Netflix stream-quality controversy: Difference between revisions
Removed unnecessary UTM parameters from links in the references list |
Added Intel processor and SGX requirement, added some clarity on hardware decoding requirement, added info on users who have problems despite meeting the requirements, removed duplicate reference, added references, fixed spelling mistakes |
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Netflix places limits on your ability to receive a 4k stream and does not disclose all conditions under which these limits apply. Netflix defaults users to the 4K premium plan when signing up new users, while obfuscating the fact that they place willful, purposeful limitations on your ability to receive a 4K stream. '''If users were fully informed of these limitations, they might elect to not subscribe to the more expensive plan that netflix defaults new customers to; but this information is not provided to the customer.''' This would not be an issue if Netflix provided this information upfront, but they do not. This is even worse than the [[EULA roofie]]<ref>[[EULA roofie]]</ref> , as all prerequisites to receive a 4k stream are not even listed in the terms of use<ref>https://help.netflix.com/legal/termsofuse</ref>, terms & conditions<ref>https://www.netflix.shop/pages/terms-conditions | Netflix places limits on your ability to receive a 4k stream and does not disclose all conditions under which these limits apply. Netflix defaults users to the 4K premium plan when signing up new users, while obfuscating the fact that they place willful, purposeful limitations on your ability to receive a 4K stream. '''If users were fully informed of these limitations, they might elect to not subscribe to the more expensive plan that netflix defaults new customers to; but this information is not provided to the customer.''' This would not be an issue if Netflix provided this information upfront, but they do not. This is even worse than the [[EULA roofie]]<ref>[[EULA roofie]]</ref> , as all prerequisites to receive a 4k stream are not even listed in the terms of use<ref>https://help.netflix.com/legal/termsofuse</ref>, terms & conditions<ref>https://www.netflix.shop/pages/terms-conditions | ||
</ref>, or help page<ref>https://help.netflix.com/en/node/13444</ref>. | </ref>, or help page<ref name=":0">https://help.netflix.com/en/node/13444</ref>. | ||
Netflix, in their [https://help.netflix.com/legal/termsofuse 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 [https://developers.google.com/widevine/drm/overview 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. A DRM protects media hosted on Netflix from being screen-captured, with one of the methods using "SECURE_DECODE", which uses Widevine to decode each frame displayed. This method demands more bandwidth, with Netflix appeasing the disparity by decreasing the quality to 720p on web browsers. | Netflix, in their [https://help.netflix.com/legal/termsofuse 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 [https://developers.google.com/widevine/drm/overview 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. A DRM protects media hosted on Netflix from being screen-captured, with one of the methods using "SECURE_DECODE", which uses Widevine to decode each frame displayed. This method demands more bandwidth, with Netflix appeasing the disparity by decreasing the quality to 720p on web browsers. | ||
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=== 1. Complete List of Prerequisites for Netflix 4K Streaming {NEEDS CITATIONS, THIS IS BASED ON UNCONFIRMED USER REPORTS} === | === 1. Complete List of Prerequisites for Netflix 4K Streaming {NEEDS CITATIONS, THIS IS BASED ON UNCONFIRMED USER REPORTS} === | ||
* '''Netflix Premium Plan''': Subscription to the Premium Plan. ''made obvious by | * '''Netflix Premium Plan''': Subscription to the Premium Plan. ''made obvious by Netflix'' | ||
* '''Device Compatibility''': Devices must support 4K playback and be Netflix-certified. | * '''Device Compatibility''': Devices must support 4K playback and be Netflix-certified. | ||
* '''Processor''': Intel processor with Intel SGX enabled, AMD processors are not supported, ''allegedly''.<ref>https://i.redd.it/qd5b42b6814c1.png</ref> | |||
* '''Display Requirements''': A screen with a resolution of at least 3840x2160 and HDCP 2.2-compliant HDMI ports (for external displays). ''HDCP compliant HDMI ports is only made obvious on a help page not linked to on the signup page or the terms of use linked to on the signup page.'' | * '''Display Requirements''': A screen with a resolution of at least 3840x2160 and HDCP 2.2-compliant HDMI ports (for external displays). ''HDCP compliant HDMI ports is only made obvious on a help page not linked to on the signup page or the terms of use linked to on the signup page.'' | ||
* '''DRM Support''': Hardware-based DRM like Widevine L1, PlayReady 3.0, or FairPlay is required. | * '''DRM Support''': Hardware-based DRM like Widevine L1, PlayReady 3.0, or FairPlay is required. | ||
* '''HEVC Codec Support''': Devices must support HEVC (H.265) codec for 4K playback. | * '''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. | * '''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. | * '''Operating System''': Supported OS versions, e.g., Windows 10/11, macOS (Safari), and specific Android/iOS versions. | ||
