Netflix soon only in SD resolution due to high network usage?
Because of the Corona-Breakout a large number of people is staying home causing Internet usage to climb up. Although the data usage it is not yet absolutely critical, the EU is already discussing ways to restrict data traffic in favor of essential services. This led to the suggestion that Netflix could temporarily lower its video resolution to SD level.
CNBC reports that an EU emissary met with Netflix CEO Reed Hastings. The discussion was about ways and means to relieve the current extreme Internet load in favor of essential services. The current additional load is largely due to the video (and gaming?) Streaming services such as Netflix, YouTube, Twitch, Prime Video and Co.
EU representative Thierry Breton emphasizes how important it is to keep the internet running smoothly, especially in times of the corona pandemic and ongoing isolation of people. Therefore, he appeals to everyone's sense of responsibility. At the end of the talks, he tweeted:
„#SwitchToStandard definition when HD is not necessary.”
When HD is now necessary is certainly a matter of opinion. There was no longer any question of the increasingly widespread 4K resolution. There was also a discussion about a new function that would automatically lower the resolution of users to standard definition at times of high Internet usage. Both parties want to continue the talks over the next few days.
A C64 marked my entry into the world of PCs. I spent my student internship in the repair department of a computer shop and at the end of the day I was allowed to assemble my own 486 PC from “workshop remnants”. As a result of this, I later studied computer science at the Humboldt University in Berlin, with psychology also being added to my studies. After my first job as a research assistant at the university, I went to London for a year and worked for Sega in computer game translation quality assurance. This included working on games such as Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed and Company of Heroes. I have been writing for Notebookcheck since 2017.