Hard to believe, but its true. If you want the best Netflix experience only Internet Explorer can deliver on Windows:
Linux is out of luck. No 1080p for you.
Mac 1080p only with Safari.

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

Resolution: Stream in HD if your Internet connection supports 5 megabits per second or more.

 

• Google Chrome up to 720p
• Internet Explorer up to 1080p
• Safari up to 1080p on Mac OSX 10.10.3 or later

Low and behold, trying IE and yes indeed an obvious improvement in movie quality from what I was used to in chrome. In IE can see individual hairs in Watchmen, in Chrome its dvd quality.
No, my internet connection isn't the problem. 100mbps UFB. No silverlight installed (really, who uses that!).

Let the rioting begin