When it comes to providing high quality discount TVs, we are the go to guys! While we are specialised in our field, we can’t be everywhere – we’re not Santa – so there are just some things that we have to leave to be undertaken by others. Take streaming media for example, there are few who are better at this than Netflix; news from Netflix HQ suggests that they are about to try something radical…
Netflix are looking at tackling the age-young-question of how can you make an image look better on a viewing platform through providing less data? Well, the answer to that is essentially experience! In an attempt to cut overall data usage and reduce bandwidth, Netflix have decided to implement a radical idea while still promising to keep video quality high.
Go on… How?
Well the process is going to involve a whole load of reprogramming… every video on Netflix no-less. Netflix currently have an in built algorithm that enables their streaming video to adapt to whatever bitrate you are currently running at; i.e. if you have a low bitrate, the quality of the video will be visibly seen to drop.
Well, because each chunk of content is essentially created in the same likeness in order to enable a consistent high quality, they realised that there was potential for change through streamlining. Essentially, a Marvel blockbuster will not necessitate the same number of bits as The Power Puff Girls.
With the chunks of colour that are prevalent in the latter, and the immense detail that are synonymous with the former, they have decided to implement the algorithm per show. This means that while there is a lower amount of visual data being transferred in order to harness a lower bitrate, it will still come through at 1080p quality. Pretty impressive, huh?
Netflix’s Algorithm Example
The example, as provided by Netflix, stated that a bitrate of 5800kbps may be required for a 1080p stream. Now, through the all magical algorithm, they can reduce the bitrate down to around 4640kbps and ultimately slash the bandwidth by a whopping 20%. This enables for a far better user experience for mobile users as well as a significant reduction on the impact on Netflix’s servers. This may sound somewhat unnecessary, but at its peak usage Netflix takes up around 37% of North America’s bandwidth activity! So it’s certainly worth doing!
Pretty staggering isn’t it. A cynic could say that this may only prove effective if everybody is watching My Little Pony or Curious George, but it’s still a great example of data innovation either way. It’s certainly encouraging to find out that while bitrate can be lowered, quality needn’t be, and it has pathed an interesting path for future technological advances.
As such, we advise getting hold of a super-dooper TV set to be able to enjoy this new Netflix revolution! And you’ve come to the right place! All you have to do is get in touch by contacting us on 0121 327 3273, and allow us to set you up with the ultimate home cinema experience!
