Q: Netflix quality HORRID after update

Tried downgrading to 5.3, but it made no difference. Back to the current version, which has been working fine for the past couple weeks (as reported by others). My best guess is that this had nothing to do with Apple's update to the ATV, but instead falls on Netflix determining the device and subsequently what server it then connects to. Seeing as how many are still experiencing problems, I assume that all areas/routings have not yet been addressed by Netflix. Btw... I'm just outside of Los Angeles.

Just wanted to add to this discussion that I am also having the same issue.  I wish I found this thread 2 months ago becuase I thought it is my router's problem so I switched 3 routers in 2 months, the last one I tried is Airport Extreme and Netflix still ***** but everything else is perfect.  So frustrating.

I am in San Diego / Time Warner Cable.

As I indicated in my previous post, I am also in San Diego with the same issue.  I hope everyone has called and complained to Netflix CS.  Demand that they bump your issue up to their manager.  Ask them to reference this apple discussion in their notes.   Then if you can, call back every few days and request an update.

I tested this AM, and it bounced around up and down then after abourt 10 min it settled way up at 5800 Kbps.  (Using the "Example Short 23.967" test video).  It will be interesting to what it does in Prime Time.  If bad, then time for my third call to Netflix CS.

Last night was bad, so I used my iPad to stream via AirPlay. Great HD quality watching Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries.  Did not realize just how shinny her hair really was.

I put my money on the Netflix app on the ATV.  If HBO GO can stream at HD quality, it sure points to the Netflix app on the ATV. (And that I understand is written by Netflix), so I for one do not blame Apple at this point.  Hope they do not update the iPad App and break that!!!!. 

It's 2014 but yet at 2:00pm in the afternoon I'm watching Sherlock in 188p. Thanks Apple.

bodosom wrote:

 

Sure, but I think enough work has already been done and the results are quite clear -- the ATV3 client only likes Limelight and Level3.  Blocking nflxvideo worked for a short while but then the clients started failing.

 

I wonder if it is as simple as there is enough bandwidth available between Limelight and Level3 and the various non Open Connect ISPs but there is congestion between Netflix Streaming Service (ntflxvideo) and the various non Open Connect ISPs

Confirming bodosom's post (and my previous posts) I have had no problems since the 'fix' mid-december and my Apple TV continues to connect to Limelight on a 16 Mbps Comcast connection.

Edison517 wrote:

 

Has anyone tried pinging their Apple TV from a computer (while watching Netflix) to see if the Apple TV drops out?

I don't see any loss as the rate drifts between 235 and 3000 Kbps.

Well that pretty much puts the blame on Netflix, right?

Vandergraff wrote:

I wonder if it is as simple as there is enough bandwidth available between Limelight and Level3 ... but ... congestion between Netflix Streaming Service (ntflxvideo) and the various non Open Connect ISPs

There's enough bandwidth for every other client.  Even other iOS 7 clients.

Edison517 wrote:

 

Well that pretty much puts the blame on Netflix, right?

Well I don't think temporary low-percentage packet loss is relevant.  Netflix traffic is bursty.  I'm confident the problem is specific to the ATV while there's always a chance it's an interaction between the Netflix client and the network framework  I'm inclined to fault the client.  Some careful testing of other versions would help but you have to be able to (or pretend to) control the independent variables or it's just more speculation.

bodosom wrote:

 

There's enough bandwidth for every other client.  Even other iOS 7 clients.

Do we know they are connecting to Netflix Streaming Service (ntflxvideo)?

I haven't seen any of my working devices use Netflix Streaming Service and get Super HD - though admitedly I haven't spend a lot of time look at my workling devices because .......well they are working.

Vandergraff wrote:

Do we know they are connecting to Netflix Streaming Service (ntflxvideo)?

Well I know.  That may count as we know.  I'm the person that was blocking connections to nflxvideo (which worked for about a day).

Vandergraff wrote:

I haven't seen any of my working devices use Netflix Streaming Service and get Super HD

I my house it's quite rare to connect to anything but nflxvideo.  Even on my iPads which is why the AirPlay work-around doesn't help.  My TiVos and PS3 always get superHD.

And yes this problem is academic for me since I watch Netflix on my primary TiVo.  My ATV is mostly for for iTunes, iTunes Radio and HBO Go with  lapses like VEVO (which chunks like Netflix but in 4M slices instead of 8M).

OK - yes then I agree your statement above seems to sum it up 'the ATV client only likes Limelight and Level3' (and certainly doesn't seem to to like nflxvideo).

The issue certainly went way for me once the ATV started using Limelight instead of nflxvideo in mid december.

I was just on the phone with NetFlix CS.  Wow, I really expected more.  The supervisor I spoke with said it's not Netflix.  She kept trying to convince me that the connection to my iPad was a better connection than to my ATV.  And since they are both off the same router, that makes zero sense.  She of course had no answer as to why HBO Go streams HD just fine.

So if you all call and end up with a woman supervisor "Felicia", may as well hang up and try again the next day.

Also, they have NO way to open a specific trouble ticket and keep specific notes about our issues.  So zero history on our calls to them.

I will try again tomorrow, see if I can get a less technically challenged supervisor.

Has anyone managed to actually speak with a higher level technician at Netflix?

Vandergraff,

What is Limelight?  How did you get your ATV to start using Limelight instead of nflxvideo?  How did you figure that out?

Thanks,

Bob

Another day of 5800 at 11 AM and 375 right now 8:55 PM. Same thing yesterday. I'm no expert in checking what CDN I'm getting, but I managed to install custom firmware on my router and check some of my IP traffic while streaming and I definitely found nflxvideo in there.