Netflix: lack of HD streaming 'no loss' for Wii owners
By Joseph L. Flatley 
posted February 10th 2010 10:26AM
posted February 10th 2010 10:26AM
Let's see if we can't come up with a small list of things that would be, quite frankly, overkill in a modern game console / video streaming device. Color? You know, some of the best films ever made were in black and white. Audio? Just a distraction, really. HD? Available on damn near every new TV, sure, but don't you think it's a bit... much? Nintendo's Reggie Fils-Aime does, obviously, as does Netflix -- at least according to an interview recently posted on The Wiire. Indeed, the company's VP of Corporate Communications Steve Swasey goes so far as to say that "the HD experience at Netflix Instant Watching isn't that overwhelming. It's a little bit underwhelming. So the Wii folks aren't going to miss that much." Y'know, it's not every day that we hear a company downplay its own product, but we suppose that the man should throw a bone to the twenty-six million homes in America who already own the console. He goes on to say that "the vast majority of content that is available for streaming through Netflix is not HD content. So, there is really no loss for the Wii consumer." Besides, "PS3 and Xbox users have 1 in 17 titles available in HD, and it's streamed in 720... it's not in 1080, and it's not in 5.1 surround sound or anything." Sure, Swasey -- anything can make sense if you explain it. Well, almost anything.
oh god that picture... lol
@Luffy
yeah what movie is that again? dang it was on Adult Swim last April Fool's Day
laughably bad acting and plot
@Nzad That's "The Room" by amazing writer/actor/director Tommy Wiseau!!!! lol
Such a bad movie, one of the worst ever made... ever... which is why everyone should watch it! It's hilarious!
@artstate It made my day to see that picture. God that movie is just straight up awesome. YOURE TEARING ME APART LISA!
OH HAI ENGADGET!
@Luffy You can't stream The Room...
@Dshark
i know, i just checked =( Get on this netflix, i don't wanna wait for the mail!
an Asian engineer came to Nintendo...he then died...And Nintendo realised that there 'special' players that play 'special' games, don't really care (or know) about this strange HD thing that everyone is talking about. well at least if you grow up with a Wii you wont have high expectations from game graphics, sound quality, tv or movie visuals in the future...
Yikes
Oh that picture made me excited - I'm seeing The Room this Friday, and Tommy Wiseau is going to be there!!!
You're tearing me apart, Steve!
@edgore
Oh hi Mark.
@edgore sooo what he is saying is I should just go cancel my Netflix subscription, because they don't offer the high definition movies with 5.1 surround that I prefer to see? Alrighty then!
@edgore I came here strictly to make that exact comment. you beat me to the punch. +1
That is because your typical WII owner doesn't know what HD is.
I actually can't stand watching SD netflix content on my Tivo. HD has spoiled me. And their selection of HD movies leaves plenty to be desired.
I am confused why does streaming to the Wii HD matter it only does 480p resolution. Streaming 720p HD content to a device that doesn't support the resolution doesn't make any sense.
@(Unverified) agreed, I very much doubt a Wii could even decode HD streaming efficiently without exploding anyway
@RickJames Decoding HD would be very easy for a Wii - it's the frame buffer in the GPU that can't handle/is hard locked to not do HD.
@oblivionbp Your avatar makes it so hard to promote your comment... but it makes to much sense. GAAAAAHHH!
I thought Netflix on the 360 now can do 1080?
OK, here's the plan.
Nintendo will keep selling Wii consoles like mad.
People that use a Wii on an SD TV that subscribe to Netflix will not care about HD.
People that have an HD TV won't watch SD Netflix streams from their Wii.
I will go back to playing New Super Mario Bros Wii.
OK, go!
@cdsfire
My six year old kids love that game!
Anyway, Netflix should accelerate it's presence into Canada and the PS3 ASAP!
@cdsfire that is absolutely right. although I am disapointed, I love my Wii and I know I'll have to buy the next gen Nintendo console to get HD games or watch HD movies or whatever... but I was hoping (dreaming) they would come out with an expensive accessory adaptor to upscale games to HD or something...
@phearme I secretly wish for the same thing. Even though I was pleasantly surprised at how well my standard DVD player looked on my new HD TV, I have seen the clarity and detail of 1080p. I agree an accessory (similar to the Nintendo 64 expansion pack) that could provide that function would print money.
