Oct 14

Netflix PS3 App Ditches Disc, Adds HD and Surround Sound

Posted in: Media Players, Movies, netflix, playstation 3, ps3, streaming, Today's Chili, video, watch instantly, wii, xbox

PlayStation 3 just leapfrogged Xbox 360 and snagged the best Netflix experience on a videogame console yet.

The new Netflix application for PS3, rolling out for download Monday, will enable Netflix subscribers with PS3s to watch movies and TV without a disc. Some titles will even stream in 1080i HD and 5.1 digital surround sound.

Netflix’s “Watch Instantly” streaming-video feature has been available for PS3 since late last year, but it required a Blu-ray disc in order to access the service. Now, by running Watch Instantly as a native PS3 app on the console, users can ditch the disc altogether. Netflix also has a new user interface, optimized for the PS3 controller’s analog joysticks.

In the new UI, search especially seems smartly designed for the PS3 controller, using an alphabetical grid and intelligent auto-complete to minimize the pain of text entry, as seen in this still:

Still from Sony PS3 promotional video.

I even like the way the controller buttons control common text-entry commands in context — like Space, Delete and Enter. There are keyboards available for PS3, but being able to use the controller well is a real asset.

Netflix has not only continued to bring its streaming service to seemingly every device with a screen, but to make that service better. Still, among consoles, the announced PS3 app stands out: Xbox users don’t have 1080i or surround sound, and Wii users have only now added search to their service, which still requires an “Instant Streaming” disc.

Adding media services has become part of the continued rivalry between Xbox and PS3, along with new motion-capture interaction devices like PlayStation’s Move controller and Xbox’s Kinect.

Besides videogame consoles, Netflix can now stream to personal computers on Windows and Mac; TiVo, HD, Roku, Logitech and Apple TV boxes; Windows Phone 7 and all iOS devices; and a wide array of net-connected TVs and Blu-Ray players, including those using Google TV.

Roku’s players, which began as Netflix-only boxes, will soon be available in retail stores through a partnership with Netgear.

Netflix on PS3: Disc-free Next Week [Playstation Blog]

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Oct 14

Netflix on PS3 goes disc-free, gets 1080p streaming and 5.1 surround sound (update)

Posted in: netflix, playstation, playstation 3, Playstation3, ps3, sony, Today's Chili, video, watch instantly, WatchInstantly

Rejoice, PS3 owners, your Netflix streaming experience just got vastly better than anything else on the market. Starting October 18 Netflix on the PS3 will no longer require a disc, and it’ll stream some content with 1080i 1080p resolution and / or 5.1-channel surround audio, while everyone else will be stuck with a max of 720p stereo for the time being. Oh, and you’ll get subtitles on some content as well. Netflix is partnering with Dolby on the audio side, and the surround format will be Dolby Digital Plus, which is the same codec used by the VUDU HDX streaming service — we’re guessing it’ll require a tiny bit more bandwidth but the results should sound pretty great. Netflix says 5.1 will come to other platforms “over time,” so we’ll see how long that takes — and given that the PS3 is now disc-free and the company’s eschewed the SRS surround features baked into its Silverlight-based platform, we’re guessing Microsoft’s exclusivity period has now completely run its course. Video and PR after the break.

Update: Though the official PlayStation Blog originally reported the service would display streaming video at 1080i resolution, they’ve since struck that out — they say it’ll do 1080p now. Much better.

Continue reading Netflix on PS3 goes disc-free, gets 1080p streaming and 5.1 surround sound (update)

Netflix on PS3 goes disc-free, gets 1080p streaming and 5.1 surround sound (update) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 14 Oct 2010 09:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oct 04

Google TV quick tour shows off the service’s inner workings, Kenny Powers’ dreams (update: Netflix support!)

Posted in: content, Google, GoogleTv, netflix, streaming, teaser, Television, Today's Chili, video, watch instantly, WatchInstantly

Considering the level of hype that has surrounded Google TV, freakishly little is actually known about how it’ll work. Of course, a lot of that is expected to be cleared up on Wednesday when Logitech unveils its Google TV lineup, but the Big G itself is giving us all a sneak peek beforehand. The company has just launched a new ‘quick tour’ portal that showcases the most prominent Google TV features, including Search, Web, Apps, Remote (complete with an Eastbound & Down plug), Personal, Dual View and DVR. Frankly, we’re pretty jazzed by the look of the user interface, and we can hardly wait to see what kind of punches Logitech and Sony throw in the coming weeks. Hit that source link to draw your own conclusion.

Update: Google has elaborated some on its plans, and it’s all shaping up quite nicely. We’re told that Turner Broadcasting has been working to optimize the websites of TBS, TNT, CNN, Cartoon Network and more for viewing on Google TV, and NBC Universal has collaborated with Google TV to bring CNBC Real-Time, an application that allows you to track your favorite stocks and access news feeds while enjoying the best financial news from CNBC directly on the TV screen. HBO GO will also be supported and the NBA has built NBA Game Time, an application that lets you follow game scores in real-time and catch up on the latest highlights from your favorite team in HD. Need more? Amazon Video on Demand will be present, and it sounds like Goog has hordes of other companies just moments away from offering compatible content portals. Hop on past the break for a quick video overview of the Apps segment.

