Are Netflix usually 'anti' android set top boxes or was I just unlucky.?

Forums › Online streaming services › Are Netflix usually 'anti' android set top boxes or was I just unlucky.?

UreKismet

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#249122 26-Apr-2019 16:18

OK background. I've been a Netflix subscriber since 2015, pretty much since they kicked off in Aotearoa and during that time I have always used some type of android system to stream content through. I have used home built Pi's plus ever more powerful android boxes. The current one I use is marked H96 Pro. I think it is a generic and usually has the H96 stuff but also other names of distributors sometimes.

This one uses some sort of 8 core processor and has a fair whack of RAM in it also which is great for decoding/decompressing HiDef files.

I decided to stick with a box after I mistook the prices on a smart TV for their phone number - yeah an old one, but even now that smart TV's are more reasonably priced they (imo) are severely under engineered so that they tend to struggle with 265 files if they even take em.

None of that has much to do with netflix but it is the reason I use a set top box and up until recently it played and/or downloaded netflix shows.

A while back a message came up saying the netflix app should be upgraded, but when I went to GooglePlay which is where I used to go for upgrades to that app there was no listing for the netflix app just a long list of 3rd party apps that were irrelevant.

Anyway the upshot is that when I boot up the netflix app it starts OK but the main page no longer comes up.

I get an error message saying 'Error loading billboard'. I can still search and browse, but no longer have a list of series I have begun and not finished or ones I have listed as being interested in.

Other netflix users can attest how difficult it is to find out "What's On" as it is. Now it is really tiresome so today I decided to ask Netflix how to fix the problem using their txt chat helpdesk.

All I got was the 3rd degree on what was the brand of device and did it have a netflix button on the remote, or a netflix label in the device. If no they couldn't help, weren't aware of anything about Google Play blah blah.

Has anyone else had this problem? Either with android boxes, or with Netflix 'support'?

I'm sorely tempted to give NF the flick since the gaps between what I consider to be shows I want to watch on netflix seem to be growing longer and longer. I'm not keen on splashing out for either a chromecast or an appleTV update since I believe the system I use to be superior, Yep I'm stubborn and no spring chicken.

1 | 2

8312 posts

Uber Geek

#2225678 26-Apr-2019 16:39

Unlocked and rooted by chance??

This was from 2017..

"The Android app of Netflix is no longer available to be downloaded from the Google Play Store for unlocked and rooted Android devices."

https://www.techtimes.com/articles/207304/20170515/netflix-no-longer-available-in-google-play-store-for-unlocked-and-rooted-android-smartphones.htm

"According to a statement from Netflix, version 5.0 and later requires Google’s Widevine DRM and “only works with devices that are certified by Google and meet all Android requirements"

https://liliputing.com/2017/05/cant-download-netflix-rooted-unlocked-android-phones-anymore-play-store-least.html

rugrat

3106 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2225682 26-Apr-2019 17:07

Regards giving Netflix the flick, because gaps between your want to watch shows getting longer,

If they don’t have what want to watch then be a mug not to, they retain your data for 10 months so when join again where up to and everything is still there.

Star Trek Discovery finished so I’ve canceled mine. When I load applic on TV there’s a restart subscription button there so looks like no big hassle to restart.

There’s stuff on Netflix I’m interested in but have free Amazon from 2degrees, and there’s stuff there as well so don’t see point in having both.

If Star Trek Discovery or another one with same level of interest starts up, I’ll restart it.
Or if Amazon starts to run out of content of interest to me.

rlevis

347 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2225684 26-Apr-2019 17:09

As mentioned in the first article, you may be able to use Magisk to get around the issue.

nzkc

1571 posts

Uber Geek

#2225792 26-Apr-2019 20:28

I use a MiBox. Works great - never had a problem with it. And it's not that highly powered at all and especially compared to latest hardware. I think some of the previous posters are probably onto something with the potential for rooted devices etc. Never had to deal with Netflix support so cant say if thats good or not.

Another difference might be Android TV vs Android (on a TV box - which is different).

BlakJak

1275 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#2225881 26-Apr-2019 22:14

I use the Netflix app on our Xbox One. And on my cellphone when on the train. And use the browser when watching on my laptop in bed. Not sure failing to support a relatively obscure set top box is enough to kill all interest in Netflix.

By all means make the decision on perceived return on investment, however. If there's no content for you, then platform should be irrelevant. If there's content, then consider one of the many other ways to consume.

No signature to see here, move along...

richms

28168 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2225918 26-Apr-2019 22:18

I have a cheap android running box that had netflix die on it a while back, I found an apk from somewhere that got it working again but its trash quality, only seems to be 480p or similar quality so pretty much useless to me. Even before it died from the old one on it going unsupported it was only ever 720p I think. Also didnt have the nice user interface that the firetv or mibox get.

Richard rich.ms

ANglEAUT

2320 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2226039 27-Apr-2019 09:43

BlakJak: ... Not sure failing to support a relatively obscure set top box is enough to kill all interest in Netflix. ...

I reject your reality. Netflix support is very unhelpful. Every OS has generic drivers so that you can at least get the PC working. Is it really that difficult to write a generic / basic app for the minimum requirements?

UreKismet: ... so today I decided to ask Netflix how to fix the problem using their txt chat helpdesk. All I got was the 3rd degree on what was the brand of device and did it have a netflix button on the remote, or a netflix label in the device. If no they couldn't help, weren't aware of anything about Google Play blah blah. Has anyone else had this problem? Either with android boxes, or with Netflix 'support'? ...

