aleeheav latonna beresford
Boyan Atanaschev
Can you connect your Mac to a different network to help rule out the issue being related to your network connection? This would be trying an Ethernet connection if available, or just a different Wi-Fi network connection: Connect to the internet with your Mac
My observation is that the Video Quality seems to dip in and out and at one time I thought it was the network. Running the Activity Monitor and watching Safari network activity and throughput suggested that every time the video deteriorates the network went slow - not the network but Mac's access. I thought I'd found it by removing a PROXIE setting and selecting Auto Proxy Discovery. Then, instead of allowing the Location to be Automatic - set up a new location with NO customisation. Every try improved the time between quality going from "Good to Best" (Amazon video definition).
But, it still seemed to happen - on all browsers, Chrome, Firefox, Brave and Safari. So it must be my MAC - where next? Well, watching Amazon Sport using a Private browser Window seemed to be the answer. What is loading and causing Safari to loose video quality? It's not the few extensions (switched off-even uninstalled) - it's not WiFi (used Ethernet connection the router) but, Private browsing fixes the problem - why? Don't know.
It's true unfortunately, I'm afraid I was too premature in reporting the workaround. I also had big hopes when I found that >Preferences >battery >Battery >uncheck "Optimise video streaming while on battery". Unfortunately, all these things seem to improved the time between video quality degrading episodes, but they don't fix the problem permanently.
Problem is, that for me, Safari is the browser I prefer and I want it to work. I'm sure that I have observed this HD degrade in Brave, FireFox and Chrome - so maybe we should be concentrating on the MAC. Why I say that is; "sometimes" when selecting a web video to play, the target tab turns black and there is no activity - if you then HotKey "option + Command + E" - you may need to have activated the Develop Menu is Safari Preferences (last item on the Advanced Tab), then as soon as the cache files are cleared the busy ring starts running and the video loads. May be a helpful clue?
yea this is nuts. even since jobs left us ,apple is screwing the pooch waaay too often . and i wish people would stop giving instructions to re-configure the entire setup or change an app or some crazy thing.
if my computer was streaming a particular site and now i installed an update /new mac os and now a particular thing isnt working . its a crap written codec . lets just get it fixed OR explain the setting that some apple clown added and turned ON instead of leaving it off for default .
I for one don't think that investigating ways to "work around" this, is in any way an attempt to fix it. But our experiences may be helpful to others. Finding a clue that could lead those, who do code Safari, to a code interaction with the OS that is causing the symptom we see. By the way, I've yet to hear anyone complain of Safari's video performance on iOS. To that end, I've added AddBlocker and other extensions I use in macOS and have tested them in iOS extensively without finding this "fuzzy streaming"
I've found that Apple have gained my trust and respect through the years. I wonder if you have ever worked in the "guts" of any complex IT environment? I've worked in IT since the '60's and swapped from an IBM PC (although I worked for them for 25years) to the Apple 1 in the late 70's - nothing ever released in IT is perfect and even if it is, there is no way it can be seen to be when it is added into a constellation of other software. The interaction between the 5 Apple products I use, is simply amazing and magical (defined by an awesome wonder on how they work). That some of these reactions may be broken or less that reliable is simply a given - that there are so few to complain about is a testament to;
I divided my WiFi channels between 2.4Ghz and 5Hhz on the router, as I had some of my "stuff" which could connect to the 5G WiFi and some could ONLY to the 2.4Ghz - mainly an old iPhone and a Google ChromeCast - they wouldn't even "find" the available 5G network. It seemed logical to me but then a tech at my broadband provider found this;
Effectively, doing this allows the router to "serve" both 2.4 and 5 Ghz devices when they connect to that one WiFi network. Switch off the (second channel) 5Ghz network and you'll find your old devices still connecting at their limit and the newer ones at the higher speed. (You may have to provide a password for them to do this)
Having just the one network (SSID) capable of doing that meant that all the "bandwidth" that the router possesses was dedicated to just that one channel. Funny thing though, I (THINK) remembering in the beginning, connecting my MAC to Ethernet and experiencing the degrading video quality?? So, there is still something unexplained but, the change has removed this problem from the browser (whichever one you use).
