Netflix and XBMC

A

adviseme

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Apologies if this has already been covered elsewhere.

Could someone let me know if the quality of a Netflix stream via an XBMC plugin or straight to PC is inferior to that what you'd receive from a dedicated streaming device like a Roku or Chromecast.

I've read that this might be the case due to Silverlight opening a browser but I'd like confirmation. I have XBMC on a Win 7 machine connected via a 4mb uncapped MWEB account. I also have a Smart TV, xbox and upnp bluray player that could support Netflix but would prefer to use XBMC if possible.

Thanks
 
adviseme said:
Apologies if this has already been covered elsewhere.

Could someone let me know if the quality of a Netflix stream via an XBMC plugin or straight to PC is inferior to that what you'd receive from a dedicated streaming device like a Roku or Chromecast.

I've read that this might be the case due to Silverlight opening a browser but I'd like confirmation. I have XBMC on a Win 7 machine connected via a 4mb uncapped MWEB account. I also have a Smart TV, xbox and upnp bluray player that could support Netflix but would prefer to use XBMC if possible.

Thanks
Click to expand...

I'm not sure there is a reliable way to watch Netflix via XBMC?
 
Save yourself the headache and just use the official apps on your smart device(s).

These addons tend to break randomly, if Netflix changes something then it breaks. You will also most likely get much better quality using the dedicated apps as I've found that Netflix streams in the browser are not as good as using the app on the Roku for instance.
 
Thanks. Seems to be the general consensus. Looks like I have to buy a decent streaming device then. The Samsung Smart TV interface is a bit slow and clunky and the xbox makes too much noise.
How do they pass through the audio? Will I get DTS? Does Netflix send the full audio stream?
Sorry for the questions...
 
adviseme said:
Thanks. Seems to be the general consensus. Looks like I have to buy a decent streaming device then. The Samsung Smart TV interface is a bit slow and clunky and the xbox makes too much noise.
How do they pass through the audio? Will I get DTS? Does Netflix send the full audio stream?
Sorry for the questions...
Click to expand...

Roku 3 is awesome, audio works great and uses HDMI to passthrough to your receiver and will give you full 5.1 if the content has it.

Pros:

Small and low powered. You can hide it behind the TV.
Remote uses Wifi direct, so no line of sight needed.
Remote has headphone jack.
Fast interface.
It just works.
Ethernet.

Cons:

Apps using the standard Roku APK look awful.
 
DrJohnZoidberg said:
adviseme said:
Thanks. Seems to be the general consensus. Looks like I have to buy a decent streaming device then. The Samsung Smart TV interface is a bit slow and clunky and the xbox makes too much noise.
How do they pass through the audio? Will I get DTS? Does Netflix send the full audio stream?
Sorry for the questions...
Click to expand...

Roku 3 is awesome, audio works great and uses HDMI to passthrough to your receiver and will give you full 5.1 if the content has it.
Click to expand...

Just ensure your receiver supports Dolby Digital Plus as Netflix streams 5.1 in DD+ and not standard DD. DD+ is only available via HDMI 1.3 and higher, and can't be sent via optical or coax cable to your receiver.
 
AdrianH said:
Just ensure your receiver supports Dolby Digital Plus as Netflix streams 5.1 in DD+ and not standard DD. DD+ is only available via HDMI 1.3 and higher, and can't be sent via optical or coax cable to your receiver.
Click to expand...

Good tip!
 
Also seems not many are in multichannel (unless this has changed) - what connection are you wanting to stream good quality/multichannel?

http://www.trustedreviews.com/netflix_TV_review_hd-surround-sound-and-picture-quality_Page-2

Netflix is also to be commended for making 5.1 channel audio available with a few of its titles. Sadly 5.1 mixes are only currently available on a rather small percentage of the service’s available titles, and there doesn’t seem to be any obvious thought process behind which films get it and which don’t.

I bought an Apple TV for NEtflix
 
So I have a apple tv to stream to the one tv in the house.'
But here is my problem.
My surround sound can only work with RCA cables(yes its that old)
So my question is I have a HTPC for the front and currently run XBMC on it for streaming from the server.
I also know that there is no reliable plugin for XBMC.
Until I get a new proper surround sound I will have to make due what I have.

I see there is a decent plugin for Windows Media center for Netflix.
Is there any other client I can use to stream Netflix except the internet browser?
I would like to have full screen on my shows and not see the border of the browser.

Regards
 
Acid0 said:
So I have a apple tv to stream to the one tv in the house.'
But here is my problem.
My surround sound can only work with RCA cables(yes its that old)
So my question is I have a HTPC for the front and currently run XBMC on it for streaming from the server.
I also know that there is no reliable plugin for XBMC.
Until I get a new proper surround sound I will have to make due what I have.

I see there is a decent plugin for Windows Media center for Netflix.
Is there any other client I can use to stream Netflix except the internet browser?
I would like to have full screen on my shows and not see the border of the browser.

Regards
Click to expand...

If you click the full screen button in your browser you shouldn't be seeing any borders.
 
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