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 13, 2013 11:34 AM in response to DustyStorm

As I can see from your video that when you AirPlay to the ATV it shows a buffer bar on the bottom. As you can see it filling up like it does when you watch a YouTube video. That means that AirPlay from the iPad to ATV means a bigger buffer so it can keep up.


The ATV has a cruddy 1 minute buffer for all content even SD which means that it can't keep up for congestion. As I know the PS3 has up to a 2 1/2 to 3 minute buffer for Super HD content, regular HD and SD content the buffer is 4 minutes. The Roku 3 varies with up to a 1 1/2 to 2 minute buffer for Super HD content and everything else about 3 to 4 minute buffer.


Hope I explained it soon but now I wish I never wasted my money on the ATV. I only had it for a week 1/2 and it was mostly flawless until November 9th. Ended up going back to the PS3 and then ended up buying a Roku 3 which blows away the stability of the cruddy update to the ATV.


Thanks.

Dec 13, 2013 12:58 PM in response to Chris Brestle

Chris Brestle wrote:


If a picture is worth a thousand words, hopefully this video will be worth more.


I took the time tonight to test 6 different devices (Samsung Blu-Ray Player, iPad via AirPlay, PS3, PS4, and two AppleTVs). Both AppleTVs performed as has been described in this thread while all the other devices streamed HD beautifly.

Thanks for doing this. That is exactly what I am seeing on my Apple TV 3rd generation


Apple TV native app - stutters within a few seconds of the start of playback dropping to very low quality.


Airplay with iPad 3rd generation works well ramping to 4300 kbps.

Dec 13, 2013 2:26 PM in response to Vandergraff

After using the Roku 3 for weeks with really no major problems I decided to actually try the ATV again. I ran the example short and it started out in glorious Super HD 1080p 5800 kbps well for at least 10 seconds then it dropped down to a fuzzy low def 240p 235kbps mess. I let it play for a while and it did ramp up slowly to 720p 3000 kbps for about 30 or so seconds and then it again dropped down to a low def mess.


I decided to try the AirPlay thing on my iPod Touch and right away it started and stayed at 720pp 3000 kbps but it would not ramp up high. Probably a limitation of the iPod Touch. I don't have a iPad to test out.


I then tried the example short on the Roku 3. It started out a fuzzy low def mess but within 30 seconds ramped up to Super HD and stayed there.


In short I use to love my ATV the week 1/2 I had no problems but now I have to use my PS3 and my Roku 3 which has annoying post play which I loved that the ATV did not have.

Dec 13, 2013 4:41 PM in response to Tony Ramirez

Tony Ramirez wrote:


As I can see from your video that when you AirPlay to the ATV it shows a buffer bar on the bottom. As you can see it filling up like it does when you watch a YouTube video. That means that AirPlay from the iPad to ATV means a bigger buffer so it can keep up.


The ATV has a cruddy 1 minute buffer for all content even SD which means that it can't keep up for congestion. As I know the PS3 has up to a 2 1/2 to 3 minute buffer for Super HD content, regular HD and SD content the buffer is 4 minutes. The Roku 3 varies with up to a 1 1/2 to 2 minute buffer for Super HD content and everything else about 3 to 4 minute buffer.


Hope I explained it soon but now I wish I never wasted my money on the ATV. I only had it for a week 1/2 and it was mostly flawless until November 9th. Ended up going back to the PS3 and then ended up buying a Roku 3 which blows away the stability of the cruddy update to the ATV.


Thanks.


Buffers don't explain:

A. Why it worked perfectly before early November

B. Why all other channels on AppleTV stream in gorgeous HD

C. Why AirPlay can stream in perfect HD to that same box


There is clearly something wrong with the app.

Dec 13, 2013 5:10 PM in response to DustyStorm

I have the same problem. ATV3, horrible Netflix quality.


Other apps are beautiful HD. Using iPad 3 and Airplay I also get HD.


I've contacted Apple and Netflix to raise the volume level on this problem.


It would be nice if they could fix this before Christmas. Imagine getting an ATV as a gift, only to discover that the most popular app is broken.


I have 6 Mbps ADSL with AT&T, and my ATV had performed flawlessly (720p) for months until this.

Dec 13, 2013 6:04 PM in response to DustyStorm

just to add to the weirdness to this.. I too have experienced this problem with an ATV 3 and Netflix, using a 30mpbps down/5mbps up. In testing I found streaming from the netflix app from my ipad air gave the same result (using the Example Short video). Finally testing with my iPhone 5 AirPlay streaming using the netflix app, it works perfectly.


Please someone try using an iphone as their streaming method to their Apple TV and see if it makes a difference like it did for me. For now this is my workaround. Hope there's an update that resolves this soon.

Dec 13, 2013 6:55 PM in response to creachcollin12

creachcollin12 wrote:


just to add to the weirdness to this.. I too have experienced this problem with an ATV 3 and Netflix, using a 30mpbps down/5mbps up. In testing I found streaming from the netflix app from my ipad air gave the same result (using the Example Short video). Finally testing with my iPhone 5 AirPlay streaming using the netflix app, it works perfectly.


Please someone try using an iphone as their streaming method to their Apple TV and see if it makes a difference like it did for me. For now this is my workaround. Hope there's an update that resolves this soon.

creechcollin 12, I just had exactly the same results as you. It's 8:30 pm here in Minneapolis, with my usual 70/10, and watching Example Short video:


I get 235 kbps lousy picture from my ATV 3


I get 235 kbps lousy picture on my iPad Air. Airplay from this iPad gave me the same 235 kbps on the ATV 3


I get 3000 kbps on my iPhone 5


And a stable 3000 kbps on the same ATV 3 above using airplay from the iPhone 5


While 3000 kbps on the ATV 3 is a long way from 5800, it's watchable at least. Go figure!

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Netflix quality HORRID after update

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