netflix streaming quality settings what do they do?

[Teletha]

I just wonder what that option to the right (CDN) is and why can't i change the audio bitrate. But i mean the audio bitrate is really low 64? am i mistaken cause the series i download run in AC3 384kbps i mean that is a lot vs 64?

 

[Kingofpants]

Thats SD quality audio. Likely because higher quality one isn't avalible.

[Kingofpants]

Btw , the Relation between Audio bitrate and percieved quality isn't linear.

Its more like this

[LtRoyalShrimp]

Since when does netflix have "options"? 

[RogueCow]

Since when does netflix have "options"? 

 

Netflix has always had streaming options, you can set streaming quality from low 240p, up to 4k if available, or auto based on network.

 

This is the first time I have seen those settings though? What Browser is that?

[LtRoyalShrimp]

Netflix has always had streaming options, you can set streaming quality from low 240p, up to 4k if available, or auto based on network.

 

This is the first time I have seen those settings though? What Browser is that?

I am able to select "Allow HD" and thats it...

[RogueCow]

I am able to select "Allow HD" and thats it...

If you go into your account> Playback Settings, it will give you a list of qualities to choose from.

 

Again, i dont know where that OP menu is located...

[KemoKa]

 But i mean the audio bitrate is really low 64? am i mistaken cause the series i download run in AC3 384kbps i mean that is a lot vs 64?

in games and in music, high music bitrate is crucial because most people are going to be wearing fairly decent headphones and a better audio experience for music or games is always much nicer. you don't notice it that much in things like films and TV shows. It's a tradeoff, because (and I don't want to make a blanket statement here, but oh well) the vast majority of netflix users are either going to be watching it on a television or a mobile device, which all have rubbish speakers, or be old grandmas, who generally have hearing which has degraded enough that such differences in audio quality will be unnoticeable at worst anyway. 64kbps is awful for music, but for TV it's not bad. but remember that lossless m4a audio files have 128kbps bitrates, and they sound awesome (because they are "lossless") it also means that you have more bandwidth that can be dedicated as overhead for streaming the video. It's like motion blur for live 24fps video. it looks just fine.

Trust me, 64kbps is a lot better than it used to be back in the days of set-top boxes and those awful antennas. on normal speakers, I bet you $5 that if you could crank it up to 256kbps or even 384, you would not be able to hear the difference.

[Teletha]

I am able to select "Allow HD" and thats it...

 

 

netflix uses silverlight for the video stuff so you can make a short hotkey command to get that menu (not while in fullscreen) CTRL+Alt+shift+S.

 

But i still don't know what that CDN thing is..

[Trik'Stari]

They determine whether or not your ISP will have a hissy fit and throttle the video you are trying to watch.