Netflix has built a comprehensive device capability data model to support analytics across its diverse global device ecosystem. The system uses a cumulative table to track the latest state of each device's hardware capabilities (screen resolution, video profiles, RAM, surround sound, etc.) and a histogram table that captures active device counts over 28-day windows, broken down by device model and software version. This enables distribution analysis — for example, determining that 100% of devices support HD streaming (PlayReady) while only 20% support UHD (HEVC). These datasets power analytical products that inform feature rollout decisions for capabilities like 4K Ultra HD, Spatial Audio, and Cloud Gaming.
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