Netflix Recommended Bandwidth
- Netflix recommends a minimum bandwidth of 1.5 Mbps for standard quality videos. When playing a video, Netflix automatically detects your connection speed and adjusts the picture quality accordingly. The faster your internet connection, the better the picture.
- High quality videos on Netflix require a connection speed of 3 Mbps or higher, rather than the 1.5 Mbps standard videos require. This is due to the higher pixel count, which in turn takes up more bandwidth. High quality videos should not be conflated with HDTV, which are even sharper.
- The minimum recommended bandwidth for streaming an HDTV-quality video from Netflix is 5 Mbps. When you select an HDTV video for playback, Netflix automatically determines whether the video is playable based on your bandwidth. If your connection is less than 5 Mbps, the video will not play.
- Your raw Internet connection speed is only an approximate average. Internet connections constantly speed up and slow down depending on the conditions at the ISP (Internet Service Provider) as well as the number of devices using the connection. Try disconnecting extraneous connections to your router if you are experience poor or nonexistent picture quality. Additionally, if you are using a wireless router to stream Netflix videos, you may see a decrease in performance. Connect the playback to the router through an Ethernet connector for a more reliable signal.
