Netflix stream-quality controversy: Difference between revisions

changing title header so it describes issue rather than repeating word netflix twice
I moved some points from the things that Netflix doesn’t disclose, to the things that Netflix does disclose providing references to Netflix’s Help Center. I also added an extra section for requirements where different help articles on the official Netflix website give different answers.
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* '''Internet Speed''': The recommendation of 15 Mbps for 4K streaming.
* '''Internet Speed''': The recommendation of 15 Mbps for 4K streaming.
* '''Device Compatibility''': Ensuring all devices in the setup support 4K video playback.
* '''Device Compatibility''': Ensuring all devices in the setup support 4K video playback.
* '''Browser/App Compatibility''': Mention that Microsoft Edge (version 118 or later) or the official Netflix app is required to stream 4K content on Windows-based platforms. Likewise, mention that Safari (version 12 or later) is required for 4K playback on Macs (there’s no Netflix app for macOS).<ref name=":2">https://help.netflix.com/en/node/30081</ref>
* '''Display Requirements''': Mention of HDCP 2.2-compliant HDMI ports and display resolution for external devices.
* '''Display Requirements''': Mention of HDCP 2.2-compliant HDMI ports and display resolution for external devices.
* '''Account Settings''': Instructions to set playback settings to High or Auto for 4K.
* '''Account Settings''': Instructions to set playback settings to High or Auto for 4K.
* '''Title Verification''': Guidelines on identifying titles that support 4K or HDR.
* '''Title Verification''': Guidelines on identifying titles that support 4K or HDR.
* '''Mobile Device Limitations''': It mentions HDR might not stream on mobile devices in low power mode. It also does address limitations like Widevine DRM levels.<ref>https://help.netflix.com/en/node/23939</ref>


=== 3. Requirements that Netflix does NOT disclose ===
=== 3. Requirements that Netflix does NOT disclose ===
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* '''DRM Requirements''': No explicit mention of the need for Widevine L1, PlayReady 3.0, or FairPlay DRM.
* '''DRM Requirements''': No explicit mention of the need for Widevine L1, PlayReady 3.0, or FairPlay DRM.
* '''Codec Support''': The necessity of HEVC (H.265) support is not detailed.
* '''Codec Support''': The necessity of HEVC (H.265) support is not detailed.
* '''Browser Limitations''': Restrictions on browsers for 4K playback, such as only Edge and Safari being supported, are omitted.
* '''Operating System Versions''': Specific Regarding MacOS, different Help Center pages provide different information, some, that macOS 10.11 or later is required <ref name=":3">https://help.netflix.com/en/node/55764</ref>, others that macOS 10.15 or later is required, <ref name=":2" /> which leads to confusion.
* '''Operating System Versions''': Specific operating system version requirements are not highlighted.
* '''Processor and GPU Capabilities''': The requirement for devices with processors and GPUs capable of hardware decoding HEVC efficiently is not mentioned.
* '''Processor and GPU Capabilities''': The requirement for devices with processors and GPUs capable of hardware decoding HEVC efficiently is not mentioned.
* '''Firmware Updates''': While it suggests keeping devices updated, there is no detail on the necessity for specific firmware versions for 4K, only for Nvidia drivers.
* '''Firmware Updates''': While it suggests keeping devices updated, there is no detail on the necessity for specific firmware versions for 4K, only for Nvidia drivers.
* '''Mobile Device Limitations''': It mentions HDR might not stream on mobile devices in low power mode but does not address limitations like Widevine DRM levels.
 
=== 4. Contradictory requirements / misleading documentation ===
 
* '''System version requirements''': Some Help Center pages state that 4K playback is supported on macOS 10.11 or later<ref name=":3" />, others, that macOS 10.15 or later is required. <ref name=":2" /> This will lead to confusion among potential new Netflix customers looking if their device will support 4K playback.


== Summary ==
== Summary ==