Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) on Thursday enhanced its HD movie and television streaming quality further, making available Super HD support for all devices including Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) TV Set-top boxes. Netflix declared the news in its blog post and explained that feature will be accessible to “all Netflix members, regardless of their Internet service provider.”
Prior to this, only those subscribers had access to this service whose ISPs had a direct connection to Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX).
Members with higher ISP get best experience
Super HD is apt for devices with 1080 p displays that can access higher bit rate streams, which is adjusted by Netflix on available bandwidth.
Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) has made HD and super HD content available on selected titles and can be accessed only through HD devices. The streaming firm said that it extended the Super HD feature to all customers in the wake of increasing demand along with the process of examining streaming performance data.
Video quality is adjusted to available bandwidth through “adaptive streaming”. Those customers who have ISPs with direct connections “will get the best experience,” however, other users will also be able to see Super HD content according to bandwidth conditions.
Netflix said, “members who subscribe to an ISP with a direct Netflix connection will get the best experience.”
Netflix and Apple, previous improvements
Those subscribers who have an Apple set top box will also get an access over the new feature of Netflix. The new feature marks the latest one in the series of improvements brought by Netflix for Apple streaming devices. In 2012, Netflix added 1080p streaming other than automated billing through iTunes. Further, it brought multiple user accounts to both iOS devices and Apple TV, earlier this year.
TWC Cries foul
Further, Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) is working towards boosting its Netflix Open connect, which is an optimized video content delivery network. The online video streaming company provides services to ISPs free of cost, but there are providers who did not agreed upon signing.
Time Warner Cable Inc (NYSE:TWC) was not satisfied with Netflix limiting its Super HD only to some ISPs. Warner cable stated that Netflix did not give access to ISPs over some content formats as it needed preferential treatment, even when TWC can stream high quality format without being part of the network.
