Streaming services like Netflix are consistently growing in popularity, especially so given the national lockdowns due to COVID19. Indeed, in the first quarter of 2020, over 16 million subscribers joined the platform.
So now, if you’re spending more time watching everything Netflix has to offer, you may be interested to know that there are a variety of additional features Netflix has added since its creation that might just take your viewing experience to the next level. This blog gives you three cool things to try.
One: Downloading Films and Episodes to watch for when you have no network
The ability to download episodes from your favourite TV shows, or movies you can’t wait to watch, is a handy feature Netflix introduced in 2016 for mobiles and tablets (devices that use the Netflix app). Now, if you want to watch something on a flight, for example, and won’t have any signal, it doesn’t matter.
To download:
To start the download process, open the Netflix app and select a TV show or movie. Note, not all titles are available for download and you’ll need an internet connection to complete any downloads.
From the description page, tap “Downloads”.
For TV shows, Downloads will appear next to each available episode.
To save on data usage, download over Wi-Fi.
You can have up to 100 downloads at a time on as many devices on your membership plan, however, you’ll need enough storage space on your device itself if you want to make the most of this. How much space each Netflix movie or TV show takes up on your device is determined by the length of the content.
To delete content, go to your “Downloads” section from the menu, touch the pen in the top right-hand corner, and you’ll be given the option to remove any shows or movies you have downloaded on your device.
Two: Netflix Party
A second new feature, introduced by Netflix at the start of lockdown, is the ability to have a ‘Netflix Party’. This free Chrome extension works by synchronising video playback, meaning you can watch a movie or show at the same time as others and pausing for one person, pauses for all, it also adds a live group chat so you can discuss the programme in real-time. Please note this service is only available via Chrome and therefore not possible to access via a TV or the Netflix app on your phone or tablet.
To set up your party:
In order for a Netflix Party to be set up, everyone you send an invite to will need to have access to Netflix. If they don’t have accounts however, Netflix is offering a free 30-day trial for new subscribers.
After everyone has logged in to Netflix on their computers, they’ll need to download the Netflix Party extension. Here’s how.
Visit netflixparty.com in your Google Chrome browser and click Get Netflix Party. Next you’ll need to download the extension. Once this is done you should see a grey NP icon in your browser toolbar (as shown below).
Once everyone has the extension downloaded, you can begin watching shows and movies together. Here’s how to set up the party.
Open Netflix in your Google Chrome browser and log in. Find a show or movie you’d like to watch and click on it. The NP icon should now have changed from grey to red. If you click the icon and select “Start the party” you’ll become the host, and can either be the only controller pausing and playing the show, or you can let anyone take control. Finally, copy the URL from the box that pops-up and send it to everyone you want to invite to the group. The chat room feature should appear on the right hand side of the screen and you’ll be able to see when someone joins the party.
Three: Netflix Roulette
Netflix has so much content that it can sometimes be overwhelming to find something worth watching. Instead of endlessly browsing through what’s available, you can use Reelgood’s Netflix Roulette tool available on your Mac or PC to help you find something quickly.
Netflix Roulette is an online randomiser tool that picks a show or movie for you based on a few key details you enter.
To spin the wheel:
ype reelgood.com/roulette/netflix in a web browser and select the genre you’re interested in from the dropdown list. Decide if you’re in the mood for a TV show or a film by clicking the checkbox. Select the minimum rating scores you want from IMDb and/or the Rotten Tomatoes list that drops down. You can select a minimum score of five (IMDb) or 50% (Rotten Tomatoes) and up to a maximum of nine (IMDb) or 90% (Rotten Tomatoes). Click “SPIN”.
If you don’t like the TV show or movie that Netflix Roulette gave you, you can spin again to get other results.
Will you try any of these features? Leave a comment in the section below.
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