Netflix has "three additional partners" launching hardware this year

Details surrounding Netflix's upcoming set-top box partnership with LG are still scarce, but that hasn't stopped it from announcing similar plans with four other unnamed hardware manufacturers that it expects will sell "millions" of devices per year. Feel free to guess, but the only details available are that the fourth company is a small one likely to launch sooner than Q4, while the other three (including LG) will turn on Netflix functionality in some of their devices in the fourth quarter. It's unlikely to wash away the bad taste of an HD price hike, but we like imagining that all the hardware needed to connect Netflix's all-you-can-eat streaming movie service to our HDTV is already in the living room (Xbox 360 & PS3, we're looking at you).

[cashmonee @ Apr 22nd 2008 12:19PM]

They will need to seriously up the quality and offerings of their online service. Right now the selection may be large, but the actual titles suck. And the quality is not very good.

[arthur barnhouse @ Apr 25th 2008 11:29AM]

I have not seen a problem with quality except on old titles.

Yeah, their options are anemic, but its a bit of a chicken/egg situation. Most people are not going to watch movies at home on their computer. If it came to the Xbox I'm willing to bet the number of titles would increase significantly.

[Andy @ Apr 22nd 2008 12:36PM]

I agree with the above. If it came to the consoles, or some easy way to stream to the living room, watchability would skyrocket.

As is, its working well, there seem to be a lot of the smaller, independent movies available, which is fine.

[Chad @ Apr 22nd 2008 12:49PM]

I would love to see something like this. They just need to really up the quality on their online service. At least 1080i.

[arthur barnhouse @ Apr 22nd 2008 12:51PM]

Even the current XBox downloads don't do 1080. You're probably looking at 720p for a while.

[Newtype311 @ Apr 22nd 2008 1:07PM]

Well I don't think that getting 1080 is really an issue, since almost all PS3 downloads are available in 1080p. I think with the 360 it has more to do with the fact that HDMI out isn't standard across most consoles in the market except for the Elites, and until the firmware update which made 1080 possible through component cable on 360 you couldn't get a res that high to begin with. i would think that Microsoft's just been slow to update the videos they have for download to be available that high. they probably only did 720p since the p for progressive always seems nicer than i for interlaced even in 720 and 1080. im not trying to be a fanboy, im just trying to say that 1080p downloads are possible, its just a choice of the company.

[Joe @ Apr 22nd 2008 1:16PM]

"Atleast 1080i ?" Do you have any idea what you're talking about?

[justin @ Apr 22nd 2008 12:49PM]

I've been waiting for something to replace my Spectravision STB.

[Frank Furter @ Apr 22nd 2008 12:58PM]

Doesn't seem to be helping their stock - down 22% as of this posting.....yikes!

[MacBookOwner @ Apr 22nd 2008 1:03PM]

They have been getting hammered since after hours yesterday-I'm guessing investors weren't impressed by the tepid guidance.

[True_Darknight @ Apr 22nd 2008 1:02PM]

Well I know the PS3 has a browser so it would be an easy add on.... as for the Xbox360... didn't they say they rather have you pay for downloads than to have actual discs.. how would a pay for all you can eat deal work with that???

Either way.... I just connect my Sony Vaio next to the flat screen and watch it on that... same with Hulu.com....

[Clint @ Apr 22nd 2008 1:05PM]

This would be a great addition to the Xbox Live Marketplace. Microsoft can still use the Marketplace for HD movie rentals...but relegate SD movie streaming to the Netflix servers. I highly doubt Netflix will begin streaming HD movie content considering the infrastructure necessary. HD will be download only for a while...but SD media streaming already works...and quite well actually. Perhaps the 360 could upconvert an SD stream? Interesting...

[Jackson H @ Apr 22nd 2008 1:19PM]

Netflix + TiVO = Love?

[Geoffrey Sperl @ Apr 22nd 2008 2:01PM]

Probably depends on where Amazon Unbox is headed. If Unbox goes and begins HD downloads, then Amazon is not going to want to see Netflix on the TiVo.

I suspect it's the consoles. The PS3 and the 360 are almost givens (PS3 primarily, I think, since MS has their Marketplace), though I guess they could set up a 480i/480p for the Wii since the BBC is doing a stream for it.

But TiVo? I think TiVo gave up on Netflix when Amazon came along.

