Why haven't the original Netflix bitrates been restored?

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bigbadkiwi

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#272469 26-Jun-2020 14:11

I was under the assumption that Netflix was reducing the bitrates for 30 days, but that was months ago now back in April. I'm still getting 4K streams at 7.62mb/s whereas originally they were 14.3mb/s. NZ internet, on average, is very good by world standards so is Netflix now just taking the Mickey?

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#2512897 26-Jun-2020 14:16

There's a schedule to restore the bitrates and it's not far away. You might just have to trust that the ISP and Netflix engineers understand what we're doing and are taking a staged, low risk path back to the original bitrates.

Cheers - N

Please note all comments are from my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.

freitasm

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#2512909 26-Jun-2020 14:32

bigbadkiwi:

I was under the assumption that Netflix was reducing the bitrates for 30 days, but that was months ago now back in April. I'm still getting 4K streams at 7.62mb/s whereas originally they were 14.3mb/s. NZ internet, on average, is very good by world standards so is Netflix now just taking the Mickey?

I just got a Fire TV 4K and updated my Netflix plan to Ultra HD. When I tested it yesterday:

bigbadkiwi

85 posts

Master Geek

#2513118 26-Jun-2020 17:22

freitasm:

bigbadkiwi:

I was under the assumption that Netflix was reducing the bitrates for 30 days, but that was months ago now back in April. I'm still getting 4K streams at 7.62mb/s whereas originally they were 14.3mb/s. NZ internet, on average, is very good by world standards so is Netflix now just taking the Mickey?

I just got a Fire TV 4K and updated my Netflix plan to Ultra HD. When I tested it yesterday:

That's interesting. I wonder if it specific to the ISP and the specific CDN? The Witcher series on the Ultra HD plan is still streaming at 7.62mb/s for me. I'm on Orcon gigabit.

freitasm

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#2513181 26-Jun-2020 17:47

I am on 2degrees.

bigbadkiwi

85 posts

Master Geek

#2513760 27-Jun-2020 21:31

freitasm: I am on 2degrees.

Any chance you could test the bitrate you get for 'The Last Dance'? Very strange that even ISP's from the same country and streaming at different bitrates to each other.

panther2

374 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2513761 27-Jun-2020 21:36

just tried the last dance my bitrate is 11.9mbit

skewt

750 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2513776 27-Jun-2020 22:06

Mines still capping at 7.62 Mbps on 2degrees LG TV

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bigbadkiwi

85 posts

Master Geek

#2522611 14-Jul-2020 10:34

Just wondering what bitrate everyone else is getting over different ISP's connected to the various NZ-based Netflix CDN's, not overseas VPN's. Im on Orcon gigabit in Christchurch and The Last Dance and The Witcher have a maximum bitrate of 11.44mb/s, which is getting close to the original pre-covid Ultra HD bitrate of 15.25mb/s. I have a 75inch panel, so every megabit makes a difference when the image is blown up larger.

I have friends over in Melbourne and Sydney that have been back to original bitrate for about a week or so (even though NBN is average at best). Just interested to see what Ultra HD Netflix bitrate everyone is getting on Spark, Vodafone, 2degrees etc.

NzBeagle

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#2522612 14-Jul-2020 10:37

bigbadkiwi:

Just wondering what bitrate everyone else is getting over different ISP's connected to the various NZ-based Netflix CDN's, not overseas VPN's. Im on Orcon gigabit in Christchurch and The Last Dance and The Witcher have a maximum bitrate of 11.44mb/s, which is getting close to the original pre-covid Ultra HD bitrate of 15.25mb/s. I have a 75inch panel, so every megabit makes a difference when the image is blown up larger.

I have friends over in Melbourne and Sydney that have been back to original bitrate for about a week or so (even though NBN is average at best). Just interested to see what Ultra HD Netflix bitrate everyone is getting on Spark, Vodafone, 2degrees etc.

I haven't spent too long trying different shows, but did note 11.44 also over the weekend, compared with the same pre-covid rate you mentioned that I used to see. On VF using Android TV app.

jamesrt

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#2522644 14-Jul-2020 12:08

How does one measure/report the bitrate ? I'd be using a chromecast, most likely.

bigbadkiwi

85 posts

Master Geek

#2522665 14-Jul-2020 13:04

jamesrt:

How does one measure/report the bitrate ? I'd be using a chromecast, most likely.

I'm not too sure that you can check stream info on Chromecast. I know you can on Samsung, LG and PlayStation.

rugrat

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#2522706 14-Jul-2020 14:21

jamesrt:

How does one measure/report the bitrate ? I'd be using a chromecast, most likely.

The pictures of some graphs look like they’re from online monitor in the Fritz box, so wondering if they are using their modem/routers.

I’m going to have a look at mine next time I’m running a UHD on Netflix, nothing else running, just out of interest.

eracode

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#2522788 14-Jul-2020 14:56

bigbadkiwi:

jamesrt:

How does one measure/report the bitrate ? I'd be using a chromecast, most likely.

I'm not too sure that you can check stream info on Chromecast. I know you can on Samsung, LG and PlayStation.

How do you do it on an LG TV please?

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

bigbadkiwi

85 posts

Master Geek

#2522824 14-Jul-2020 16:01

jamesrt:

How do you do it on an LG TV please?

With the newer LG TV's with the newer remotes you have to download the 'LG TV Plus' app and run it on the same network. Then push the blue Info 'button' and the info should all appear up on the top left.

NzBeagle

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#2522890 14-Jul-2020 18:15

The Old Guard is coming through as 15.25 for me this evening. (Dolby Vision)
If I recall correctly I was watching the other night, as Orange is the New Black, it is still 11.44. (Ultra HD 4K)

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