Watch sporting events anywhere

David Bayon,
Contributing Editor at PC Pro

In an ideal world you’d watch every big game on the big screen in your living room, but that’s not always possible and with sporting events taking place in different time zones, some games are inevitably going to be on at awkward times for us. Thankfully, in 2014 we have all sorts of ways around that minor problem. David Bayon, Contributing Editor at PC Pro, rounds up 5 great devices for watching matches wherever the mood takes you, and explains in a simple glossary the important factors to consider when streaming video in this way.

ALIENWARE X51, RRP FROM £599

eBay loves: It’s already in millions of homes – how many owners don’t realise what else a games console can do?

Watch out for: Keep an eye on the app line-ups for the new generation, as they’ll soon be even better.

The new PS4 and Xbox One are a little sparse in terms of early streaming apps, so you’re safer going for the established media credentials of the PS3. It has apps for BBC iPlayer, ITV Player and 4oD, along with Netflix and LoveFilm, and it can stream video files from any other compatible device in the house.

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ROKU STREAMING STICK, RRP £50

eBay loves: It’s tiny, so take it with you and plug it into any TV in range of a Wi-Fi connection.

Watch out for: Don’t forget to unplug it again afterwards!

Finally, what if you’re at your TV but want to stream a game from the Internet? The brilliant Roku Streaming Stick plugs right into your TV’s HDMI port and brings over 450 UK channels right to your screen.

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SONY PLAYSTATION 3, RRP £199

eBay loves: It’s already in millions of homes – how many owners don’t realise what else a games console can do?

Watch out for: Keep an eye on the app line-ups for the new generation, as they’ll soon be even better.

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APPLE IPAD AIR, RRP £399

eBay loves: It has a big and beautiful screen, yet this tablet weighs so little – it’s the perfect travelling TV.

Watch out for: You pay a premium for that Apple style and quality, and similar Android tablets are cheaper.

Whether it’s catching up on Sky Go or watching live TV on BBC iPlayer, the iPad has an app for it. The iPad Air has a fantastic HD screen, and you can get one with built-in 4G if you like to watch on the move.

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SAMSUNG GALAXY S5, RRP £ 629

eBay loves: The latest Android update – called KitKat – is smarter and faster, and includes a revamped Google Now service.

Watch out for: We were hoping for a higher-resolution screen on the S5, but we’ll just have to settle for Full HD.

The latest update to the finest Android handset is due in April, with a top-quality 5.1-inch Full HD screen. It will support 4G, so you can stream the games in all their glory while you’re out and about.

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Glossary of terms

Live streaming
Live TV is not the only way to watch a big game these days, what with the rapid rise of internet streaming. You’ve probably all used or at least heard of the BBC iPlayer, which along with the similar ITV Player offers a way to watch TV programmes either live or at a later date. Instead of receiving the programmes over the air or through a satellite dish, these services stream the data over your Internet connection – and that makes them incredibly flexible. This can come via a Smart TV, a set-top box, a games console, a PC or laptop, and even smartphones and tablets, so you needn’t miss a kick.

Connection speeds
You’ll need a fairly fast Internet connection for good quality streaming, but much will depend on the screen. If you’re using a console or set-top box connected to your TV, you’ll want a faster connection than you might for watching on a small phone screen, for example. Whatever the size, there are some base figures to aim for. The BBC recommends at least a 3Mbps connection for iPlayer HD, while ITV Player adjusts the quality based on your speed. You might struggle on 3G smartphones, but if you’re in a city or are lucky enough to have 4G access, you should be able to stream with good quality.

Watch your data
As we’ve seen, pretty much any device with a screen and a data connection can stream video these days, but there are a few points to bear in mind. Firstly, streaming video is like constantly downloading a very large file, and the higher the video quality, the more data you’ll be downloading. At home, on an unlimited Internet connection, that’s not a problem. But on your mobile’s 3G or 4G connection, or if you’re using a broadband dongle on a laptop, it’s easy to go over your monthly cap – which can end up being costly. Make sure you know what your cap is, and upgrade to a more suitable contract if necessary – there are no shortage of unlimited data options out there these days.