streaming netflix via xbox = perfect. via tivo = crap... help?

cf3909 · 09-22-2010, 07:35 AM

love tivo and xbox both, had them both since launch. running a tivo hd xl now. FINALLY got netflix the other day and automatically did it though xbox since I do most of my *current* streaming that way.

then I remembered tivo does netflix as well and was psyched to not have to use and other device all the time so I happily switched over and sat down to enjoy....really poorly adapted/converted shows and movies of various resolutions?

I understand the quality issues with streaming

I understand the varying quality of the source material

What I don't understand is why xbox plays the content better in EVERY way?

touch no settings and every show has better resolution than through tivo, PLUS on xbox it lets me change the aspect ratio on ANY content and it does it well enough that it looks quite good.

tivo on the other hand will show me 480 at 480 and not let me change it. yes, tivo does let me change it on normally recorded shows so it isn't that.

and speaking of which the entire VOD menu is at 480 and looks horrid and I can 't change that either... same issue?

what is the deal here? am I missing some setting or am I a MUCH bigger xbox fan now?

ThAbtO · 09-22-2010, 04:35 PM

How is the Tivo connected? HDMI? Only S-Video and composite gives 480i.

twhiting9275 · 09-22-2010, 05:06 PM

Completely different interfaces mean completely different experiences.
I'm actually considering tossing Netflix altogether once I see how well Hulu+ turns out, but I can agree, Netflix on Tivo is crap if you've got a true (1080p) HD tv. Don't know why, but it looks far too pixelated, far too ugly.

Xbox and my BRD player kind of solve this by chopping off half my screen, but still not the most ideal situation.

tivoknucklehead · 09-23-2010, 12:33 PM

I get great quality with my Roku box but crap with Tivo

ncted · 09-23-2010, 12:38 PM

I haven't tried Netflix on the Tivo yet, but it works great on my Roku, PS3, Insignia BluRay, and Samsung TV. If there is a problem, it is with Tivo, not Netflix.

Ted

cf3909 · 10-05-2010, 11:35 AM

yeah the TV is full 1080p, connected via hdmi just like the xbox, and it is really all Tivo's VOD I think -- as soon as I get into that screen it displays at 4:3 only grr... then no matter what quality it plays content at it looks pretty crap.

xbox on the other hand shows me everything at 1080 unless the original wasn't 1080, then it does its best to make it look good anyway which in most cases is GREAT in comparison to Tivo. like light years better than Tivo.

I don't get it -- all Tivo does is this stuff, xbox started much later and has a lot more on their plate than Tivo to do and they are this much better!?

also, the now playing list itself isn't even the right resolution either at 1080 though Tivo recorded content plays correctly. I don't understand that either and I know it is set properly.

What is going on? Did Tivo jump the shark when I wasn't paying attention? 1080 is not new.

CouchPotato_S3 · 10-07-2010, 09:49 AM

Set your TiVo's "Aspect" to "FULL". I've been streaming Netflix on my S3 for years. I get a NICE 720p pic. Only downfall is no 5.1.

Hyrax · 10-07-2010, 11:32 AM

I get reasonable NetFlix quality from my TivoHD. The HD stuff looks pretty much the same as HDTV shows (Tivo's Netflix is maybe a little softer). I'm watching on a 100" screen, so problems really are obvious. However, it seems there is a quality problem if I watch during prime time. This could be my imagination, but it appears the Tivo streaming drops in quality a lot when there is a lot of network traffic.

But honestly, the sound is the real problem with all streaming solutions. The sound on HDTV, DVDs, and Blu-Rays Disks is so much better that the only thing I enjoy streaming is old TV shows and movies.

turbobuick86 · 10-07-2010, 01:28 PM

I posted something similar 6-8 months ago. My Xbox was a clear winner. However, Tivo/Netflix has been flawless for the last several months. TiVo still doesn't provide the Netflix library and that sucks, but the stream has been perfect. All the netflix menus are full screen on my set. I run both through wireless FiOS.

MeStinkBAD · 10-07-2010, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twhiting9275

Completely different interfaces mean completely different experiences.
I'm actually considering tossing Netflix altogether once I see how well Hulu+ turns out, but I can agree, Netflix on Tivo is crap if you've got a true (1080p) HD tv. Don't know why, but it looks far too pixelated, far too ugly.

What the hell is true 1080p? 1080p has always been a marketing tactic.

