Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Apps Netflix is terrible under any congestion on the 4th Gen ATV.

tonyr6

tonyr6

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Oct 13, 2011
1,741
733
Brooklyn NY
While my other devices, Fire TV, PS4 can stream better under congestion it seems the new Apple TV chokes. Under normal conditions the new Apple TV Netflix app loads programs quickly and starts out in 1080p. Then in the evening under normal stress when I go to load something it is a spinning circle for a few seconds then the PQ looks like it is from a dubbed VHS tape. I go to reload it and it is the same thing. The worse part though is after a long ramp up to HD it drops down to crud VHS quality again. I then use the Fire TV 2nd Gen app and after 480p SD for about 30 seconds it goes to 1080p and stays there.

Too think I really though the new Apple TV with its special algorithms would finally be able to stream Netflix under congestion but it looks like it chokes worse than any other streaming device. Besides the forced shrink credits which BTW the new Apple TV actually shrinks some movies, programs early when there is still content at the end. I proved this by streaming the same content on the FTV and PS4. Also the common UI is worse on the new Apple TV with less categories, it is harder to navigate and find things to watch. I am strongly considering going back to my old 3rd Gen Apple TV.
 
I've had no problems watching Netflix. PQ has been excellent. Watched four hour-long episodes last night with no issues.
 
tonyr6 said:
Too think I really though the new Apple TV with its special algorithms would finally be able to stream Netflix under congestion but it looks like it chokes worse than any other streaming device.
Click to expand...
Do you have any information on these special algorithms? I've tried searching for that term on this sub-forum and Google and nothing came up. I'm curious about how any "box" could enhancing streaming without a corresponding change on the providers end (Netflix, HBO GO, USA, etc). Seems to me like the streaming details would be handled within the various apps, not in the

Besides the forced shrink credits which BTW the new Apple TV actually shrinks some movies, programs early when there is still content at the end.
Click to expand...
Isn't that a "feature" that Netflix wrote (themselves) into the Netflix app for the new Apple TV?
 
I am done with the ATV4 when watching Netflix. I loaded a program and it started in great sharp 1080p HD no problems until about 10 minutes when it dropped down to a low Def fuzzy mess. I then watched the remaining program on my Fire TV no problems.

It is not my connection as I watched something on Hulu so I am just going to use the ATV4 for Hulu and HBO Go.
 
tonyr6 said:
I am done with the ATV4 when watching Netflix. I loaded a program and it started in great sharp 1080p HD no problems until about 10 minutes when it dropped down to a low Def fuzzy mess. I then watched the remaining program on my Fire TV no problems.

It is not my connection as I watched something on Hulu so I am just going to use the ATV4 for Hulu and HBO Go.
Click to expand...


I have exactly the same issue with the Netflix app since we got the atv4. It has to be the app, because when I switch to AirPlay from one of our iOS devices the quality jumps right back to hd and it plays without interruption. I never had this issue with the atv3.
 
  • Like
Reactions: satcomer and tonyr6
pbird said:
I have exactly the same issue with the Netflix app since we got the atv4. It has to be the app, because when I switch to AirPlay from one of our iOS devices the quality jumps right back to hd and it plays without interruption. I never had this issue with the atv3.
Click to expand...
Thank you. Someone not blaming my connection. It is the app. It seems that it gets worse after every update and since Netflix rarely updates there apps you are lucky to get a update 2 times every 6 months. Then my Roku 2 and Fire TV 2 have no issues either so it is the app.

Also streaming from Hulu and HBO Go on the Apple TV 4 plays perfectly on my 60/5 connection. Anyway I am thinking on going back to my ATV3 which worked great. The quality was better even the watch Disney Channels look way better on the ATV3 and it does not keep trying to go back to windowed mode.
 
  • Like
Reactions: George Dawes
I have watched hours of Netflix on ATV4 and not noticed the issue you describe. Are you using wireless or wired connection? I have had similar issues as you on a ATV3 using wireless connection that was immediately fixed by hard wiring the box. My ATV4 is hardwired.
 
I have not experienced any PQ or streaming issues with the Netflix app on my ATV4. Now the Hulu app I've had numerous problems with. But Neflix has been absolutely fine.
 
I haven't notice any PQ issues on wifi even during peak usage times. I have an ATV 3 and 4 going at the same time.
 
I have watched hours of Netflix on ATV4 and not noticed the issue you describe. Are you using wireless or wired connection? I have had similar issues as you on a ATV3 using wireless connection that was immediately fixed by hard wiring the box. My ATV4 is hardwired.
Click to expand...

The forth gen Apple TV is wired but I ran the old third gen Apple TV wireless with no issues.

I have not experienced any PQ or streaming issues with the Netflix app on my ATV4. Now the Hulu app I've had numerous problems with. But Neflix has been absolutely fine.
Click to expand...

Funny you mention Hulu which works great with the new Apple TV but on the Fire TV it chokes.
 
Not that it matters with Netflix crappy adaptdumb streaming which is the worse of all the other services but I have 60mbps down 5 up thought Time Warner Cable.
 
tonyr6 said:
Not that it matters with Netflix crappy adaptdumb streaming which is the worse of all the other services but I have 60mbps down 5 up thought Time Warner Cable.
Click to expand...
I have a tv in the garage that gets a moderately weak wifi signal and Netflix streams the best out of the Netflix Hulu Amazon trio. The other two look disgusting quick. Not Apple TV related since its via an old laptop but Netflix must be doing something right.
 
Streaming on the new Apple is better running wireless. No surprise as I had the same issues with the 3rd Gen when wired. Looking at my switch LED quite often you will see the LED light when wired go off and on again many times. When I woke up the Apple TV it would so no connection then it connected on wired. With wireless I don't get that message. As I said even my 3rd gen did this so I left that thing wireless too.
 
tonyr6 said:
Streaming on the new Apple is better running wireless. No surprise as I had the same issues with the 3rd Gen when wired. Looking at my switch LED quite often you will see the LED light when wired go off and on again many times. When I woke up the Apple TV it would so no connection then it connected on wired. With wireless I don't get that message. As I said even my 3rd gen did this so I left that thing wireless too.
Click to expand...
Are you saying your wireless connection is better than your your wired connection to the Apple TV?
 
If I were investigating this behavior I'd be checking the local network setup. Problems with a new device can indicate setup issues.

Any other apps on the ATV in question having such issues?
 
  • Like
Reactions: sinsin07
Since everyone is not having issues with Netflix on ATV 4 it might be beneficial to list the following:
ISP
Wired or Wireless
Make/Model of cable modem
Make/Model of router
Make/Model of any switches between cable modem/router and ATV
If wireless distance to access point
If wired length of run to ATV
 
Last edited:
I find that chrome casting from my nexus 5 to my TV is much quicker than using my ATV4 to watch netflix. i get no quality issues and no buffering problems.
 
It has been working much better lately for me. It now starts right away in hd with no buffering at all and no drop downs to lower bitrates while watching. It now acts and looks exactly the same as whith airPlay from an iOS device. Weird I did not change anything in the setup.
 
I have not been using it much since ATV 4 because of the Fall Schedule. But yesterday started binge watching Daredevil and after 8 episodes I have not seen 1 issue. Which was my experience with ATV 3.

I think the UI could use some work but I did not have any streaming issues. This is not my first use since ATV 3 but this is my heaviest use.
 
I have two 32GB ATV4s and have had absolutely zero problems on either with Netflix. And I've binge watched Jessica Jones, Daredevil, Archer, Sunny, and quite a few stand up comedy shows since I got my first one at Christmas. Even when I'm seeing network issues on other devices Netflix has been solid.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back