Netflix quality HORRID after update

I made the mistake of updating to latest firmware, 6.0.2. Ever since, Netflix quality *****. SuperHD used to be so sharp and crisp. Now it's pixelated and NOT hd in the least bit!


How can I undo the software change? Has anyone else had this issue?

Posted on Nov 15, 2013 7:17 PM

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1,356 replies

Dec 5, 2013 12:57 PM in response to DustyStorm

I regret spending $100 on this Apple TV. 3pm in Boston and SD through Netflix. At times, unwatchable. I kind if feel like it's more of an Apple TV issue in how it handles traffic coming on. It's not just during Netflix. PBS constantly bugs out. YouTube. Pausing, scrubbing through time lines. Bugs everything out. And not really only during peak hours. As I says before, I've got a solid 50 up connection and my other devices work perfectly. I was hoping to break free from the bloated PS3 with it's agonizing start up and app toggling but the quality of video throughout all the apps is pristine. Plus the Netflix user experience is light years ahead of the ATV app. Ugh. I was hoping for much more from the ATV.

Dec 5, 2013 2:26 PM in response to Rick Carlton

Rick Carlton wrote:


I'm in the dark here. What is this Example Short 23.976 and how are you guys getting these speeds? If the speeds are from your computer, that shouldn't have anything to do with ATV or Netflix. That would be a provider problem, wouldn't it?


Search the thread - you will find


"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."

Dec 5, 2013 2:32 PM in response to J-F-K

J-F-K wrote:


For the first version of atv3, find and download AppleTV3,1_5.3_10B809_Restore.ipsw.

Fire up itunes and connect the atv, while holding down the alt key, press restore and browse to the file you just downloaded and select it. Wait for the restore to complete:)

When you say fire up iTunes and connect the ATV - do you mean fire up iTunes on your PC and connect the Apple TV to the PC by USB?


I also note that you say first version of the ATV3 - so I assume people should check which version they have.

Dec 5, 2013 3:03 PM in response to Vandergraff

Vandergraff wrote:


J-F-K wrote:


For the first version of atv3, find and download AppleTV3,1_5.3_10B809_Restore.ipsw.

Fire up itunes and connect the atv, while holding down the alt key, press restore and browse to the file you just downloaded and select it. Wait for the restore to complete:)

When you say fire up iTunes and connect the ATV - do you mean fire up iTunes on your PC and connect the Apple TV to the PC by USB?


I also note that you say first version of the ATV3 - so I assume people should check which version they have.

To restore from an ipsw file, open iTunes on your mac/pc. Connect the atv with a micro-usb to usb cable.

If using a mac, hold down the alt key while pressing restore and then choose the file to restore. If using a pc, hold down the shift key instead.

For the first version of atv3, you need to use AppleTV3,1_5.3_10B809_Restore.ipsw

For the second version of atv3, use AppleTV3,2_5.3_10B809_Restore.ipsw


Best of luck

Dec 5, 2013 3:27 PM in response to J-F-K

Just checked again at 3:00pm PST, after having downgraded to 5.3, and the Sample Short was reporting anywhere from 325Kbps to 1050Kbps, way under the 5800Kbps I was getting after downgrading and 2:00pm PST. Curiously, stopping and restarting the stream returned me to a 5800Kbps 1920x1080 Super HD picture, however, I was able to do the same last night with the 6.02 software. The timing would definitely correspond to kids getting home from school and an increase in Netflix usage in my area. I'm really starting to think this is an issue with Netflix, moreso than with the Apple TV, as I hae similar issues with my Roku 2 XS and PS3. I am on U-Verse with 24Mb down and 3Mb up service. Has anyone else with system software 5.3 seen a consistent HD picture?

Dec 5, 2013 3:56 PM in response to Matthew Brownstein

I was suprised that downgrading the Apple TV version would fix the issue. As I said before I first saw this a few days before my Apple TV upgraded to 6.0.2


As previously reported Apple told me it was related to an update to Netflix App for the Apple TV that broke this and some other issues (limiting the list/queue to 256 entries etc).


You seem to be seeing issues on multiple platforms so may have other issues with your Netflix connectivity.


However in my case it is only the Apple TV (my Chromecast, Rokus, Blu-Ray player) all get Netflix at the highest speed) and only since 11 November.

Dec 5, 2013 4:53 PM in response to DanH

I'm feeling a bit ****** off with updates too.


Here's a slightly amended version of a post I put up on another thread, that's gone unanswered yet, since the conversation seemed to have died a few weeks earlier. This one looks as if there might be a better chance of some helpful person seeing it and coming to my aid.


My Apple TV has hung up, and it's all the fault of the latest update.


I set it up yesterday for the first time. The idea is to allow us to mirror an ipad to a new without having to have an HDMI cable trailing all over the floor.


Problems setting up, mainly because of the literally incomprehensible spoken instructions. Not difficult stuff, just. Impossible to understand the voice. Still I managed it and it was working beautifully. Then up came a screen message offering an Apple TV update and I foolishly pushed the button to download and install. Took a long time, but that's what you expect. But when it had done, instead of letting me get back to being able to mirror the iPad, up came a drawing of an Apple TV with the connection pulled out and a big green note of music. The HDMi cable wasn't pulled out, and nor was the power connection, and I've no idea of what it wants me to do or how to get back to being able to use the thing. I hate "intuitive" diagrams in place of written instructions (and garbled vocal instructions are even worse).


Has anybody got any idea as to what I need to do?

Dec 5, 2013 5:46 PM in response to Urban Shocker

Groan, it looks horrid. Cursed updates. (I note that the site appears very geared to avoid over emphatic language. Clearly not a British site!) Next time it suggests an update I'll refrain - though that will probably end in tears too.


Anyway thanks Urban Shocker, that was very swift and helpful. And should enable me to sort things. Touch wood.


I get the impression that Apple TV is a bit less of a well engineered operation than other parts of the Apple Orchard.

Dec 5, 2013 5:51 PM in response to LancerEQ

LancerEQ wrote:


I will say that over the past 3 or 4 years (can't remember exactly) I have been extremely happy with my ATV. Honestly this is the first major issue I've ever experienced, and I assume I'll go right back to being happy once it is resolved.


Don't regret the $100 just yet, but if they take a month to fix it.. return the thing :-/

In spite of how lousy this Netflix problem is, I agree with Lancer EQ's perspective here. I, too, have had ATV 1, 2 and 3 over the years and have been completely happy with them. In fact, ATV 3 is the source I use most for my main Home Theater system. To me, the $100 has always been well worth it.


Now Netflix has rolled out a new system, and the ATV app they prepared doesn't deal with it well. Apple must work with them to get it right. They will. Going a few days without Netflx movies isn't really so bad after all.


Resetting the whole ATV, and its internet sources, etc., doesn't make sense when all apps but Netflix are doing well. I applaud all the imaginative ways many are going through to make this work, but honestly just doing nothing but waiting a few days for Apple/Netflix to fix the Netflix app will probably work just as well.


Just one more opinion.

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Netflix quality HORRID after update

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