Update 2: Whoa, Netflix just confirmed that ‘Watch Instantly’ will be fully supported on Google TV devices launching later this month. Huzzah!

Continue reading Google TV quick tour shows off the service’s inner workings, Kenny Powers’ dreams (update: Netflix support!)

Google TV quick tour shows off the service’s inner workings, Kenny Powers’ dreams (update: Netflix support!) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 04 Oct 2010 12:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sep 30

Ask Engadget: what’s the ultimate network media streamer?

Posted in: AskEngadget, hulu, media streamer, MediaStreamer, netflix, stream, streamer, Today's Chili, watch instantly, WatchInstantly

We know you’ve got questions, and if you’re brave enough to ask the world for answers, here’s the outlet to do so. This week’s Ask Engadget question is coming to us from Brett, who seems just marginally overwhelmed by the recent flood of network media streamers. If you’re looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.

“I’m looking for a network media player that can play a variety of videos from my NAS as well as connect to media services like Netflix, Pandora, Hulu, etc. I thought I found the perfect match with the new Sony SMP-N100, but the DLNA sharing system was awful compared to an old Apple TV with XBMC installed. Any suggestions on the ultimate Network Media Player? Bonus points for being able to remotely queue videos or control it from a smart phone.”

We’ve been to this rodeo before, but the situation (and consumer demands, too) has changed quite dramatically from just a year ago. Given that there are more players connecting to more portals than ever before, we’d curious to know what box you’d recommend for Brett. Don’t hold back, cool?

Ask Engadget: what’s the ultimate network media streamer? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Sep 2010 22:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sep 24

Netflix, NBC Universal content deal brings Battlestar Galactica, SNL and more to Watch Instantly

Posted in: netflix, streaming, Today's Chili, watch instantly, WatchInstantly

Just in case a throwaway mention of a streaming-only subscription for US customers wasn’t enough, an agreement adding plenty of recognizable content from NBC to its Watch Instantly service might help Netflix distract from a recent string of PR gaffes. Starting next week, cable shows from the media giant’s stable like Psych, Battlestar Galactica and others, episodes from the most recent seasons of NBC shows including The Office and 30 Rock will be available. Not good enough? Why not throw in every season of Friday Night Lights and Saturday Night Live, with new eps of SNL added the day after they air for the next three years. Seems like a win/win to us, with many hours of new content for Netflix while NBC cashes a fat check for old seasons of Monk and Law & Order:SVU — as much as we love Tony Shalhoub as a neurotic private investigator, those DVD boxed sets just weren’t moving like they used to. The only question left is whether HD streaming for any of these is on deck, until we hear back just check out the full press release after the break.

Continue reading Netflix, NBC Universal content deal brings Battlestar Galactica, SNL and more to Watch Instantly

Netflix, NBC Universal content deal brings Battlestar Galactica, SNL and more to Watch Instantly originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 06:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sep 22

Netflix busted for using actors in crowd at Canadian launch event

Posted in: canada, netflix, streaming, streaming video, StreamingVideo, Today's Chili, watch instantly, WatchInstantly

Netflix certainly didn’t have much trouble attracting interest in its Canadian launch today — the country’s waited long enough, after all — but it looks like it nonetheless went a bit too far in its efforts to build up buzz at its press event. It turns out that many of the onlookers at the event were actually actors hired by Netflix, at least some of whom went as far as to talk to the press and pass themselves off as regular people — regular people who happen to be really enthusiastic about Netflix, of course. An information sheet handed out to the extras reportedly even told them to “play types” and “behave as members of the public” who just “happen upon a street event for Netflix and stop by to check it out.” After word of the shenanigans got out, Netflix quickly issued an apology, of sorts — the company’s VP of corporate communications, Steve Swasey, said that he was “unaware” that a script was handed out to the extras, and that “some people got carried away and it’s embarrassing to Netflix.”

Netflix busted for using actors in crowd at Canadian launch event originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Sep 2010 19:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sep 22

Netflix launches in Canada today: streaming only service for C$7.99 per month

Posted in: canada, netflix, streaming, Today's Chili, watch instantly, WatchInstantly

As expected, Netflix has kicked off its first offering outside the United States by opening up a Watch Instantly portal for Canadians this morning at Netflix.ca. With no discs available at all, the only option is a $7.99 Canadian ($7.80 US) plan for streaming that works on PCs, PS3, Wii, iOS family and many other devices — interestingly the Xbox 360, Samsung TVs, and Blu-ray players from VIZIO or Insignia are off the compatible list until later this fall. Content availability also seems to be different for our neighbors to the north (English only for now, French is on the way Quebec), with the Netflix blog specifically calling out Superbad and Mad Men as up for streaming, which aren’t currently available on Watch Instantly in the US. Unlike our recent Caribana experience we weren’t able to cross the border and check it out for ourselves, but owners of Maple Leaf-certified IPs are invited to check out the selection (one month free trials are available) and let us know exactly what we’re missing — more details including Canadian distributors and device availability are in the press release after the break.

