I want the whole enchilada

[sterling shoote]

I recently tried Netflex, for about a day, enough time to discover, it seems, everything is streamed in stereo. What's that all about? Isn't this a Dolby Digital/DTS world today? Stereo was 30 years ago, you remember, it first appeared on Betamax. At any rate, I've got a Sony SMP-N100 Network Media Player, which, according to Sony will pass through a Dolby Digital signal. My question is where would such a Dolby Digital signal come from. So far, the only Dolby Digital and DTS stuff I have been able to enjoy is on DVD or BD.

 

[Adam]

At least on the PS3, I had to manually select 5.1 as the audio option on the first video that had it - after that, it remembered my choice.

There are several videos that are available in 5.1 on Netflix, but there are also a lot that are still stereo. I don't know if 5.1 is available on your Sony. For a long time, Netflix only did 5.1 on a PS3 and nothing else. Recently, though, more and more hardware is able to do it.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

So far (afaik) only devices to support netflix dolby digital plus 5.1 streaming are: PS3, Xbox 360 and Roku 2
The selection of titles with 5.1 sound is still limited

 

[Adam]

At least some LG equipment can do it, too, as of late last year.

 

[BMXTRIX]

I will continue to say that if you really want it all, then streaming is not the way to go. I certainly enjoy a streamed TV show or two that I may miss live. I enjoy YouTube videos, and other online content.

But, when it comes to movies, I have to get it on Blu-ray and really maximize the quality of my system. I'm not going to argue about the convenience of streaming or anything else. The quality simply isn't there, and I didn't drop thousands of dollars to NOT get it all.

You can't get it all. Audio isn't DD/DTS today, it is lossless. It WAS DD/DTS a decade ago.

I do encourage you to look into your player settings and compatibility with Netflix, but really, if you want it all, then you won't find it anywhere in the menu settings of any streaming device I have heard of. (yet)

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I've been getting Netflix 5.1 DD+ bitstream from my $100 Panasonic 110 BD to my Denon AVR for like over a year now. Sounds pretty good. Also love the 1080p video & subtitles.

Not all movies will have 5.1 DD+ sound, 1080p video, and subtitles.

And certainly not all BD players are able to bitstream 5.1 DD+ sound or play1080p video and subtitles.

So try the $129 Panasonic 220 BD player and get 5.1 Dolby Digital Plus bitstream from Netflix.

 

[sholling]

To the best of my knowledge nothing much has changed since the October thread except that a few more manufacturers may have rolled out a version of Netflix with DD+. The Sony N100 is still an older and very limited player (reviews) and only a very limited number of Netflix titles are in HD with 5.1 sound and not all players support either. You may want to ask Sony if they have an upgraded version of Netflix with 5.1 sound for the N100. A lot will also depend on the speed of your connection because streaming services will adjust quality to fit your bandwidth. Personally I watch Netfix streaming as a substitute for 2AM infomercials and rely on Blu-Ray discs for high quality audio and video because streaming quality isn't as good.

The site Hacking Netflix and LG suggest that Netflix needs the following for single stream:
Minimum -----> 1.5 Mbps
DVD Quality --> 3 Mbps
HD -----------> 5-8 Mbps

Single stream (1 player) bandwidth requirements for Vudu:
SD ---> 1 Mbps to 2 Mbps
HD ---> 2.25 Mbps to 4.5 Mbps
HDX --> 4.5 Mbps to 9 Mbps

Thread from 10/11/2011.

Default Dolby Digital from Netflix?
I purchased a Sony streaming media player today. Then, I signed up for Netflex. So far, the movies I've streamed are 16/44 PCM stereo. I expected Dolby Digital. What's up with that?

 

[sterling shoote]

Well, it appears, nothing has changed, except my streaming speed which, I think, supports just about anything. I suppose I'll just continue to buy BD's which appeal to me, gives me an excuse to buy an OPPO 93 for various functions.

 

[sholling]

Well, it appears, nothing has changed, except my streaming speed which, I think, supports just about anything. I suppose I'll just continue to buy BD's which appeal to me, gives me an excuse to buy an OPPO 93 for various functions.

The Oppo BDP-93 is a darn good Blu-Ray/DVD player but not much of a streaming media player or network player media player. If you have a PS3 you may find that it's all the Blu-Ray player and Netflix box that you need.