Netflix To Re-Encode Entire 1 Petabyte Video Catalogue In 2016 To Save Bandwidth (variety.com)

An anonymous reader writes: Netflix has spent four years developing a new and more efficient video-encoding process that can shave off 20% in terms of space and bandwidth without reducing the quality of streamed video. With streaming video accounting for 70% of broadband use, the saving is much-needed, although the advent of 4K streaming, higher frame rates and HDR are likely to account for it all soon after. Netflix video algorithms manager Anne Aaron explained to Variety that certain types of video benefit little from the one-size-fits-all compression approach that Netflix has been using until now: "You shouldn't allocate the same amount of bits for My Little Pony as for The Avengers."

Comments

My little pony

[Eunuchswear]

"You shouldn't allocate the same amount of bits for My Little Pony as for The Avengers."

So they're dropping the resolution for The Avengers?

Re:My little pony

[Anonymous Coward]

Absolutely. I need to see every little pony in all its unpixelated, 4K glory.

Wait... that didn't come out right.

Re:My little pony

[Anonymous Coward]

4-year-olds? I love that show, dude. Don't pixelate the pony, bro!

Compression ruins the glistening of the glitter and the graceful flowing of manes during brisk gallops.
     

Re:My little pony

[sexconker]

I suggest no one do that, because it's fucking horse shit. I know the fucking document you're referring to, and it's wrong, wrong, wrong.
There is no reason to use 10-bit encoding over 8-bit encoding unless you're using a shitty fucking encoder that introduces rounding errors at every step. Decent encoders work in a higher precision before shitting out the encoded result.

class action suit

[sunking2]

As a My Little Pony enthusiast who pays the same per month as everyone else I demand the same quality as the Avengers.

Re:class action suit

[Kjella]

Are you sure you haven't agreed to a binding arbitration agreement? >:-)

Netflix's catalog is already shrinking

[NotDrWho]

With all their efforts concentrated on their original series, it seems like their movie and TV offerings already shrink every month already, without any compression.

Re:Repetition

[c0d3g33k]

They can save about 500% of my bandwidth by just letting me perma-download Family Guy, American Dad, and Buffy, which I keep watching over and over and over again.

Look into something called "Boxed Sets".

Re:Repetition

[OzPeter]

Look into something called "Boxed Sets".

So then .. looks like I'll have to buy the white album .. again.