The Netflix streaming platform has different possibilities for the following customization of the user experience that can enhance your enjoyment of your best movies and series.
Subtitles that adapt in appearance to the user’s taste, hidden codes to access multiple subgenres and keyboard shortcuts … Netflix also has tricks
Some of these settings mean an improvement in the way of accessing content, others allow you to have an aspect adapted to the user’s tastes and others avoid unnecessary data expenditure if you use the mobile connection. In any case, by adopting some or even all of them, the way in which this platform is enjoyed will change radically.
-Adjust data usage: When accessing Netflix from the mobile device, using the device’s own data connection, it could happen that streaming playback ends up needing so much data that it decreases the amount available for the rest of the month. The Netflix app allows you to regulate this consumption from the “Application settings – Video playback – Mobile data usage” menu. On the one hand here you can limit the download to prioritize the use of WiFi networks, but you can also adjust the download size from the user profile in the “Playback settings” menu by selecting from four file download sizes: Auto (it is set by default) – Low (0.3 Gb/hour) – Medium (up to 0.7 Gb/hour) – High (3 Gb/hour for HD content and 7 Gb/hour for Ultra HD content).
-Download episodes: Like many streaming platforms, Netflix allows the downloading of content, being stored in the app itself, to be able to watch them later without using data connection or WiFi.
-Usage statistics: Data lovers have an option, accessible from the computer via web browser, to obtain complete information about their Netflix usage. One of this data allows to know the bit rate (the higher, the more quality in the video) by using the key combination “Ctrl + Shift + Alt + D” if pressed while playing a content.
-Limit the search to “Netflix original content” only: A pioneer in streaming, this platform was also one of the first to bet on its own exclusive production content. To browse only these contents, just access the Netflix search engine and type precisely this term: “Netflix”. Then only movies, series and documentaries produced in-house will be listed. This search can be further refined by adding a specific criterion, for example “Netflix + interactive”, or “Netflix + 4K” so that only titles that are Netflix originals and also meet the other criteria added to the search will appear.
-Hidden codes for almost infinite subgenres: Netflix classifies its contents according to a neat and extensive catalog of labeling by genres that is practically arcane. There are many websites that show lists with these classifications in which each type of genre (classics, comedies, dramas, horror, romantic …) corresponds to a numerical code.
Entering that code in the Netflix search engine will bring up all the movies and series belonging to that subgenre. For example, within the genre “Action and adventure” (code 1365) there are more than a dozen subgenres (military, comedy, spy, crime, thriller, Asian movies, comic book characters and superheroes, martial arts, western…) each with its corresponding code under which dozens of movies are shown.
-Keyboard shortcuts: For those who access Netflix via computer, the mouse is not the only way to control playback. Using the arrow keys on the keyboard, you can control the volume (up and down equals up or down) and fast forward or rewind playback by 10 seconds. The M key allows you to mute, the space bar pauses playback, and full screen playback is achieved by pressing the F key (by Full Screen), reversing the effect by pressing the Escape key.
-Audio description narrator: The audiodescription function, very useful for visually impaired people, adds a layer of sound information by describing, through a voice-over, what is being seen on the screen. Facial expressions, costumes, scenery, physical movements… Most Netflix content has this option, and it is also available in other movies and series.
-On-demand subtitles: In addition to being able to select whether a content that is listened to in its original language appears with subtitles in the viewer’s language or in the original language itself (which can serve to improve the learning of that language), Netflix allows you to customize the format of the labels themselves from the “Appearance of subtitles” menu. This allows you to vary the font, size, shading and even the background.
-Lock profile: Those who share their Netflix user profile with others can set various locks, such as limiting the type of content for underage users, through the “Profile and Parental Controls” menu. These settings also allow you to include a PIN lock that prevents others from accessing the control menu to change these settings.
-Rating content: This is the best way to allow the algorithm that Netflix uses to recommend content to match the user’s tastes. At the end of the playback of a movie, series or documentary, two icons are displayed, a thumbs up and a thumbs down. By selecting the one that corresponds to the viewer’s satisfaction or dissatisfaction, the platform will know if the content has been to the viewer’s liking and will be able to recommend other similar content. The new option of the two thumbs up (the “super likes”) shows more than satisfaction, it shows enthusiasm, so it allows to emphasize the liking of a displayed content.
