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Facebook PageReduce the Quality of Your Netflix Stream For Smoother Playback
I’m a big fan of Netflix. Any given day, and it’s likely we’ll stream a couple of hours of content though the little red service.
All is not rosy, however. You see, I have a decent internet connection, but there are still times where data is lean and Netflix starts buffering. It’s sadly more common in my household, what with all the reviewing I need to do.
It’s always bothered me that Netflix doesn’t allow me to control the quality of the stream; you know, for those times when I’ve got three review tablets updating apps all at the same time. I’d be content to watch in SD for smoother playback.
Well. If you don’t mind a little behind-the-scenes action, you can tweak the stream on a computer.
While streaming, hold down ALT and SHIFT–then left click anywhere on the screen. A small Diagnostics menu will pop up, and if you select Stream Manager, from that menu you can manually control the quality of the video stream. This is also a handy trick for under-powered computers.
Unfortunately, if you stream Netflix to your TV through a console, this diagnostic trick wont work. On XBox and PS3, you can reach a system menu by entering “Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, Up, Up, Up, Up”, but it wont allow you to alter the streaming quality.
As if the media streaming device market wasn’t competitive enough, ASUS threw its hat into the ring today with the official release of their ASUS CUBE. Designed to be you digital media “everything” and powered by Google TV, the CUBE lets you stream your favorite online content, watch live TV, play games, surf the net, and thanks to the built-in mic on its remote, even use Voice Search to find what you’re looking for. ASUS CUBE also has 2 USB ports, should you prefer to supply your own media, and every unit comes with 50GB of WebStorage. The ASUS CUBE retails for $139, and you can click past the jump for all of the details.
Harman Kardon is now shipping its latest AVR 2700 and 3700 receivers with 4K scaling and AirPlay support. Both support pass through and upscaling to 4K video via their eight HDMI ports, as well as AirPlay streaming along with common DLNA media sharing and remote control mobile apps. The 2700 will run you $800 for 7.1 surround and Ethernet networking, while for $996 the 3700 brings you up to 7.2 channels and WiFi.
Sceptre is back with the new SB301523 Speaker Sound Bar, offering a built-in subwoofer for room filling sound. Instead of jacking in multiple speakers, this 2.1 sound bar simulates surround sound and promises breathtaking audio with its dual 20 watt speakers and 40-watt sub. It may be hard to match the sound of a dedicated 8 speaker home theater system, but when space is at a premium and budgets are tight (the SB301523 retails for a very reasonable $149), this new sound bar from Sceptre could be a great option. Check the full release after the jump.
When it comes to mobile and home audio, it doesn’t get much better than Bowers & Wilkins (we most recently reviewed the AirPlay-enabled . So what do you do when you’ve already created on of the most versatile and reasonably-priced compact home theater speakers on the market, the amazing M-1? You make it waterproof, of course! Bowers & Wilkins has just released the AM-1, promising the B&W sound quality we’ve all grown accustom to, in a versatile weatherproof package that’s equally at home indoors. The AM-1 features a rear-mounted auxiliary bass radiator, as well as and inverted drive unit configuration (with the tweeter mounted below the mid), both designed to enhance performance, and the new speaker will be available in both black and white when it launches in March. As for the price? The AM-1 will retail for $300; and if the M-1 sound quality is any indication of what the AM-1 will sound like, you’ll really have to hear one for yourself to realize what a bargain this truly is. Click past the jump for the full PR.
Sharp’s audio group came to CES with four new active sound bars, its first portable audio system in years, and its first Apple-docking microsystem with Apple’s new 8-pin Lightning connector. A quartet of new sound bars tops out with the $599 HTSB-60 and opens with the $149 HTSB-20. The HTSB-60, designed for use exclusively with 60-inch and larger TVs, incorporates built-in HDMI switching, Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1 decoders, proprietary virtual 5.1 surround sound technology, 2.4GHz wireless subwoofer, 2×80-watt plus 1×150-watt amplification, and a black textured finish that complements Sharp’s 2013 TV line (the wall-and-table-mountable enclosure measures 54.5″ by 2.88″ by 2.69″). The 2.1-channel sound bar features two exposed woofers and an exposed tweeter for each left-right channel. The bar also incorporates dual HDMI 1.4a 3D-capable HDMI inputs, HDMI 1.4a output with audio return channel, optical digital-audio input, and 3.5mm analog audio input. Other DSP modes include cinema, game, music, sports, news and nighttime listening. The Sharp HTSB-60 is available now.
Epson has launched a new HD projector to its line of home theater projectors . The $899 750HD is scheduled to ship in march and features both 2D and 3D 720p capabilities for viewing at up to 120 inches or larger. Featuring 3,000 lumens of both color and white brightness, the easy-slide image correction makes viewing from any device much clearer and easier without the need for any additional format converters. HDMI and USB connections are onboard as well, with five color modes for adapting the picture to each (also along for the ride are Epson’s RF 3D glasses for 40 hours of viewing on a full charge). The 3LCD PowerLite® Home Cinema 750HD represents a pretty incredible value for anyone looking to get into 3D HD projection, and you can learn more by checking out the full release after the jump.
LG continues its slew of CES 2013 pre-announcements–the latest of which comes in the form of a projector that is capable of creating a 100-inch screen from just 22 inches away. The “Hecto” Laser TV is a 1080p projector that is indended to change our views of a traditional home theater. The Hecto features an all-in-one design that has a digital tuner and 10w speakers built-in with three HDMI inputs, an RS-232 port and SmartTV capabilities–all controlled by LG’s Magic Remote. Of course, the main attraction here is that the Hecto Projector uses a “laser-based illumination system” that’s good for 25,000 of use. That’s right…frickin’ lasers (sorry – I’m a sucker for a good Dr. Evil reference!). Check the full release after the jump to learn more.
Nintendo has been pretty good about sticking to its launch plan when it comes to apps on the Wii U; and with Christmas only 6 days away, Nintendo’s biggest gift to Wii U owners arrives tomorrow in the form of the much anticipated Nintendo TVii. Though details are still scarce, Nintendo TVii will take your existing television services (cable, satellite, even streaming services) and combine them into one portal that you can access through your Wii U console. Nintendo promises that its new TVii app will be fully integrated into the GamePad and take full advantage of dual-screen functionality, as well as integrate social networking – to make your television viewing an even more connected experience.. I’ve been looking forward to seeing exactly what Nintendo has planned for TVii, and tomorrow the wait will be over–at least if you live in the U.S. or Canada (but fear not, rest of the world–we’ll let you know what you have to look forward to!). Nintendo TVii is a free service, so make sure you check your Wii U console tomorrow for the update.