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* '''Browser Limitations''': Restrictions on browsers for 4K playback, such that only Edge and Safari are supported, are omitted. | * '''Browser Limitations''': Restrictions on browsers for 4K playback, such that only Edge and Safari are supported, are omitted. | ||
* '''Operating System Versions''': Specific operating system version requirements are not highlighted. | * '''Operating System Versions''': Specific operating system version requirements are not highlighted. | ||
* '''Processor Capabilities''': The requirement for devices with processors capable of decoding HEVC efficiently is not mentioned, even though this is not a pre-requisite to play back HEVC video. | * '''Processor Capabilities''': The requirement for devices with processors capable of hardware decoding HEVC efficiently is not mentioned, even though this is not a pre-requisite to play back HEVC video. The requirement for an Intel processor with Intel SGX enabled is not mentioned. | ||
* '''Firmware Updates''': While it suggests keeping devices updated, there is no detail on the necessity for specific firmware versions for 4K. | * '''Firmware Updates''': While it suggests keeping devices updated, there is no detail on the necessity for specific firmware versions for 4K. | ||
* '''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. | * '''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. | ||
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2. The URL on the bottom of the signup page links to a terms of use page that provides no tangible information on what is necessary to obtain a 4k stream.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20250111144808/https://help.netflix.com/legal/termsofuse</ref> | 2. The URL on the bottom of the signup page links to a terms of use page that provides no tangible information on what is necessary to obtain a 4k stream.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20250111144808/https://help.netflix.com/legal/termsofuse</ref> | ||
3. The help page on how to receive a 4k stream is not linked on either the signup page, or the terms of use.<ref | 3. The help page on how to receive a 4k stream is not linked on either the signup page, or the terms of use.<ref name=":0" /> | ||
4. The help page on how to receive a 4k stream excludes many of the prerequisites necessary to receive a 4k stream. | 4. The help page on how to receive a 4k stream excludes many of the prerequisites necessary to receive a 4k stream. | ||
* Many users may have opted out of paying extra for the 4K plan if they knew that they had to jump through these hoops to receive a 4K stream. | * Many users may have opted out of paying extra for the 4K plan if they knew that they had to jump through these hoops to receive a 4K stream. | ||
* Many users may have opted out of paying extra for the 4K plan if they realized that | * Many users may have opted out of paying extra for the 4K plan if they realized that Netflix does not even provide you with the information on what qualifies & disqualifies you from receiving a 4K stream. | ||
* Netflix does not make this information prominently available to the customer, and uses language that implies your internet connection or hardware is the problem, in spite of the fact that your hardware & internet connection may be perfectly adequate for 4K playback of a high bitrate, 4k HEVC stream. | * Netflix does not make this information prominently available to the customer, and uses language that implies your internet connection or hardware is the problem, in spite of the fact that your hardware & internet connection may be perfectly adequate for 4K playback of a high bitrate, 4k HEVC stream. | ||
* Some users have reported problems using Netflix on a PC even if they meet all or most of the disclosed and undisclosed requirements.<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/netflix/comments/18p7dk8/i_have_a_4k_display_but_netflix_wont_show_a_4k/</ref> | |||
== Key Issues == | == Key Issues == | ||
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=== 3. Inadequate Disclosure === | === 3. Inadequate Disclosure === | ||
* Section 4.9 deflects responsibility by telling users to '''"look solely to the entity that manufactured and/or sold you the Netflix ready device"'''; without providing any information to you, or the manufacturer of your computer/operating system, on what prerequisites exist for that device to receive a 4k stream from | * Section 4.9 deflects responsibility by telling users to '''"look solely to the entity that manufactured and/or sold you the Netflix ready device"'''; without providing any information to you, or the manufacturer of your computer/operating system, on what prerequisites exist for that device to receive a 4k stream from Netflix. | ||
* The explanation provided in the terms of service, which must be dug through, is completely inadequate | * The explanation provided in the terms of service, which must be dug through, is completely inadequate | ||
* No clear guidance on how to determine device compatibility before subscribing | * No clear guidance on how to determine device compatibility before subscribing | ||