In today’s digital age, streaming services like Netflix have transformed how we consume entertainment. With an ever-growing audience demanding high-quality video content, ensuring optimal performance over Wi-Fi networks is essential. In this blog, we explore the importance of testing Netflix performance, how to measure it effectively, and how Alethea Communications Technologies‘ WiCheck solution can help improve your Netflix experience.

Why Test Netflix Over Your Wi-Fi Networks?

Netflix is a heavyweight in the streaming world, accounting for approximately 20% of all internet traffic in the Americas and similar figures in other regions.

Key Insights:

• High Traffic Demand: The majority of Netflix traffic is transmitted via Wi-Fi, primarily through home access points (APs) or mesh networks.
• Quality Expectations: Netflix streams demanding HD and 4K video content, leaving little room for error. Viewers expect a seamless experience, and any lag can lead to frustration.
• Concurrent Usage: While enjoying Netflix, users often engage in other activities, such as video conferencing and browsing, which can strain network performance.

With these factors in mind, testing your Wi-Fi network’s ability to deliver quality Netflix streaming is crucial.

How to Measure Netflix Performance?

To effectively measure the performance of Netflix streaming, Netflix has developed an objective quality metric known as Video Multimethod Assessment Fusion (VMAF).

Understanding VMAF:

• What is VMAF? VMAF is a full-reference video quality metric designed to evaluate the quality of video streams. It provides an objective score that ranges from 0 (low quality) to 100 (high quality), with a target range of 93-95 for an optimal viewing experience.
• Importance of VMAF: By focusing on this metric, users can quantify the quality of their streaming experience and identify areas for improvement.

Improve Your VMAF Score with WiCheck

Alethea Communications Technologies’ WiCheck solution is here to help you enhance your Netflix performance effectively.

WiCheck Feature:

• Support for Real Netflix Traffic: WiCheck now supports the “Real” Netflix application, enabling fully automated measurement of the VMAF score.
• Diverse Testing Options: Users can measure the VMAF score across multiple Netflix sessions and different types of content, whether HD or 4K, providing a comprehensive view of performance.

Testing Made Easy:

• One-Click or Interactive Mode: Choose a Netflix test case from the one-click mode or the interactive mode, allowing for customized testing based on your needs.
• Real-Time Traffic Simulation: WiCheck allows users to simulate real-world Netflix traffic scenarios effectively.

Testing with Real-World Scenarios

To ensure that your network can handle the demands of a typical household, WiCheck provides options to test in real-world scenarios.

Real-World Testing:

• Concurrent Applications: Run Netflix while simultaneously using other applications like Zoom or Microsoft Teams.
• Wi-Fi 7 Testing: Test the performance of non-Multi-Link Operation (MLO) Wi-Fi 7 and MLO Wi-Fi 7 to understand how different technologies impact your Netflix streaming experience.

In an era where streaming has become the primary source of entertainment, ensuring optimal performance for platforms like Netflix is essential. Alethea Communications Technologies’ WiCheck solution offers a comprehensive approach to testing and improving Netflix streaming performance. By leveraging VMAF scores and real-world testing scenarios, users can enhance their viewing experience, ensuring seamless access to their favourite shows and movies. Don’t leave your Netflix experience to chance—measure and improve it with WiCheck today! Schedule a demo to learn more.