[booticon @ Apr 22nd 2008 1:21PM]

360 FTW! (Even though mine RRoD'ed last night. Sigh.)

[CGreenFL @ Apr 22nd 2008 1:33PM]

The fact that i understood that is either good or bad... i haven't decided yet.
I agree tho... 360 + all you can eat movie titles = :)

[Snitch @ Apr 22nd 2008 1:27PM]

Sounds good but am afraid all you can eat won't be available to set-top box or any console, not on planet earth, It will kill Direct TV, cables Pay per views and everyone else outhere

[FREDDY PAULINO @ Apr 22nd 2008 1:29PM]

Ps3 and xbox 360 would be awesome for this service.

[Zak @ Apr 22nd 2008 1:45PM]

Obviously Netflix came to the same conclusion that Apple did. You need a set top box that has HDCP in order to sell/stream HD movies online. It's all about the studio-imposed DRM, and it's why Netflix has not yet been able to offer HD downloads, but Apple has.

The good news is that I bet Netflix's selection will grow quickly once the set top box is available.

[Tim @ Apr 22nd 2008 1:56PM]

I think Netflix has become a victim of its own success. They should focus on ironing out their own problems before looking to expand in ridiculous ways.

I've been a Netflix member for five years. In the first four years I have received one badly scratched unplayable dvd and one broken disc. In the last year, I've received four wildly scratched, unplayable discs and one cracked disc.

They have serious quality issues with their stock.

Add to that steaming pile of resentment is the fact that they *still* haven't even bothered to make any effort to release any kind of "Instant Watch" option for their non-Windows customers. If they're going to block this service for Mac and Linux users, they should be fair and discount rates for people who can't use this option. Heck, I can use Comcast's On-Demand easier!

Not to mention, what ever happened to the big fight between Netflix and the USPS in regard to their bulk mailer sizes?

[Jared @ Apr 22nd 2008 3:25PM]

Discount someone for not using service that has always been offered for free??? Remember that when netflix added streaming video your prices stayed the same.

[niccollo @ Apr 23rd 2008 12:23AM]

I don't think they have a quality issue. I have had an account for three years and only had one cracked disc, and that was in that last month or so.

[Able-X @ Apr 22nd 2008 3:44PM]

Also thank the studios for requiring the DRM. Now that silverlight is out we should be getting some cross platform love for watch it now this year.

[Arian @ Apr 22nd 2008 4:38PM]

I for one love the Netflix streaming service. The selection absolutely needs to expand (and it has been), but the resolution/smoothness is top-notch. I would not ever expect a free streaming add-on service to be anything like 1080i (come on!) but I am very happy with where it is. If they ever offer an improvement of that magnitude they will need to raise their prices to cover the increased bandwidth and many computers won't be able to play that resolution anyway. Hopefully it will be an extra option and I can continue with current quality built into the price. On my 800x600 projector I'm very happy with its quick start and solid (near DVD quality) look. I use Vista Media Center with the MyNetflix and I'm just loving it. I sure hope that whatever they to with the hardware box is also available without the box (no "exclusive" titles). If it becomes pay-per-view it won't be nearly the same benefit anymore.

[FREDDY PAULINO @ Apr 22nd 2008 4:39PM]

The more content for the consoles the better netflix just needs to fix

the quality and provide 5.1 and also add more movies to watch now..

[FREDDY PAULINO @ Apr 22nd 2008 4:44PM]

This could work well for netflix if implemented on all home consoles

they would own the rental space everyone with a console will have an option

of subscription or simply stream to your console with that subscription.

[William C Bonner @ Apr 22nd 2008 6:58PM]

I was an early adopter of Netflix, back when they had one mailing center in the San Jose area. I quit about 5 years ago, partly because I ran out of things that I wanted to watch, and partly because their practices were making it hard for me to get new releases, since I went through LOTS of movies.

I understand that they've changed the frequent user practices significantly in the past few years, and the local mailing centers make turnaround significantly faster as well.

If I could download HD content directly to my TiVo HD from netflix, I'd almost instantly sign up again. As it is, I rarely get things from Amazon Unbox. I don't have an HD disk player, so the only HD I get is from my TiVo.

It's still easier to walk the two blocks and pay $5 to BlockBuster. The browsing experience of live is still hard to beat.

Wim.