Netflix stream-quality controversy

The Netflix stream-quality controversy involves Netflix's advertising of 4K resolution for its streaming service while also not adequately disclosing the conditions and restrictions.

4K plan doesn't provide a 4K resolution stream

Netflix imposes restrictions on accessing 4K streaming without fully disclosing the conditions under which these restrictions apply; all prerequisites for receiving a 4K stream are not listed in the terms of use, terms & conditions, or help page. When new users sign up, Netflix defaults them to the 4K premium plan, without clearly informing them of the intentional limitations on accessing 4K content.

Netflix, in their Terms of Service (TOS), lists reasons why the quality of its content may vary from different devices, as stated in clause 4.7:

The quality of the display of the Netflix content may vary from device to device, and may be affected by a variety of factors, such as your location, the bandwidth available through and/or speed of your Internet connection.

One of the factors not listed is the use of Widevine, a Digital Rights Management (DRM) software which is embedded into most web browsers such as Chrome, Chromium, Electron (CEF), Firefox, Edge, Opera, Safari, etc. DRM technology prevents screen capture of media hosted on Netflix. One method, such as 'SECURE_DECODE,' utilizes Widevine to decode each displayed frame. However, this process consumes more bandwidth. To compensate, Netflix lowers the streaming resolution to 720p in web browsers. Currently, Netflix offers 1080p video resolution on every plan on their Plans and Pricing for a subscription. Consumers who watch Netflix on web browsers will be paying for 1080p resolution while only receiving 720p resolution maximum due to DRM. The TOS allows Netflix to claim the user's device faulty or the user's internet speed slow to justify this behavior.

Netflix signup page: plan choice, bottom of page.

Netflix terms of service covering streaming quality

The existence of these limitations is only disclosed in small font at the bottom of the page where users select a plan. The 4K HDR option, which is set as the default, features an eye-catching icon with vibrant colors designed to draw attention to this more expensive choice. Meanwhile, users must scroll to the bottom of the page to find a link to a document explaining the limitations.

Terms of Service analysis

Currently, Netflix advertises 1080p video resolution on all plans listed in their Plans and Pricing section. However, consumers watching Netflix on web browsers pay for 1080p resolution but are limited to a maximum of 720p due to DRM restrictions.

Netflix's Terms of Service (TOS) outlines important details regarding video-quality limitations in Section 4.7, which states:

4.7. The quality of the display of the Netflix content may vary from device to device, and may be affected by a variety of factors, such as your location, the bandwidth available through and/or speed of your Internet connection. HD, Ultra HD and HDR availability is subject to your Internet service and device capabilities. Not all content is available in all formats, such as HD, Ultra HD or HDR and not all plans allow you to receive content in all formats. The minimum connection speed for HD video quality (defined as a resolution of 720p or higher) is 3.0 Mbps per stream; however, we recommend a faster connection for improved video quality. A connection speed of at least 5.0 Mbps per stream is recommended to receive Full HD video quality (defined as a resolution of 1080p or higher). A connection speed of at least 15.0 Mbps per stream is recommended to receive Ultra HD video quality (defined as a resolution of 4K or higher). You are responsible for all Internet access charges. Please check with your Internet provider for information on possible Internet data usage charges. Netflix makes no representations or warranties about the quality of your watching experience on your display. The time it takes to begin watching Netflix content will vary based on a number of factors, including your location, available bandwidth at the time, the Netflix content you have selected and the configuration of your Netflix ready device.

Streaming requirements and lack of disclosure

Complete list of requirements

• Netflix Premium plan: Subscription to the Premium Plan.
• Device compatibility: Devices must support 4K playback and be Netflix-certified.
• Processor: An Intel 7th generation Core CPU or newer with Intel SGX enabled, or an AMD Ryzen CPU.
• GPU: Nvidia GeForce GPU 1050 or newer, AMD Radeon RX 400 series or newer GPU.
• Display requirements: A screen with a resolution of at least 3840x2160 and HDCP 2.2-compliant HDMI ports (for external displays).
• DRM support: Hardware-based DRM like Widevine L1, PlayReady v3.0 SL3000, or FairPlay is required.
• HEVC codec support: Devices must support hardware decoding of the HEVC (H.265) codec for 4K playback.
• Internet speed: A stable internet connection of at least 15 Mbps.
• Operating system: Supported OS versions, e.g., Windows 10/11, macOS (Safari), and specific Android/iOS versions.
• Browser and app compatibility: Certain browsers (e.g., Microsoft Edge, Safari) and official Netflix apps are required.
• Updated firmware and software: Devices must run the latest firmware or software, NVIDIA Driver version 387.96 or newer.
• Title availability: Not all titles are available in 4K; the content must be marked as 4K or UHD.

