Amazon Instant Video vs. Netflix Quality - Page 4

So, here is Iron Man 2 (HD)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0045XGRQE/ref=atv_dp_gtv_hd_sib

 

So, a ways down the page, you see 3 possible formats:

TiVo             5.1 HD-WideScreen

Portable       2.0 (SD?)-WideScreen

Connected   5.1 (+ = with audio exceptions) (Video undefined)

 

I'm guessing a Panasonic BD-60 is a "Connected Device" but not "5.1 enabled". So, what you get from a "Connected Device" is completely (audio & video) un-defined on this page.

 

It seems that when you are inside the Amazon app on the device ... if you select this HD video, it does the initial negotiations. It then plays whichever version it wants (maybe not the HD version). Looking at the website, it's obvious which ones have been played, and which ones have never been started. I've been testing with the Iron Man 2 - HD version, but the website says it's never been started  ... only the SD version has.

The + marked footnote reads "+ Requires a 5.1 enabled device and a Dolby Digital capable receiver". Your 2009 Panasonic BD60 is not a 5.1 enabled device (I'm a bit surprised that it features an Amazon player); even the 2012 Panasonic BD players are not 5.1 enabled, insofar as Amazon streaming is concerned.

As for the Prime playback button saying "Resume" or not, I've tested Iron Man 2 on my Roku 2 XS, PS3, Sony BDP-S390 and Xbox 360 and they all play it in HD--the players clearly state that they're playing HD, both at start-up and on their stream status displays, yet the button on that HD version of the title's page at Amazon's site does not say "Resume". This may be because you can't stream the HD version of the title in that web player. If you press the "Watch Now" button it opens a pop-up which reads:

 

Thanks for verifying this.

 

So of the HD movies you have played, do the SD versions on the website say "Resume"? That's what I'm seeing here.

You're welcome--I'd been playing with these recently because they don't show up as being HD w/5.1 sound on the Roku 2 (except for Iron Man 2). Turns out that even though the cover thumb and descriptions don't indicate it and the stream quality indicator doesn't indicate it when you start playing them (you get four balls but no "HD" logo), it actually plays HD w/DD5.1 sound. Still a bug, since many people will skip watching those if they see them browsing on the Roku who might have watched them had they known that they were HD w/5.1 sound, but it's not as serious a bug as I thought.

Yes, the Prime "Watch Now" buttons on the SD version of the titles pages say "Resume".
Edited by michaeltscott - 9/14/12 at 5:27pm

Thanks for all of the great info!

I have amazon prime and I am thinking about getting rid of my netflix since I rarely use it.
After reading this thread it seems I should get a roku rather than a bp220 because I want surround sound.

The Panasonic* is on sale for $113 with $25 amazon credit at amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00752R4PK/ref=pe_81330_25882590_pe_epc_dt2?t=slickdeals&tag=slickdeals

The roku xd is $70 refurb or $80 new shipped from roku.
The LT is $50 but only has 720p, but for streaming I feel that might be ok. (my projector is 720p as well)
This also means that I would have to keep my old dumb blu-ray player (that still works just fine).

What would you do? What should I do?
Edited by davidlc - 9/19/12 at 11:16am

For free trial, I found Netflix Super HD at 1080p is the way to go with my 1080p projector, though I found the selections dated and they do rotate their libraries, e.g., Wrath of the Titans was on last year but is no longer available.

Amazon Prime is streaming at 720p. Their more current selections carry a fee of $1.99.

Do not watch much TV, so has little need for Hulu Plus. Not sure if it's at 1080p or 720p.

I'm using my Panny BDT-220 for Netflix with my PJ while Roku XDS to stream 1080p with my plasma. For $20, I'll go with the XD for the longer term. Got mine off eBay for less.

I was extremely doubtful about your info that 5.1+ audio is coming thru Amazon Prime. I have run Amazon for almost a year thru a 2012 Panasonic 3D Blu-Ray 220 player and now a Panasonic 3D HDTV and there is no High Quality audio (HQ = Dolby Digital Plus 5.1+) available - period! Yet! And if you look over the latest Amazon Prime HD movie offering - The Hobbit - nowhere is there any reference to HQ audio.

Here's another example/proof - Falling Skies the tv series is one I have been watching via Amazon Prime and there is NO HQ audio on my Panny. It has nothing to do with the bandwidth because mine is running on average at about 10Mbps and other posters are running even faster but not getting HQ audio. Unfortunately, the lack of HQ audio is one of those very important facts that Amazon seems to prefer obscuring since they seem to be unwilling or unable to do HQ audio like NetFlix or Vudu. Some believe it’s the player manufacturer’s fault but I am leaning toward it being the provider’s choice. I have used Vudu once for their HD version of Hugo (excellent blu-ray-like quality) and Netflix all the time, and when Netflix shows it offers 5.1+ audio I get it! On another thread - www.avsforum.com/t/1311425/amazon-prime-instant-video/800_100 - I did find that apparently Panasonic units (as well as some other manufacturers) regardless of whether it is a Blu-ray player or Smart HDTV may not ‘currently’ offer HQ audio. I just ran Thor the 2011 movie on Amazon and it did NOT offer HQ audio whereas Netflix did offer Dolby Digital Plus 5.1+. HOWEVER the video stream on Amazon was full HD 1080p while Netflix's video was only 720p. Netflix's offering filled my Panasonic's HDTV screen while the Amazon full HD was letter-boxed.

So the choice for some is full HD video or HQ audio. Is Amazon more likely to work with Panasonic fixing the lack of HQ audio or for that matter NetFlix working with Panny so that Full HD is streamed? One poster believes that its up to the manufacturer's to figure it out. I am not convinced since both full HD video streaming AND HQ audio Dolby Digital Plus 5.1+ do work thru both of my Panasonic devices into my Yamaha receiver. The pressure should be put on both providers - Netflix & Amazon Prime to offer the same quality if the portal device in your home has that capability.
Edited by Thetau - 3/14/13 at 9:31pm

I use a Roku to access Amazon Prime Video and it supports 5.1 Audio. My Panasonic BD 220 does as well. In the Panasonic you simply select the movie or TV program, and then when you get to the Play drop down go to the bottom of that list that says Audio and select that. You get the choice of 5.1 at that point. Perhaps you need to update your firmware.

You're making it sound as if the BDT220 supports 5.1 audio on the Amazon Instant Video titles which feature it, which is not true. The Netflix player on the BDT220 does, but not the Amazon player.

Thetau, as I think I've told you in some other thread, Amazon does not stream 1080p video at this time; it's all 720p.

Yes, you are correct. I was confusing Netflix. My Roku, on the other hand does have 5.1 on Amazon Prime. I just tested it....

I have a PS3, Roku 3, Roku 2 and Sony BDP-S390 all of which play 5.1 sound for Amazon titles which feature it. They all also support the Amazon Instant Video Watchlist, which the BDT220 does not.