If what Netflix is saying is honest, and the sole, reason, then it’s perfectly legitimate for it to want to do this. The device of choice of the consumer, as well as its interface, resolution, etc. for its content are surely important information.
This will be resolved.
How is this important? Broadcast TV doesn't know what device it's being received on; be it a Mac Laptop, Mac Desktop, PC, mobile with TV dongle, iPad, 14" CRT or 55" LCD. And they still manage to pump out content everyone enjoys. Why should that make any difference to Netflix? Seems very much like they would rather people buy the sub for TV use rather than the cheaper mobile option.
So you really think that Netflix is the same as 'broadcast TV'?!
Wow, you really need to pay attention to how the TV landscape is changing.
The way I see it Netflix is simply guaranteeing the quality of their service. If dev's don't have information about the devices their app will be used on it's impossible to guarantee the quality of the service they are offering to their customers.
It's really as simple as this. Too many conspiracy theories and foaming-at-the-mouth here.
The way I see it Netflix is simply guaranteeing the quality of their service. If dev's don't have information about the devices their app will be used on it's impossible to guarantee the quality of the service they are offering to their customers.
It's really as simple as this. Too many conspiracy theories and foaming-at-the-mouth here.
Not conspiracy theory. Netflix' alert about rejecting displays that don't support HDCP is well known. Yet the web is full of pirated Netflix content. Their tech cannot prevent piracy, obviously.
I feel like I'm missing something. Doesn't TvOS have a Netflix app you can download? I see that this removes one options, but if you have a Netflix account can't you just use the app on the Apple TV directly?
Since they sell plans per device, it is understandable that they distinguish between devices. Besides, AirPlay to an Apple TV doesn't make sense: you download to your mobile device via wi-fi, then AirPlay to the Apple TV over the same wi-fi, unnecessary two way traffic that would reduce playback quality. Why not use the Netflix app on the Apple TV instead? It syncs perfectly between devices, you can also hard-wire your Apple TV directly to your router via Ethernet. That policy may only affect TV sets with AirPlay but without the Netflix app. The solution appears to be the usual one: buy the dumbest TV you can tolerate and attach an Apple TV. So AirPlay implemented on a TV without tvOS is useless, it may help you to AirPlay YouTube from your mobile device but such TVs may already have YouTube.
The device that is streaming via AirPlay is the device. AirPlay can only stream to one device at a time so there is no need to distinguish between different TVs for that purpose. If that was the case Netflix would have stated so instead of relying on an explanation that is more dubious on its face.
Moreover, there is no need to distinguish the type of device for this purpose. The only thing that is relevant is the number of devices.
Really. You know this, how?
Because the Airplay source iPhone can be disconnected from the network and switched off, and the video continues to play.
How often does this happen?
Not often, but it proves the AppleTV downloads directly from the server vs through the phone in certain circumstances.
If what Netflix is saying is honest, and the sole, reason, then it’s perfectly legitimate for it to want to do this. The device of choice of the consumer, as well as its interface, resolution, etc. for its content are surely important information.
This will be resolved.
How is this important? Broadcast TV doesn't know what device it's being received on; be it a Mac Laptop, Mac Desktop, PC, mobile with TV dongle, iPad, 14" CRT or 55" LCD. And they still manage to pump out content everyone enjoys. Why should that make any difference to Netflix? Seems very much like they would rather people buy the sub for TV use rather than the cheaper mobile option.
So you really think that Netflix is the same as 'broadcast TV'?!
Wow, you really need to pay attention to how the TV landscape is changing.
Nope. But why does Netflix think they have a right to know what screen users are watching on, and how does that give them an advantage over broadcast?
The way I see it Netflix is simply guaranteeing the quality of their service. If dev's don't have information about the devices their app will be used on it's impossible to guarantee the quality of the service they are offering to their customers.
It's really as simple as this. Too many conspiracy theories and foaming-at-the-mouth here.
Not conspiracy theory. Netflix' alert about rejecting displays that don't support HDCP is well known. Yet the web is full of pirated Netflix content. Their tech cannot prevent piracy, obviously.
They refuse HD to output devices that don't do HDCP, which is basically all real web browsers because the Intel video chips didn't pay $1 for an HDCP license. If you want HD, you have to play on a laptop on its internal screen only, or else choose from the various "stick" products available which means choosing an "app ecosystem" instead of the open web. The "stick" ecosystem exposes you to censorship (coordinated banning of Infowars across all platforms at once) and various methods to exploit your laziness by rearranging buttons and icons to "promote" things and treat you like an "eyeball." It's degrading to be treated in this coercive way, often frustrating to deal with the low quality and poor security and privacy of the "stick" ecosystem, problems that would not exist to such a great extent on a normal web browser. It should be illegal because the entire game is based on companies with >50% manipulating the market through secret deals to "get their icon on there" or control what the eyeballs can do.
Adding insult to injury, the sorts of people who spend their lives making these unnecessary deals, these specialised professional scammers, are the only ones who are going to keep their jobs while the robots replace the rest of us.
