I think it is partially a matter of perspective. Many people would consider 720p, low quality.
Netflix provides 4K content on other platforms so compared to 4K, 720p is quite a limit.
You’re right, and I edited my statement to reflect that. Netflix DOES limit streamed resolutions based on browser type, not just on linux (although linux is more adversely affected than windows).
Source: Netflix
Linux browsers are limited to 720p without modifying the browsers, where those same browsers on windows enjoy at least 1080p unmodified.
The topic that is being discussed here is:
This has nothing to do with netflix limiting bandwidth or harassing linux users.
I think this is not just a matter of perspective, also a matter of what screen you have.
For example, if I watch a YouTube video on my Nintendo switch in 720p it looks completely fine. If I watch the same video in 720p but on my rog ally (nearly same screen size) on a 1080p screen it just looks horrible. And if you would scale it even more up it wont get better.
And yes depending on what screen I would use I would say 720p is ok or not, on the switch screen fine anywhere else ew, but anything below is a big nono.
Could be a matter of bandwidth availability at Netflix, your ISP, or on your own network. The latter being most likely. It could be your ISP coming under load, or limiting bandwidth for Netflix at certain times. It may be worth running a speed test when it’s OK and when it’s slow.
In reference to the OP, this is true. However, I think the conversation has ebbed and flowed away from the OPs original point somewhat.
The fact is that the using the same browsers on Linux vs Windows, you get lower quality. I don’t think this is about “harassing” Linux users. I think it is a combination of not wanting to spend any time supporting Linux and also being concerned that Linux is a piracy platform and not wanting to support high quality streams.
wow ok wasn’t looking for a solution cause i was quiet over searching for solutions for this and that crap , but tried that extension in FF and what do you know , Netflix actually plays nice now !
I’ll see how it goes over the next few days but so far no problem .
Iv’e set it to 720p cause on small laptop screen it shows just fine .
( also just to reply to other posts suggesting it’s my ISP …it’s not . I have been on linux for a few years now with the same ISP and always watched netflix on this laptop with no problem. This only started yesterday on FF, i had problems with it before on Brave as per some other thread i don’t care to search now. Iv’e run the fastnetwork speed test and it shows 48Mbps which is ok as my ISP contract is 50Mbps up/down.)
I just cracked cause netflix always showed fine on my brave browser over the years , on different distros, then all of a sudden it started showing crappy , then i switched to FF and it worked good for a few days before it started again. At this point i was like WTactualF !
Anyway , it seems good now with this extension mbod provided.
thanks a stax mbod !!