Netflix’s Watch Instantly is a great way to catch up on movies and tv shows, but sometimes it’s automatic selection of your video’s bit rate (quality) can leave you with something less than your connection can actually handle. To manually select your quality (and hence, force HD playback), click on the video once it’s started to ensure that it’s your top window, and then press:
Control + Shift + Option/Alt + S
Upon doing so, you’ll be presented with options for the audio bitrate, video bitrate, and even which CDN to access your program from. Make your selections, and choose ‘Override’.
Now, at Rewatchable HQ we have ludicrous-speed Internet, so I always just choose the lowest option to ensure that I’m pulling the best version of the stream that Netflix has to offer (most movies seem to top out at 1750kbps – a speed that even most cheap DSL lines can handle), but you can tune the manual selection to your available connection to find that perfect quality / performance combination that works for you.
Thanks to Jud Stephenson for the tip.
Does this still work?
How would you do this on a Mac?
Just hold down Option instead of ALT as the third key, and it should work like a charm on a Mac.
Thank you. Works perfectly. If only Netflix’s servers weren’t so bogged down. It’s taking 2-5 minutes for the video to buffer at max HD setting. And it’s not an issue with my connection. I’m on a 250mbps line.
I know, I get the same thing in the evening. Oddly, I find that AppleTV and iPad seem to get streams at very high quality very quickly, while my XBox and laptop can drag getting good quality video.
Great post! Thanks
Still valid! thanks!
Glad it helped!
THIS IS AMAZING.
Thank you.
How do u do this with Apple TV
You can’t use *this* trick with the AppleTV. But you can see what it’s pulling for a feed – check out http://www.tuaw.com/2013/12/17/heres-how-to-check-your-apple-tvs-netflix-bandwidth-using-a-hi/
Huh, I can set it to buffer up to 3000, but the video just plays while it says it’s still buffering HD. Doesn’t seem to actually buffer 1080p for The Avengers on either Chrome or Firefox, even during the middle of the day, despite the FiOS.
Maybe I should take advantage of the $1 off for standard definition, if that’s all I can get. Or maybe I should look into someone other than Verizon, maybe they’re throttling Netflix somehow.
Netflix doesn’t run in 1080p in Chrome, Firefox or Opera. It runs in 1080p in Safari on Mac OS 10.10.3 or later and in Internet Explorer. The only browser that supports 4k is Microsoft Edge.
This is great…Thx. I can force my Netflix to HD. Before it would ALWAYS stay on buffering, HD available. And I have Fios!
Now if someone could tell me how to get my old Roku to go back to HD I’d be grateful
This is a good idea. This is ideal for wanting to watch Netflix in 1080p. I just changed the settings about three minutes ago and it worked. Thank you for the tip. It was really helpful.
How to do this on Samsung Smart Tv?
I’m not sure you *can* force a certain version using devices, unfortunately.
I’ve been having issues since the latest Yosemite update (10.10.3), I can’t select full HD anymore, it’s not even in the list for some reason.
The interface has changed (see above screenshot) but all of the features are still there. Just choose the biggest number under ‘Video bitrate’ for the highest quality stream…
Chrome won’t play in 1080p no matter what. It’s unsupported. Check Netflix’s info: https://help.netflix.com/en/node/23742
“Control + Shift + Option/Alt + S” sorry, but I don’t understand – what is the “Option” button on my Windows PC Keyboard? I’m trying to get this setting window in your screen grab to popup. I’m on a Win7ult PC running ie11 with Silverlight, I have HD streaming enabled on my 2 simultaneous user Netflix account – I do get the “Allow HD” checkmark option and can enable it so I should be seeing the full 1080p on my 2160p screen. it’s very annoying how Netflix does not display the status of your stream resolution and FPS the way YouTube does.
Option is for Mac only, for Windows just use alt
It is working! Much appreciated mate. Youre the guvnor 🙂
Noticed that I can go up to 5800 on the netflix app (on pc) and only up to 1750 when watching certain movies on chrome. So if you want the best quality, I suggest using the app from the marketplace. 😉
Audio bitrate also higher. 192 vs 96.
I AM NOT ABLE TO SELECT AUDIO OPTION WHY ?
I don’t believe it’s ever offered an audio option separately?
It’s only if the audio has a second or more track. The only thing I’m wondering about is if choosing an alternate CDN would effect it in any way.
How can I get a lighter picture my Netflix movies are great on my I phone but on my Mac are very dark, same internet connection
thank you it works
Why it’s not working for me… 🙁 … I have a MacBook Pro retina 13″ late 2013 with El Capitan… None of the combinations work… Why? I want to make sure it’s playing at the highest quality…because I have 1000Mbps internet subscription… Please help! 🙁
the stream manager pops up but i can’t do anything.it’s just there.when i try to click it it clocks on the video instead
I am able to get the window to open showing the options but it won’t allow me to select anything. When I click on any of the options nothing happens? Any advice?
How to do this on a ps3 or ipad?