Internet Speed - and Ookla SpeedTest (50Mbps down 13up) are the definitive way(s) to measure your internet performance - BUT, they just gave impressive performance numbers and didn't indicate the network maybe at fault. However, Apples network performance tool gave a hint - that motivated calling the broadband provider;
Apple has made a push into live sports, signing a deal with Major League Soccer (MLS Season Pass, $13 a month) and airing MLB games on Friday nights. For 2024 the company added some new features, including bringing Multiview, which had been limited to only those using an Apple TV 4K, to the iPad.
Apple TV+ is now also available as part of of a $15-a-month bundle from Comcast that also includes Netflix and Peacock. To get this "StreamSaver" bundle, you have to be a Comcast Xfinity TV or Internet customer.
The company also says it is partnering with Warner Bros. Discovery for a new bundle that will include Disney+, Hulu, and Max. No additional information has been released other than that the bundle will launch this summer.
Disney now fully owns Hulu, and has combined Hulu and Disney+ into a single app. Some industry reports indicate that Disney has been in talks with streaming services to sell some of its back catalogs. This would be a major change for Disney, which pulled back its content from Netflix and others just a few years ago.
Hulu is looking to curtail account sharing with an updated subscriber agreement that outlines new limitations on access outside of the household. Subscribers are warned that violations give parent company Disney the right to limit or terminate access to the service.
As noted above, Comcast Xfinity TV and internet customers can now get a bundle that includes Netflix, Apple TV+ and Peacock, for $15 a month. To get this "StreamSaver" bundle, you have to be a Comcast Xfinity TV or Internet customer.
Netflix is also moving into sports, with a three-year deal that will bring NFL holiday games to the service. This year, Netflix will host two Christmas Day games: the Super Bowl LVII-winning Chiefs vs. Steelers, followed by the Ravens vs. Texans. In 2025 and 2026, Netflix will stream at least one holiday game each year.
Netflix has cracked down on account sharing in various countries, including the U.S., where subscribers now have to pay an extra $8 per month per user to share an account with someone outside their household.
To make the switch easier for customers who have been sharing accounts, Netflix unveiled a tool that lets you transfer account info, such as viewing history and program recommendations, to a new subscription.
The basic $80 Pro plan has 199 channels with local stations in most markets, plus lots of sports networks and many cable channels. Stepping up to the $90 Elite plan gets you Fubo Extra, with 57 more sports and lifestyle channels, while the $100 Premier plan has even more channels, as well as Showtime and Sports Plus, which includes NFL RedZone.
On regular YouTube, you can subscribe to additional streaming services, including AMC+ and Paramount+, plus several other smaller and/or niche services. YouTube TV subscribers have been able to do this, but now anyone can access the Primetime Channel hub on YouTube.
Amazon Fire TV Channels
Amazon Fire TV Channels is a special option included exclusively on Fire TV devices. This service aggregates free, ad-supported content from a range of popular sources, including MLB, Fox News, ABC News, CBS News, CBS Sports, NHL, Fox Sports, NASCAR, and more.
Earlier, Amazon bumped up its offering with content from Variety, Rolling Stone, The Hollywood Reporter, Billboard, and TV Line from Penske Media Corporation; GameSpot, Honest Trailers, and TV Guide from Fandom; Looper, Slash Film, and Nicki Swift from Static Media; along with Funny or Die and Outside. The service offers content from more than 400 different providers.
Crackle is now owned by Chicken Soup for the Soul and is part of a bigger brand called Crackle Plus, which operates several ad-supported and subscription networks, including EspaolFlix, FrightPix, and Popcornflix, among others. The company also recently acquired Redbox (see below).
Hoopla and Kanopy
If you have a library card, Hoopla and Kanopy might be your ticket to free movies, music, audiobooks, and comics. Getting started is pretty simple. Just go to the site, find your local library, and create an account with your library card. You check out TV shows and movies as though they were books, using your library card.
The main difference between the two services is that Hoopla tends to focus more on popular entertainment than Kanopy does, and it includes other types of media beyond videos, such as audiobooks, comics, e-books, and music.
Peacock
Bad news for new subscribers: Peacock is no longer offering its free tier, instead shifting its emphasis to its two paid Premium services. But anyone currently using the free tier can continue to use it, and paid subscribers who cancel their subscription will automatically be downgraded to the free plan with a limited amount of content.