Netflix Problems

I don't quite understand how Apple can deny that this is a problem that has arisen since the second-last firmware update. It seems clear to me that many, many people are having the exact same problems as me. How can Apple be so obnoxious as to blame the problem on other elements, even going so far as to replace specific devices as though it's only a problem with certain ones? I am very frustrated by this issue. It completely defeats one of my main reasons for getting the ATV 2. If it's a result of the device not being able to handle the new channels Apple added, please, for God's sake, get rid of them. Have the device work properly for the features originally advertised! Isn't that more important than adding new features that only cripple the device?

Greg Begay wrote:

Michaelworks wrote:
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I think the issues users are having come from multiple causes and have no single solution. I was having issues with my Comcast service. The speed tests would go from 20 mbps to 4 mbps. Users need to understand that the tests are burst rates and not sustained streaming rates. It turned out that the cable run to the modem was causing db loss enough that would cause the modem to reset. In addition, the modem was a version 2 that would have difficulty with handling the 20 mbps they upgraded my service to. The tech repaired the line and replaced the modem and now I get 30/5 with the burst speed tests. I'm watching Gosford Park in HD and DD 5.1 as I'm writing this. The cable modem is connected to an Airport Extreme (2009 version) and the ATV2 is wireless. For those that use only the ISP provided modem that has a built-in switch, it is my opinion that none of these can support the required throughput with WEP or WPA2 turned on. There just isn't enough horsepower. My Airport Extreme does all of the heavy lifting, so all the cable modem has to do is respond to the Internet requests from the AE. The AE DOES NOT do stateful packet inspection and instead only has a NAT firewall. Other routers that do IMHO do not have the horsepower to keep the data rates from declining.

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Good luck to all, including Netflix (adding bandwidth as fast as they can to catch up with the explosion of ATV2 and other device sales). Peace out!

I've got a Qwest DSL modem connected to Airport Extreme via ethernet. I'm trying to figure out how to bridge the modem and let the AEBS handle PPPoE and DHCP. Let the AEBS do the "heavy lifting". Every other change I've tried has not been successful.

I don't get why others have reported no issues streaming Netflix with their playstation 3, TIVO, net connected bluray players, etc.

Your DSL modem should be fine used as Ethernet input into the WAN port of the AEBS. If you have DHCP on your DSL, the AEBS will get an IP address from Qwest. If it is PPPoE, you can change that in the AEBS setup. No need to do anything to the DSL modem. Set the AEBS to perform DHCP for attached devices (reserve any for network printers, etc.) and use WPA2 for wireless. The AEBS will not degrade the throughput. Try a speed test at www.speedtest.net. I've seen the ATV2 work well on a Frontier 3 mB DSL streaming Netflix. Less than 3 I suspect you will have issues.

Its so weird that everyone has a problem with Apple TV and Netflix and no one tried the Roku player instead to see if its the Apple or the internet. Well, I installed Roku and NO PROBLEMS WHATSOEVER. i couldn't watch any Apple TV and Netflix reliably ever - sometimes it was great, sometimes it just stopped and skipped and froze. I changed players last week and NO problems.

I am convinced that Apple doesn't want you to watch Netfilx, they want you to buy stuff on itunes. What other explanation is there?

Although there are already enough people on this forum with this issue, I am one more. I am having the same freezing and buffering issues when watching Netflix. I tried the DNS change mentioned in this tread, which did not work. Really hope Apple addresses this issue soon!

Netflix works great on my ATV. Never really had any problems. None of this stuttering constantly. Picture always seemed pretty good. And played smoothly.

But I called Netflix after answering the challenge of a person that was having problems. I called them to get my rate of streaming to Netflix.

What did I find out?

My bit rate on the first call was 0.8 mbps. I had the Wii streaming simultaneously to Netflix. Its streaming bit rate was 3.5/4 mbps.

On my second call with the Wii shut off my ATV fared better, but still only 1.41 mbps.

Now I'm guy that hasn't seen any problems with my ATV like some have.

But it seems like I'm still affected by the "bug." I'm getting much lower than expected bit rates with the ATV. My ISP is FIOS with 15mbps down.

It's just that my bit rates happen to be just on the other side of low so as to not cause any stuttering.

I'll have to reverse my position and say there is a problem with Netflix on the new ATV. Or at least the problem is more widespread than I thought. EVen people without show-stopping problems are being affected.

trip1ex wrote:
Netflix works great on my ATV. Never really had any problems. None of this stuttering constantly. Picture always seemed pretty good. And played smoothly.

But I called Netflix after answering the challenge of a person that was having problems. I called them to get my rate of streaming to Netflix.

