jc1118

Q: Apple TV 3 Bad Streaming Quality

I have been streaming Netflix with my Apple TV 3 and, more often then not, the quality is horrible and blurry. I have checked my Wifi signal streangth in the Apple TV's setting and I have full bars. Then I checked my internet speed using both my Macbook and my iPhone (www.speedtest.net) while standing next to the Apple TV I consistenly get [>20Mbps Down] and [>4Mbps Up] and [~17ms Ping]. When I stream Netflix with my Macbook Pro I stream in HD without any problems.

 

As far as I know I have no way of running a speed test directly with my Apple TV so I have to assume that since my laptop and phone are getting sufficient bandwidth for HD streaming and the Apple TV has full signal strength, that there is some other problem here that I am not experienced enough to see.

 

Any suggestions? Are there any network settings that could be contributing to this that only affect Apple TVs and not Apple's Laptops or Phones?

 

 

Possibly relevant information:

Comcast internet with wireless N combo modem/router

Apple TV runnnig at most current update (as of 11/20/2013)

Speed Tests done using Macbook Pro Retina (late 2013 model)

Speed Test done using iPhone 5S

Apple TV (3rd generation)

Posted on Nov 20, 2013 8:31 AM

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Q: Apple TV 3 Bad Streaming Quality

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  • by stevecloud75,

    stevecloud75 stevecloud75 Dec 7, 2013 4:21 PM in response to jc1118
    Level 1 (16 points)
    Dec 7, 2013 4:21 PM in response to jc1118

    Okay, sent in a report to Apple, and also started a chat with Netflix.  Apparently, the issue has to do with how you have your account set.  In Account>playback settings, check to see what your Data Usage is set to.  They told me to set it to Auto instead of High, and that should stop the pixilating and the buffering.  Obviously, there is an issue that Apple needs to work out, but this temporary fix seems to work right now.

  • by kamtra,

    kamtra kamtra Dec 7, 2013 5:28 PM in response to jc1118
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 7, 2013 5:28 PM in response to jc1118

    Just set mine to Auto and it didn't change anything.

  • by jc1118,

    jc1118 jc1118 Dec 8, 2013 1:05 AM in response to stevecloud75
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 8, 2013 1:05 AM in response to stevecloud75

    Mine was already set to Auto. Did you set it to High and then back to Auto? Or was yours on High from the begining?

  • by jacenK,

    jacenK jacenK Dec 8, 2013 6:01 AM in response to jc1118
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 8, 2013 6:01 AM in response to jc1118

    Same problem as everyone else is having

    start netflix

    good stream for about 3 secs then goes to a beyond worse 1982 singal

    Called Netflix who "isnt aware of this and blames apple and comcast"

    Called Apple who blames netflix

    Called Comcast who says there singal is fine

     

    I'm getting a hard wired 57/down 12/up singal so its not that

    netflix does work during the day but at night is crap

     

    heres some point that i have found that arent mentioned in this forum

    - netflix doesnt work on my Apple TV OR my imac at night (so its not just apple tv)

    - I have found that if you exit out of the movie and resume playback about 6-12 times it picks up a singal that it stays with finally. its a crap fix, but its the only thing that has worked for me and is about as annoying as watching horrid quailty that we are paying for, but at least you can watch the movie at some point

  • by iRonManNCSU,

    iRonManNCSU iRonManNCSU Dec 8, 2013 8:23 AM in response to jc1118
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 8, 2013 8:23 AM in response to jc1118

    The sure-fire fix for me was this:

    1) Set AppleTV on wifi

    2) Configure router to use a static IP for the AppleTV's MAC address

    3) Launch Netflix on iPod/iPhone/iPad, choose show, enable AirPlay to play on AppleTV

     

    At this point, i get the nice high-res video on the AppleTV from netflix.

  • by J.N.L,

    J.N.L J.N.L Dec 9, 2013 12:17 PM in response to jc1118
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 9, 2013 12:17 PM in response to jc1118

    Went to netflix.com and logged in, changed streaming speed, working so far:

    netflix.jpg

  • by SuperKirby,

    SuperKirby SuperKirby Dec 9, 2013 12:21 PM in response to J.N.L
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 9, 2013 12:21 PM in response to J.N.L

    Tried that, that only works for netflix.com for me. ATV3 is still blurry. I even exchanged the ATV3, still blurry. It's obvious it's Netflix/ATV3's fault.