Quote:

Xbox and my BRD player kind of solve this by chopping off half my screen, but still not the most ideal situation.

Umm... your TV really stinks at scaling doesn't it?

JTYoung1 · 10-07-2010, 03:55 PM

I've had mixed results with Netflix on TiVo. Some things have looked and played great, other things (specifically StarzPlay shows) looked like crap.

bobfrank · 10-07-2010, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CouchPotato_S3

Set your TiVo's "Aspect" to "FULL". I've been streaming Netflix on my S3 for years. I get a NICE 720p pic. Only downfall is no 5.1.

You have to change the aspect before going into Netflix. You can't change the aspect while running Netflix.

Weird, but true.

Bob

cf3909 · 10-12-2010, 11:18 AM

what about the menus? I'm 99.99% sure I have everything set correctly and they have pretty much the same issue for me. Now Playing fits the screen but is somewhat distorted and the VOD menu is always 4:3 and looks pretty crappy as well.

All menus should be flawless at 16:9 imo (all xbox menus are stellar), is this just how Tivo is!?

turbobuick86 · 10-12-2010, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cf3909

what about the menus? I'm 99.99% sure I have everything set correctly and they have pretty much the same issue for me. Now Playing fits the screen but is somewhat distorted and the VOD menu is always 4:3 and looks pretty crappy as well.

All menus should be flawless at 16:9 imo (all xbox menus are stellar), is this just how Tivo is!?

Have you checked video settings?

"video output 1080i fixed"

Let your tv upconvert anything less.

guyjr · 10-14-2010, 10:52 AM

First, a couple of points -

1. Netflix does not stream anything higher than 720p (that is until the PS3 update comes out on 10/18, which will be the first time they will offer 1080i).

2. The HD TiVo boxes do not have all menus designed for HD viewing. Ironic, isn't it, but that's the way it is.

So... my main issue with the Netflix streaming is that, while I initially get a good HD stream from shows which support that (such as 30 Rock), after usually a few minutes, it either pauses to fetch more data, or downgrades to non-HD. This is totally unacceptable, given that I a) have a 25/25 FiOS connection, b) am using the TiVo Wireless G adapter, and get a good solid signal with it, and c) I mainly watch during lunch time in the middle of the week. I would assume there would be fairly low demand during this time for Netflix streaming, but maybe I'm wrong. What I do know is that, like the OP, the XBox 360 normally performs flawlessly, while I always (>90% of the time) encounter these issues with the TiVo HD.

I'm a long time TiVo user, and find the TiVo HD box to be their poorest offering ever. They promised a lot more than the box can deliver, and for this reason I refuse to even consider the Premiere. They need to "make it right", as Holmes on Homes would say, and get the Netflix service working properly, as advertised.

justen_m · 10-14-2010, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guyjr

b) am using the TiVo Wireless G adapter

This may be your problem. It's been discussed in other threads. Try using an ethernet cable. Something about latency and the wireless connection. Of course, if you xbox is wireless too, that might not be the issue, except I doubt the wireless implementations are identical.

With my TivoHD, an internet connection barely over 5mbps, and wired ethernet, I have no problem streaming Netflix at 720p. I'm actually surprised I get anything in HD, based on my pitiful internet speed. I find my TivoHD (which I got for $29, btw) to be superior to my S2DT ($49) in every way I can think of, except perhaps living up to expectations.

turbobuick86 · 10-14-2010, 12:09 PM

I run Netflix with wireless 25/25 FiOS without issues. The Tivo is about 75 feet and 4 walls away. My laptop reads about 7-9Mbps in speed tests next to the Tivo. I'm dropping 60% data rate and things are still good for Netflix and HD Tivo.

I set up the Tivo for static IP and coincidently, things improved dramatically.

richsadams · 10-15-2010, 02:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MeStinkBAD

What the hell is true 1080p? 1080p has always been a marketing tactic.

In 1080i each frame of video is sent or displayed in alternative fields. The fields in 1080i are composed of 540 rows of pixels or lines of pixels running from the top to the bottom of the screen, with the odd fields displayed first and the even fields displayed second. Together, both fields create a full frame, made up of all 1,080 pixel rows or lines, every 30th of a second.

In 1080p, each frame of video is sent or displayed progressively. This means that both the odd and even fields (all 1,080 pixel rows or pixel lines) that make up the full frame are displayed together. This results in a smoother looking image, with less motion artifacts and jagged edges.