Netflix streaming quality - Page 9

Originally Posted by TimoHT

I have a Sony KDL40W5100 and stream video from Netflix. I have streamed many movies and TV shows in SD and HD quality and always find the color depth/resolution to be less than via other sources. The sharpness of the video is fine and it streams flawlessly (e.g., no rebuffering, etc). But, blacks are quite noticeably crushed. I tried a demo HD stream from Amazon and saw the same thing.

If I am watching DVD/BluRay or DirecTV (via HDMI) or TV via off-air antenna the picture is beautiful with full color depth and no crushed blacks.

I have a 6Mb DSL service and get a consistent 5Mb.

I called Netflix and they were able to verify from their end that they were delivering their highest HD quality w/o any issues to my TV. They said a consistent 4Mb was the requirement and my service exceeded that. They suggested calling Sony.

I called Sony and they were not much help. They said that since the TV delivers the proper color depth from sources other than streaming that the issue can NOT be with the TV. I questioned whether the TV's video processing is identical with input via its LAN connection versus HDMI, RF, etc. The Sony rep said "yes." But, I don't have 100% confidence that he really knew that to be true.

In any case.... Have other experienced crushed blacks via streaming? Thoughts?

Thanks, Tim

Originally Posted by mproper

Well, a streaming option (esp. Netflix) won't look as good as Blu-Ray or over the air HD, for sure. I would assume a DVD comparison would vary from title to title depending on the DVD and the encode quality.

For me, I find most HD stuff is comparible to what I usually get on DirecTV (maybe a few more crushed blacks and a bit more macroblocking, but not overly so). Anyways, it's acceptable, and certainly better than the pixelated mess that is CBS's NFL or CSI DirecTV.

SD stuff varies wildly, but for the most part I find it about DVD quality, give or take (taking a broad "in general" stance since there is a lot of variation).

Originally Posted by b_scott

The last couple days my streaming has been a little spotty. It'll drop from HD down to SD a lot. It's not my connection I don't think, I've done speedtest.net.

Originally Posted by b_scott

The last couple days my streaming has been a little spotty. It'll drop from HD down to SD a lot. It's not my connection I don't think, I've done speedtest.net.

Originally Posted by leckig

I am not sure how much we can trust those online speed tests.

Originally Posted by Dunbar

I'm using PlayOn which shows the file sizes in the instant que. Most files are in the 3-4GB range but I'm wondering if that's the unthrottled size? Because my parents have a Roku and their internet connection can only support 1GB/hr maximum and yet the Netflix streaming PQ is nothing to complain about.

Originally Posted by mproper

PlayOn uses the crappiest encodes Netflix has (you can't even get the HD streams through it) so I doubt it's a good representatation since the other devices use different encodes.

Originally Posted by michaeltscott

I don't know if they're the crappiest encodes--PlayOn gets what you can get on your PC (because it's using your PC to get it), being the PC Silverlight encodings. There are no HD encodings, but some of the top quality ones aren't too bad. The best quality PC Silverlight encoding will be lower bit rate than the HD encodings. The HD encodings, when available, are definitely a big step up in PQ.

Originally Posted by mproper

Maybe you are right, but my understanding was PlayOn didn't even use the Silverlight encodings and used the older ones. Does Netflix still have the non-Silverlight player that you had to opt into, or is Silverlight required now?

I am not sure though. I quit using PlayOn for Netflix after the XBOX got it (still use PlayOn for Hulu and other sources though).

Originally Posted by colofan

Well I started with the Samsung BD-P1590/1600A as my streaming device and I am really disappointed in the service. Is there a better player that could do a better job of buffering so I can get a better picture? My connection though is only about 2.2 Mbit maybe that is the biggest problem.

Originally Posted by michaeltscott

I'm assuming that 2.2 Mbps is your network service speed and not the speed of the connection that you get to a Netflix server, unless the Sammy BD player gives you some way to check that. If you want to do streaming entertainment video over the Internet, I'd suggest that you upgrade to a service that's at least 5 Mbps, if Netflix is all you're interested in. There's some really high quality streaming video available (Vudu, Zune) for which I'd suggest using a service of 10 Mbps or better.

Originally Posted by colofan

That is correct on the network speed. Is there a way to check clear to the server? The speed is all I can get since I live more in the countryside and this is a wireless connection I am going through. They claim 5 Mbps top download speed but admit that it is not sustained at that speed. I was just wondering if there was a way to buffer in enough to make this more viewable?

Originally Posted by TSHA222

After no problems, the last several days have been terrible with my Roku box. I don't say Netflix because I am having issues with Netflix, Amazon and Revision3. I have 12mbps and I am getting at least 8 everytime I check it with 10+ 99% of the time. Apple TV wireless is fast. Laptop is fast. I unhooked everything EXCEPT the ROKU and made sure and still get low quality, lots of rebuffering. I have rebooted several times and even checked with the ROKU less than 10 feet from my wireless router. Not sure what's going on but accessing the hidden menu to enable debugging shows my speeds never higher that 3, which is not accurate but even at 3, should be ok. I wrote a support email to ROKU. We'll see what happens.

Originally Posted by b_scott

I thought it was odd that Birth of a Nation didn't have a Play button for streaming next to it in my queue, but going to the page shows streaming and I've been watching it on my computer. Makes me worry that others are this way. What gives?

Originally Posted by michaeltscott

It still doesn't have a PLAY button beside it in your DVD queue? When I add it to my DVD queue there's a PLAY button.

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Originally Posted by KLJ

just wanted to say that i have been watching season 5 of lost to get ready for the season premier coming up in a couple of weeks.

the hd quality has been outstanding. i was really shocked when watching it through my ps3. also, little to no picture blips or glitches..