jc1118

Q: Apple TV 3 Bad Streaming Quality

I have been streaming Netflix with my Apple TV 3 and, more often then not, the quality is horrible and blurry. I have checked my Wifi signal streangth in the Apple TV's setting and I have full bars. Then I checked my internet speed using both my Macbook and my iPhone (www.speedtest.net) while standing next to the Apple TV I consistenly get [>20Mbps Down] and [>4Mbps Up] and [~17ms Ping]. When I stream Netflix with my Macbook Pro I stream in HD without any problems.

 

As far as I know I have no way of running a speed test directly with my Apple TV so I have to assume that since my laptop and phone are getting sufficient bandwidth for HD streaming and the Apple TV has full signal strength, that there is some other problem here that I am not experienced enough to see.

 

Any suggestions? Are there any network settings that could be contributing to this that only affect Apple TVs and not Apple's Laptops or Phones?

 

 

Possibly relevant information:

Comcast internet with wireless N combo modem/router

Apple TV runnnig at most current update (as of 11/20/2013)

Speed Tests done using Macbook Pro Retina (late 2013 model)

Speed Test done using iPhone 5S

Apple TV (3rd generation)

Posted on Nov 20, 2013 8:31 AM

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Q: Apple TV 3 Bad Streaming Quality

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  • by brucefromwauconda,Helpful

    brucefromwauconda brucefromwauconda Nov 23, 2013 3:10 PM in response to jc1118
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Nov 23, 2013 3:10 PM in response to jc1118

    Hey jc - I have the same problem. A little history here.  I recently as two months ago I watched every episode of Breaking Bad on Netflix on my Apple TV 3.  No hickups, beautiful (which I would call HD) quality no problems every episode perfect. Same with Battlestar Galactica a month or two prior to that.

     

    Now since last couple to three weeks I cannot stream ANYTHING in any decent quality.

     

    So for me what has changed - Comcast upgraded my old Cable modem from a DOCSIS 2 to a DOCSIS 3 modem with built in Wifi (which I dont use) and doubling my speed to 57Mb download.  This is the only major change to my environment which EXACTLY coincides with the drop in quality on my Apple TV 3.

     

    Interestingly my Apple TV 2 works perfect.  All my devices are hard wired on Gig network links usually to a hub/swicth then off to the cable modem which has 4 ports built in.

    I tested by direct connecting my Apple TV 3 to the back of my cable modem and still had horrible quality.

    I ran the streaming test movie and it started out at 5800kb for 5 seconds looked awesome - then it kicked down to 275kb and looked like garbage.  Very frustrating.

     

    I got the Apple TV 3 to use in my home theater thinking it would be better than the verison 2. And it has been. Until now. 

     

    Not sure where to go with this but sure seems to me like it MAY be a comcast issue / cable modem issue.  Seeing your post you may also have the same modem - mine is a TC8305C (Technicolor).

     

    Everything else on my network is screaming fast. So maybe its something with Apple TV 3 communication through this particular cable modem/router. Firmware update?

     

    I may try to turn off the router portion of the cable modem and revert that function back to my old router and see if that does anything interesting.

     

    Let me know if you have found anything.

  • by roy_nil,Helpful

    roy_nil roy_nil Nov 24, 2013 5:59 PM in response to jc1118
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Nov 24, 2013 5:59 PM in response to jc1118

    I am also having the same problem for last couple of weeks. The funny thing is, only netflix streaming is bad ! If I stream something else such as iMovies, Youtube, Hulu or HBOGo, it has perfect HD picture. Contacted Comcast, they are asking to contact Netflix. Contacted Netflix, they are asking me to contact Comcast. So frustrating ! Any suggestions?

  • by JordanS2,

    JordanS2 JordanS2 Nov 24, 2013 8:45 PM in response to jc1118
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 24, 2013 8:45 PM in response to jc1118

    Having the same issue. I have U Verse. I'm getting around 18Mbps download speed but the quality on my Apple TV is bad. I've tried restarting it and resetting it with very minimal improvement. I think the issue is with Netflix because I'm also getting unstable quality on my xbox which is plugged directly into the router.  The only time I get full HD on Apple TV is super late at night or early in the morning.