Yes & yes. Got frustrated enough to switch to PC instead.

Please keep this GZ community vibrant by contributing in a constructive & respectful manner.

Equinox IT

Cloud spending continues to surge globally, but most organisations haven’t made the changes necessary to maximise the value and cost-efficiency benefits of their cloud investments. Download the whitepaper From Overspend to Advantage now.

Rikkitic

Awrrr
18657 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2226043 27-Apr-2019 09:55

BlakJak:

@Blakjak: When I click on your signature I see this:

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

UreKismet

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2226281 27-Apr-2019 12:58

I've got no idea if the box is unlocked or rooted if so it certainly wasn't by me, afaik it is just one of the standard (but more expensive) android TV boxes. I gave up all that other nonsense long ago since I prefer to keep things simple and pay. As far as being obscure, this box is allegedly a big seller, but I fear that Netflix have decided to rest on their laurels after eating up market share and are pulling the old licensing dodge. That is only those devices which give a kickback to Netflix in the form of a license fee per unit are supported. That was bad enough between Samsung and TVNZ but at least that was free at the time- with Netflix we are all customers paying their fee so they should be supporting all their customers. As others have pointed out making a set of common drivers for android idn't a biggie for an enterprise as large as Netflix.

People want to get all sniffy about the US branded boxes is fine but I've got thru a fair few of them over the years and apart from one Netgear NeoTV from about 10 years ago, most have been total rubbish with insufficient processing or memory to play HiDef vids without stuttering and lag.

NF can pose and preen about only supporting quality but really this is just the usual corporate "we've made it to the top" monopolistic cost-cutting which is reflected in the lowered production values of many new releases and their refusal to properly curate their films & shows so that finding something specific is a struggle even when customers can access their front page.

The only thing which surprises me about any of this is mugs' refusal to see the current corporate practice of hiding away from customers and providing minimum support for what it is, a refusal by big tech to support the communities they feed off by employing more staff.

UreKismet

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2226334 27-Apr-2019 13:54

Oh one more thing thanks for the suggestiions I managed to get the latest netflix apk and install it. Problem has gone I get the billboard when I open Netflix once more.

Thanks to all for their kind assistance.

BlakJak

1275 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#2226460 27-Apr-2019 17:38

Rikkitic:
BlakJak:

@Blakjak: When I click on your signature I see this:

(Not sure why it belongs on a public thread...)

I took my site offline when I didn't have time to deal with what had become a very out-of-date Drupal instance. I havn't restored it yet. I shall remove it from my signature. A shame, given how I had some good search results built up...

No signature to see here, move along...

Rikkitic

Awrrr
18657 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2226462 27-Apr-2019 17:49

BlakJak:

(Not sure why it belongs on a public thread...)

It doesn't of course. I was just calling it to your attention. Sorry. PM would have been better.

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

Batman

Mad Scientist
29760 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2226500 27-Apr-2019 19:16

Can OP download a version of APK that works on his device and side load?

BlakJak

1275 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#2226510 27-Apr-2019 19:47

Batman:
Can OP download a version of APK that works on his device and side load?

Precisely what he said he did in his post 6 hours before yours ;-)

No signature to see here, move along...

BlakJak

1275 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#2226516 27-Apr-2019 20:07

ANglEAUT:
BlakJak: ... Not sure failing to support a relatively obscure set top box is enough to kill all interest in Netflix. ...

I reject your reality. Netflix support is very unhelpful. Every OS has generic drivers so that you can at least get the PC working. Is it really that difficult to write a generic / basic app for the minimum requirements?

Your links fail to convince me, except that it seems to be a pretty neat looking machine... it doesn't, however, appear to be one of the 'standard target audience' type boxes that you'd expect a commercial vendor like Netflix to build their software on (and test). Is it difficult? No not really, but it's a cost. I'd love for Netflix to do it, but the realist (cynic?) in me would expect it to be bottom of the pile, because most people will be using iOS, Android, PC, or the 'most common' set-top variations (Xbox, Playstation, SmartTV's, etc) ... I imagine the number of people using an H96 represents a fairly small marketshare.

Would love to be proven wrong.

Years ago I was gifted an Asus O-Play media box and though I found it pretty neat - it still gets a bit of use - the truth is that the streaming services it supports are essentially obscure in the NZ market, and quite limited. I kinda see the H96 the same way.

I was quite impressed with Kodi when I used it on my Pi, and it'd be my default go-to for media playback... I had a wee go at making Netflix work on it a while back, didn't play nice, and the Xbox 'just worked', so...

UreKismet: ... so today I decided to ask Netflix how to fix the problem using their txt chat helpdesk. All I got was the 3rd degree on what was the brand of device and did it have a netflix button on the remote, or a netflix label in the device. If no they couldn't help, weren't aware of anything about Google Play blah blah. Has anyone else had this problem? Either with android boxes, or with Netflix 'support'? ...

Yes & yes. Got frustrated enough to switch to PC instead.

I will say that the above description of Netflix tech support sounds very much like any 'big name' company i've ever dealt with... we're working with a bit of an edge-case here and the front-line tech support won't likely have a cloo. The old story. I'm sure there's an XKCD about it...

edit: fixed up the quoting

No signature to see here, move along...

1 | 2