Archive republication: This article was originally published on 26 October 2020. It has been translated into English and lightly updated for clarity while preserving the original reporting and context.
Optimised 4K Encoding
Netflix described an encoding update designed to reduce the bitrate of 4K video without reducing perceived image quality. According to the Netflix Technology Blog, Bjøntegaard-rate calculations indicated an average improvement of about 50 percent across the bitrate ladder.
For viewers with high-bandwidth connections, Netflix said the method could deliver comparable quality at roughly half the bitrate. For bandwidth-constrained viewers, it could provide higher quality at the same or a lower bitrate.
The practical result was intended to be more efficient 4K streaming, improved quality and fewer interruptions. Netflix planned to extend the optimised approach across its film and series catalogue.
