Microsoft brings Netflix streaming to the Xbox 360 for Live Gold members

After months of speculation and rumors, Microsoft just announced that it's partnering with Netflix to allow Xbox 360 owners to stream movies from their Netflix queues for no extra charge. Microsoft says the 360 will be the only game system that allows Netflix access for no additional cost -- which isn't entirely accurate, since it sounds like only Live Gold members will get access. Streaming movies can also be shared with your Live party, allowing you to watch content together. Users will have instant access to their Netflix instant access queues, but it's not clear what resolution the content will be streamed at -- we'd guess it's roughly the same DVD-quality res that Roku's Netflix streamer is getting for now, but hopefully that'll change when the service launches in the fall with the new dashboard.

[bakedbeans6 Posted Jul 14th 2008 4:07PM]

^^ @ ZeroCorpse

Totally agree... I don't see why people are bitching about the mighty Roku box... cheap and easy, just how I like em!

Here's to hoping this service comes to the PS3 as well so I can put the Roku in my bedroom!

[inteller Posted Jul 14th 2008 3:20PM]

this feature is actually rather lame. I think I'll have to continue using TPBflix

[ZeroCorpse Posted Jul 14th 2008 3:20PM]

I love my 360 (although I hate the business practices at Xbox Live customer service), and I love my Roku Netflix Player. I might use this feature, but the Roku still has a lot of advantages:

1. No fan noise. The Roku box is completely silent.
2. Low power requirement. 5W versus the 360's major draw.
3. Cooler-running.
4. Easier to use for non-tech people (wives, parents, etc.)
5. Using Roku moves wear & tear from your 360.
6. Less expensive to replace if the wear & tear kills it.
7. Better remote control (and it doesn't cost extra).

Of course, I'm thrilled that they've decided to implement this on the 360. It's a step in the right direction.

By the way, for those who are complaining about the quality: I routinely get 4-dots on my 5Mbps DSL, and via HDMI the quality looks as good as an upscaled DVD on my HDTV. If you have quality issues, it's directly related to your connection speed and your method of interface with your display. Even component is a huge step down from HDMI with the Roku box.

For me, this means added value. I'll have the benefit of a second Netflix Player in another room of my home. I wouldn't use the 360 method as a primary (too noisy!), but as a secondary Netflix Player, it could be pretty decent.

And finally, to the dillholes yammering about "already being able to do this from Media Center" -- Not everybody has a Media Center PC, and with this direct method you don't need to to have both your PC and your 360 tied up and using energy. Stop assuming everyone has the same setup as you, or wants it. I wouldn't have a media center PC in my home even if it were given to me for free.

[DistortedLoop Posted Jul 14th 2008 3:20PM]

@Brent - agreed, the NetFlix Instant stuff isn't the top current hits, but neither are all the movies that you get on HBO, Showtime, Cinemax, TMC, Starz, etc. And the TV show selections are as interesting as most of the basic cable channel crap.

The NetFlix watch now selection could improve, and should improve, but the current selections and picture quality are good enough that I opted to cancel all my pay cable channels except for HBO, and most of my basic digital tier channels.

I use the vmcNetFlix plugin with my XBox 360 and it's great. That plugin is beta and third party supported, so it's not without the occasional glitch, but it's great to have.

An actual XBox 360 application, from Microsoft, on the 360 direct would be fantastic.

A couple of blog posts of mine re: the NetFlix service and the plugin at:

http://thedigitaldive.net/blog/?cat=9

[ZeroCorpse Posted Jul 14th 2008 3:30PM]

Oh, yeah. And the Roku box requires no additional fees. I pay $10 a month to Netflix and get unlimited Watch Now movies and TV shows. If I wanted to use this on Xbox Live, I'd have to pay an additional $8 a month (isn't that what it is now?) and put up with Microsoft's TERRIBLE foreign-country customer service and shady billing policies (I've had some awful run-ins with them over un-authorized billing).

Maybe I wouldn't use this after all, because I'm certainly never giving MS another dime for Xbox Live Gold.

[xValentine Posted Jul 14th 2008 3:20PM]

Btw,

FFXIII Coming to 360.

[scolen2 Posted Jul 14th 2008 3:21PM]

I'm a little upset about this announcement since Netflix new platform for streaming content was supposed to be licensed to all platforms not just the netflix box, and the 360. it should be a part of the PS3, wii and even BD players in the future. I hope this is them still feeling out the market.

[natels Posted Jul 14th 2008 3:23PM]

So is this set to release in Fall with the update or now?

[cchance Posted Jul 14th 2008 3:24PM]

WAIT... NO ADDITIONAL COST!?!?!?!?!!

Netflix streaming just for being a gold member... HOLY CRAP i now have a reason to make sure my gold subscription never expires!

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 14th 2008 3:42PM]

From the article, on microsoft.com:
"This movie watching innovation will be available to Xbox LIVE Gold members who are also Netflix subscribers and will let those users enjoy streaming movies from Netflix on Xbox LIVE at no additional cost."

