How to get better streaming video with low-speed DSL?

I have a low-speed DSL connection which is often fast enough for live
streaming video and sound. But not always. Sometimes it's mediocre
and sometimes it's horrible.

OTOH, when I had dial-up, if everything was wroking right, that was
enough for streaming sound and sometimes video.

Is there a way I could tell someone, my computer or the server at the
other end, that I have dial-up, so iiuc it would sample less often and
distort the picture some, but would have no trouble keeping up with
the live image?

Thanx