Ultimate Guide to Netflix

There is no doubt that generally streaming services and specifically Netflix has changed our lives for the better. With the ease and convenience of the content offered by Netflix, waiting for the 30-episode of your favorite TV show every week seems like a myth now. Netflix introduced streaming in the early 2000s and is still the pioneer of the industry. It has overturned the previously crowned entertainment titan, cable TV, brutally. This article is all about Netflix and covers everything that you need to know so read along to enlighten yourself!

However, before diving deep, a disclaimer is needed. If you are a cable enthusiast and do not believe in the power of streaming services, you might want to just give it a try. Sign up and watch thousands of original and licensed content pieces free of cost for a month. I know that the love of cable is greater than anything else; but trust me, you can keep them both together. If you have a tight budget, you should explore Optimum cable that offers more than 220 channels, built-in apps, and access to a Cloud DVR, at the best market rates. With such a cable plan, you can subscribe to Netflix and maybe some other streaming service to keep things exciting!

Let us begin with the ultimate guide to Netflix, now:

Availability of service

Netflix has expanded its services worldwide. It is working in more than 190 countries as of now. The countries out of its spectrum are China, North Korea, Crimea, and Syria. The fact that Netflix is available in your country does not mean that you can get access to its entire library of movies and TV shows. Your access depends on your country and is likely to be changed from time to time. This is because of content licensing.

A British IP address can only access British Netflix or an American IP address can only access American Netflix. This also means that when traveling, you will have access to the country you are in.

Cost of service

Netflix offers three packages and the details are as follows:

What to watch?

Now, this is a million-dollar question. There is so much content on Netflix that you might get confused about what to watch. Every imaginable genre has tons of great movies and TV shows in the library; there are a lot of mainstream, licensed shows and movies available to choose from. However, there will still be some movies and TV shows that you will not be able to find on Netflix due to licensing restrictions. 

The library changes regularly and each month, some new titles are added while some current titles expire. This is about licensed shows and movies. Netflix original can always be accessed.

Below, I will be discussing some of the best content available on Netflix.

Some of the Most Viewed Netflix Original TV shows are:

• Bridgerton – 82 Million Viewers
• The Witcher – 76 Million Viewers
• Money Heist – 65 Million Viewers
• Stranger Things – 64 Million Viewers
• Tiger King – 64 Million Viewers
• The Queen’s Gambit – 62 Million Viewers

Some of my favorite Oscar-Winning Movies Available on Netflix are:

• There Will Be Blood – Best Cinematography, Best Actor (Daniel Day-Lewis)
• Marriage Story – Best Supporting Actress (Laura Dern)
• Spotlight – Best Original Screenplay, Best Picture
• The Social Network – Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Score, Best Film Editing
• Bonnie and Clyde – Best Cinematography, Best Supporting Actress (Estelle Parsons) 
• The Iron Lady – Best Makeup, Best Actress (Meryl Streep)
• Goodfellas – Best Supporting Actor (Joe Pesci)
• Silver Linings Playbook – Best Actress (Jennifer Lawrence)
• The Departed – Best Picture, Best Film Editing, Best Director (Martin Scorsese)
• The Theory of Everything – Best Actor (Eddie Redmayne)
• Undefeated – Best Documentary Feature

Some of the Most Popular Comedy Shows on Netflix are:

• Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013 – present)
• The Big Bang Theory (2007 – 2019)
• The Good Place (2016 – 2020)
• Schitt’s Creek (2015 – 2020)
• Grace and Frankie (2015 – present)
• Master of None (2015)
• Kim’s Convenience (2016 – 2021)
• Big Mouth (2017 – present)
• Never Have I Ever (2020 – present)
• New Girl (2011 – 2018)
• Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (2015 – 2020)
• The IT Crowd (2006 – 2013)
• One Day at a Time (2017 – present)
• Bojack Horseman (2014 – 2020)
• Community (2009 – 2015)
  

Some of the Most Popular Anime Titles on Netflix are:

• Naruto
• Hunter X Hunter
• Demon Slayer
• One Piece
• The Seven Deadly sins
• Sword Art Online
  

Some of the Best Documentary Series on Netflix are:

• The Social Dilemma
• American Murder: The Family Next Door
• Miss America
• Inside Job
• Seaspiracy
• Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal
• Tiger King
• The Great Hack
• The Last Dance
  

Which devices are compatible with Netflix?

Netflix is compatible with almost all devices and browsers. In this section, we have segregated the devices for better clarity. 

Web Browsers

All the major league web browsers support Netflix, however, the resolution varies from browser to browser.

• Edge (4K)
• Internet Explorer (1080p)
• Safari (1080p)
• Chrome (720p)
• Opera (720p)
• Firefox (720p)

Windows

The Windows 10 version of Netflix is better than the web browser version. It can stream content in up to 4K resolution. You can also download content for offline viewing; however, downloaded content can only be streamed in 1080p.

iOS and Android

You can access Netflix on your tablets and smartphones that support iOS and Android systems. The resolution varies from device to device.

Most Android models can support 720p while some select models can go up to 1080p. All models can, however, support 480p.

iPads with iOS 6.0 or before can support 480p only while iPads with iOS 7.0 or after can support 720p; iPads with retina can support up to 1080p.

iPhones with iOS 6.0 or before can support 480p only while iPhones with iOS 7.0 or after can support 720p; some newer iPhone versions can support up to 1080p.

iPod Touch with iOS 6.0 or before can support 480p only while iPod Touch with iOS 7.0 or after can support 720p.

Media Players

All mainstream media players support Netflix streaming; like web browsers and devices, resolution varies accordingly:

• Amazon Fire TV (4K)
• Nexus Player (4K)
• Chromecast Ultra (4K)
• Roku (4K/1080p)
• Chromecast (1080p)

Gaming Consoles

If you are a gamer and have a gaming console, you might want to check it if it streams Netflix too. Here is the list:

• Nintendo
• PlayStation
• Xbox

Select models of these gaming consoles are compatible with Netflix and the resolution will vary.

Smart TV Screens

Almost all smart TV brands offer Netflix as an in-built application with a 4K resolution. Below is a list of supported brands:

• LG
• Philips
• Sanyo
• TCL
• Hisense
• Toshiba
• Panasonic
• Samsung
• Sharp
• Vizio
• Sony
  

The Final Words

This article shares the nitty-gritty when it comes to Netflix. For all other queries, you can visit the official Netflix site, as well. 

Another important thing that might come to your mind is parental controls. Netflix has a great system for that too. The kids’ section is differentiated and you can manage all sorts of titles that come across your child.

All in all, Netflix is a great medium of entertainment and I hope that you will enjoy using it!