cannot be streamed outside the UK, even on holiday. This is because of rights agreements.

www.bbc.co.uk

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[BikerGraham]

BBC iPlayer will not work outside the UK! I even tried to force ny VPN to use a UK IP address and that failed! Have a read of

Why does BBC iPlayer think I'm outside the UK? | iPlayer help

The guidance on this page is for users within the UK. If you are outside the UK, have a look here: Can I use BBC iPlayer when I'm outside of the UK? Programmes cannot be streamed outside the UK, even on holiday. This is because of rights agreements.

www.bbc.co.uk

Oh but it does.

Watched it in France in September and have been watching it in Spain these last few weeks.

 

[dunnah01]

You also need to keep an eye on any downloaded files. I found that it was still using data to play the files unless I stopped the mifi from roaming. No idea why but sure ate into my data. I spent many an hour harvesting downloads from free wifi outside french tourist information offices only to find my 20Gb giffgaff limit got reached in a couple of days anyway.
I'm with tescomobile now and it was unlimited roaming last time I was in the EU so much less stress.

 

[kevenh]

The problem is nearly everything is broadcast in HD, SD uses less than a gb an hour. If you download the program you have the option to download in SD.

The source media will be the best quality but broadcasters like BBC, YouTube, Amazon Prime, Netflix, etc. are using adaptive bit rates (ABR) for streaming. The host media player should negotiate the best bit rate. Such as YouTube in a PC browser or VLC or Fire TV Stick, etc.

BBC iPlayer ABR info: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/help/questions/features/video-quality

Using ABR the broadcaster can supply one URL for a program title and it be used on a big home TV or a small smart phone.

With the OP’s issue with an iPlayer high data rate used via a Fire TV Stick maybe there’s a bug or a setting not yet discovered to set a lower data usage.

Edit. An example of how a single media source URL is constricted.

Six video bit rates & two different audio options. Maybe a language choice - I’ve forgotten. Two Swedish choices

 

[sallylillian]

BBC iPlayer will not work outside the UK! I even tried to force ny VPN to use a UK IP address and that failed! Have a read of

Why does BBC iPlayer think I'm outside the UK? | iPlayer help

The guidance on this page is for users within the UK. If you are outside the UK, have a look here: Can I use BBC iPlayer when I'm outside of the UK? Programmes cannot be streamed outside the UK, even on holiday. This is because of rights agreements.

www.bbc.co.uk

Depends on VPN, iPlayer will have a list of the commercial VPN IP's and block them. However my experience has been that if you use a UK sim then there is no geo blocking.

 

[Peter and Julie]

BBC iPlayer will not work outside the UK! I even tried to force ny VPN to use a UK IP address and that failed! Have a read of

Why does BBC iPlayer think I'm outside the UK? | iPlayer help

The guidance on this page is for users within the UK. If you are outside the UK, have a look here: Can I use BBC iPlayer when I'm outside of the UK? Programmes cannot be streamed outside the UK, even on holiday. This is because of rights agreements.

www.bbc.co.uk

s it uou wat

Is your Router or phone (whatever system you use to download) set to change time zones automatically? If so set to manual time zone and select UK time. Didn't have a problem in France late last year and thats using a Spanish Sim from Tiekom worked for Firestick and laptops. I need access to .gov websites when away. A simple fix. No VPN needed.

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[BikerGraham]

Ran on iplayer most of last night and consistently was 0.8GB per hour after changing the settings to SD.

Great result so thanks for the advice.

 

[TimSam]

Depends on VPN, iPlayer will have a list of the commercial VPN IP's and block them. However my experience has been that if you use a UK sim then there is no geo blocking.

Interesting, just quoting my own past experience in Greece using an iPad and laptop set to using UK time with VPN using UK IP address. Will try other suggested options when I go abroad again. Could be the WiFi i was using but got nowhere running on 4G. Thanks to all for the tips.

 

[TimSam]

Depends on VPN, iPlayer will have a list of the commercial VPN IP's and block them. However my experience has been that if you use a UK sim then there is no geo blocking.

Interesting, just quoting my own past experience in Greece using an iPad and laptop set to using UK time with VPN using UK IP address. Will try other suggested options when I go abroad again. Could be the WiFi I was using but got nowhere running on 4G with a SMARTY SIM. Thanks to all for the tips.

 

[TimSam]

Oh but it does.

Watched it in France in September and have been watching it in Spain these last few weeks.

Interesting, just quoting my own past experience in Greece using an iPad and laptop set to using UK time with VPN using UK IP address. Will try other suggested options when I go abroad again. Could be the WiFi I was using but got nowhere running on 4G with a SMARTY SIM. Thanks to all for the tips.

 

[BikerGraham]

Interesting, just quoting my own past experience in Greece using an iPad and laptop set to using UK time with VPN using UK IP address. Will try other suggested options when I go abroad again. Could be the WiFi i was using but got nowhere running on 4G. Thanks to all for the tips.

I just run with Vodafone or O2 SIMs and not had an issue. Don’t use a vpn and haven’t needed to change the settings to get access. Just the quality to reduce data usage.

I may be wrong as it’s not always so simple but I think that if you use a U.K. sim from one of the main companies ( Vodafone, O2, EE and 3) then you’re less likely to have an issue.

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[TimSam]

I just run with Vodafone or O2 SIMs and not had an issue. Don’t use a vpn and haven’t needed to change the settings to get access. Just the quality to reduce data usage.

I may be wrong as it’s not always so simple but I think that if you use a U.K. sim from one of the main companies ( Vodafone, O2, EE and 3) then you’re less likely to have an issue.

SMARTY run on the 3 network. I pay £14 a month for 200GB of UK data, 12GB abroad, unlimited texts and calls to the UK from European locations, but then I expect you know that.

 

[BikerGraham]

SMARTY run on the 3 network. I pay £14 a month for 200GB of UK data, 12GB abroad, unlimited texts and calls to the UK from European locations, but then I expect you know that.

I don’t know much about them TBH only what I have picked up from some of the posts in this forum.

I’m pretty thick in relation to IT. Never used to be, but that was a long time ago and technology has changed somewhat.

We have two company phones which are in Vodafone (direct) but they only allow 25GB a month when abroad which is why I got a separate O2 SIM. This also only gives 25GB abroad. However, it is also handy having it in a MIFI for when I’m away with work. I often find that when in hotels or clients sites, if I have an issue with tethering to the company phone, it is usually ok on the O2 MIFI.

I think Minxy is the one to have a chat with to see if she can help you out.

 

[Landy Andy]

Was using a Labera sim, and a Superdrug sim last week in France and watched live and streamed BBC and most other uk channels.

 

[TimSam]

Thanks for that.

 

[busby]

BBC iPlayer will not work outside the UK! I even tried to force ny VPN to use a UK IP address and that failed! Have a read of

Why does BBC iPlayer think I'm outside the UK? | iPlayer help

The guidance on this page is for users within the UK. If you are outside the UK, have a look here: Can I use BBC iPlayer when I'm outside of the UK? Programmes cannot be streamed outside the UK, even on holiday. This is because of rights agreements.

www.bbc.co.uk

I watched I Player in France and Spain last year,,I have done for the last 3 years.BUSBY.

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