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(12,134 posts)
16. When watching via the Apple TV Netflix app,
Sat Apr 24, 2021, 12:21 PM
Apr 2021

you have to make these choices in the device (Apple TV) settings, not at the app (Netflix) level. In practice this means that for one series, the Apple TV setting of "Default Language" means that Netflix will stream the program in the original language, while for another you'll hear it with dubbed English dialogue.

For example, the Icelandic series "Trapped" and the Finnish series "Deadwind" both played the dialogue in the original language, so we could hear the actors actually speaking as we read the English subtitles. But for "Lupin" (French series) and "The Valhalla Murders" (Icelandic series) the Netflix app interpreted "Default Language" for dialogue as English.

For "The Valhalla Murders," we were stuck with the dubbed English, because the Apple TV Netflix app has no way to choose language settings, and the Apple TV device setting doesn't include Icelandic as an audio choice for some reason. (I've since learned that the Netflix iOS app does include the option for original Icelandic dialogue for this series. Go figure!)

For "Lupin," I was able to change the language for spoken dialogue to French in the top-level Apple TV settings. But then when we started watching "The Money Heist" (Spanish series), the Apple TV's dialogue setting was still on French (and choosing "Default Language" on the Apple TV again gave us dialogue dubbed into English). So, after navigating up and down several levels in the settings a couple of times, we changed it to spoken Spanish dialogue, still with English subtitles.

Setting subtitles to English is not a problem. I just wish the Netflix Apple TV app had a setting for "Always use original language for dialogue." I was hoping that was what "Default" meant.

I know, First World Problems!

As noted above, the Netflix app on my phone does give me a choice to hear the dialogue in the original language (for example, The Valhalla Murders). So we may just stream from phone to Apple TV for those in the future.

It is not just foreign films. sheshe2 Apr 2021 #1
Yep, we've gone to all subtitles all the time Pinback Apr 2021 #15
Change to the original language and English subs are added automatically. Do it all the time. cayugafalls Apr 2021 #2
When watching via the Apple TV Netflix app, Pinback Apr 2021 #16
Well, I thank you for your kind and extremely in depth reply. I see you took a lot in the thread. cayugafalls Apr 2021 #25
You bet! Pinback Apr 2021 #26
There's usually a way to get it in the original language intrepidity Apr 2021 #3
Yep -- this works for some things on the Apple TV Netflix app, but not for others. (nt) Pinback Apr 2021 #17
Ah, I see, it's a weird platform quirk intrepidity Apr 2021 #24
I use Roku and we have all sorts of options...I dislike subtitles myself. And some of the Demsrule86 Apr 2021 #29
There should be a heading called audio and subtitles madaboutharry Apr 2021 #4
Correct, not in the Netflix Apple TV app, but in the Apple TV settings. This has mixed results. (nt) Pinback Apr 2021 #18
I just find it amusing the difference between the dubbing and the subtitles Bev54 Apr 2021 #5
I have no idea what you are talking about. NoRethugFriends Apr 2021 #6
What you describe is correct for the Netflix iOS app and website, and possibly for other platforms. Pinback Apr 2021 #19
Are you sure? PoindexterOglethorpe Apr 2021 #7
Apparently it's just an issue with the Netflix app on the Apple TV. Pinback Apr 2021 #20
In Florence, Italy, I watched Gone With the Wind dubbed into Italian ... fierywoman Apr 2021 #8
LOL, sounds like fun. Pinback Apr 2021 #21
Heck even Friends the tv show is dubbed by the language spoken in a particular country jimfields33 Apr 2021 #9
Thanks for posting this. Ohiya Apr 2021 #10
Whether you can do this depends on the platform you're using, as I've learned. Pinback Apr 2021 #22
I most be the only person on this thread who likes dubbing and hates subtitles. Ah well takes Demsrule86 Apr 2021 #30
I also prefer subtitles to dubbing, but what aggravates me is when the subtitles are hard to dameatball Apr 2021 #11
Netflix lets you do big yellow letters in a black box soothsayer Apr 2021 #13
Cool. Thanks or the tip. dameatball Apr 2021 #14
I have the option to have it dubbed or in the original language with subtitles. Don't you? Scrivener7 Apr 2021 #12
When watching via the Apple TV Netflix app, the answer is "sometimes." Pinback Apr 2021 #23
IIRC, Netflix surveyed users once and found most preferred subtitles nuxvomica Apr 2021 #27
I imagine the captioning of song lyrics is for deaf viewers, Pinback Apr 2021 #28
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