Source: Tom's Guide US | Keywords: netflix, PS3, streaming, blu-ray, movie | Themes: Home Theater, Digital Entertainment
Netflix finally hitting PS3 next month.
Just when it looked nearly certain that the Xbox 360 would be the only console this generation to natively stream from Netflix, Sony today pull one fantastic surprise out of its sleeve and announced that the very same Netflix service will be soon available for the PlayStation 3.
"The PlayStation 3 system has always been about more than just gaming, and it will soon be the only platform in the industry to offer consumers such a variety of convenient options for enjoying movies and TV shows," said Jack Tretton, president and CEO, SCEA. "Whether you want to watch content on Blu-ray disc and DVD, download it from the PlayStation Network’s video delivery service, or stream videos instantly from Netflix, the PS3 system is the only solution that offers it all."
"As instantly watching movies and TV episodes streamed from Netflix becomes an increasingly popular way to enjoy the Netflix service, our goal is to rapidly expand the devices that stream to our members," said Netflix CEO and co-founder Reed Hastings. "As a leading game console and Blu-ray disc player, bringing Netflix to the PS3 system is a real win for both Netflix members and PS3 system owners."
The way that Netflix will work on the PS3 is slightly different from how things are done on the Xbox 360. Those with Netflix accounts and PS3s will need a special "instant streaming" Blu-ray Disc that will be free to Netflix members.
The free instant streaming disc leverages Blu-ray’s BD-Live technology to access the Internet and activate the Netflix user interface on the PS3 system, which must be online via Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
Netflix members and PS3 system owners can now reserve a free instant streaming disc for PS3 systems by hitting this link.
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Well dont his put a damper on MS plans on running the streaming content show lol. Too bad though as I own a 360 and not a ps3.
360 is planning on instant-on 1080p content...
let see if PS3 can match that....
One problem... there's not very many good Blu-Ray streaming selections on Netflix.
Interesting...if it is going through Blu-ray's BD-Live, then it should be usable on any blu-ray player that has enough storage to download a whole movie at a time
On top of that, you can't tell which streaming selections are "Blu-Ray" quality, "DVD" quality, or "$hit" quality until you're playing them.
WTF is with this requiring a disc? I enabled this on my Xbox 360 by typing in a number on my netflix account and the PS3 you have to have a disc mailed to you? I guess it's always cool to have an extra streaming option in case the 360 dies. Can just switch over to the PS3 and finish up the movie. Wonder if the service will be the exact same. I won't be paying the $2/month blu-ray fee just to stream movies.
El_Capitan, how is that any different than xbox streaming? sure they may label them as hidef, but you never know the quality until you actually play it.
WTF is with this requiring a disc? ... I won't be paying the $2/month blu-ray fee just to stream movies.
I ordered my free blu-ray disc from Netflix last night and I don't pay the extra blu-ray rental fee. As was reported on other sites, this disc is just a temporary solution until Sony releases a new firmware update to add the Netflix service to the XMB.
and it would be trivial for them to make all of their hi-def selections available as blu-ray versions.
360 is planning on instant-on 1080p content...let see if PS3 can match that....
1080p content on what bandwidth? Last time I checked, Blu-rays play at about 36 Mbps. That or it'll be one majorly compressed video.
WTF is with this requiring a disc? I enabled this on my Xbox 360 by typing in a number on my netflix account and the PS3 you have to have a disc mailed to you? I guess it's always cool to have an extra streaming option in case the 360 dies. Can just switch over to the PS3 and finish up the movie. Wonder if the service will be the exact same. I won't be paying the $2/month blu-ray fee just to stream movies.
I would much rather have to use a disc in the PS3 than maintain a $5/mo Xbox live account just to use netflix.
I would much rather have to use a disc in the PS3 than maintain a $5/mo Xbox live account just to use netflix.
Math fail. 50/12 != 5
I would much rather download a Netflix application than wait for a disc to be mailed to me. But hey, that's just me.
This make it seems like the reason PS3's cannot support Netflix without disk is that their browser sucks.
Why can't PS outsource their useless browser to Mozilla or Google is beyond me.
And Sony needs to shut up and stop demanding revenue from Hulu.
Do you guys even know what you are talking about. The quality is determined by your connection speed. The 360 is NOT planning on a 1080p streaming service. The speed required for HD and uncompressed audio is not here yet. Nice try fanboy.
I ordered my free blu-ray disc from Netflix last night and I don't pay the extra blu-ray rental fee. As was reported on other sites, this disc is just a temporary solution until Sony releases a new firmware update to add the Netflix service to the XMB.
