Updates to Netflix audio

[lovinthehd]

Saw this in a FB group, Netflix has upped the audio ante with higher bitrates!

https://www.flatpanelshd.com/news.php?subaction=showfull&id=1556717977&fbclid=IwAR1ZX3UBZmigtqrMgnRYTEpUSSMrbsLmBpLHVs0YtY59MgmB6i-s7KoSdVc

The Netflix blog post referred to at the bottom of the article:

https://medium.com/netflix-techblog/engineering-a-studio-quality-experience-with-high-quality-audio-at-netflix-eaa0b6145f32

Anyone notice a difference? Not even sure it's already implemented or not....

 

[Needa916]

I have the Firestick 4k, Xbox One, and Shield. I can't tell the difference after this change. Which device would you test? Maybe I need to watch more content and drive my wife nuts

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[lovinthehd]

LOL got me. I had my firestick plugged into my avr and the info button there doesn't show bitrate, so just now I plugged it into my Oppo and it has more info, but not the bitrate. I've not had particular issues with DD+ anyways...and I've read some comments that this came out a while back....dunno. Thought I'd post it and see if anyone can tell the difference or at least confirm it somehow as to what they're getting.

 

[j_garcia]

It doesn't seem to actually say what those bitrates are, but I am sure it is more about them delivering anything higher than what they had before. Not sure how it will affect you when it is set to "forced" audio format.

 

[lovinthehd]

It doesn't seem to actually say what those bitrates are, but I am sure it is more about them delivering anything higher than what they had before. Not sure how it will affect you when it is set to "forced" audio format.

"forced" audio format?

 

[lovinthehd]

Just saw this so guess it started just Wednesday....I didn't notice a difference but have been watching documentaries and a few shows at modest volume....

 

[j_garcia]

"forced" audio format?

As you mentioned, some devices like the Fire devices, give the option to playback everything as DD+, dts, etc... Overriding the native app's audio. So would the better audio delivery benefit in those case? I am thinking it won't.

 

[Matthew J Poes]

Just saw this so guess it started just Wednesday....I didn't notice a difference but have been watching documentaries and a few shows at modest volume....
View attachment 29275

I haven’t had a chance to test this yet but have long felt the sound was awful. At one point I had been feeling like my system just lacked dynamics. It sounded compressed and LFE was just lacking. I turned the subs way up but that just caused an unnatural tonal balance. I was getting the urge to upgrade and then realized I hadn’t watched a Blu-ray in a wile. Just Netflix mostly. Put on a Blu-ray and all was restored. Cracks re-emerged in the foundation, windows fell out of their sash. All was good in the world. Netflix seems to heavily compress the soundtracks of their system.

 

[Needa916]

There seems to be a ton of articles out basically parroting the Netflix press release, without any actual tests. They're claiming that we will hear spectacular differences. I do have to admit that Netflix audio has always bothered me. I have a fairly decent connection and I have that premium package which allows higher bit rates. The Movies Anywhere app sounds way better in my opinion.

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[HTfreak2004]

I agree. Watched U571 on Netflix and wasn’t impressed at all. Went and purchased the DVD copy and scared the marbles I had left right out of my head. Personally never been a fan of convenience based streaming services for true high end sound. Nothing beats having at a minimum a DVD or bluray for surround. Had good luck renting movies from my TV service provider though. Make sure you have Netflix Premium if your wanting HD and 5.1 surround. I think anything less is 2 channel only. Some movies or music sounds close if they used a bluray quality it will sound more like a good DVD. For me that’s acceptable for 17.00 per month especially if your not interested in owning certain titles and simply want to watch the movies your not going to pay 6.00 to rent.

 

[lovinthehd]

I agree. Watched U571 on Netflix and wasn’t impressed at all. Went and purchased the DVD copy and scared the marbles I had left right out of my head. Personally never been a fan of convenience based streaming services for true high end sound. Nothing beats having at a minimum a DVD or bluray for surround. Had good luck renting movies from my TV service provider though. Make sure you have Netflix Premium if your wanting HD and 5.1 surround. I think anything less is 2 channel only. Some movies or music sounds close if they used a bluray quality it will sound more like a good DVD. For me that’s acceptable for 17.00 per month especially if your not interested in owning certain titles and simply want to watch the movies your not going to pay 6.00 to rent.