  • by DustyStorm,

    DustyStorm DustyStorm Nov 24, 2013 8:46 PM in response to jc1118
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 24, 2013 8:46 PM in response to jc1118

    Same issue, two weeks for me too. Apple TV 3 latest firmware, Comcast 50mbps hardwired to modem. I use my own modem. Was streaming SuperHD up until two weeks ago. Now quality is worse than SD. comcast tested ny lines and issue is not on my end. Netflix told me its Apple issue, Apple told me its Netflix issue. Long overdue for a fix.

  • by Vandergraff,

    Vandergraff Vandergraff Nov 24, 2013 10:34 PM in response to jc1118
    Level 1 (15 points)
    Nov 24, 2013 10:34 PM in response to jc1118

    Many people are seeing this - and yes you can check the Netflix speed from your Apple TV

     

    'You can check the Netflix video quality by playing 'Example Short 23.976' (search for this title on Netflix). This title embeds the actual stream kbps you are receiving.'

     

    See https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5565870?tstart=0

     

    It may be better to consolidate all the comments in one thread - that way we may get more attention from Apple / Netflix.....

  • by Chakravarthy Cuddapah,

    Chakravarthy Cuddapah Chakravarthy Cuddapah Nov 25, 2013 6:19 AM in response to jc1118
    Level 4 (1,875 points)
    Nov 25, 2013 6:19 AM in response to jc1118

    Same issue ... yesterday I called Netflix five times and Comcast twice. Except Netflix all other Apps on Apple TV including iTunes trailers and movies are playing at HD quality. Both made my go thru the good for nothing tests (reset, powercycle etc). Netflix titles start playing in HD, after 2 seconds they switch to blurry video. Netflix and Comcast are pointing to each other. Furstrated I cancelled Netflix.

  • by DustyStorm,

    DustyStorm DustyStorm Nov 25, 2013 6:22 AM in response to jc1118
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 25, 2013 6:22 AM in response to jc1118

    I too have called comcast, Netflix and Apple and all are blaming the other. It is happening with ISPs other than Comcast so I don't think it's an exclusively Comcast issue.

  • by jc1118,

    jc1118 jc1118 Nov 25, 2013 8:42 AM in response to jc1118
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 25, 2013 8:42 AM in response to jc1118

    @brucefromwauconda I believe we do have the same router/modem and this issue started for me when I switched from Fios to Comcast at which time they installed this modem.

     

    @Vandergraff Thanks for the link, I will be checking out my ATV3 speed using the info you gave me as soon as I get home.

     

    A couple things I have noticed since I have posted this. First off like others of you are stating, it does appear to be a problem that is limited only to Netflix for the most part just like roy_nilhas stated. Also I have found a couple things I can do which help fix the issue although only for a limitted period of time (anywhere from 10 minutes - a few hours).

     

    Listed in order of least effective to most effective:

     

    #1 Restart the modem/router

    #2 Restart (not reset) the Apple TV although I have not tried reseting. It could help. Let me know if any of you have tried this

    #3 Using my iPhone Netflix app and using AirPlay to beam it to the AppleTV

     

    #3 seems particularly helpfull becuase since the Netflix streaming issue seems limited to the Apple TV 3, by using the iPhone to do the streaming, it seems to curcumvent this issue quite well. I imagine this fix should work for anyone using an iPad as well.

     

    Eitherway, from all the feedback you guys have given it seems that the problem is most likely not our ISPs or our routers but either an issue with the Apple TV 3 Netflix software or any possible difference in protocol used by Netflix to talk with the Apple TV. Either way Apple and Netflix need to stop blaming each other for this and sit down together and figure this out.

