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What might be considered acceptable latency for streaming desktop video?

User RD Ward
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Final answer:

Acceptable latency for streaming desktop video is typically under 150 ms; less than 100 ms is ideal. Internet speed is crucial in achieving low latency, with at least 5 Mbps recommended for HD streaming.

Step-by-step explanation:

Acceptable latency for streaming desktop video, such as HD content on a platform like Netflix, is typically considered to be under 150 milliseconds (ms). However, for a more seamless experience, aiming for a latency of 100 milliseconds or lower can lead to less noticeable delays and a smoother streaming experience. Latency is the time it takes for data to travel from the source to the destination; in the context of streaming video, lower latency means less buffering and more immediate response to interactions, such as play or pause. The speed of your internet connection plays a critical role in determining the quality of your video stream and the latency you'll experience. A connection of at least 5 megabits per second (Mbps) is recommended for HD video, and this requirement goes up for higher resolution content like 4K.

User MrDosu
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