Hey humans! So Hastings was
telling us the truth after all -- the Nintendo Wii will be joining the other two game consoles to stream
Netflix starting some time in early Spring.
Like the PS3, a special Netflix "instant-streaming" disc will be required for the Wii, and it goes without saying that HD's out of the question since the Wii itself can't push above 480p. There'll be no additional fees beyond Netflix's usual monthly subscription. Time for a game of Mario Kart to celebrate, no?
Update: the
Netflix sign-up page is now live! [Via
Joystiq]
posted January 13th 2010 12:59AM
What's with this "streaming disc" BS? Isn't the whole point of streaming to not have to deal with discs?
Reminds me of the days where you had to keep the software CD in the drive in order for it to run.
Seriously they could have just added a Wii Channel for this no problem.
@ScienceProUSAcom If I remember correctly, I believe it has to do with Netflix's contract with Microsoft when they brought Instant Streaming to the 360. Until that deal expires, this is Netflix's only way around it.
@ScienceProUSAcom
It probably has something to do with that announcement Microsoft made a while back how they were going to be the only console with streaming video, and then Netflix found a loophole in the contract which makes the CD necessary.
Personally, I don't see the point in Wii Netflix streaming. You can buy a PS3 for slightly more money, and with that you get not only the ability to stream HD video, but also to play Blu-Ray, and you get surround sound (I'm willing to be proven wrong on the last one).
@BigJayDogg3:
Well if you're going that route I personally don't see why you would buy a PS3. I would get a stand alone blu ray player that had netflix streaming for a lot less than the cost of a PS3. The stand alone would look a lot sexier next to your other equipment as well.
@BigJayDogg3
Why buy a PS3 if you already have a Wii? Sure it doesn't do HD but HD isn't worth paying more money in the eyes of most people (especially those with Wiis, which aren't HD-capable).
@Jordan
Point taken.
@ScienceProUSA
Also I just thought of this. One way the disc in drive streaming works well is if you are a person that will use it for only netflix. Then it could just remain in the drive at all times.
@BigJayDogg3 And... they are going to add 3D support soon :-)
@ScienceProUSAcom
The point is that you get as many streaming, instant movies as you want, rather than having to wait 2-3 days to get one to three movies mailed to you, while having to worry about high demand movies being backlogged for a while.
@ScienceProUSAcom
Make an iso of the disc and put it on a sd card to use with your hacked wii
@BigJayDogg3 The Wii supports 5.1 surround
@Jordan Well maybe because the ps3 also plays games as well. The attractiveness of home electronics does not really matter that much.
Let me know if you ever hear a women say "I went over to this guy's house and he had such a sexy blu-ray player"
@Karate Tortoise Isn't it only Pro Logic II, though? Not that Pro Logic II is terrible, but it has been long since superceded in terms of quality.
@Wallyum:
And let me know what kind of woman ever says "I went over this guys house and he spends his time playing video games, he's so cool!"
@(Unverified)
You must have never seen the selection of videos that are streamed through Netflix... Besides a few documentaries, none are popular titles that are in a backlog status.
@Dale P
I thought Pro Logic was receiver based, not source based? Like it takes the two channel output and makes calculations to get the rear channels? In which case, you sometimes get this trippy surround sound effect.
*runs to Google*
@Karate Tortoise
The Wii only uses Pro Logic II, which is simulated surround sound. You can simulate surround sound from any source.
@BigJayDogg3
And I proved myself wrong. PLII does address individual speakers. Still, I'd rather a digital connection.
@ScienceProUSAcom Well, with Sony it's temporary as it has to do with a contract with MS, and it's slightly possible it's the same case for the Wii, but only to an extent. The Wii really doesn't have a load of onboard system memory. The point of Streaming with Netflix however is that you don't have to wait 2-3 days for the movie to arrive, and with either the Wii or the PS3, this is still accomplished as there's still no waiting for the movie to arrive.
Hmm, this may give reason to dust my Nintendo Wii off. Depends on how quickly I get bored of it.
@(Unverified) : You would actually dust off your Wii to watch standard-def DVDs? Well, I suppose if you don't have another device that can stream your media to your TV...
@aubreyq: I meant standard-def streaming, not DVDs, of course.
The Wii still can't play DVDs? Why is this?
@ndukyh
It can if you hack it like allot of people have done.
@ndukyh The Wii doesn't play DVDs officially because Nintendo do not want to pay licensing costs to the DVD Forum, most likely. Cheap sons of bitches.
I KNOW that's not the real Mario, cuz the real Mario has GLOVES.
Great news!
I wonder if Nintendo will somehow connect that Vitality Sensor to this Netflix? It would be great if it could actually pick up the average time it takes people nod off during those so-so movies the studios actually allow Netflix to stream.
SWEET! finally i can watch all my favorite movies in 480p
oh wait..
@Marijuana: But under the effects of your user name, it'll look like 1080p, LOL!
@aubreyq
cant even see the tv
@Marijuana dvd's are all in 480p Not everybody has an hdtv yet and not everybody cares about hd.
@majortom1981
I never thought of my circle as a rich one, but I do not know one person that does not have at least 1 hd tv in their house. Most have more than 1.
Wait, My 60 yr old In-laws don't, but they could give a rat's rear end about any of this anyway.
@majortom1981
most dvd players at least upconvert these days to the resolution of your tv. if you only have an sd tv then you wouldnt be benefiting from this supporting 720p or 1080p anyway.
HOORAY! Now I own a kind-of media hub!
@Rohan: Yep. I would also describe the Wii as a "kind-of media hub" myself.
I find it HILARIOUS that the Wii will be able to stream movies via Netflix (possibly even in 720p) and yet it STILL doesn't have the ability to play DVDs...that's just...wow...
@daftrok: It's not that the Wii doesn't have the ability, dude, because it does. Nintendo simply didn't want to pay a fee to the DVD Forum for each Wii sold, and they figured a lot of people had DVD players anyway (true). They wanted to profit from console sales, and they are doing just that.
@daftrok
there is no "possibly in 720p"
max is 480p, end of discussion
@Peytral yep :-)
@daftrok You find that hilarious? How do knock-knock jokes grab you?
@aubreyq Nintendo should have allowed for DVD playback in its device. It's worth being able to remove an additional unit from your TV stand and clear up some cable clutter. The wii controller is even shaped like a remote control.
@aubreyq What profit, a dollar?
I already use my 360 for Netflix and have no doubt it will continue to be the superior option for it, but I know I'm gonna have to try it out on my Wii....just because (same goes for PS3 when I eventually get one)
They've been dying to use that photo on a post.
Meh, if I can't watch Serenity in HD, then I'll keep using my 360 for Netflix, thank you.
But still, this is good news for quite a few people.
My mom is going to love this! She got a Wii and a balance board for Christmas.
Excellent. This move instantly expands the number of Netflix set top boxes to a fuck load, meaning that we could possibly get even more stuff on Watch Instantly. Personally, i really want HBO stuff to show up on the service, so i can finish The Wire sooner.
That disc thing sucks. But I suppose if you can order a dvd you can order that. Though I think the fact I could just download it on my XBOX was why I signed up to give them 10 bucks a month.
If they would just enable DVD playing in the console, that'd be great. Until then, I'm fine with my Mac Mini for DVD, Netflix, Hulu, Boxee, YouTube, Bit Torrent, etc etc etc.
Doctor Mario
check it.
Goto http://www.netflix.com/wii to reserve your disc.
Yes Engadget. You can add this as an update and thank me :)