Connections & Cables
What HDMI ports do, and what ARC, eARC and CEC mean
HDMI carries picture and sound between your TV and everything you plug in. Here is what the labels on the ports actually mean.
Your TV and Wi-Fi, finally making sense.
One clear promise: after a few minutes here, you will understand what a term, port or setting on your screen actually means — and what it means for you before you buy or change anything.
What are you trying to understand?
How to use this site
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01
Pick the topic that is bugging you
Every explainer is filed under one of five topics, so you can start from the thing in front of you, not from a textbook.
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Read the “In short” box first
Each article opens with a short summary. If that answers your question, you are done. If not, the sections below go deeper.
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Look up any term you meet
The glossary gives every common term a one- or two-sentence plain definition, separate from the articles.
We are an independent publisher. We do not fix devices, sell streaming services, or answer for any brand. We just explain, carefully.
Streamzy articles are compiled from manufacturer documentation and published standards, written at an 8th-grade reading level, and updated when the technology changes.
Every explainer, so far
Browse by topic →Wi-Fi & Network
How much internet speed streaming actually needs (HD, 4K, multiple screens)
Streaming needs less speed than most people think — until the whole household is online. Here are the real numbers and how to check yours.
Picture & Sound
1080p, 4K and HDR explained without the marketing
Resolution is how many pixels make the picture; HDR is how good each pixel can look. Here is what that means on a real sofa.
Wi-Fi & Network
Wi-Fi bands (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz) and why your TV may prefer one
Your router speaks on up to three radio bands. Lower bands travel farther; higher bands carry more data. Here is how to match them to your rooms.
Streaming Basics
What a sign-in code on a TV screen is and how to enter it safely
That short code on your TV links the app to your account. It is simple and safe — if you type it only where the service itself asks for it.
Buying Basics
How to read a TV spec sheet
A TV spec sheet is dozens of rows, but only five or six decide your experience. Here is which ones to read first, and what they mean.
Streaming Basics
Streaming stick vs box vs built-in smart TV: what changes
All three put the same apps on your screen. What actually changes is speed, updates, ports and how long the setup stays pleasant to use.
Wi-Fi & Network
Why a router's position matters more than its price
Wi-Fi is radio, and radio cares about distance, walls and height. Moving a router a few feet can beat spending a few hundred dollars.
Wi-Fi & Network
Wired vs wireless streaming: when Ethernet helps
Wi-Fi is convenient; an Ethernet cable is consistent. Here is how to tell which one is behind your buffering, and when a cable is worth it.
Picture & Sound
Soundbars, speakers and audio outputs: optical, ARC, Bluetooth
TVs are thin, so their speakers are thin. Here is how sound gets from your TV to something better — and which connection to pick.
Connections & Cables
How remotes connect: infrared, Bluetooth and RF
Some remotes need a clear line to the TV; others work from the sofa cushions. The difference is the radio inside — here is how to tell them apart.
Buying Basics
Avoiding common scams around TV and streaming setup
The most common TV scams all follow one pattern: someone you did not contact offers to fix, connect or charge for something. Here is how to spot them.
A word you keep seeing?
The glossary keeps 27 plain definitions, each one or two sentences long. A few examples:
- 4K (Ultra HD)
- A screen resolution of about 3,840 by 2,160 pixels, roughly four times the detail of 1080p. The extra sharpness is easiest to see on larger screens.
- Aspect ratio
- The shape of a screen or picture written as width to height, such as 16:9. Most TVs and streaming shows use 16:9.
- Bandwidth
- The amount of data an internet connection can move each second, measured in megabits per second (Mbps). Higher bandwidth lets more devices stream at once.