Netflix runs poorly

[james1758]

As my umbp is not new enough to utilise the html5 netflix have implemented, I'm stuck with Silverlight

My fans run at the highest rpm and heats to 85-90+°C when netflix is running, I wouldn't mind this as my laptop constantly runs at 70-85°C but the problem comes when my netflix starts lagging. I just turned my computer back on this afternoon, and within seconds the playback from netflix was lagging and frame skipping, its watchable, obviously, but horrible.

I have 60+mbps internet so connection speed is not the problem, its my mac I presume, anybody know of any fixes?

Heres my activity monitor from just now...


Thanks for any help,
James

 

[james1758]

Also I had netflix about 3 years ago, but I don't remember it being a problem back then

 

[T5BRICK]

Netflix is streaming higher bit rate content now than it did 3 years ago, it's possible your older Mac just can't handle it.

 

[snaky69]

Also I had netflix about 3 years ago, but I don't remember it being a problem back then

What version OS X? My older 2008 machine handles HTML5 fine.

Though I don't subscribe to netflix so I cannot test that out.

 

[duervo]

I use Netflix in Safari on my 2011 mini (i7 dual core) without issue, so I doubt it's the age of your system.

Check the console app for any error messages both before and while watching a video.

 

[T5BRICK]

What version OS X? My older 2008 machine handles HTML5 fine.

Though I don't subscribe to netflix so I cannot test that out.

https://help.netflix.com/en/node/23742

Looks like HTML5 requires a 2011 or newer Mac.

 

[Cindori]

I'm pretty sure Chrome defaults to HTML5.
Netflix is working fine on my 2010 MBP without Silverlight installed, using Chrome.
Safari complains about Silverlight not being installed.

 

[brdeveloper]

As my umbp is not new enough to utilise the html5 netflix have implemented, I'm stuck with Silverlight

My fans run at the highest rpm and heats to 85-90+°C when netflix is running, I wouldn't mind this as my laptop constantly runs at 70-85°C but the problem comes when my netflix starts lagging. I just turned my computer back on this afternoon, and within seconds the playback from netflix was lagging and frame skipping, its watchable, obviously, but horrible.

I have 60+mbps internet so connection speed is not the problem, its my mac I presume, anybody know of any fixes?

Heres my activity monitor from just now...
View attachment 555010 View attachment 555011

Thanks for any help,
James

Google Chrome is the solution as Cindori says. It plays Netflix smoothly in HTML5 mode. Make sure you updated the video decoder component by entering the url chrome://components

Safari will only play Netflix in HTML5 on Yosemite AND an i-Series processor (SandyBridge an newer).

 

[james1758]

Google Chrome is the solution as Cindori says. It plays Netflix smoothly in HTML5 mode. Make sure you updated the video decoder component by entering the url chrome://components

Safari will only play Netflix in HTML5 on Yosemite AND an i-Series processor (SandyBridge an newer).

Damn I was hoping there was a way to 'fix' silverlight. But I guess I'll use chrome if that means I can use html5!

How do I update the video decoder in chrome? Because I just got a silverlight notification when I went fullscreen on chrome, does this mean chrome is still using silverlight? Ideally I'd uninstall silverlight but I need it for Sky Go.

 

[brdeveloper]

Damn I was hoping there was a way to 'fix' silverlight. But I guess I'll use chrome if that means I can use html5!

How do I update the video decoder in chrome? Because I just got a silverlight notification when I went fullscreen on chrome, does this mean chrome is still using silverlight? Ideally I'd uninstall silverlight but I need it for Sky Go.

View attachment 555114

Type in the address bar chrome://components and click the button "check for updates at the WidevineCdm line. Then clear cookies (or the entire history, so Netflix playing preference will be reset in the browser).