Resolutions and Frame Rates Explained
High Definition in television broadcasting is divided into several tiers: 720p (standard HD), 1080i (interlaced broadcast), 1080p (progressive Full HD), and 2160p (4K Ultra High Definition).
For fast-action content like ice hockey, soccer, or motorsport, frame rate is equally as critical as resolution. A 1080p stream running at 60 frames per second (60fps) delivers significantly smoother motion than a 4K stream capped at 25 or 30fps. Our feeds are encoded with sport-optimized 50fps and 60fps profiles wherever source signals allow.
Required Internet Speeds for Quebec Connections
To maintain buffer-free HD and 4K playback, your internet connection must provide stable sustained throughput, not merely high burst speeds.
Recommended bandwidth thresholds for dedicated streaming devices: 720p HD requires 8 Mbps sustained; 1080p Full HD (60fps) requires 15 to 20 Mbps sustained; 4K UHD requires 30 to 45 Mbps sustained.
If other members of your household are simultaneously gaming, streaming Netflix, or downloading large files, having a 50+ Mbps plan from your local provider (Videotron, Bell, Cogeco) prevents queue bottlenecks.
Hardware vs Software Video Decoding
Streaming high-bitrate HEVC files requires dedicated hardware video decoders. Older smart TV operating systems or budget USB TV sticks may struggle to decode 60fps streams smoothly in software, resulting in dropped frames.
Devices equipped with modern chipsets—such as the Amlogic S905X4, MediaTek MT8696 (Fire TV Stick 4K Max), or Apple A15 Bionic—decode 4K HDR streams at minimal CPU usage and negligible operating temperatures.