Netflix to Stream HD Movies to Xbox 360 Gold Members who also Subscribe to Netflix
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Netflix to Stream HD Movies to Xbox 360 Gold Members who also Subscribe to Netflix
http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/29/h...box-360-first/
Sadly it will probably be a bunch of junk but I'm at least hoping they stream some of their shows in HD. For those that don't know you have to be an Xbox 360 Gold Member and subscribe to Netflix (cheapest plan in $8.99, or now $9.99 if you want Blu-rat rentals)
The New Xbox Experience—which we just gave a stellar review—will not only stream Netflix movies. It will be streaming Netflix movies in HD. Whaaa? Nobody else does that!
Well, maybe they don't. But Engadget confirmed that when NXE hits on November 19th, 300 HD movies will be available to stream from Netflix (as opposed to just the movie 300). That's obviously not every movie in the Netflix digital collection, but it's a start.
Seeing as I found SD streaming flawless on the 360, I'm really curious to see if Netflix and Microsoft can deliver the same short buffer times and easy fast forwarding in high def. [engadget]
Well, maybe they don't. But Engadget confirmed that when NXE hits on November 19th, 300 HD movies will be available to stream from Netflix (as opposed to just the movie 300). That's obviously not every movie in the Netflix digital collection, but it's a start.
Seeing as I found SD streaming flawless on the 360, I'm really curious to see if Netflix and Microsoft can deliver the same short buffer times and easy fast forwarding in high def. [engadget]
Last edited by Gizmo; 10-29-08 at 10:39 AM.
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#4
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Oh this is quality! Another reason to go with the Samsung 2550 as the BD player of choice. EDIT: Dang it. I didn't see it was exclusive to 360 over their other partners. Dumb move!
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I have my PC hooked to my television via HDMI cable anyway, so I plan on streaming my Netflix HD movies through that. No added XBL cost.
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Also, I just picked up a 12 month subscription card at a discount and it came with 1 month free. Nice deal.
#10
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Really? You can't see why they would do that? I imagine it has something to do with Microsoft waving a hell of a lot of money in Netflix's face.
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#12
DVD Talk Godfather
I hope you plan on waiting. If you read the article it says it is essentially Xbox 360 exclusive right now. No 360 and no Live than you aren't getting streaming HD from Netflix. Unless I'm reading something wrong, which is always possible.
#16
DVD Talk Legend
I've never liked their SD streaming quality, but agree this may get me back on board. I'm moving more and more towards renting and this is a great option to have.
#18
DVD Talk God
if they add real mainstream movies, this will be badass.
#19
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So... 300 movies... do you think they will only be ones that are available on HD-DVD or Blu? Or will we see stuff that's been on pay channels? Or even TV shows in hi-def? The MS marketplace has movies that aren't on either format so I think it would be interesting to see some variety outside of what's available commercially.
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So... 300 movies... do you think they will only be ones that are available on HD-DVD or Blu? Or will we see stuff that's been on pay channels? Or even TV shows in hi-def? The MS marketplace has movies that aren't on either format so I think it would be interesting to see some variety outside of what's available commercially.
#21
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Here is some brief impressions..
Looks like The Thing will be available. Not bad.
One of the more exciting additions to the Xbox 360 is the streaming of Netflix movies for subscribers of the video rental service and Xbox Live Gold. The service has been available to Netflix subscribers via their PCs or dedicated boxes like the Roku for some time now, but the Xbox 360 will be the first console to support the streaming of standard and high definition "Watch Instantly" content.
The service is a welcome solution that we found refreshingly simple to set up and use.
Netflix streaming can be accessed under the Video Marketplace section. You'll be required to download and install a 3.29 MB file, something that should take less than 30 seconds depending on your connection and Xbox Live strain.
Following the install, you'll receive an activation code. Submit that to Netflix.com, add some video content to your "Instant Queue" (if you haven't done so already) and you're good to go. Total set up time should take less than five minutes. Not bad.
What might not be as impressive is the selection of video content available to stream instantly at Netflix. We didn't have much of an issue finding things to watch — much of John Carpenter's filmography is available — but don't make the mistake of thinking the whole of Netflix's library is at your digital beck and call. There are plenty of duds to wade through to get to the good stuff, but there are thousands of hours of video content at your disposal.
