Low Latency Demonstrated in Xfinity X1's Super Bowl 4K Broadcast by Comcast
In the digital age, streaming services have become a popular choice for viewers to catch their favourite events, such as the Super Bowl. However, a recent study has highlighted a significant issue with these platforms - latency.
According to the findings, streaming platforms over the Internet experienced delays averaging up to 70 seconds behind real-time action, underscoring the substantial latency in streaming feeds compared to live TV broadcasts[1].
Among streaming services, Tubi was noted as coming closest to delivering real-time action from the Super Bowl, indicating a lower latency than typical services like YouTube TV, Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, and DirecTV Stream[5].
In contrast, over-the-air broadcasters and traditional cable services such as Xfinity X1 Enhanced 4K feed generally provide much lower latency, closer to real-time with negligible delay, due to the absence of internet-based buffering and adaptive streaming protocols that introduce delay[2].
The over-the-air Fox broadcast, in particular, stood out. Not only did it offer a 4K picture, but it also had a lag of 11.5 seconds, making it the fastest non-streaming option for the Super Bowl[3].
If the least lag is a priority, the over-the-air Fox broadcast is the best option, followed by the Xfinity X1 Enhanced 4K feed. This feed, in addition to having the lowest lag time among streaming services, offers Dolby Atmos and Vision, enhancing the viewing experience[4].
The data showed that the latency and lag times for other streaming services carrying the Super Bowl were significantly higher than the Xfinity X1 Enhanced 4K feed and the over-the-air Fox broadcast[6].
In summary, while over-the-air and Xfinity X1 provide near-instantaneous viewing, most popular streaming services incur significant delays, often exceeding a minute behind the live action. This is an important factor to consider for viewers who wish to avoid missing key moments during the game.
References: [1] Source for average delay of up to 70 seconds for internet streaming and Tubi’s better performance. [2] Explanation for lower latency of over-the-air and traditional cable services. [3] Information about the lag of the over-the-air Fox broadcast. [4] Details about the Xfinity X1 Enhanced 4K feed's features. [5] Comparison of Tubi's latency with other streaming services. [6] Comparison of latency and lag times for other streaming services.
- In contrast to streaming services, over-the-air broadcasters and traditional cable services, like Xfinity X1 Enhanced 4K feed, offer much lower latency, moving closer to real-time with negligible delay.
- Among the streaming platforms studied, Tubi showed a lower latency compared to services like YouTube TV, Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, and DirecTV Stream.
- The data and cloud computing technology used in streaming services over the internet resulted in delayed feeds, with average delays reaching up to 70 seconds behind real-time action.
- If a minimum lag is a priority for viewers, the over-the-air Fox broadcast is the best option and the Xfinity X1 Enhanced 4K feed follows closely behind, offering additional features like Dolby Atmos and Vision.
- The Super Bowl broadcast over the Fox network stood out for its ultra HD 4K picture quality and the lowest lag time, just 11.5 seconds behind the live action.
