Report: Netflix encoding all of its 4K, HDR, and HFR content. According to company insiders, Netflix believes it can transmit the same quality 4K video at half the bandwidth.
In a lengthy and highly technical blog post, Netflix described how it launched a new optimization mechanism that gave the same fantastic quality at half the bitrate. Bitrate is the amount of data the stream requires, often represented in megabits per second.
“As the number of 4K titles in our catalog continues to grow and more devices support the premium features, we expect these video streams to have an increasing impact on our members and the network,” Netflix stated on their blog, NetflixTechBlog.
“We’ve worked hard over the last year to leapfrog to our most advanced encoding innovations — shot-optimized encoding and 4K VMAF model — and applied those to the premium bitstreams. More specifically, we’ve improved the traditional 4K and 10-bit ladder by employing shot-based encoding, dynamic optimization (DO) similar to that applied on our catalog-wide 8-bit stream profiles, and improved encoder settings.”
But what does Netflix encoding 4K content mean for your viewing experience, and why is it exciting for streamers?
We dive in!
Netflix encoding to reduce the load
Netflix has been employing per-title or per-shot compression for a few years now, which means it considers the type of material or scene while compressing the content. According to Netflix, these concepts were previously used primarily for SD/HD quality and 8-bit video but are now being applied to 4K, HDR, and HFR streams.
The company says the advancement can lower 4K video bandwidth usage by up to 50% while maintaining 4K picture quality. The quantity of data required for 4K media may be reduced from 12Mbps to 1.8Mbps, exerting far less strain on users’ internet access and facilitating the ability to broadcast 4K material via cellular networks.
“Computing the Bjøntegaard Delta rate shows 50% gains on average over the fixed-bitrate ladder. Meaning, on average, we need 50% less bitrate to achieve the same quality with the optimized ladder,” Netflix reported in 2020.
“We deliver the same great quality at half the bitrate on average. For members with constrained bandwidth, we’ll deliver higher quality at the same (or even lower) bitrate.”
Why is Netflix encoding content exciting?
As many live streamers can attest, reliable bandwidth is essential for streaming quality content. However, as is typical for the technology industry, the requirements to support innovation derived from technology often lag (pun intended) the developments themselves. While 4K content has become the gold standard for a quality viewing experience, not all internet service providers can handle the strain.
Additionally, viewers who live in rural areas or are income-restricted have limited access to the bandwidth needed to support 4K. And even when they do have access to internet speeds that are consistent and reliable, data caps can significantly impact the viewer’s ability to stream content in its intended format.
Xfinity, for example, caps data usage for its standard personal-use account at 1.2 terabytes per month. This comes to about 500 hours of high-speed video each month. Given that most US families include 4.5 individuals in every home, this comes to about 111 hours of viewing per month (or about 3.7 hours per day).
However, if Netflix’s initiative results in the type of data compression the company believes is possible, this could increase data diets by up to 100%. This means a typical household could see their daily streaming allowance increase to nearly eight hours per day.
Benefits of Netflix encoding 4K to reduce download requirements
Cable providers have remained relevant (beyond the connection) because data diets do not limit them. This advantage has kept the streaming industry stagnant, and viewers have not fully realized the financial benefits of the OTT market. For example, large households cannot rely on streaming alone because they don’t have the data allowance needed to do so – and as such, they are required to keep a cable provider while also maintaining any number of subscriptions to stay current on the newest and hottest content.
In this way, OTT fragmentation has led to increased entertainment budgets, so consumers have seen little financial benefit to leave cable altogether, even with options.
However, if streaming services like Netflix can deliver the goods, we could see a future where US viewers can finally cut the cord and adopt a more selective approach to choosing entertainment.
And finally, reducing the bandwidth required to stream 4K content could mean more access to viewers in rural areas and those with lower incomes that can’t afford expensive high-speed internet packages. Imagine downloading 4K content in a low-bandwidth use case like prepaid mobile phone plans and projecting the picture using services like Chromecast and Miracast. The future, right?
If technological innovation improves access without sacrificing fidelity, Netflix subscribers should be pleased. One Netflix subscriber recently said as much on Reddit (in contention with others complaining that Netflix’s effort may water down the 4K experience).
“Perhaps a controversial stance, but I wouldn’t care about a minor quality drop if that’s the exchange that has to take place for the tremendous efficiencies their ladder systems provide to everyone,” the author stated.
“I wouldn’t care if they had a newly designed extremely clean 4K encode for individuals with limited bandwidth; it opens up access for everyone.”
Well said.
How to change Netflix video quality if you have bandwidth constraints
If you live in an area where bandwidth is limited and can’t wait for your favorite title to get the 4K Netflix encoding treatment, reduce the quality of your video by adjusting your download preferences in the Netflix app.
You can select the download video quality that best fits your needs.
- Standard is a slightly lower video quality than High quality. It requires less storage space and takes less time to download.
- High quality, up to 1080p depending on the TV show or movie, requires more storage space and takes more time to download.
To change the video quality for downloaded TV shows and movies:
- Open the Netflix app and select More
, the 3-dot “More” icon. - Select App Settings.
- Under Downloads, select Download Video Quality or Video Quality.
- Select either Standard or High/Higher.
, the 3-dot “More” icon.Enjoy!