From adding an item to your instant queue to having it appear on your Xbox 360's list takes but a few seconds. If you get a wild hair to watch, say 30 Rock, you can be viewing the episode of your choice within a minute. We should note that the occasional quibble will arise, as the first season of NBC's Heroes features one "disc only" episode, unavailable to Netflix streamers.
Video quality varies, depending on the title. While buffering, Netflix will determine your video quality based on bandwidth. Even in films presented in HD — we watched portions of The Thing in a high def feed — you'll see artifacting and dithering, but quality is on par with on-demand content from a cable box. Better than standard definition digital cable, but decidedly softer than from a DVD or HD-DVD disc.
Navigating content while watching is straightforward, with pause, skip back, rewind, stop, forward, and skip forward letting you move around content. You'll re-buffer after time-shifting, but that takes only a few seconds. The navigation bar also provides language and display modes.
The NXE dashboard interface for Netflix streaming lets users resume play if they stop a video, rated it from one to five stars, or remove it from their instant queue.
Netflix streaming over the Xbox 360 is almost devoid of pain and a very welcome addition to Xbox Live. The interface is simple and the video quality can be fantastic — we've found little to complain about, outside of the occasionally weak content offerings.
The service is a welcome solution that we found refreshingly simple to set up and use.
Netflix streaming can be accessed under the Video Marketplace section. You'll be required to download and install a 3.29 MB file, something that should take less than 30 seconds depending on your connection and Xbox Live strain.
Following the install, you'll receive an activation code. Submit that to Netflix.com, add some video content to your "Instant Queue" (if you haven't done so already) and you're good to go. Total set up time should take less than five minutes. Not bad.
What might not be as impressive is the selection of video content available to stream instantly at Netflix. We didn't have much of an issue finding things to watch — much of John Carpenter's filmography is available — but don't make the mistake of thinking the whole of Netflix's library is at your digital beck and call. There are plenty of duds to wade through to get to the good stuff, but there are thousands of hours of video content at your disposal.
From adding an item to your instant queue to having it appear on your Xbox 360's list takes but a few seconds. If you get a wild hair to watch, say 30 Rock, you can be viewing the episode of your choice within a minute. We should note that the occasional quibble will arise, as the first season of NBC's Heroes features one "disc only" episode, unavailable to Netflix streamers.
Video quality varies, depending on the title. While buffering, Netflix will determine your video quality based on bandwidth. Even in films presented in HD — we watched portions of The Thing in a high def feed — you'll see artifacting and dithering, but quality is on par with on-demand content from a cable box. Better than standard definition digital cable, but decidedly softer than from a DVD or HD-DVD disc.
Navigating content while watching is straightforward, with pause, skip back, rewind, stop, forward, and skip forward letting you move around content. You'll re-buffer after time-shifting, but that takes only a few seconds. The navigation bar also provides language and display modes.
The NXE dashboard interface for Netflix streaming lets users resume play if they stop a video, rated it from one to five stars, or remove it from their instant queue.
Netflix streaming over the Xbox 360 is almost devoid of pain and a very welcome addition to Xbox Live. The interface is simple and the video quality can be fantastic — we've found little to complain about, outside of the occasionally weak content offerings.
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It won't take long for these HD streams to be made available to all Netflix subscribers. Once word gets out the people who also pay full subscription rates will want the service.
#24
I was playing around with Resident Evil: Extinction on their SD "watch instantly" feature on my HTPC with my new FIOS and the quality at the highest level was decent though definitely not up to DVD. Audio looked like it may have been Dolby Surround at best, though my receivers Pro Logic II processor did some decent work with it, but this will be a huge reason why I would never go download over purchase. It would work for a spontaneous view on the fly though.
#25
DVD Talk Legend
Content Agenda is reporting that it's not just the XBox 360 that will be streaming HD but all Netflix streaming devices. I've got the Roku and hope this is true.
http://www.contentagenda.com/article/CA6609810.html
http://www.contentagenda.com/article/CA6609810.html