Netflix updated for iOS 7 with HD streaming, AirPlay support
Netflix on Thursday updated its official application for Apple's iOS, adding high-definition content and AirPlay streaming support for iOS 7 users.
Netflix version 5.0 is now available for download on the iOS App Store. The latest version also includes playback optimizations and stability improvements.
The update represents something of a change of strategy for Netflix, as officials for the subscription service said in 2011 that they had no plans to support AirPlay. At the time, the company suggested that users simply use its dedicated application found on the Apple TV.
But now users will be able to beam content from their iPhone, iPad or iPod touch to a connected Apple TV without needing to navigate the application on the set-top box.
The new "Super HD" support in Netflix 5.0 for iOS also comes just a week after the company's high-definition support landed on Apple TV. Super HD is most useful for 1080p displays that can take advantage of higher bit-rate streams.
Netflix version 5.0 is now available for download on the iOS App Store. The latest version also includes playback optimizations and stability improvements.
The update represents something of a change of strategy for Netflix, as officials for the subscription service said in 2011 that they had no plans to support AirPlay. At the time, the company suggested that users simply use its dedicated application found on the Apple TV.
But now users will be able to beam content from their iPhone, iPad or iPod touch to a connected Apple TV without needing to navigate the application on the set-top box.
The new "Super HD" support in Netflix 5.0 for iOS also comes just a week after the company's high-definition support landed on Apple TV. Super HD is most useful for 1080p displays that can take advantage of higher bit-rate streams.
Comments
Airplay and a QAM tuner will get you far in the US television market...
Nice update, too bad it still has the "Cannot play movie" error on my iPads and is utterly worthless.
It's about the navigation...much better from an iDevice as opposed to the Apple TV remote.
Alternately you could just use your iDevice as the remote. Oh well, for those that actually want air play to their Apple TV they now have it.
Still seems a bit of a pointless feature.
However if I'm visiting a friend's house then it's instantly easy to introduce the crowd to. "House of Cards" or "Borgia"
It's about the navigation...much better from an iDevice as opposed to the Apple TV remote.
Yeah, except that the picture/sound quality isn't as good since the Netflix stream has to go through an additional compression/decompression via AirPlay to the Apple TV. It's really a rather wasteful use of resources since the iDevice is now receiving, decoding, compressing, and transmitting the stream to Apple TV which then decodes and displays the AirPlay stream of the Netflix stream. It's better to "eliminate the middle man" and just stream directly on the Apple TV. The blind and the deaf may not notice the difference, however.
I don't get it...what is the difference? Can't I just use the built in app for netflix on the apple tv box?
Yes, but thats your apple tv with your netflix account. I would not recommend airplay in that case if it has to go through the phone.
For someone with an apple tv but no netflix account guests can now stream a show or movie. This has frustrated me over the holidays a few times and I'm glad to see it.
Now, why 'the CW', and all the other little 'channel' apps don't follow suit is just frustrating.
This will be great for traveling. Now I won't have to pay for crappy hotel wifi just to watch Netflix movies.
Quote:
The update represents something of a change of strategy for Netflix, as officials for the subscription service said in 2011 that they had no plans to support AirPlay. At the time, the company suggested that users simply use its dedicated application found on the Apple TV.
But now users will be able to beam content from their iPhone, iPad or iPod touch to a connected Apple TV without needing to navigate the application on the set-top box.
I think what drove Netflix to change their stance was that the Instant Video app for Amazon Prime recently got AirPlay functionality (though, in that case, the video quality is fairly suspect).
I don't get it...what is the difference? Can't I just use the built in app for netflix on the apple tv box?
Still seems a bit of a pointless feature.
Jeez, guys, is it possible that people use the ATV in more ways than to just plug into their home TV and connecting to their home wireless internet? It's a remarkably portable device. Just because you don't take advantage of that fact doesn't mean nobody else does.
Yes, but thats your apple tv with your netflix account. I would not recommend airplay in that case if it has to go through the phone.
For someone with an apple tv but no netflix account guests can now stream a show or movie. This has frustrated me over the holidays a few times and I'm glad to see it.
Now, why 'the CW', and all the other little 'channel' apps don't follow suit is just frustrating.
Yea but realistically, how many people are there that posses the knowledge of what an ATV is and go buy one WITHOUT the intention of using it with Netflix??? I'm not saying there aren't some cases....but enough to update the app?
The real issue here for me is that it doesn't appear they they've added the ability for it to be able to run in the background. Since you can only use Airplay with an ATV, which already has built-in support, why would you want to tie up your mobile device streaming content to the ATV when you don't have to??? That's counterproductive....
Slightly off topic but about Netflix on Apple TV…. It puzzles me why, when watching a series, the iPad or on a Mac via the Safari interface, they will start playing the next episode automatically after a few seconds. However, the app on the Apple TV does not. The episode just ends. You have to manually navigate to the menu list of episodes and select the next one. Is this something others see or just my two Apple TVs with this weird anomaly?
This is also true when streaming Netflix with ROKU. It must be a feature of the Netflix App. The other nice thing about the app is that it has close captioning. Does the Apple TV have that feature? Because the ROKU does not, at least the first generation box that I have doesn't.Yea but realistically, how many people are there that posses the knowledge of what an ATV is and go buy one WITHOUT the intention of using it with Netflix??? I'm not saying there aren't some cases....but enough to update the app?
Well, my parents. That's two. Remember there are Hulu users and Netflix users. Folks usually don't do both due to the overlap. Then there are the itunes only folks.
There is a toggle CC on off I believe in the Apple TV for anything on it not just Netflix … damned if I remember how now. Some one will post how in minutes I'm sure. I'm not near it now but check the Settings and look in something to do with handicapped type use maybe?
The Netflix app already supported Airplay.
You just had to enable AIrplay mirroring, which requires an iPhone 4S, iPad 2 or later, and is not easy to discover.
You then had a Netflix logo over a red background on the TV when navigating, and on the TV when watching a video.
And yes, widescreen videos appeared full screen on the TV.
So, there is no new feature per se, but the new way Airplay works with Netflix is just a lot easier to discover, with a big Airplay button at the bottom right of the screen !
For once, I wish AppleInsider corrects the misleading title of this article.
I get your point. Mirroring isn't required now though maybe there is a slight quality difference with a dedicated airplay stream? Anyone here know if there is a technical difference between watching something using mirroring and using the airplay button within an app?
Re the App being better … but … but … the Apple TV Netflix is an app! Apple TV runs iOS so why the huge difference? I would love the exact same app on the ATV as on the iPad ...
I suppose nobody here is aware that the ATV isn't the only device you can AirPlay to. Yamaha A/V receivers accept Airplay as do Denon. Now there is no need to even own an ATV or turn it on if you do.