Q: Netflix quality HORRID after update

Lezz wrote:

 

Last week I changed my DNS server in my router from the ISP supplied to Google's DNS servers (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) and the two evenings I had to test it, it was noticable better. Will test some more and report back.

Did a test and reverted back to my ISP supplied DNS servers and still super HD. So the change seems to be on Netflix's side.

I've seen this issue for a while now as well. Comcast here as well with no issues when checking speedtest. However literally I can start watching something at 5:59pm on Mac mini running Netflix through browser or ATV and at 6pm the quality starts to degrade. Done all the tricks including forcing to a higher bandwidth in browser (on Mac mini) and can get it there but then cannot sustain the quality.

Leads me to believe that with Speedtest showing great speeds that this is actually a throttling or packet shaping on the part of the ISP. Not happy with this at all

Tried everything suggested on this thread, called NF, TW etc. Nothing helped but issue fixed by itself,seeing 5800 for past 3 days during peak hours with ISP DNS.

ATV3, TWC, San Diego, 15 UP, 1 DN.

Some interesting observations...

I had issues streaming 1080P with Youtube around TG holidays but Netflix was fine. In early December, Youtube got fixed but NF went bad. NF 1080P is now fine but youtube throttling issues are back (YT throtling is not as bad as before, managable).

Netflix was working better for me on the ATV the last few days - would get up to 3000kbps for the first time in a month and a half - but tonight won't get off 235kbps.  Netflix via ipad app, browser, etc... is fine - 4300kbps or higher.  This is getting old.

I belive that It is due to the fact that Netflix can stream 'SuperHD' to ATV3 devices.   If Netflix would allow us ATV3 owners to just accept the old HD stream, we would be fine.    Until then, I will use my iPad2 to airplay HD to the ATV3 for Netflix.    Seriously considering a Roku.

BobNoxious wrote:

 

Seriously considering a Roku.

You may want to check the Roku forums. They have threads mirroring this one with people complaining that their Roku gets low quality streams while all their other devices (including Apple TVs) have no problem getting Super HD.

Each device seems to connect to different CDNs and depending on your location/ISP different CDNs may have enough bandwidth (or not) to deliver Super HD to your device.

Since the mid December 'fix' (for some not all unfortunately) my Apple TV has had no problem getting Super HD and connects to Limelight. However recently my Chromecast (which previously been perfect for Netflix) now never gets above 1750 kbps (just like my Apple TV from November to mid December).

It seems your millage may vary by device/ISP/location.......

it seems that Netflix via ATV3 for me just plain ***.   I can stream 3000 kbps on my ipad2 and 235kbps on my ATV3.   Apple can point finger at Netflix pointing finger at ISP.   I dont care, just give me the option to NOT have 'super' HD but regular 'HD' and I will be back to happy.  Until then, I won't recommend anyone in my area to buy an Apple TV.

I wouldn't rush to get a Roku.  I have one and I have the same problem described here - horrible streaming video quality from Netflix and it's not a problem with my network or ISP.  Amazon consistently streams beautiful, HD video.  DH is a big apple fan - thinks we need to get an ATV device instead of Roku.  Now that doesn't seem like a good idea based on what I'm reading here.....

BobNoxious wrote:

 

ijust give me the option to NOT have 'super' HD but regular 'HD' and I will be back to happy.

That has nothing to do with the problem this thread is about and it doesn't work like that.  If the display doesn't say 4300 or 5800 you're not getting a superHD stream.

I undestand the concept of superHD, what I am saying is my older devices that cant even TRY to get superhd (ATV2, iPad2) are streaming beautiful, but my ATV3 tries to stream Super HD, then chokes, and chokes, and ends up streaming 235kbps.    If I had the option to tell my ATV3 to NOT try SuperHD for Netflix, I would be happy.  

BobNoxious wrote:

 

I undestand the concept of superHD, what I am saying is my older devices that cant even TRY to get superhd (ATV2, iPad2) are streaming beautiful, but my ATV3 tries to stream Super HD, then chokes, and chokes, and ends up streaming 235kbps.

It doesn't work like that.  You can demonstrate it for yourself.  Just limit the bandwidth to your ATV3 to whatever you think will solve the problem.  superHD requires at least 5Mbs.  A much coarser approach would be to set you account to medium long enough to see that "trying" to get superHD isn't the issue.

I have 30Mbps down.     Here are ACTUAL results on 2 devices, one after other.     It is OBVIOUS that it is related to the ATV3 update to Netflix.

Been trying to stay out of the conversation since the problem has been solved for me, and I didn't want to gloat.

But in re: the Super HD vs. HD issue, I have a 720p AppleTV hooked to my 720p TV, and a 1080p AppleTV hooked to my 1080p TV. One gets SuperHD one does not, obviously. When I was having this issue it was happening equally on both TVs but not on my PC  (which also doesn't have super HD.)

Based on the volume of posts in this thread lately I have to conclude that the core issue being reported initially, that AppleTV devices had significantly worse quality than other connected devices in the home, has been solved for most people.

I really sympathize for the rest of you but I think what you are seeing is a very different issue, especially those who see bad quality across non-AppleTV devices. What you are seeing is probably a bandwidth crunch based on too much usage, and yeah if your neighbor is pulling SuperHD it could affect you negatively if your local node is oversubscribed. But that wasn't the issue being reported here.

Perhaps it would be better to start a new one for Netflix streaming issues that affect all devices in the home not just AppleTVs.

I'm taking my new iPad Air back!

My old iPad 3 shows Netflix PERFECTLY, while my new iPad is pixilated. I even do the side by side comparison.