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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

Nov 16, 2013 1:02 AM in response to DustyStorm

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?)

Nov 18, 2013 6:51 PM in response to DustyStorm

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.

Nov 18, 2013 8:55 PM in response to DustyStorm

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.

Nov 19, 2013 7:21 AM in response to DustyStorm

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?

Nov 19, 2013 8:49 PM in response to DustyStorm

Still happening. Quite frustrated by this.


Anyone heard of a fix yet? I have contacted Netflix several times and they keep telling me everything is working on their end and it's my internet connection. It is NOT my internet connection and several others having this issue. I keep checking if there is another update to Apple TV to fix this, but nothing yet.

Nov 19, 2013 9:50 PM in response to DustyStorm

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.

Nov 20, 2013 5:59 AM in response to Markel51

*** 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.

Netflix quality HORRID after update

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