I don't have 4k or more than 2 devices at a time so don't need Netflix Premium, but just the standard plan which provides HD and DD+ multich (on the content that has it).

 

[lovinthehd]

As you mentioned, some devices like the Fire devices, give the option to playback everything as DD+, dts, etc... Overriding the native app's audio. So would the better audio delivery benefit in those case? I am thinking it won't.

Not sure what you mean by native app audio, for me the app is Netflix and the audio is whatever Netflix sends out which I assume is still DD+ with the higher bitrates so they can offer Atmos metadata. I don't think I get a choice other than stereo or 5.1 (and that shows up as DD+ for playback) that I've noticed lately when going into the audio menu lately.

You mean the native content like provided on a disc? Is that how Netflix even sources or broadcasts content? Assumed they provide content in DD+ due them offering Atmos metadata with some programs....

 

[HTfreak2004]

Maybe the DD 5.1 is only an available option if the component streamed through is capable of that output. When I purchased my Sony UBPx700 Netflix’s was an app so I purchased the premium plan. My dad was letting me use his plan and it had no 5.1 option or trailers available. He showed me his was premium. When I bought the plan through my player I had trailers and surround. Anyway on my main living room tv even with my own plan the TV box has Netflix app however I cannot view trailers for any movie. It is what it is I guess! I’m just glad my man cave theatre bluray player lets me have all the features available!! Maybe it’s a codec the player uses that the TV box lacks of needs an upgrade to use.

 

[lovinthehd]

Maybe the DD 5.1 is only an available option if the component streamed through is capable of that output. When I purchased my Sony UBPx700 Netflix’s was an app so I purchased the premium plan. My dad was letting me use his plan and it had no 5.1 option or trailers available. He showed me his was premium. When I bought the plan through my player I had trailers and surround. Anyway on my main living room tv even with my own plan the TV box has Netflix app however I cannot view trailers for any movie. It is what it is I guess! I’m just glad my man cave theatre bluray player lets me have all the features available!! Maybe it’s a codec the player uses that the TV box lacks of needs an upgrade to use.

I've had DD+ 5.1 lately, but think a long time ago it was just DD....on all my devices that had the Netgflix app except my smart tv, 5.1 wasn't available on that app. Here's Netflix's page on streaming plans in any case. https://help.netflix.com/en/node/24926

 

[HTfreak2004]

Yeah my house had 4 TVs so each can use Netflix’s at the same time. One is 4K, 2 are high def, anc my bluray player will upscale to high def over my projector which is only 1280x720. If does allow 1125i which shows as the max resolution. Anyway I’m happy with the plan just funny how only the 4K smart tv and my bluray will allow trailers but the tv boxes won’t. Thanks for your input!

 

[j_garcia]

Not sure what you mean by native app audio, for me the app is Netflix and the audio is whatever Netflix sends out which I assume is still DD+ with the higher bitrates so they can offer Atmos metadata. I don't think I get a choice other than stereo or 5.1 (and that shows up as DD+ for playback) that I've noticed lately when going into the audio menu lately.

You mean the native content like provided on a disc? Is that how Netflix even sources or broadcasts content? Assumed they provide content in DD+ due them offering Atmos metadata with some programs....

Native app meaning whatever the app streams in. Presumably most use DD or DD+ now, but regardless of that, my Fire TV sends EVERYTHING as DD+, regardless of the original streamed codec.

I did watch some stuff this weekend and noticed the audio is improved, mainly in the bass department.

Maybe the DD 5.1 is only an available option if the component streamed through is capable of that output. When I purchased my Sony UBPx700 Netflix’s was an app so I purchased the premium plan. My dad was letting me use his plan and it had no 5.1 option or trailers available. He showed me his was premium. When I bought the plan through my player I had trailers and surround. Anyway on my main living room tv even with my own plan the TV box has Netflix app however I cannot view trailers for any movie. It is what it is I guess! I’m just glad my man cave theatre bluray player lets me have all the features available!! Maybe it’s a codec the player uses that the TV box lacks of needs an upgrade to use.

Yes, this is device specific. Not all devices support 5.1 output, though more of them do these days.