Netflix quality HORRID after update

Halloween_Jack wrote:

... it seems we're just going around in circles.

...

In any case, like someone else mentioned on the thread, I've discovered that a workaround is playing the desired Netflix title on the iPad (iPad 3, iOS 7.0.4, Netflix 5.0.2), and AirPlay it to the Apple TV.

I don't know about circles. For some reason people keep popping in and claiming it's a Netflix bandwidth problem. I think they're mostly new and reply after only reading the first few posts.

On my system (iPad Air and ATV3 both running 7.0.4) sending from the iPad to the ATV using AirPlay:

1) directs the ATV to re-open the stream at the same point. The traffic doesn't go through the iPad.

2) is the same quality (at least today).

This is equivalent to using the Netflix redirect button.

[A copy of my last post to the AVS ATV forum]

So I changed by account playback preference/data usage from AUTO to HIGH. I'm getting 5800 on my ATV and simultaneously getting 4300 on my iPad.

I find this suprising.

I started running pings to netflix again today and instead of jumping up to 300ms like I was experiencing the last few weeks it has gone back down to around 60-70ms.

I have noticed that since the pings have dropped I have been getting consistent HD quality. I wonder if there was a network jump(think Level 3 provider) down somewhere that Apple and Netflix didn't divulge that was hurting picture quality.

In summary, having followed and tried many solutions mentioned here and elsewhere..

It doesn't matter who your ISP provider is....

It also doesn't matter if you updated your ATV.. I managed to get a hold of ATV with 5.0 software.. same problem..

It's not just the box as my problem box suddenly became problem free at the Apple Store on both 6.02 and old software... flawless on wireless at Apple store..

chaniging account settings to HIGH instead of AUTO does nothing for me...

changing DNR settings from auto to .8.8.8.8 does nothing also..

It doesn't matter what time of day or night...

although some report good bit stream on Roku or Chrome... others have noted the same slow bit rate on non ATV devices also over past 2 weeks.

Seemed to be working fine a few weeks ago...

Good list except

It doesn't matter what time of day or night...

I think most say the issue is worse at night.

Also I don't remember any bad reports on Chromecast and if there are then a wireless connection comes into play.

bodosom wrote:

[A copy of my last post to the AVS ATV forum]

So I changed by account playback preference/data usage from AUTO to HIGH. I'm getting 5800 on my ATV and simultaneously getting 4300 on my iPad.

I find this suprising.

Interesting - this was one of the first things I tried when this started a couple of weeks ago. At that time it made no difference.

I just checked and I had left it at High.

Same behaviour this morning.

Started at 4300 kbps for about 6 seconds, stuttered and dropped to 750 kbps and then ramped back up to 1750 kbps.

So no change unfortunately.

bodosom wrote:

On my system (iPad Air and ATV3 both running 7.0.4) sending from the iPad to the ATV using AirPlay:

1) directs the ATV to re-open the stream at the same point. The traffic doesn't go through the iPad.

2) is the same quality (at least today).

This is equivalent to using the Netflix redirect button.

I agree with you - when using Airplay the traffic doesn't go through the iPad/iPhone but directly to the Apple TV. It is easy to confirm on my router as I can the Netflix stream from the WAN and then going to a wired LAN connection (my Apple TV). There is only background activity on the wireless Network the iPad is using.

However in my case there is a difference. Using Airplay just now it started at 4300 kbps and held constant through 10 minutes at 4300 kbps. Not the 5800 kbps I get from my Chromecast - but better than the Apple TV natively. Looking at my router it is downloading at the full 16 Mbps for 30 seconds or so at the start of playback so maybe Airplay is limited to 4300 kbps?

I think this further points to something broken in the Apple TV Netflix application - as at least for me the Apple TV seems to get Super HD (albeit the 4300 kbps stream) through Airplay but can't using its native application.

I will try it a couple of more times later today to see if consistent - but really it doesn't give me a better option than the Chromecast for now. A shame as I would prefer to use the Apple TV native application.

Edit - I just tried my Chromecast immediately after using Airplay. It rampled straight up to 5800 kbps in under 20 seconds

GaryJR4 wrote:

I think most say the issue is worse at night.

Some will but I think they are seeing a different issue.

Prior to a couple of weeks ago my Apple TV never had a problem getting 5800 kbps - now it never will. My Chromecast contunies to get 5800 kbps - all independant of time of day.

Ok but I'll stick with "most".

DustyStorm wrote:

Also NO audio on Roku 3. Amazon Instant streams just fine with audio.

Netflix is DD+ on the Roku 3 (actually it is DD+) on everything but the AppleTV which is DD.

Check your TV / receiver can do DD+

This is a great thread, and I have learned a lot from your posts. This is a new problem for me, which has just shown up today.

After having the same lousy performance (235 Kbps) this evening on both my ATV 2 and ATV 3, as well as my brand new iPad Air, I conclude the problem is with Netflix, and I suspect it's due to their prime time Friday night load. My internet connection measures 70 Mbps on Speedtest, and all other streaming works beautifully. Yep, it's Netflix. Hope they fix it soon.

Again no problems with Netflix tonight on other devices in Primetime ~ 8PM PST

On 16 mbps Comcast connection different family members were watching Netflix on a Chromecast and Roku 2 - both were able to get simultaneous high quality streams. From the router bandwidth it looked the Chromecast was getting 5800 kbps and the Roku 2 (set to output 720P) was getting the highest 720P stream 3000 kbps - both Chromecast and Roku 2 were wireless.

Unfortunately the poor wired Apple TV still coudn't get more than 1750 kbps - even when it was the only device streaming......

Edit - actually the Apple TV started at 1750 kbps but ramped down to 375 kbps - very sad compared to simultaneous streams on the Chromecast and Roku 2 at highest speeds!

Do any of you just now posting even bother to read the entire thread?

Multiple people report new update is when occured.. but other report 6.01 or in my case 5.x still causes same exact issue...

Problems IS NOT YOUR ATV box... it's occuring somewhere from Netflix servers or possibly change in NETFLIX app on ATV recently...I took the same ATV box into Apple store and it worked perfectly... issues everyone describes can occur on my ATV day or night weekday/weekend.... it doesn't matter... the only other even that occured the same time as everyone suddenly losing good stream (wired or wireless) is a press release from NETFLIX announcing how many new devices (ATV/ipad) would receive new Super HD and it wouldn't require and OPEN CONNECT ISP to work... I still belive this is coming from Netflix server farms interacting with ATV app.