Q: Netflix quality HORRID after update

"

The Chromecast doesn't use Airplay. The Chromecast device connects directly to the Netflix servers (just like other netflix streaming devices). The IOS / Android device is onlu acting as a remote control (and the Apple TV is of course not involved). This is well documented and I can also see it on my router with the Chromecast making direct connections to the servers serving the Netflix streams.

The Chromecast is a perfectly valid comparison and continues to get 5800 kbps while the Apple TV (for the last two weeks) continues to limp along."

But your ISP is still involved.

mh1978 wrote:

 

Unfortunately this seems like a peak usage type of situation.

You may well be seeing a peak usage situation but we shouldn't confuse it with the issue reported by many in this thread.

I think there are 2 maybe 3 issues.

Some seeing plaform independant issues with Netflix - either time dependant or not.

Others (the purpose of this thread) seeing issues only on the Apple TV and only for the last couple of weeks.

As I have reported before my Chromcast continue to get 5800 kbps (and my Roku 2's also get their maximum speed) - only the Apple TV has issues and it has never got above 1750 for the last couple of weeks. Before then my Apple TV consistently got 5800 kbps.

I don't mean to dismiss your issue - only to point out if we mix the issues it is less likely either gets resolved.

GaryJR4 wrote:

 

 

But your ISP is still involved.

Not sure what point you are trying to make?

Yes it is the same ISP - but the Chromecast gets 5800 kbps and the Apple TV doesn't get close - both of course connecting through the same ISP.

?

I am just saying ISP is another variable in the mix.  Do we know if others get all the same device, connection, time of day, etc,.results as you the only difference being ISP?

GaryJR4 wrote:

I am just saying ISP is another variable in the mix.

What ISP mechanism are you suggesting that explains the recent inability of the ATV to reliably sustain superHD bit-rates while other devices continue to work as expected?

throttling

You think they are throttling one device over another?

How does my ISP know which device is an Apple TV and which is a Chromecast and why would they care?

GaryJR4 wrote:

 

throttling

So you're proposing that multiple providers recently started shaping only Netflix streams destined for an ATV?

Ever get a message from a web site that knows you are on a mobile device and not a desktop? 

Do you think think ISPs like TWC and Comcast feel threatened by Netfix?  Can you rule out them causing confusion by causing selective issues?  Do you think Verizon would rather you buy their tablet and watch Netflix on it?

Either rule such things out or come up with the real reason.  Until somebody does I don't rule out anything.

GaryJR4 wrote:

Until somebody does I don't rule out anything.

Okay.

@Sparty07 ~ You are right about using airplay with the iPad, back to primo quality for the first time in weeks. Hopefully they will get this sorted out soon, but your suggestion might be very helpful for the time being...Thanks!

2:40am central. Solid 5800kbps on ATV after a few seconds of 3000kbps.

I am getting a high average bitrate off peak and low average peak hours.

Let's just say for now that peak hour bitrate reduction is a "symptom" of a bigger problem.

And a weird problem this is.

@vandergraff

I hear what you are saying and am trying to keep this on topic, but to be honest the OP never

mentioned anything beyond the fact that his Netflix was "horrid" on ATV since the 6.0.2 update.

I'm just showing that it is "horrid" some, not all of the time. We both have comcast and both have

ATV3. Theoretically, we should be getting the same results?

I would like to jump on this thread too, as I have been jumping through hoops with crapcast, and Netflix.

The Comcast support is **** near useless, and although Netflix gets me a real American who trys to help,

I still think neither knows wth is going on. Apple are just in denial when I call them, telling me it must be modem/router/bandwidth issues (total bs as I have 30m down) and HD works on the PS3 Netflix and other apps.

I think other posters are onto something that it may be a combination of Netlfix updateing their end and apple not allowing them to do it to the appletv, and apples own update in the mix too.

*****

mh1978 wrote:

 

Theoretically, we should be getting the same results?

Only if you're neighbors and have identical network hardware, layout and bandwidth usage.  Maybe not even then.

At this point, having read the entire thread, it seems we're just going around in circles.

The problem manifested itself for me with the ATV OS 6.0.1 update a few weeks ago. That's also about the time that I noticed the "Super HD" badge on a lot of shows. I just thought it was some marketing gimmick on Netflix's part, because everything looked HD to me before, so what the heck is "Super HD?"

I only updated to ATV OS 6.0.2 a couple of days ago while reading this thread.

I don't watch any of the popular shows (I mostly watch documentaries, older shows, or independent titles), so I don't think the problem is that there is overwhelming traffic to a super popular title I may be watching. I also don't think it's time of day.

So, my conclusion (and it seems the conclusion of most of the thread participants) is that something is not right with the Netflix app included with iOS 6.0.1 and 6.0.2 that needs to be fixed. Like everyone else, I have no problems playing HD content from other ATV apps.

In any case, like someone else mentioned on the thread, I've discovered that a workaround is playing the desired Netflix title on the iPad (iPad 3, iOS 7.0.4, Netflix 5.0.2), and AirPlay it to the Apple TV. We watched three documentaries that way last night (Thanksgiving), and they all looked great. Maybe it was because most Americans were watching live football or something, but we were happy to watch something on Netflix in HD again after suffering through bad pixelation for days.