Netflix makes 1080p Super HD streams available to all users

By Mike Flacy September 27, 2013

netflix makes 1080p super hd streams available to all users

Detailed recently on the official Netflix blog, the streaming video company is pushing out high quality, 1080p high definition content streams to all Netflix Instant subscribers rather than continuing to limit access to ISPs that adopted the Netflix Open Connect platform. Prior to this point, ISPs were required to allow Netflix to store movies and television shows on local servers in order to get access to the highest quality streams for the ISP’s customers. Netflix is continuing to promote the Open Connect service in order to reduce access times for subscribers, but the company seems to be comfortable with delivering the 1080p steams to customers outside of the Open Connect ISPs at this point.

While Netflix subscribers need a minimum of 5Mb/s to stream high definition content smoothly, Netflix recommends 7Mb/s for the Super HD content. Recently, Netflix representatives also mentioned that streaming 4K content will require a minimum of 15 Mbps. Along with the Super HD content, a small collection of 3D titles will be made available to all users as well.

Related Videos

However, be aware that you will need up to 12 Mbps of bandwidth to access 3D streaming content without major issues. To identify Super HD or 3D content, look for the identifying logos on the content description page. The majority of Netflix’s original programming, like House of Cards or Orange is the New Black, can be found in Super HD.

In order to access the Super HD streams of movies and television shows, Netflix Instant subscribers will need compatible hardware. The list of compatible hardware includes the Sony PlayStation 3, 3rd generation Apple TV, Roku set-top boxes capable of 1080p streaming, the Nintendo Wii U, TiVo Premiere DVR, devices utilizing Windows 8 as well as any existing Blu-ray player, smart television or set-top box with 1080p support. Interestingly, Microsoft’s Xbox 360 have been left off the list of supported hardware, but it’s highly likely that the Xbox One hardware will be able to support Super HD streams as well as 4K streams in the future.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Audio / Video

Netflix expands its spatial audio, number of devices that can download content

Netflix app icon on Apple TV.

Netflix Premium subscribers are getting an enhancement to their service starting today. The streaming company has increased the number of devices that can download content for offline viewing from four to six. It's also expanding the spatial audio feature it launched in 2022, making spatial audio available on its top 700 titles. The new features are included in the current price of a Premium plan.

Spatial audio on Netflix is similar to Dolby Atmos -- it creates a much more immersive, 3D-like audio experience where sounds feel like they're moving independently of the rest of the soundtrack. However, unlike Dolby Atmos, Netflix's spatial audio can be experienced on any device that has stereo speakers whether they are Dolby Atmos-capable or not.

Audio / Video

Super Bowl TV Deals: Get a 70-inch 4K TV for $480 and more

how to watch nfl season games family with children watching american football game on tv

The big game is happening on February 12, and you better have a TV worthy of it if you want to host that Super Bowl party. Whether you're going all out with something massive from our 70-inch TV deals, or your apartment can only fit a 50-inch TV, we've got you covered. We've collected the best TV deals we can find from Samsung, LG, Hisense, TCL and more. We'll explain how tech like HDR10+, neural networks and self-lit pixels will affect how you experience the championship game of 2023.
50-inch Insignia F30 4K TV -- $250, was $400

If you just need a standard 4K TV for the big game, you can't go wrong with TCL. They're famous for having quality TVs at incredible prices, and we'd be surprised if you found a price better than this across any of today's TV deals. The F30 checks all the standard boxes for a high quality TV. It has HDR for rich colors and deep contrasts. It has DTS Studio sound for beautiful audio without the need of a soundbar. It's a smart TV, so you don't need a cable box, a video game console, or even a Chromecast to watch your live sports. Just boot up your favorite app straight from the Fire TV app.

Audio / Video

The best OLED TVs for 2023: from LG, Sony, and Samsung

LG G2 OLED TV

When it comes to the latest and greatest TVs, all eyes were on the annual Consumer Electronics Show (now just called CES) in January to lay the groundwork for the coming year. But if you're shopping for a new TV now, then you're undoubtedly looking at what is arguably the best TV technology on the market: OLED — although QD-OLED is coming for it, hard.

With uncompromising color and contrast-rich picture quality you're looking for, an OLED TV is the way to go. Unlike traditional LED sets, OLED TVs negate the use of regular backlighting altogether, employing a massive array of self-emissive pixels instead. The best part: These pixels are individually controllable, meaning that when one is turned off, that cell becomes completely black. This is why OLEDs are hailed for their amazing inky black levels.