How do I make my Netflix have quality picture on Apple TV?

Well, you have 7,585 points to my 0 so you're probably right. But, all I can say is that my Netflix and other streaming is fast and high-res now. Please provide more information and a link to where this was discussed. I'm happy to retract my answer if it truly causes problems.

I'm just trying to help people, bro. 🙂

Link provided in response to one of your other posts.

My user name has changed but I have an update on the same issue (was KIRKECON2010). I have thoroughly tested my sus-systems- istumbler- has a 68% signal for 802.1n wireless- from my laptop I tested the speedtest.net and was running at an awesome 40 - 50 Mbs download - and thats on the wireless. I even attached the gigabit ethernet to the Apple TV. The results are this- compared to running it directly out of my hdmi on my PC laptop (which has a good processor and a good video adapetr), Netflix on Apple TV is awful, terrible, and unviewable. Specifically- if the scene has any detail, the image stumbles/jumps; if there are large mid-tone areas those areas are badly pixilated; and overall the clarity is soft.

The quality is out and out unacceptable. Perhaps Netflix has done a very poor job in encoding the MP4 for Apple TV but in any case- it is a disaster. I will say that I have a 50" plasma- maybe on an Ipad it would be OK - but really is that the point? I was looking for a high-quality device- and in regard to netflix - Apple TV certainly can not deliver.

I briefly tried Airplay from my Macbook Pro Retina to Apple TV. I was surprise that it didn't seem to suffer the same issues as with the Netflix viewing. I will need to do additional tests however before I can give Apple TV a pass on programming other than Netflix.

If I were judging just on Netflix- ATV would be on its way back to the store and I would recommend it for the junkheap.

For those who are interested in a "FAIL" veiwing from netflix- one is a BBC Program "Inspector Lewis - season 2 episode 6 -"The Quality of Mercy". A "HD" program - that will illustrate all the problem issues in the first 2 minutes.

No issues here, but it seems certain areas are problematic in relation to ATV

68% isn't great but if there is no difference via Ethernet then i suspect it's server related.

The 40 to 50 Mbs is at the 68% signal strength- in fact the new r6300 from netgear doesn't get above 75% when the laptop is right next to it (a bit baffling) but the measured downloand and upload bandwidth and stability is off the charts so I am not too concerned. But even with the gigabit ethernet - the problem persists.

I had high expectations- does anyone know if something is being done on the apple/netflix front? Netflix is big- if that isn't hammered down I don't have high expectations for others like MLB, NBA. Between that and the cludgy remote, I am considering alternatives.

That's why i'm saying it's likely server related in your case. It's working fine here and it seems to be related to certain areas.

Not sure what's being done but I would recommend contacting Apple and Netflix.

critical-eye wrote:

For those who are interested in a "FAIL" veiwing from netflix- one is a BBC Program "Inspector Lewis - season 2 episode 6 -"The Quality of Mercy". A "HD" program - that will illustrate all the problem issues in the first 2 minutes.

I've found in UK that most Netflix stuff streams fine and quickly, though I've had the odd programme eg old 60s Dr Who, that pasued and restarted every time i tried to play it - you almost get the feeling Netflix have different priority/bandwidth availabl to distribute certain content that might not be as popular.

AC

You mention "no issues here" do you mean you checked that episode and do not have that imaging problem?

Interesting because what would make it more baffling on my end is that if I stream it from my laptop via hdmi to the same plasma display from the same wifi, with the the same dns server- there are no quality issues- does that not put the ATV at the center of the issue? Interestingly- the programing on apple/netflix is slightly different than a direct feed from the internet- for instance the introduction by the BBC host is missing- different programming, different compression/codec, different (inferior) quality. Its time for Apple to fess-up on that one and make a correction.

I don't have access to that particular series in Canada but i've been using it for over 2 years almost exclusively with the Apple TV. I did try a bunch of TV episodes and movies between last night and today, they all streamed perfectly.

What i'm saying is that it looks to be a connection between Netflix and Apple TV that's causing issues in certain areas.

Went to netflix.com and logged in, changed streaming speed, working so far: