Netflix Updates iOS App with HD Video and AirPlay Support

MacRumors · Oct 3, 2013

Netflix has updated its iOS app to version 5.0, bringing various new features including HD video quality and support for AirPlay streaming for devices on iOS 7, with the latter requiring the user to disable the AirPlay mirroring feature. The update also contains playback optimizations and general stability improvements.

Netflix released the last major update for its iOS app in April, which brought a minor design and the addition of an episode selector on the iPad. The company also added a multiple profile option for its app on Apple TV in August, and added a "Super HD" option for all users and additional devices last week, including support for the feature on the 3rd generation Apple TV.

Netflix is a free app for the iPhone and iPad and can be downloaded through the App Store. [Direct Link]

Article Link: Netflix Updates iOS App with HD Video and AirPlay Support

kyjaotkb · Oct 3, 2013

there was no HD on Netflix before? Or was it 720p only? Looked good on the iPad (retina) already though...

arbogast777 · Oct 3, 2013

School me on the need for the AirPlay feature - if I have an AppleTV to AirPlay to, then I have a Netflix app on my TV...

jroadley · Oct 3, 2013

Is this globally? Updated app & checked some content and isn't showing has HD like in the article.

psac · Oct 3, 2013

I was going to ask this same exact question!! No idea...??

gatearray · Oct 3, 2013

It might come in handy at friend's house who doesn't have a Netflix account, yet has an Apple TV?

thatsfinebut · Oct 3, 2013

You could browse and control Netflix using your iPad instead of the terrible infrared remote that the Apple TV comes with.

alex.sebenski · Oct 3, 2013

Schooled

Example: You're on your way home from work on the bus watching Orange is the New Black and halfway through the episode you get home and want to finish watching on your couch. You turn on the TV, hit the AirPlay button and sit down.

VS.

You get home, stop the app, turn on your TV, grab the Apple TV remote, start up the Apple TV Netflix app, browse to Recently Watched, hit Orange is the New Black, hit the episode you were watching, hit resume playback.

You skip approx. 4-5 steps in this use-case which makes it a lot faster and easier to use.

----

For those of your who are going to say "who uses cellular date to watch Netflix", replace bus/work with toilet/other room on Wifi. Still works.

bjett92 · Oct 3, 2013

Then you have to leave the Netflix app open on your iPad or iPhone. I like to be able to use my device while watching netflix on my AppleTV

NameUndecided · Oct 3, 2013

For an example of proper high definition streaming, HD television shows on Hulu looks (or has looked) a whole lot better than Netflix on the iPad.

oliverlubin · Oct 3, 2013

Super HD

Netflix on Apple TV now shows format as "Super HD" after software update. Don't think it said this before, but maybe? I have notice more picture degradation recently so while they may be pushing better HD, there's something not working about streaming it well.

lowbatteries · Oct 3, 2013

The Netflix app can continue streaming in the background while you use your iOS device for other things - just like if you send a video from the Video app or Youtube.

NekoFever · Oct 3, 2013

AirPlay is in more than Apple TV. XBMC has it, as do many AV receivers. I'm sure there are implementations that I'm not aware of as well.

whooleytoo · Oct 3, 2013

Exactly this. The Netflix / Home Sharing type interface for selecting content is far better than scrolling through long lists with that remote, or even using gestures in the Remote app.

In my experience (on an ATV2) though, the video quality is far worse when doing this (very compressed, and low framerate) in comparison to using the Netflix app on the ATV2.

Dainin · Oct 3, 2013

Reviews on the app store are claiming that airplay is sending audio only. Can anyone confirm?

jmh600cbr · Oct 3, 2013

Select on your device and push it to the Apple TV.

Salvor Hardin · Oct 3, 2013

Seems to have the same problem with HD as the browser based Netflix in that for some reason some shows/movies aren't available in HD.
If a page for a show/movie like Breaking Bad says "Available in HD on your TV" that means it won't be in HD on your iPad

.

cgriffis753 · Oct 3, 2013

ugh

ugh it keeps dropping connection

RedBear · Oct 3, 2013

Well, yes and no

It's only AirPlaying the audio for me.

Wait, no. In the middle of writing this post it started playing the video on the Apple TV as well. WTF? I almost didn't even notice when it changed.

So, yeah. I can both confirm and deny. LOL.

JosephAW · Oct 4, 2013

This update broke support for AirServer and no longer allows mirroring even if you want to.
I have to do this because my house is in a rural location and we have no phone lines or cable. Only cellular data to watch netflix on my unlimited data plan. :-(

Dainin · Oct 8, 2013

Any word if 5.0.1 fixed the airplay and external display issues?

Netflix Updates iOS App with HD Video and AirPlay Support

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