Requirements that Netflix does disclose

• Subscription plan: The need for the Premium Plan for 4K content.
• Internet speed: The recommendation of 15 Mbps for 4K streaming.
• Device compatibility: Ensuring all devices in the setup support 4K video playback.
• Browser and 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).
• 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.
• 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 addresses limitations like Widevine DRM levels.

Requirements that Netflix does not disclose

• DRM requirements: No explicit mention of the need for Widevine L1, PlayReady v3.0 SL3000, or FairPlay DRM.
• Codec support: The necessity of HEVC (H.265) support is not detailed.
• 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.

4K content isn't available on the platform even when it exists

Netflix routinely licenses HD content even though 4K HDR is readily available, including for blockbuster movies^{[citation needed]}. This isn't advertised anywhere.^{[citation needed]}

For example: Transformers: Rise of the Beasts is HD only on Netflix,^{[citation needed]} whereas it’s clearly available in UHD on other platforms, or Blu-ray.

Another movie is Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. To the right is a somewhat scribbled flowchart I made that visually demonstrates how Netflix doesn't even return 720p through a paid Netflix 4K premium plan. This is on a device with excellent hardware and a fast, stable internet connection, and a movie which certainly exists in a higher resolution.

Source linking from different statements from the picture, and links from within the wikipedia pages (and more).

Camera used in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom and final mastering resolution used in professional production in 2017

The movie was shot with Arri Alexa 65, capable of a maximum recording resolution of 6560 x 3100, with these sensor crop modes:

• 1.78 Crop Mode: 5120 x 2880

• 1.50 Crop Mode: 4320 x 2880

• LF Open Gate: 4448 x 3096

• 4K UHD: 3840 x 2160

That they would shoot a movie in UHD resolution with a camera worth 150-200k USD and downsize it to 960x540 (similar to some DVD format and even VHS we had back in the 2000's) during post processing in 2018 is extremely unlikely and illogical.

Here is an interview with a professional in 2017 (not working on Jurassic world: Fallen Kingdom) talking about why it is common to film in ultra high resolution and downscale. Note that he never mentioned any lower resolution than 1080p:

From a technical side, sure, we can "future proof" the quality by mastering in 4K UHD and releasing in 1080p today only to re-release our films in 4K UHD years later without having to scale the resolution where we lose quality over the image.

An additional take from the same interview which is a bit relevant because Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom uses alot of VFX:

In some projects, we're starting to bring in a lot more VFX, so having the added resolution makes a big difference with our VFX team, giving them a larger canvas to work with.

An entertainment journalism website announced the different home release versions of the movie in 2018:

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom arrives on Digital and via the digital movie app MOVIES ANYWHERE on September 4, 2018, as well as on 4K Ultra HD, 3D Blu-ray™, Blu-ray™, DVD and On Demand on September 18, 2018, Additionally, Universal is dropping a Jurassic five-film collection on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray™ and DVD on September 18, 2018

Additional proof that there exist high-resolution versions of the movie

Forbes review: "Fallen Kingdom is a gorgeous, mostly enjoyable blockbuster that looked great in IMAX."[1]

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom 4K review [2]

Another Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom 4K review:[3]

More sources that show/sell high resolution versions of the movie [4][5]

A "making of the film" video on youtube, on a channel owned by Universal Pictures themselves, and they state in the description of the video "Own it on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD & Digital Now"[6]

You can rent the video on youtube in 1080p.[7]

(I added another picture where I show that the feed on youtube IS in fact 1080p, and it also shows that my connection speed is 55004 Kbps or around 55 Mbps, buffring the video to 37.81s took a handful of seconds. This is more proof to show that my connection speed is not part of the issue.)