What did I find out?

My bit rate on the first call was 0.8 mbps. I had the Wii streaming simultaneously to Netflix. Its streaming bit rate was 3.5/4 mbps.

On my second call with the Wii shut off my ATV fared better, but still only 1.41 mbps.

Now I'm guy that hasn't seen any problems with my ATV like some have.

But it seems like I'm still affected by the "bug." I'm getting much lower than expected bit rates with the ATV. My ISP is FIOS with 15mbps down.

It's just that my bit rates happen to be just on the other side of low so as to not cause any stuttering.

I'll have to reverse my position and say there is a problem with Netflix on the new ATV. Or at least the problem is more widespread than I thought. EVen people without show-stopping problems are being affected.

I called Netflix when I was having issues and they told me I was at .8 ...... and 1.8 when I wasn't. They also told me that in order to stream HD and DD 5.1, I needed at least 5 in order to do it. Well, I watched Gosford Park (HD and DD 5.1) without a hitch, so I think Netflix is blowing smoke about the rates they are seeing. On complaint calls, they blame your ISP and thank you when it's good..... JMHO.

Well why would Netflix blow smoke about the rates?

If anything they would give higher numbers if they wanted to blow smoke.

But they are reporting low numbers. I did question their measurements whether they were accurate or not.

btw just because you watch an HD movie doesn't mean you are getting HD. How did you know you are getting an HD picture?

I have a hard time telling with Netflix. I never thought the pictures on my 360 or Tivo were so much better than on my ATV even though the former were most likely streaming at much higher bandwidth than my ATV has.

Again though no problems with my ATV in 6 months. But I take it I'm not getting optimal picture. I perhaps have noticed a few times it ain't the greatest. But again its Netflix. and internet streaming. My expectations are lower.

trip1ex wrote:
Well why would Netflix blow smoke about the rates?

If anything they would give higher numbers if they wanted to blow smoke.

But they are reporting low numbers. I did question their measurements whether they were accurate or not.

btw just because you watch an HD movie doesn't mean you are getting HD. How did you know you are getting an HD picture?

I have a hard time telling with Netflix. I never thought the pictures on my 360 or Tivo were so much better than on my ATV even though the former were most likely streaming at much higher bandwidth than my ATV has.

Again though no problems with my ATV in 6 months. But I take it I'm not getting optimal picture. I perhaps have noticed a few times it ain't the greatest. But again its Netflix. and internet streaming. My expectations are lower.

As a former manager of a customer call center whose company was used as a punching bag by telecom vendors, I see them deflecting their issues (lack of bandwidth during peak hours) to their customers ISPs.

How do I know it's HD? My TV info says 720 and my receiver says 5.1 DD. If you research HD, you'll find that 480P and up can be considered HD. There is a HUGE difference between 1080P (Blu-Ray) and the ATV2 720P HD but streaming and AirPlay is so cool 🙂

i have been having this issue too. i just got an apple tv and some times its fine but most of the time it stops and pauses and takes for ever, but i can watch it on my computer and its totally fine

my internet is at 16mb and it still freezes

My ATV is having problems whether wired or wirelessly connected to my Airport Extreme. I'm on a fiber network getting 20mbs. ATV gets about 0.5mbs. I plugged the ethernet cable directly into the ATV and bypassed the router. Same problem. It's got to be a software problem whether by design or by accident. All other devices have no problem. What gives, Apple?

Add me to the list of people who are having major issues with ATV2 and Netflix.

plugged in ethernet, 6mbs, ATT uverse. I have switched the DNS settings to .8. itunes looks great, youtube is great. Just netflix. It's past the return day. Just so frustrated and curios why Apple won't/can't resolve this.

And yes -- I'm a pro-Mac, Apple guy - but am ready to wave white flag on this ATV and get something else.

Add me as another ATV2/Netflix issue. Tried all the suggestions, nothing. Like most, streams well to all other devices in the house with no buffering or audio issues. Wired, wireless, blah blah blah......fix this please Apple. I just gave away my Roku to a friend. Bummer. Cannot return ATV2 either. Oh well.

Hiya guys, I was having the same problems. I bought apple tv to use on my bedroom tv. I ended up liking it so much that I decided to integrate it into my main theater system. Nothing but frustration followed the last update. On a whim I put the apple tv back into my bedroom. I also disabled Dolby digital on the device in settings. It performs 100 percent better with Netflix now. Weird as this sounds it's true. I have been following this thread for days and 1 poster mentioned this. I decided to try it and it worked for me. Your milage may vary.

add me to the list.

very disappointed with my ATV so far