Netflix quality HORRID after update

I agree with you this is a Netflix problem, but it goes farther than just the ATV app. If you will note my comment (two above) you will see that I had the same poor results with a new iPad Air this evening, so its app must be vulnerable to Netflix's problem as well. I think Netflix is simply overloaded.

jimpal wrote:

This is a great thread, and I have learned a lot from your posts. ... 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. .... Yep, it's Netflix.

Except it's not Netflix congestion since I'm getting 5800 on my TiVo, 3000-4300 on my iPad while getting only 2350 declining to 560 on my ATV.

The data limit setting change I noted earlier was, unsurprisingly, a coincidence.

biker wrote:

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

r... 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.

I've read the entire thread and the blog posting announcing uncached access to superHD for "many" devices of which I have three (the iPad is not on the list). Of those only my ATV is having trouble. The problem could be with Apple, Netflix or Apple+Netflix but at my house it's limited to the ATV. That doesn't suggest congestion.

By the way, I've also seen the ATV display superHD so it's not impossible, just rare.

jimpal wrote:

I agree with you this is a Netflix problem, but it goes farther than just the ATV app. If you will note my comment (two above) you will see that I had the same poor results with a new iPad Air this evening, so its app must be vulnerable to Netflix's problem as well. I think Netflix is simply overloaded.

As I posted above - there are likely 2 (even 3) issues.

There are people like you who see platform independant issues with Netflix - either all the time or at peaks periods. I am sure your issues are real - but it is not the Apple TV issue that started arround 11 November.

Again - my Apple TV always got highest quality (5800 kbps) up till then. Now it never does.

However my Chromecast and Roku's continue to get the the highest quality streams independant of the time of day - so in my case (and many others here) it is not simply a matter of Netflix being overloaded when other devices can connect without issue.

I wish people who are seeing the issue on all platforms would stop trying to conclude there is not an Apple TV / Netflix issue. There is - just maybe not the one you are seeing.

Regarding the netflix quality setting - mine has always been set to high throughout the problems I've had, too

Message was edited by: met_fan

Has anyone verified that down rev'ing to an older rev, such as 5.0.2 fixes this problem?

Vandergraff wrote:

. . . I wish people who are seeing the issue on all platforms would stop trying to conclude there is not an Apple TV / Netflix issue. There is - just maybe not the one you are seeing.

I think we both may be right. My experience clearly shows the problem begins with Netflix overload, and that's my opinion, but it may be that ATV and iPad apps are more vulnerable to that overload than some other products.

First thing this morning (period of light Netflix usage) I easily registered 5800 kpbs on my ATV 3, 4300 on my iPad, and 3000 on my ATV 2 (the max it can do with 720p limit). Last evening (high usage) they all provided a measly 235 kbps. To me that clearly indicates Netflix overload is the culprit. I do acknowledge that perhaps Apple apps are more vulnerable to that overload, and hope Apple finds a way to improve this if you and I are right.

I very much appreciate your huge contribution to this thread. Among other things, I didn't know about the Example Short 23.976 test on Netflix which you recommended. Here's hoping Netflix can improve their supply, and Apple can find a way for their apps not to suffer so much from it.

It seems like it the parts in a $30 Chromecast can handle it a $99 ATV could handle it.

GaryJR4 wrote:

It seems like it the parts in a $30 Chromecast can handle it a $99 ATV could handle it.

Yep. And Ferraris require high-test gas while Toyotas get by with regular. 😉

jimpal wrote:

I think we both may be right. My experience clearly shows the problem begins with Netflix overload, and that's my opinion, but it may be that ATV and iPad apps are more vulnerable to that overload than some other products.

This supposition doesn't explain why multiple people have found an alternate device (PS3, TiVo etc.) can consistently get 5800 while the ATV3 can only get anywhere from 235-2350. These tests have been run at the same time and in my case I only use results where it's the same time and using the same content distribution IP address. All of my media devices that can be wired are wired to the same gigabit switch.

I.e. I've held everything I can control constant across platforms and the ATV consistently gets < 3000 (typically < 2000) while the other devices always get 5800 on the test and report superHD on all superHD content

Unless you're defining Netflix overload to mean any time an ATV3 gets less than superHD.

"Yep. And Ferraris require high-test gas while Toyotas get by with regular."

Worth the worst analogy of the day award if nothing else.

bodosom wrote:

jimpal wrote:

I think we both may be right. My experience clearly shows the problem begins with Netflix overload, and that's my opinion, but it may be that ATV and iPad apps are more vulnerable to that overload than some other products.

This supposition doesn't explain why multiple people have found an alternate device (PS3, TiVo etc.) can consistently get 5800 while the ATV3 can only get anywhere from 235-2350. These tests have been run at the same time and in my case I only use results where it's the same time and using the same content distribution IP address. All of my media devices that can be wired are wired to the same gigabit switch.

I.e. I've held everything I can control constant across platforms and the ATV consistently gets < 3000 (typically < 2000) while the other devices always get 5800 on the test and report superHD on all superHD content

Unless you're defining Netflix overload to mean any time an ATV3 gets less than superHD.

Actually I think my supposition does explain it. If you read it again, in a nutshell I said that it seems that at a period of high use, the Apple software may not handle the diminished stream from Netflix well. That would explain why I got 235 kbps on Netflix's Example Short last evening, and 5800 kbps this morning (clearly a period of low use). Obviously Netflix high usage is a factor. I think there may be a problem in both houses.

I just called Netflix. While very polite and helpful, the rep told me the problem can't be Netflix at all, but must be my internet supply. (It measures 70 Mbps on Speedtest reliably.) He said "it's impossible for Netflix to bog down at times of high usage because of their new Cloud Server system." And he told me to (guess what?) unplug and replug my modem and router. I really don't believe what he said, but at least he was nice about it.

I define Netflix overload whenever the picture gets crummy, such as 235 kbps last evening.

So, I will stick with my statement above. Thanks for your helpful input to all of us who are trying to figure this out.

It's great to see someone spoke to netflix recently but sad that we're not getting anywhere. I remember reading on another discussion on this board at some point that Apple doesn't even read this board at all. (Notice no moderators or anything chiming in with any assistance or comments whatsoever.) We're just talking amongst ourselves. And apparently not coming up with a solution. So I encourage everyone to contact both apple and netflix and implore them to read (or even acknowledge the existence of) this thread and maybe eventually one or both will look into the issue. I wasn't able to convince either one of anything - they seem unable to deviate from their scripted steps to support (unplug/restart/bandwidth check, faulty device, blah blah blah). Maybe if enough of us specifically ask the support folks to report the issue up to their manager, etc. eventually we'll get somewhere.

jimpal

The Apple TV was my best streamer until these issues started ~ 11 November.

It would consistently jump straight to the highest quality and looked great at any time of day.

Something changed either on the Apple TV or how Netflix handles the Apple TV streams around this time.

As I said before I am not doubting you are seeing some sort platform of independant blockage in your netflix streaming in peak periods - but something else must have happened to cause the Apple TV to go from being my best streamer to my worst overnight.

I agree. Like you, I have had excellent experience with my Apple TV's over the years, including Netflix. Looks like we will just have to see what Apple and/or Netflix does about this mysterious problem. Meanwhile my ATV's continue to do an excellent job on all but Netflix.