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Netflix continues to suck on new ATV

S

steve dave

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Mar 29, 2010
538
11
I quit using my old apple tv because it was worthless with Netflix. I bought the new one with the hopes that it would be improved. It clearly isn't.

It refuses to stream anything in HD. I thought it was a bandwidth issue but that clearly isn't it as I have no problem steaming 1080p content from iTunes. I can't believe these two companies can't freaking get this simple thing right. I am packing it up and going back to my PS3.
 
Go to the netflix web site on your computer, go into account settings, and then to manage Video quality and make sure best quality is selected.
 
darster said:
Go to the netflix web site on your computer, go into account settings, and then to manage Video quality and make sure best quality is selected.
Click to expand...

Do I have to do this for every device I have? I have no problem streaming 1080p through my ps3.
 
steve dave said:
Do I have to do this for every device I have? I have no problem streaming 1080p through my ps3.
Click to expand...

No, once done it should be for all devices, including computers. But I do agree, the 1080p video quality on the atv3 is not as good as the ps3, Roku or boxee with netflix.
 
steve dave said:
I quit using my old apple tv because it was worthless with Netflix. I bought the new one with the hopes that it would be improved. It clearly isn't.

It refuses to stream anything in HD. I thought it was a bandwidth issue but that clearly isn't it as I have no problem steaming 1080p content from iTunes. I can't believe these two companies can't freaking get this simple thing right. I am packing it up and going back to my PS3.
Click to expand...

EXACT same issue here. Was hoping new firmware would fix this on my ATV2 but nope. ATV3 is being delivered Tuesday but not holding my breath it will be any better. My PS3, Panasonic Bluray player and LG Smart TV all have Netflix and all stream flawlessly except for ATV. Netflix settings are for highest vid quality and all devices are hard wired Ethernet on 25Gbps download Internet. Sigh...

James
 
Appears Netflix on their end must have fixed a few bugs as Netflix 1080p streaming is a lot better than before. No more pixelation or artifacts. The quality is now quite god.
 
^^^ I agree, my girlfriend and I are watching all the seasons of Greys Anatomy and we both noticed a change in the quality (for the better) yesterday. The picture just has a really crisp look to it.
 
I suspect that for every person who says the PS3 or XBox streams fine while the Apple TV does not you'll find another person who says just the opposite (i.e. the Apple TV works fine but the PS3 does not). Sadly, internet-based streaming is still kind of a black art -- the problem(s) can be with the service, your ISP, the connection from your ISP, your network, the devices on your network, or any individual sample of a device that you've connected to all of the above (interactions and incompatibilities). Note that just because one device appears to work better than another that doesn't absolutely guarantee that the problem is solely with that one device (that doesn't appear to work as well).

I know, for instance, that I've had problems streaming to my PS3 even while my Apple TV was fine. Fortunately, the last time I checked all of my devices were working fine.

But, of course, if you can't get the Apple TV to work (with Netflix) and you think that you've exhausted all practical remedies then you should just return the device and be done with it.
 
mac3973 said:
^^^ I agree, my girlfriend and I are watching all the seasons of Greys Anatomy and we both noticed a change in the quality (for the better) yesterday. The picture just has a really crisp look to it.
Click to expand...
After a few days more of watching, the quality continues to be quite good.
 
I love netflix on the apple tv.
The picture quality is sharp. No buffering issues, etc
I love that the netlfix app starts up instantaneously in contrast with other platforms like the PS3 where it takes ages to load the app.
 
I just purchased my first Apple TV (it should be arriving in the mail soon). I have a Samsung Blu-ray player with Netflix but it's not wireless and I have to run an Ethernet cord across my room to it. So, wireless Netflix was one of my reasons for purchasing the Apple TV. I've heard a few of you mention that it is supposed to have 1080p Netflix? I never knew what resolution HD Netflix was; although, the shows that are in HD look very good coming from my Samsung player. So, should I expect 1080p from Netflix shows that are in HD on my Apple TV?
 
fpnc said:
I suspect that for every person who says the PS3 or XBox streams fine while the Apple TV does not you'll find another person who says just the opposite (i.e. the Apple TV works fine but the PS3 does not). Sadly, internet-based streaming is still kind of a black art -- the problem(s) can be with the service, your ISP, the connection from your ISP, your network, the devices on your network, or any individual sample of a device that you've connected to all of the above (interactions and incompatibilities). Note that just because one device appears to work better than another that doesn't absolutely guarantee that the problem is solely with that one device (that doesn't appear to work as well).

I know, for instance, that I've had problems streaming to my PS3 even while my Apple TV was fine. Fortunately, the last time I checked all of my devices were working fine.

But, of course, if you can't get the Apple TV to work (with Netflix) and you think that you've exhausted all practical remedies then you should just return the device and be done with it.
Click to expand...

Well when I get at least 720p on four other devices in my house that are all connected wired and wirelessly to the same network, then I tend to think that apple simply can't get it right.

I only bought this because I wanted to start using iTunes to buy movies and tv shows and have one device to do that with Netflix and MLB. I will just use another video service that will work with the gear I already have.

I have begun the return process and am shipping it back tomorrow.
 
steve dave said:
Well when I get at least 720p on four other devices in my house that are all connected wired and wirelessly to the same network, then I tend to think that apple simply can't get it right.

I only bought this because I wanted to start using iTunes to buy movies and tv shows and have one device to do that with Netflix and MLB. I will just use another video service that will work with the gear I already have.

I have begun the return process and am shipping it back tomorrow.
Click to expand...

I had the same opinion of the ATV3 prior to the netflix fix. I have 4 devices wired via ethernet to my Airport extreme. Boxee box, blu ray, Sharp tv and ATV3. I have no problem streaming any device in HD whether it be for Netflix, VUDU, MLB, NHL, etc.
 
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