Continue reading Netflix launches in Canada today: streaming only service for C$7.99 per month

Netflix launches in Canada today: streaming only service for C$7.99 per month originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Sep 2010 09:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sep 10

Panasonic finally adds Netflix streaming to VIERA Cast equipped 2010 HDTVs & Blu-ray players

Posted in: hdtv, netflix, Panasonic, streaming, streaming video, StreamingVideo, Today's Chili, watch instantly, WatchInstantly

To the last person on Earth (that reads this site) who can’t already stream Netflix to their home theater in at least four different ways: if you have a 2010 Panasonic HDTV or Blu-ray player your sometime is now, as the video streaming widget originally promised way back during CES should have recently shown up in a software update. You’ll find it in the VIERA Cast menu next to existing tools like Amazon VOD, Skype and Pandora (pictured above) unless of course you’re sporting one of last year’s models, which are sadly and inexplicably left wanting. If there’s any confusion, peep the press release after the break to make sure your specific model made the cut, we’ll be double checking for a 5.1 audio option on any of our Watch Instantly movies, again.

[Thanks, Justin]

Continue reading Panasonic finally adds Netflix streaming to VIERA Cast equipped 2010 HDTVs & Blu-ray players

Panasonic finally adds Netflix streaming to VIERA Cast equipped 2010 HDTVs & Blu-ray players originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Sep 2010 07:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sep 09

Microsoft, SRS team up on surround sound for Silverlight, will this finally bring 5.1 to Netflix?

Posted in: audio, Microsoft, netflix, streaming, Today's Chili, watch instantly, WatchInstantly

Of course, this press release from SRS Labs doesn’t actually say Netflix will use its technology to enable surround sound audio on Watch Instantly streams, but when you claim your tools add “easy and seamless” surround sound decoding to Silverlight apps then we have an immediate suggestion as to how they could be put to use. Whether you give any credit to (or have even noticed) the SRS stamp on a bevy of media playing software and hardware, its ubiquity certainly means that interested parties (like, say, Netflix) could be sure the audio would be supported across the multitude of platforms they stream video to. Microsoft and SRS have issued the tools for anyone (even Netflix) to support 5.1 streams just by adding this code to their apps and are demonstrating it at IBC 2010 and on a demo website, all we have to do is sit back and wait for the technology to be implemented. If only we knew of somewhere an upgrade to surround sound on streaming video was in high demand…

Continue reading Microsoft, SRS team up on surround sound for Silverlight, will this finally bring 5.1 to Netflix?

Microsoft, SRS team up on surround sound for Silverlight, will this finally bring 5.1 to Netflix? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 13:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aug 10

Netflix, EPIX deal is official; Paramount, MGM and Lionsgate movies start streaming September 1

Posted in: breaking news, BreakingNews, Movies, netflix, streaming, Today's Chili, watch instantly, WatchInstantly

Netflix streaming queue starting to look a little stale? It’s working on that, and has signed a deal that brings EPIX’s library of movies to Watch Instantly — just not that instantly. If you’re not familiar with EPIX, allow us to refresh you, it’s a network launched last year by Paramount, MGM and Lionsgate that brings their movies home (though often unfortunately cropped and zoomed to 16×9) through a linear channel, video on-demand or internet streaming. Under this new agreement, movies from those studios can come to Netflix 90 days after they debut on the premium pay-tv and subscription VOD services. While that means streamers won’t get access to Iron Man 2, The Expendables, or Dinner for Shmucks anywhere near day-and-date with their DVD or Blu-ray releases, those kinds of high profile flicks will show up and stick around with greater regularity than we’ve been used to. The companies haven’t released further details, but rumors reported by the L.A. Times suggest licensing costs could reach $1 billion over the next 5 years. The first movies covered by the new deal arrive September 1, likely with flicks from the Star Trek, James Bond and Indiana Jones series (hopefully not Kingdom of the Crystal Skull) among them.

Update: Analyst Dan Rayburn claims on Business of Video that Netflix won’t be getting any EPIX movies in HD, so we asked Netflix VP of Corporate Communications Steve Swasey whether we could expect HD streaming movies with Movie Parties or if they would have Starz-like restrictions. The answer? “HD over time and no restrictions on Party Viewing.” Take from that what you will.

Continue reading Netflix, EPIX deal is official; Paramount, MGM and Lionsgate movies start streaming September 1

Netflix, EPIX deal is official; Paramount, MGM and Lionsgate movies start streaming September 1 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Aug 2010 08:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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