The "no additional cost" is just buzz... you have to have a Netflix account as well as Xbox LIVE. Basically their sentence is misleading... what they intended was that you didn't have to pay anything above and beyond the normal Xbox LIVE fee to use this... IF you're a current Netflix customer.

[retro77 Posted Jul 14th 2008 3:25PM]

So I gotta pay for a Live Gold membership and a Netflix membership fee to use this? No thanks.

[natels Posted Jul 14th 2008 3:33PM]

No.. You don't. If you read, you only need an Gold Membership and the Netflix is included in that fee..

[Omegablue14 Posted Jul 14th 2008 3:45PM]

Actually, you would need to have both a gold membership and a netfix member ship, it says it right in the article:

"This movie watching innovation will be available to Xbox LIVE Gold members who are also Netflix subscribers...."

I don't know what you are reading

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 14th 2008 3:39PM]

So wait... if your a xbox live Gold member you can access the NETFLIX movies for free?

But in order to "WATCH" the movies.. you have to be a NETFLIX member and still PAY a fee?

Damn I'm confused?! ;(

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 14th 2008 6:07PM]

is there a sign up button anywhere for engadget... I can't find one.. :(

[neeko18 Posted Jul 14th 2008 3:43PM]

STFU. GEEZ why do people complain for having to pay for something. If your a xbox GOLD member this is a great feature to add so the kids can watch their cartoons. For only $10 extra a month u get unlimited movie streaming of whatever they have avail.

And if you dont have a xbox then just buy the Reko box and pay the $100 upfront and $10 for a subscription. Once they move to HD formats this will change the game.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 14th 2008 3:44PM]

it says on the release "This movie watching innovation will be available to Xbox LIVE Gold members who are also Netflix subscribers and will let those users enjoy streaming movies from Netflix on Xbox LIVE at no additional cost."

So its only good if you have both netflix and xbox live gold

[neeko18 Posted Jul 14th 2008 3:44PM]

wow so it looks like u dont have to pay extra to stream if ur a GOLD memeber.. Even bttr.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 14th 2008 3:51PM]

You have to have be a Gold member on xbox and have a membership with Netflix. Microsoft isn't about to obsolete its own online rental store with "free movies" for gold members from Netflix.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 17th 2008 6:03PM]

Sony needs to team up with Blockbuster.

[Joshs Red Pants Posted Jul 14th 2008 3:55PM]

I suspect this isn't coming to Canada?

You have it so good!!

(well, except for gun control and health coverage)

[Philippe Posted Jul 14th 2008 4:20PM]

Yah! More people to have access to Instant Watch without closed captions. Maybe that'll motivate NetFlix to up their game and add CC to streaming content.

[GenBanks Posted Jul 14th 2008 4:23PM]

If this were coming to the UK I would consider this (together with the new interface) to be enough to convince me to get a 360.

[Twist Posted Jul 14th 2008 4:26PM]

This is actually pretty cool and I will probably make use of this feature. The big question is does this work via streaming like the Roku device or are you going to have to download titles to the HD first? Both methods have their advantages and disadvantages.

[jbob1 Posted Jul 14th 2008 4:30PM]

No love for us UK folks?

[Genaldar Posted Jul 14th 2008 4:37PM]

No love for us cheapskates eh MS? Since I don't game online regularly I continually get smacked by MS, first they started letting gold members get downloads first (some of which enter them in spiffy contests) now this. At least they let you download stuff for free (eventually), unlike back with the original 360. Of course they still nickel and dime you for so many of the themes and gamer pics (anyone who paid for a gamer pic is a sucker, its essentially an ad for a game/move/tv show).

[Corpsitron Posted Jul 14th 2008 4:49PM]

Old news. I've been streaming Netflix through my xbox for weeks, with this plugin: http://lifehacker.com/396881/turn-your-xbox-360-into-a-streaming-netflix-player

[j2inet Posted Jul 14th 2008 5:04PM]

Hey [Jon], that's not the same thing. What you have is a plugin so that you can watch your netflix movies in the Media Center application for Vista. The Xbox 360 is then using your media center's streaming functionality. If I understand what I've read correctly the Xbox 360 in this case would be streaming the movies directly from netflix without the need for your home PC.

[j2inet Posted Jul 14th 2008 5:00PM]

youtube support would be nice.

[UnixSystemsEngineer Posted Jul 14th 2008 5:12PM]

Sick. I've already got Live Gold for those rare occasions when I play multiplayer online, and the XBox is the only HDMI device hooked up to the TV (it streams movies via Connect 360 on my Pro).

I've already got Netflix, so it's like a free bonus out of nowhere!

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 14th 2008 7:31PM]

Movies would be great on the 360 if the fan didn't sound like 12 jet
engines!!

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 14th 2008 7:54PM]

whatever this is lame.

I'll be impressed when the f-ing get it to work w/ firefox.