Netflix quality HORRID after update

I'm having the same problem. After the update Netflix is extremely pixelated. HBOGO works just fine. Netflix works great on PS3 and Macbook, NOT on Apple TV. Anyone have a solution?

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.

If you have a ~ 7 Mbps connection you should get 5800 kbps Super HD.

Until earlier this week I was always getting the 5800 kbps stream on my wired Apple TV - now I never get above 1750 kbps.

ISP is Comcast 16 Mbps in the SF Bay Area.

I also have a Chromecast - it alway gets 5800 kbps.

What is up Apple (or Netflix?)

Same problem guys. I talked with apple today and they wanted me to check some settings on my router which didn't work. My netflix on my atv2 has worked perfectly fine for months and months with super sharp 1080p quality streaming. Now the pixels are enlarged and the quality is more like the VHS days. I've changed nothing it just started doing it after I updated to 6.0.2. If any of you find a solution let me know. I'm sure the answer is probably going to be for apple to come out with 6.0.3 which will fix that bug.

I have 15 down 1 up though TWC.

Wow I thought it was my switch I even hooked up my old one. Lately since last week performance has been terrible. Starts out sharp then may buffer and then it drops down to fuzzy low def. I disconnected my ATV and went back to my PS3. I am going to try a Roku 3 now that they updated the interface like the PS3.

I'm having the same problem as well, definitely sounds like a bug in the latest update. Oddly enough, using the netflix app on my iPad pushing airplay to the ATV has the HD quality I would expect. Patch needed!

For what it's worth:

I have noticed this for a couple of weeks now but thought it was my imagination.

Earlier tonight I was watching Sons of Anarchy on my iPad Mini at the gym, then came home and watched it on the Apple TV, and was convinced it was not my imagination. Found this thread.

50 down 10 up from Comcast. Hardwired to the Apple TV.

Checked software update and somehow I was still on 6.0.1., so I don't think it is related to the 6.0.2 upgrade.

Big shout out to Vandergraf for the tip about that example video -- I did not know that existed. Tried it on the Apple TV never got above 1000.

Tried it on my other devices that do Netflix (TiVo, Roku) and I'm in the 3000's. Even my iPhone did something in the 2000's.

Thanks all please update if you learn more.

Great tip on the video test. Though a word of advise to others, mute your speakers. My speed is not going above 560kbps. It's awful. Speed tests show internet at 20mbps/6mpbs.

I agree I don't think it is related to the update to 6.0.2

The problem started exactly a week ago for me - before I updated to 6.0.2

I am seeing many people in the last week reporting similar issues with Netflix on Apple TVs in multiple forums.

and yes probably a good idea to mute your speakers when playing 'Example Short 23.976'

I'm having the same problem and have switched viewing to my PS3 (and I like the new interface much better). Perhaps this issue is related to the new Netflix App overhaul? It is not available on ATV, but is on the PS3. Timing of the rollout is about the same as the quality decline on ATV as I recall....

***Update - I just now played the video recommended by Vandergraff (Thank You!!) and got 5800 kbps on BOTH my Apple TV (wireless) and on my PS3 (wired). So the issue is either resolved, or it is intermittent. I'll check again tonight during primetime.

So, I just got a new Apple TV about a week ago and the build quality is exceptional compared to our Roku 2XS. When viewing the Example Short on Netflix through the Apple TV, the picture starts out at 5800 kbps and is absolutely incredible for 4 seconds. After that it drops to 1750 kbps and then makes its way to 3000 kbps for the remainder the Short. I understand that this is not the norm and that this Apple TV can output a consistent 5800 kbps. The Roku, by comparison, starts at 235 kbps and after about 2 minutes into the Short, ramps up to 5800 kbps. It seemed to me, however, that the 4 seconds I saw on the Apple TV at 5800 kbps was better than what I am used to seeing on the Roku. I should also say, that this test was conducted during non-peak hours – it is much worse than this during peak hours.

Has this problem ever occurred with the Apple TV before? Can we expect a fix so that we will be able to view Netflix in Super HD?

I too have had problems with netflix while itunes & hulu are perfect.I just changed the dns server to 8.8.8.8 and looks great now, but the problem seems to only ocure in the evening. Going to see what happens tonite.

I have been experiencing the exact same issue. Everything was working perfectly until a couple of weeks ago. Starts out fine at times, then gets (and stays) pixilated. Or, it will start out fuzzy, come back to normal, then go back to fuzzy. Works fine on all my other devices, and my internet speed is over 15 mbps. Just noticed that there is an Apple update that came out this week. Loading that now. Hope it helps. LOVE my Apple TV, and use it a TON. Hope this gets fixed soon.

***UPDATE***

newest update (from this week) just finished loading. Seems to be a ton better. Videos are loading much better via Netflix, and the overall system performance seems to be better. Hope that's the fix.

*** Update II ***

Watched last night in prime time and had the same issue whether using my Apple TV (wireless) or PS3 (wired). I was getting 57Mbps through speedtest on my cable modem so internet speed is not the problem.

To isolate the issue I used the PS3 and hit "display" on the remote which provides for the video streaming info in the upper left corner. Left it displayed for the duration. Quality varied randomly from 264SD to 720HD throughtout the night. Never did reach "1080 Super HD" last night. Tried it just now, on the same content, and got 1080 Super HD almost immediately.

So the obvious conclusion is that it is not limited to the ATV and is either a bandwidth problem at Netflix or at Comcast (my cable provider). Interestingly, both have had major changes recently. Netflix rolled out their excellent new interface (on PS3 but not on ATV) and Comcast announced a content cap effective 12/01/13 of 300GB per month ($10 per 50 GB after that).

Bottom line, it is obviously NOT a hardware issue but rather a limitation of Netflix and/or Comcast to adequately handle prime time traffic. Or its an intentional "throttleing" during prime time. I tend to think it is Netflix becasue HBO GO on Apple TV does not appear to have the same issue. Unfortunately, I can't be sure because without the stream rate display as on the PS3, the random drop in speed is hard to pick up on.