     

    Thanks everyone for your input

  • by jc1118,

    jc1118 jc1118 Nov 25, 2013 8:45 AM in response to Vandergraff
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 25, 2013 8:45 AM in response to Vandergraff

    Sorry I meant to click that your answer was the helpful one. It truely was. Sometimes I click too fast for my own good

  • by roy_nil,

    roy_nil roy_nil Nov 25, 2013 10:03 AM in response to Chakravarthy Cuddapah
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Nov 25, 2013 10:03 AM in response to Chakravarthy Cuddapah

    yes..exactly the same with me. 1 minute HD, then the picture gets pixelated. Everything else is running HD on apple TV !!

    I tried power reboot, resetting the apple TV, updated...nothing works ! Also checked the network speed with apple tv..looks fine. I doubt it is a problem of Comcast. Othwerise, all the other apps would also get affected. Netflix keeps blaming comcast ! Really frustrating !

  • by STriola,

    STriola STriola Nov 25, 2013 10:29 AM in response to DustyStorm
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 25, 2013 10:29 AM in response to DustyStorm

    As I posted in another thread: I have Comcast and I get the low quality Netflix streaming on ATV but Netflix streaming quality on my PS3 is fine. Both are connected to the same router via Ethernet and the comparison was done Sunday at around 10am EST when traffic shouldn't be too heavy. ATV gave me 570kbs streaming while PS3 gabe me 5800kbs streaming (10x).  My iPad Retina Mini and iPhone both got 3000kbs streaming via wi-fi.

     

    It's not a Comcast issue for me - it's an AppleTV/Netflix issue.

  • by DustyStorm,

    DustyStorm DustyStorm Nov 25, 2013 10:53 AM in response to STriola
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 25, 2013 10:53 AM in response to STriola

    I consign this. Exactly the same here. NOT Comcast as no other devices are affected.

  • by biker,

    biker biker Nov 25, 2013 2:40 PM in response to jc1118
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Nov 25, 2013 2:40 PM in response to jc1118

    Very unlikely to be a provider issue as everyone is documenting great bandwidth from Uvers/Comcast/etc.. and when I take my very same ethernet from the ATV gen 3 and plug it into the TV to use the Smart TV netflix... perfect!... It' not an in home bandwidth issue...

  • by jeffrho,

    jeffrho jeffrho Nov 26, 2013 8:20 AM in response to jc1118
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 26, 2013 8:20 AM in response to jc1118

    I recently started having quality issues with Netflix and Amazon VOD all of my ATV2, ATV3 and Roku 2 XD devices (we have 2 ATV2, 1 ATV3 and 1 Roku 2 XD).

     

    Comcast is our CATV/IS provider, and we switched to the X1 triple play platform 3 weeks ago. As a part of that upgrade, they installed a Technicolor TC8305c Modem/Gateway which replaced my old setup of a Motorolla SB6121 DOCSIS 3.0 cable modem & Netgear N600 dual-band wireless router. With the old setup, we were able to stream in HD from Netflix and Amazon VOD on both devices without a problem. After dong some checks with speedtest.net I'm getting good speeds with the new gateway, so that doesn't appear to be the issue.  

     

    I updated the firmware on my ATVs to 6.0.2 when it was released (Nov 15 or 16 IIRC).

     

    For the past 2 weeks, Netflix quality is terrible - less than SD quality. I don't have issues with HBO Go on the ATV - I'm getting a high-quality picture from that app, so I figured it must be a Netflix issue. However, Netflix quality on my Roku 2 XD has also been terrible, just as bad on my ATV 2. I also tried using Netflix from my PC, and it could not get HD quality either.

     

    In addition to having poor Netflix quality, Amazon VOD quality on the Roku is terrible as well.

     

    The time of day doesn't make any differecee. Quality is **** poor at peak times as well as non-peak times

     

    This leads me to believe that Comcast is throttling certain VOD services, and possibly thie TC8305c gateway could be part of the culprit. It could very well be that there is a problem with the ATV 6.0.2 upgrade, but that doesn't explain why Netflix on other devices is streaming at such low quality, or why Amazon VOD streams are poor quality either.

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