There are no villains or good guys in this story. Apple Airplay and Netflix have both pushed their way into more control over the user than they deserve. A fight has broken out among the wardens of our open-air prison. Neither one satisfied with the bargain struck between tech elite and user by web browsers, which is already not great but is much better.
What will happen is that Netflix will look at the hate mail they are getting and simply reverse themselves. I've seen this happen so many times.
Whatever the real reason for this, I'm sure it has much to do with Apple now being more of a competitor than a partner. A decision maker in Netflix (Mr. Reed) didn't like what he saw at the keynote and decided to stick it to Apple. It's just corporate games. That's why they're hiding behind a couple of press releases so they don't have to reply to follow up questions to a reporter.
An Appleinsider reporter should ask Amazon or Hulu if they're planning to cancel Airplay support instead of just reacting to Netflix. It would more answer whether there really are any "technical reasons."
What will happen is that Netflix will look at the hate mail they are getting and simply reverse themselves. I've seen this happen so many times.
Whatever the real reason for this, I'm sure it has much to do with Apple now being more of a competitor than a partner. A decision maker in Netflix (Mr. Reed) didn't like what he saw at the keynote and decided to stick it to Apple. It's just corporate games. That's why they're hiding behind a couple of press releases so they don't have to reply to follow up questions to a reporter.
An Appleinsider reporter should ask Amazon or Hulu if they're planning to cancel Airplay support instead of just reacting to Netflix. It would more answer whether there really are any "technical reasons."
The way I see it Netflix is simply guaranteeing the quality of their service. If dev's don't have information about the devices their app will be used on it's impossible to guarantee the quality of the service they are offering to their customers.
It's really as simple as this. Too many conspiracy theories and foaming-at-the-mouth here.
Not conspiracy theory. Netflix' alert about rejecting displays that don't support HDCP is well known. Yet the web is full of pirated Netflix content. Their tech cannot prevent piracy, obviously.
They refuse HD to output devices that don't do HDCP, which is basically all real web browsers because the Intel video chips didn't pay $1 for an HDCP license. If you want HD, you have to play on a laptop on its internal screen only, or else choose from the various "stick" products available which means choosing an "app ecosystem" instead of the open web. The "stick" ecosystem exposes you to censorship (coordinated banning of Infowars across all platforms at once) and various methods to exploit your laziness by rearranging buttons and icons to "promote" things and treat you like an "eyeball." It's degrading to be treated in this coercive way, often frustrating to deal with the low quality and poor security and privacy of the "stick" ecosystem, problems that would not exist to such a great extent on a normal web browser. It should be illegal because the entire game is based on companies with >50% manipulating the market through secret deals to "get their icon on there" or control what the eyeballs can do.
There was no “coordinated” banning of Infowars. Those numnutz violated the terms of multiple platforms (private properties) at once. The same sort of terms Infowars has on its own website forums (also a private platform). Nobody owed them anything, just as they don’t disclaim on their own forum terms.
Only tech reason I can think of is AppleTV 2 & 3 are recommended to have ethernet connected because - as our tech update hosts explained - if it is, this allows for airplay devices to initiate playback, then the ATV negotiates and transports the video stream over the hardwired link. That would boost the stream quality in most situations, but I doubt everyone has their ATVs hardwired, so my bet is Netflix is blowing smoke here.
Since they sell plans per device, it is understandable that they distinguish between devices.
You are completely wrong about this. They sell per account. You can use your Netflix account to sign in to any device.
Here's from Netflix
"Watch anywhere, anytime, on an unlimited number of devices. Sign in with your Netflix account to watch instantly on the web at netflix.com from your personal computer or on any internet connected device that offers the Netflix app, including smart TVs, smartphones, tablets, streaming media players and game consoles."
Do you have a Netflix account? I don't think so. Because if you had, you'd known that you cannot watch Netflix on an unlimited number of devices. You are limited to max 4 screens at a time.
You might have slowed down to ponder your post when you read the direct quote from Netflix that is on their website. Netflix allows you to watch Netflix on an unlimited number of devices. My Netflix is on about 8 devices. They limit it to watching a maximum four screens AT ANY ONE TIME. Thus, Netflix doesn't sell plans per device, they sell per account and have no need to know which device you are streaming it to for purposes of what you've paid. Once you hit four screens at any one time, it simply won't play on the fifth screen.
If what Netflix is saying is honest, and the sole, reason, then it’s perfectly legitimate for it to want to do this. The device of choice of the consumer, as well as its interface, resolution, etc. for its content are surely important information.
This will be resolved.
How is this important? Broadcast TV doesn't know what device it's being received on; be it a Mac Laptop, Mac Desktop, PC, mobile with TV dongle, iPad, 14" CRT or 55" LCD. And they still manage to pump out content everyone enjoys. Why should that make any difference to Netflix? Seems very much like they would rather people buy the sub for TV use rather than the cheaper mobile option.