@Shlooky um have you played New Super Mario Bros? im 20 and i love that game!
I'm with @kojo87. I'm 34 and I LOVE the New Super Mario Bros game!
YOU'RE TEARING ME APART NINTENDO!
Written, directed, produced and starring Tommy Wiseau - with the passion of Tennessee Williams!
But can't you use the Wiimote to make it look like you're picking Tom Cruise's nose while he's yelling "I want the truth!"?
I consume Netflix online via a Samsung Blu-Ray player. The quality of the video is bottlenecked by my bandwidth, so I only really get SD content, but I don't really care at this point.
I'm far more excited about the fact that I don't have to hook up my laptop to the television to watch movies over the internet than I am upset about the lack of HD.
720p is still way better than 480p no matter how you look at it.
These guys are just douche bags. So glad I don't own a console; they become obsolete so quickly, and the companys always want you to buy their _next_ product, so support is always garbage as well. Fuck off, Nintendick.
@DoctarPeppar Yes, how quickly the 360 was obsoleted since it's launch in 2005.
Oh, wait- what's that you say? People still use and love it going on FIVE years later? You don't say...
What? You also mean to tell me that a similarly aged PC would be a gamer's laughing stock these days? Hmmm, but that's counter to the argument you put forth above...
@DoctarPeppar Um, game consoles become obsolete quickly? Game console are one of the longest lasting electronic gadgets. Every major console has a lifespan of at least 5 years. PS2 games are still being written 10 years after its release. Try again. See any 10 year old PC's around? Check the museum.
@Palomino
I didn't say anything actually.
I think you're putting words in my mouth, ROF1.
I'm not sure that trying to make a particular console's users feel better by pointing out the failings of your own service is really the best possible strategy.
People don't play the Wii anyway. All those people who waited all night to get one, or search craigs list for days, or bought for double price on ebay just wanted nice white mantel pieces. And if they do play it, they play it on a tiny set that can't support HD.
@Avaviel Wrong on all counts in my case. Broad generalizations = failure.
Not being able to recognize my obvious sarcasm = failure.
i have a Wii.
i have an HDTV.
do i care that the Wii is not HD: no.
do the majority of Wii owners care: doubtful.
did i buy a Wii to watch HD movies: no
nintendo knows their market pretty well. readers of a tech blog are not the majority. i'm sure their next console will be HD capable.
@jayteemo
the Fit Plus kicks my ass
@jayteemo Totally. Out of my Wii, PS2/3 and my DVD/VHS combo, the Wii is the last thing I would probably want to watch a DVD on. I'll pick up the disc because I bring my wii with me when I travel, but it won't be used in my house.
@jayteemo
Exactly! The fact that a Wii can stream Netflix is a bonus no Wii owner ever expected to get when they bought it (unless they bought it in the last few months). Nintendo never promised anyone the Wii would eventually miraculously grow an HDMI port.
I actually agree with his statement somewhat. HD streamed over the internet is very VERY compressed and lacks the color depth and detail to be true HD.
I own a high-end HDTV and an Apple TV, and get all SD content just because I think iTunes HD isn't much better.
What is it with Nintendo hating High Definition, it never hurt anyone!
Is it me or are Engadget contributors appear to be very obsessed with HD? Netflix streaming is all about convenience to me, not the quality of the picture.
Netflix on the Wii will be a great thing for a lot of people. What Reggie said, as the head of Nintendo, doesn't surprise me. Netflix admitting that HD streaming content is not up to par yet does, though.
He's only saying this for Nintendo's sake, so everyone doesn't run out and replace their Wii with a 360 or PS3. Besides, they want the largest console install base to start using their service!
And everyone that is concerned about improving and progressing the service's technology (including myself) can relax. The story a few days ago about 1080p streaming, 5.1 audio, and subtitles confirms they are, in fact, pushing the service forward (not holding it back for slow adopters) -- I hope!
The HD Netflix streams is just as bad. I think it is even worse then even analog SD TV.
I have a Wii and I like watching movies, and I have no interest in HD anything. I like my Wii games in SD, I like my movies in SD, and I like my CRT screen more than any flat panel for picture quality. I may be in a very lonely camp, but that's where I am.
And no, I do not still listen to music on a turntable with a valve amp. I'm not a luddite, I just don't think HDTV has improved the TV/home movie experience.