We finally got a Smart TV last summer, and have been enjoying lots of Netflix shows.
About a week ago we lost our Netflix connection, and have been unable to get it back.
We called the Netflix 1-800 helpline and got an automated message saying that they are aware that some smart TVs are having trouble accessing Netflix, and they are attempting to fix the problem.
Anybody know whatup with that? I was right in the middle of Season 5 of Supernatural, and I’ve gotta find out how everything comes out.
Not a connection problem, but for the last two months, I log on and get a warning: “Update your email address. We can not reach you at the provided email. Please update your email.”
WTF?? They are getting their money, I’m not late on payments. (I think) When I try to update it, it says they are having system errors and to try again later. I’m still getting service on laptop and phone though.
The only problem we have is the occasional program where the sound and picture are way out of sync on the TV, but they are fine on our computers. I don’t get it.
Same here, our credit card was expiring, we got an email with a hot link, where we could input the new expiry date. Except it could never connect! You could enter the data but once you hit update, you’d get the ‘system errors, try again later’ crap!
We also, more often than not, have the sound out of sync issue. I’m not too worried, if they disconnect us to be honest, because the whole service is kinda crap in my opinion.
Besides the bad sound issue and the unending emails directing us to a page that then can’t accept the data they requested, I’m less than impressed with the movie selection.
It never occurred to me, at sign up, that they’d have a shittier selection of films than the local variety store had during the video rental days! If you like classic films it’s complete shit. I understand why maybe current tv shows (not prior seasons!) and films might produce issues with copyright for them. But older films? There’s no excuse.
Even at $7.99 a month, I’m disappointed with it. So I’m not going out of my way to get past their unworkable emails and update pages.
And I don’t think any customer should have to, no matter the price, to be honest!
After reading this I’m glad I’ve stuck with the DVD by mail service. Streaming seems to only be an advantage for people who are too lazy to take a DVD out of an envelope. Unless I’m unaware of other advantages.
My netflix streaming works fine. No audio/visual issues, slow loading times or error messages. I do agree that it seems like there should be far more classics on there.
The biggest advantage for me, Randwill, is that I don’t have to wait. I can watch whatever I want, when I want. When I had the mail service, I hated having to wait for them to ship the next disc if I was watching a tv show or whatever.
There is always a Roku box. They work well and will plug right into your smart TV. Since they sell millions of Rokus they should always be well-supported. They start at about $50 and no further fees to use the box after that (other than Netflix fees of course, or any other paid channels you subscribe to.)
This. I have no idea why firmware in smart TVs has to suck so hard. This is the very reason I have a PC dedicated to my TV. I don’t even bother using the firmware on my set.
:dubious:
Uh yeah, most of us don’t have issues. And my preference for streaming has nothing to do with “Laziness”.
My old smart TV (one of the first) can’t handle certain things on Netflix, like changing languages or showing subtitles. I was able to do some digging and find out that it-is-the-way-it-is, and there are no updates (Samsung nor Netflix) planned to address it. Still, we also have a Chromecast for all the non-smart TVs, so if it’s an issue, we have an option.
One update killed my Netflix in Google Chrome. So I watch Netflix in IE. If I really wanted to, I could disable all my extensions and figure out which one specifically is interfering, but it’s not worth it.
I have trouble getting Netflix to start in HD on most devices. On my Roku1, it usually starts out really bad, like sub SD, and takes quite a while to get up to speed. On my PS3, it’s not quite that bad, but it’s usually a good minute or so to get it to come up to 1080p. Meanwhile on my dad’s old Apple TV that I “borrowed” after he got a Roku3, it doesn’t seem to be much of a problem getting to HD right away.
Same internet connection, same location, same account, same pretty much everything, so the problem shouldn’t be my internet and/or router. It’s annoying and frustrating and I’m supposed to pass the Apple TV on to someone else, so keeping it isn’t the favored option (and I’m sure not buying a second one!)
Other things come in on the Roku1 in HD no problem. Just Netflix is f’d.
I haven’t had major problems, but it definitely starts at 360p or so and works up to 1080p in about a minute or so. I don’t care, since it gets the episode started more quickly.
I am watching via a Samsung smart tv, which actually did suffer a nation wide problem about a week or two ago. It was resolved via a Netflix app update and I hardly noticed the problem. I don’t get why Samsung TV’s were exclusively afffected, but it was a blip at most.
I also use a Roku 1(yes from 2010) and while it only goes to 720p, it is my backup and works even better. It has an older and in some ways, better version of the Netflix app. It loads up more quickly for me.
I think the main thing is that it allows me to try so many new shows instantly. I love it and I had the DVD-by-mail for about 4 years or so. I’ve been streaming for about 4 years exclusively. I think; I’m not sure on the dates exactly.
I should also note that I have a 4 year old and a 6 year old. Streaming on Netflix has tons of great kids shows that load instantly and have zero commercials. My kids have seen almost no commercials in their lives and get some nice kids entertainment as a reward.
They are spoiled to death to get TV with no ads for their whole childhood life. They watch zero over-the-air TV.
Different Roku1. They changed over the whole line, and this was the “new” Roku1, I think it only came out in 2013, or maybe even 2014. Last I was in the store, it looked like it’s since been supplanted in the product line by their streaming stick. Anyway, this Roku1 does 1080p, no problem, well other than the already mentioned problems with Netflix, that is.
Honestly I wouldn’t care if it only did 720p for Netflix, if it at least didn’t play this silly game where it starts at dialup friendly resolution.
That’s what I have, and right now Netflix seems think it has an internal error and I should try again later. The network signal is Excellent but it doesn’t want to let me access Netflix, amazon, etc. I will have changed nothing and it will work again in a day or two. O the mystery that is Roku!
I’m still getting service on laptop and phone though.