So you really think that Netflix is the same as 'broadcast TV'?!
Wow, you really need to pay attention to how the TV landscape is changing.
Nope. But why does Netflix think they have a right to know what screen users are watching on, and how does that give them an advantage over broadcast?
Because it’s their product/service, and they fully well have a right to know who’s consuming it, how, where? You know, like just about every company does?
And those who don’t like it can go elesewhere, or not do business with them. This is not complicated.
Since they sell plans per device, it is understandable that they distinguish between devices. Besides, AirPlay to an Apple TV doesn't make sense: you download to your mobile device via wi-fi, then AirPlay to the Apple TV over the same wi-fi, unnecessary two way traffic that would reduce playback quality. Why not use the Netflix app on the Apple TV instead? It syncs perfectly between devices, you can also hard-wire your Apple TV directly to your router via Ethernet. That policy may only affect TV sets with AirPlay but without the Netflix app. The solution appears to be the usual one: buy the dumbest TV you can tolerate and attach an Apple TV. So AirPlay implemented on a TV without tvOS is useless, it may help you to AirPlay YouTube from your mobile device but such TVs may already have YouTube.
You are completely wrong about this. They sell per account. You can use your Netflix account to sign in to any device.
Here's from Netflix
"Watch anywhere, anytime, on an unlimited number of devices. Sign in with your Netflix account to watch instantly on the web at netflix.com from your personal computer or on any internet connected device that offers the Netflix app, including smart TVs, smartphones, tablets, streaming media players and game consoles."
Do you have a Netflix account? I don't think so. Because if you had, you'd known that you cannot watch Netflix on an unlimited number of devices. You are limited to max 4 screens at a time.
Or two simulaneous, no 4K, as my plan is.
I suspect that this is really about the "non contractual" ID sharing that is going on.
You are confused about this. The point that I was rebutting was the post that Netflix had a legitimate reason to block Airplay because they allegedly limited the number of devices you could watch Netflix on, and that's not true. As they state on their website you can watch it on an unlimited number of devices, but they limit how many screens you can have it on AT ANY ONE TIME.
Since they sell plans per device, it is understandable that they distinguish between devices.
You are completely wrong about this. They sell per account. You can use your Netflix account to sign in to any device.
Here's from Netflix
"Watch anywhere, anytime, on an unlimited number of devices. Sign in with your Netflix account to watch instantly on the web at netflix.com from your personal computer or on any internet connected device that offers the Netflix app, including smart TVs, smartphones, tablets, streaming media players and game consoles."
Do you have a Netflix account? I don't think so. Because if you had, you'd known that you cannot watch Netflix on an unlimited number of devices. You are limited to max 4 screens at a time.
You might have slowed down to ponder your post when you read the direct quote from Netflix that is on their website. Netflix allows you to watch Netflix on an unlimited number of devices. My Netflix is on about 8 devices. They limit it to watching a maximum four screens AT ANY ONE TIME. Thus, Netflix doesn't sell plans per device, they sell per account and have no need to know which device you are streaming it to for purposes of what you've paid. Once you hit four screens at any one time, it simply won't play on the fifth screen.
I read well what they say on their Account page and this is what counts for me: their plan is tiered by 1 screen, 2 screens and 4 screens. So their options are tied to the number of screens simultaneously active along with playback quality. You can recite as many marketing blurb as you can, that won’t increase your signal to noise ratio. That “unlimited number of devices” is marketing noise, does not signify anything when purchasing plans.
Comments
So you really think that Netflix is the same as 'broadcast TV'?!
Wow, you really need to pay attention to how the TV landscape is changing.
Adding insult to injury, the sorts of people who spend their lives making these unnecessary deals, these specialised professional scammers, are the only ones who are going to keep their jobs while the robots replace the rest of us.
There are no villains or good guys in this story. Apple Airplay and Netflix have both pushed their way into more control over the user than they deserve. A fight has broken out among the wardens of our open-air prison. Neither one satisfied with the bargain struck between tech elite and user by web browsers, which is already not great but is much better.
Whatever the real reason for this, I'm sure it has much to do with Apple now being more of a competitor than a partner. A decision maker in Netflix (Mr. Reed) didn't like what he saw at the keynote and decided to stick it to Apple. It's just corporate games. That's why they're hiding behind a couple of press releases so they don't have to reply to follow up questions to a reporter.
An Appleinsider reporter should ask Amazon or Hulu if they're planning to cancel Airplay support instead of just reacting to Netflix. It would more answer whether there really are any "technical reasons."
And those who don’t like it can go elesewhere, or not do business with them. This is not complicated.
You are confused about this. The point that I was rebutting was the post that Netflix had a legitimate reason to block Airplay because they allegedly limited the number of devices you could watch Netflix on, and that's not true. As they state on their website you can watch it on an unlimited number of devices, but they limit how many screens you can have it on AT ANY ONE TIME.
Its not a tech limitation.
It’s a policy disagreement.