  • by jacenK,

    jacenK jacenK Dec 9, 2013 1:53 PM in response to jc1118
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 9, 2013 1:53 PM in response to jc1118

    Heres a forum i found that addresses alot of the issues and why Netflix is to blame

    http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r28820834-Speed-Netflix-Comcast-does-not-support -HD-streaming~start=30

  • by Hugh Kremer,

    Hugh Kremer Hugh Kremer Dec 9, 2013 2:38 PM in response to jacenK
    Level 1 (25 points)
    Dec 9, 2013 2:38 PM in response to jacenK

    IMHO, I can't see how it's a Netflix/Comcast issue. I have Comcast, and get Netflix in HD on my BluRay player and my SmarTV. But not on AppleTV.

  • by SuperKirby,

    SuperKirby SuperKirby Dec 9, 2013 2:48 PM in response to Hugh Kremer
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 9, 2013 2:48 PM in response to Hugh Kremer

    Exactly, that's why it's an obvious Netflix/ATV3 problem. I get super HD Netflix on my laptop, iPad, Nexus 7, iphone 5, and xBox, all on Wifi, but blurry on my ATV3.

  • by Grampa Doodie,

    Grampa Doodie Grampa Doodie Dec 9, 2013 7:27 PM in response to jc1118
    Level 2 (240 points)
    Dec 9, 2013 7:27 PM in response to jc1118

    In my case, I don't think it's my ATV3. I have Comcast, new modem, which has been rebooted, and my ATV is plugged into my AEBS via ethernet. I've rebooted my router as well.

     

    I'm getting very poor vidoe quality (hardly watchable) while watching Netflix movies via both my "wired" ATV and my MacBook Pro wirelessly.

     

    When I view Netflix's "Example" test video, it hardly ever goes over 750kbps on both the ATV and MacBook Pro. Most of the time it sits at 275 -540.

     

    Dale.

  • by Mark Duke,

    Mark Duke Mark Duke Dec 9, 2013 7:56 PM in response to jc1118
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 9, 2013 7:56 PM in response to jc1118

    I believe it is an Apple TV problem, and not a bandwidth problem.  I can airplay a Netflix movie from my ipad to the Apple TV and the resolution is great, when I switch to Netflix directly from the Apple TV the resolution is terrible.  Apple and Netflix need to get together and figure this one out! 

  • by BrainSel,

    BrainSel BrainSel Dec 9, 2013 9:53 PM in response to jc1118
    Level 1 (27 points)
    Mac OS X
    Dec 9, 2013 9:53 PM in response to jc1118

    This may actually be an issue between your ISP and Netflix.  Netflix recently rolled out Super HD which seems to be causing quite a bit of issues for their customers.  It appears that some ISP's aren't playing well with this new feature from Netflix.  Check these out:

     

    http://www.inquisitr.com/970127/netflix-super-hd-streaming-now-for-all-but-does- your-isp-support-it/

     

    https://blog.blockless.com/category/service-reviews/#.UqanZGSxNXU

     

    It might be worth a shot to call your ISP and inquire about this.  Keep escalating until you get someone that knows the answer.

     

    Hope this helps.

  • by J.N.L,

    J.N.L J.N.L Dec 10, 2013 4:52 AM in response to SuperKirby
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 10, 2013 4:52 AM in response to SuperKirby

    For me changing the streaming settings worked...for awhile. The. The quality slipped below SD and back.

     

    I logged back into netflix_com and changed it to AUTO. It WORKED! Nice HD picture watching a movie...for an hour. Seems to be a temporary fix only.

  • by Supernova1313,

    Supernova1313 Supernova1313 Dec 11, 2013 8:05 PM in response to jc1118
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 11, 2013 8:05 PM in response to jc1118

    Don't believe the problem is connected to Comcast I have time warner and am having same issues. Tested Internet speed not the problem also I can mirror netflix to aptv3 in hd no prob. Only prob is aptv3 direct netflix streaming hiccups after 10-60 seconds and quality is below acceptable! So apple, netflix or both get together and fix this!

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