Do you have to return the disc or is it just a throw away? Does it count as a movie rental?
The quality is determined by your connection speed.
Hey, fanboi, there's this interesting web technology called buffering. You may want to check into that.
FAIL!
Do you guys even know what you are talking about. The quality is determined by your connection speed. The 360 is NOT planning on a 1080p streaming service. The speed required for HD and uncompressed audio is not here yet. Nice try fanboy.
Um... yes, yes they are actually. It's not a rumor... it's been confirmed by Microsoft. Here's a link...
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=1080p+streami [...] o+Xbox+360
are you going to buffer 30Gb? Didn't think so.
FAIL!
BTW the place to reserve your disc is here http://www.netflix.com/InstantStreamingDisc
Math fail. 50/12 != 5I would much rather download a Netflix application than wait for a disc to be mailed to me. But hey, that's just me.
Logic Fail! Not everyone buys 12 month subscriptions. Also there is such thing as tax and shipping that could adjust someone's cost of said 12 month subscription.
Microsoft says anyone can have a 1080p/5.1 experience, but they may be required to download the content instead of streaming it if they don’t have an 8 - 10 Mbps broadband connection.
8-10 Mbps is not typical...yet.
Logic Fail! Not everyone buys 12 month subscriptions. Also there is such thing as tax and shipping that could adjust someone's cost of said 12 month subscription.
You still fail either way. It isn't $5/month if you pay month-to-month and there is no state tax rate of 20% which would be required to hike the price up to $60. On top of that you pay for Xbox live on xbox live... you'd be dumb to have it shipped. Either way, you're wrong.
I don't care if you have a 360 or PS3 like me, Streaming Video is not even close to Bluray quality so stop argueing about nothing. Streaming Video is a solution for a small market of people who do not want or can not afford Bluray, it is not a replacement to Bluray. If your internet can not handle mass volume, streaming is horrible, it skips, pauses, and sound scatters. Unless you have a T1 connection streaming is a joke to say the least.
hopefully the disc thing is a one time deal.
the whole point in streaming media is that one does not have to get up to start the video
i rip all my dvd's simply so that i do not have to get up and find the physical media. i just open the movie folder on the network share.
are you going to buffer 30Gb? Didn't think so.
Blinded by hatred are you? There is no connection speed limit to buffering. Are people unable to watch Youtube on dial-up?
The movie may not start instantly. You may have to wait 2 or 3 hrs before the movie is available to be watched, but most people queue their movies.
To argue this is plain silly.
FAIL!
I would sign up IF new releases were available via stream. But when I had netflix, the only online content they had were mostly older movies.
Blinded by hatred are you? There is no connection speed limit to buffering. Are people unable to watch Youtube on dial-up?
The movie may not start instantly. You may have to wait 2 or 3 hrs before the movie is available to be watched, but most people queue their movies.
To argue this is plain silly.
FAIL!
What are you talking about. Hatred towards what? Nobody is arguing that buffering is limited by your connection. All I was saying is that nobody is going to buffer a movie for 2-3hrs.
You still fail either way. It isn't $5/month if you pay month-to-month and there is no state tax rate of 20% which would be required to hike the price up to $60. On top of that you pay for Xbox live on xbox live... you'd be dumb to have it shipped. Either way, you're wrong.
You are just one really prickly fellow, huh?
The exact monthly price of xbox isn't $5 so that must completely invalidate my point that it requires an additional monthly fee. Well guess what the per month price of xbox is actually $8 an even worse deal.
And why not pay for it on xbox live? Because MS is notorious for bad security and giving them your cc number could be bad?
What are you talking about. Hatred towards what? Nobody is arguing that buffering is limited by your connection. All I was saying is that nobody is going to buffer a movie for 2-3hrs.
You must also not understand why people download things for 2-3 hrs...
FAIL.
Microsoft is a stingy, selfish 2 year old who whines when he doesn't get the most expensive gift. The PS3's PSN is win. This is another brick in its wall! WOOT!
You must also not understand why people download things for 2-3 hrs...FAIL.
Wow. You just want to argue. I can understand downloading something for 2-3 hrs, I do it all the time. You are just trying to push your bias opinion of consoles. I think both platforms are great in their own way. And stop with the FAIL comment, you just look ridiculous!
Do you have to return the disc or is it just a throw away? Does it count as a movie rental?
The disc is yours to keep and doesn't count as a rental. The sign-up page where you request your disc doesn't have much more detail, but you need to have a plan with unlimited online viewing to qualify for the PS3 disc. Other than that, the new service should work the same way it would streaming Netflix to your PC or 360. Hopefully it is as nice as the Windows7 media center integration.