Netflix quality dipping

[reelspike]

Hi

Over the last few weeks we've had a continuous drop in the image quality on Netflix when using our Sky Q boxes (standard and mini).  When watching Netflix, the image quality will suddenly drop and then the red circle % comes up like it's buffering. 

We are on Sky Broadband (fibre) with 200mbs on WiFi so this shouldn't be the issue. 

Has anyone else had this issue, and if so have you been able to resolve it?  Feels like either Netflix is struggling and it's a Netflix issue or the app with Sky Q needs updating somehow to address it?

Thanks. 

[Cormac]

We also have this issue. Just switched to Sky fibre 1GB and while our previous provider was only 500MB speeds we never experienced Netflix becoming poor quality or having to buffer like this. 

Given our speeds, and that Netflix works fine when we switch our Roku device to use mobile data from a phone hot-spot instead, it clearly shows the issue is with Sky itself.

I'm wondering if they're routing Netflix traffic differently or trying to throttle it somehow.

[Mister_Dalek]

The Netflix app on Sky Q is not good. There have been ongoing issues with it for years. 
Sky Q is old hardware now and was designed mainly as a satellite PVR which it still does very well. The addition of apps was always intended to be for convenience,  not necessarily quality, 

For a better, more reliable and versatile streaming experience it has always been adviseable to use apps on a dedicated streaming device such as a Firestick, Roku or Apple TV 4K box rather than on an under-powered Sky Q box. 

[reelspike]

Thanks both for your replies. 

It's really frustrating that this is happening. It doesn't happen on Disney or Prime, in fact they're really fast with no drop outs. Just Netflix!

Hope Sky sort this out soon with an update. 

[Kparker619]

I think it's something to do with the sky fibre as I've just switched to it now it's in my area and nothing but low quality with Netflix unless I unplug the box and plug it back in then it works for the night 

[Chodley]

Probably the way the Q works with that router over wifi is the same (terrible) way it works with 3rd party routers.

[Midknight]

This is a Sky Q issue. I belive that Sky are deliberately causing this issue so us customers stay on thier platform. I had Netflix in a contract with Sky and for as long as I was with Sky Broadband, I had no issues. I then switched my broadband to EE 1000mbs and all off a sudden im now having buffering issues when using Netflix through Sky. Thats a obe off right? EE could have been the issue? NO! 4 months later I switched again to the UK's fastest broadband provider, Youfibre. Again 1000mbs and again im having issues with buffering and connection. Sky are deliberately doing this, im certain off it.

[Midknight]

I can now confirm its Sky or the Sky Q equipment that is deliberately causing the viewing quality issue in Netflix. I signed into my Netflix account on my Smart TV and now I have perfect 1080p picture with zero pixelating or buffering. Sky should be taken to court over this because Sky advertises with Netflix included. Sky is NOT fulfilling the Netflix inclusion

[Chodley]

1Gb from YouFibre doesn't sound and faster than 1Gb from EE but anyway... neither of the outgoing connection speeds matter when the Q's wifi is so bad and can only use 2.4Ghz wifi. Can you use ethernet or powerline adapters? The Q works so much better with that.

what speed does the netflix app say it's getting under "Get Help"?

[Invisiblename]

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@Midknight wrote:

I can now confirm its Sky or the Sky Q equipment that is deliberately causing the viewing quality issue in Netflix. I signed into my Netflix account on my Smart TV and now I have perfect 1080p picture with zero pixelating or buffering. Sky should be taken to court over this because Sky advertises with Netflix included. Sky is NOT fulfilling the Netflix inclusion

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And just to provide a balanced point of view, I am on EE FTTC and only get 27Mbs at my router, but NEVER get buffering in the Sky Netflix app.

[stereohaven]

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@Invisiblename wrote:

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@Midknight wrote:

I can now confirm its Sky or the Sky Q equipment that is deliberately causing the viewing quality issue in Netflix. I signed into my Netflix account on my Smart TV and now I have perfect 1080p picture with zero pixelating or buffering. Sky should be taken to court over this because Sky advertises with Netflix included. Sky is NOT fulfilling the Netflix inclusion

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And just to provide a balanced point of view, I am on EE FTTC and only get 27Mbs at my router, but NEVER get buffering in the Sky Netflix app.

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Same, although about 67 Mbps.

It could be the Q hardware or the app itself of course, as has been mentioned, it is getting a bit long in the tooth now, but it isn't a consistent issue affecting everyone.

Perhaps it is connected to FTTP somehow after all? Hard to know for sure really.