Netflix announced today that subscribers will be able to download select movies and TV shows for offline playback. The feature had been requested by users for a long time, and it's reportedly been in the works since June. Now, anyone with a Netflix subscription can download movies and TV shows to watch when they're not connected to the internet.
In the past, the predominant belief was that Netflix offline viewing would be targeted at countries without reliable internet access. However, since that's not the case any more, the announcement is already being championed by binge-watchers and frequent travellers. It's also raised some questions among the tech community. With that in mind, here is everything you need to know about downloading videos from Netflix, and how you can plan to take advantage of this sweet new feature.
How to start downloading movies
You can only download Netflix videos using the iOS or Android app. Netflix requires users to have at least iOS 8.0 or Android 4.4.2, in addition to having the latest version of the app. Downloading videos will consume about as much data as streaming, so if you plan on saving a bunch of videos, we'd recommend connecting to a reliable Wi-Fi connection to prevent any unexpected mobile data charges.
How much storage space you'll need
The size of downloadable Netflix files depends on how long the video is. For example, one episode of Black Mirror with a running time of one hour and three minutes is about 280 megabytes in standard definition. The high-definition version of the same episode clocks in at 440 megabytes (about twice the size).
How much storage space you'll need to binge
Let's be honest: This new offline viewing feature is cool because it allows you to load up a bunch of content for long trips. Say you're taking a six-hour flight and want to watch downloaded Netflix videos the whole time. You'll need six Black Mirror episodes which would require 1.68 gigabytes of free space for SD and 2.64 gigabytes for HD. So unless you're flying further than Southeast Asia you probably won't need much more than that.
How to get the best quality video
You can choose whether you want standard-definition video — which is faster to download and takes up less space — or high-definition video. In order to keep downloads quick, Netflix sets downloads to standard video (720x480) by default. According to a Netflix spokesperson, HD support will vary by device. You can find the option to change in the app's settings. For most users, standard definition will be good enough, especially if you're watching on a small screen like a phone or tablet.
How to manage the files
Netflix declined to comment on the file type that is saved, and you can't view it in a file manager app, either. It works similarly to other subscription apps like Spotify. According to a Netflix spokesperson, "The downloads can only be viewed within the Netflix mobile app; they aren't like videos you download from the internet and store to your device." It's safe to say this is a digital rights management (DRM) scheme to protect the copyrights of videos being offered.
How to move files to a desktop or laptop (Spoiler: You can't)
You must use the Netflix app to download and view saved videos.
How to keep downloads from expiring
Each Netflix download has a different expiration time. Movies and TV shows that expire from your device in less than seven days will display how much time is left in the "My Downloads" section of the Netflix app. For some movies and shows, offline viewing must be completed within 48 hours of the moment you press play. When you start playing one of these titles, you'll see how many hours you have left in the "My Downloads" section of the Netflix app.
0 comments
New User? Sign up