If you have a Google TV device, you may have noticed Netflix looks even better now.
Netflix has released an updated version of its app reducing ‘judder’ with new frame rate matching. Juddering occurs when content is not played at the intended frame rate, causing the same frames to be repeated. A slow internet connection can also cause this effect, but that’s not on Netflix to solve.
The new version 10.0.04 developed by David Zheng matches content frame rates to create a smoother viewing experience on Android TV and Google TV.
As outlined by Netflix Tech Blog, “Netflix offers limited high frame rate content (50fps or 60fps), but the majority of our catalog and viewing hours can be attributed to members watching 23.97 to 30fps content. This essentially means that most of the time, our content goes through a process called frame rate conversion (aka FRC) on the source device which converts the content from its native frame rate to match the HDMI output frame rate by replicating frames.”
Flatpanelshd reports studios have been phasing out 23.976 fps in recent years, but Netflix’s extensive catalog still has many titles already filmed with this speed. Integer numbers like 24.000 fps make playback smoother. Frame rate conversions such as 25 to 50, 30 to 60, 24 to 120, and so on eliminate judder.
While most series and movies are filmed to provide a smooth viewing experience, a certain recently canceled Netflix series used the effect intentionally to add more mystery to the series. Viewers thought it was juddering when really it was a subtle yet essential plot point.
If your device doesn’t support the 10.0.04 updated app, check out Netflix’s help center to learn other ways to adjust your television and playback speeds to reduce or eliminate judder. Thinking of upgrading your television anyway? Check out the line of Android TVs and Google TVs.