Netflix iPad app updated to support video out to TVs and monitors
By Nilay Patel 
posted May 19th 2010 9:13PM
posted May 19th 2010 9:13PM
[Thanks, Dave]
posted May 19th 2010 9:13PM
A look back on popular stories from today in a specific year.
Now that we've thrown 'em off the trail, use the form below to get in touch with the people at Engadget. Please fill in all of the required fields because they're required.
c00l! ps 1st comment! WOOT!!!!
@rk151094 you are not cool.
lmao @ "rock it raw" :D
@rk151094
WOOT!!!!
Welcome to Oblivion! :D
Definitely plenty of options for getting streaming Netflix to one's TV, but if iPad owners want to spend more money buying dongles, go for it.
@aubreyq I already had a Apple Composite AV Cable that I used with my 80GB iPod when traveling. It works fine with my iPad and iPhone as well, so it's just another bonus use for me and others that already have one.
@rk151094 1st comments are so 2009
@aubreyq
If someone has an iPad but not a console that streams netflix, or a media pc already connected to their computer, then what is so bad about buying a dongle?
Would you suggest they spend 20x as much on a console instead?
@guroth Of course not, but one doesn't need to buy a console. A Roku box is about $100 or so (not 20x the cost of a dongle), plus you get more than just Netflix, along with a remote. If your iPad is hooked up to the TV, how do you navigate the content from your couch?
Meh, most iPad owners probably don't know what a Roku box is anyway. They can enjoy their 10-foot wannabe interface.
@aubreyq
Since I don't currently have a set top box or other device capable of streaming netflix to my TV/Monitor, and the cost of one FAR exceeds the cost of a dongle, I'd be happy to oblige Amazon for a $6.37 part to let my iPad do it as opposed to an expensive (and power hungry) device...
@aubreyq Get educated. You can't add movies to your queue using Roku or any of the streaming Netflix STB. You gave to have it already in your queue. From that perspective the ipad app is better than a Roku box et al.
@jaffreywali use your f*kin ipad or smartphone to add a movie to your queue. Better than watching a crap resolution on the iPad. And since it's streaming im guessing you cant charge it? man - that thing just gets stupider every day.
"no sir - you can't stream video / presentations while having your device plugged in. That'll be some magic reserved for a future version"
@jaffreywali
Your comment regarding not being able to add movies to your queue will no longer apply to the Roku after the June update.
Also, I believe the Xbox 360 has been able to browse and add movies to the queue for quite some time now.
@VAGRANT Composite?????? Seriously?
Its tricky to rock on time ... but only natural to rock it raw
IMO more is rarely bad. We will see HD too. Obviously now we got TV , next up would be HD to bitch about. Lol
Video out also in citrix receiver app
Heh. Rock it raw with your dongles.
@sshating
Because laptops are not "magical"
that last line sounds nasty engadget
@ssgadget
Yes, because iPad is a dedicated Netflix set-top device and does nothing else. Moron.
Netflix is not the sole function of this device...
A similar app will be available for the HTC EVO, It will stream 720p HD via HDMI.
@scorpeo That will be pretty sweet. I've seen the YouTube demos of that.
@scorpeo how much will the HDMI out dongle cost for the EVO? oh its built in? BEST PHONE EVER!!!
Why cant the Apple/iPhone/iPad/iPod haters keep their stupid comments to themselves?
@TheOrioles33 truth hurts huh?
@TheOrioles33
I believe they honestly don't know how. Their life is incomplete without spewing their hatred.
@TheOrioles33
You have to ask?
In a nutshell...its jealously.
Jealously that that for all their shit talking the iPad is still a great success for Apple and that people don't give a crap about the lack of flash or multitasking (which will change with iPhone OS 4.0).
They're just mad that no amount of android tablets will sway peoples opinions.
@TheLondonExchange Android swayed peoples opinion on the iPhone, why do you assume it will be different for the larger iPhone?
@sshating that actually is a good point, Microsoft envy caused one of the most obnoxious and pretentious fact skewing ad campaigns of all time... Justin Long? he was supposed to be hip and cool?
@sshating Ha. I think you and steveayo need to get a room. You're clearly making a love connection here...
TV out is all well and good (I'll stick with my XBox for that), but how about making a proper iPad app and not a glorified web browser that loads up your website with HTML5 video? It's so tough to use because all the buttons and links are so small.
Besides that, I really want offline mode more than anything. The iPad is almost useless without an internet connection. It would be nice to be able to queue up a movie to view just before going on a flight.
@jinushaun
I agree with you. An actual app would have been nice. But this is better then nothing. I'm not sure if we will see an app though. As HTML5 takes off it will replace the need for apps.
Also I don't think we will ever see caching with Netflix. The movie studios are just coming around to steaming. To try to explain that you want your customers to be able to download their IP and store it for use at some time in the future would send them into fits. Just look at the restrictions for steaming movie rentals. Yeah, you can cache them, but you only have a certain number of days when you have to start watching it or the movie just won't work. And the big thing is you have to have a way to authorize the movie before you can start watching it.
Which brings up a question. If you rent from iTunes. Download your rental to your "iDevice". Does it keep track of your DRM info or does it expect to authorize it when you attempt to play it.
I think I'll need to experiment a bit with that.
@Captain Caveman
Woah there Captain! HTML5 is missing a lot of features in order to replace apps. Heck, HTML5 can't even properly replace Flash - which is one reason there is so much debate around it.
HTML5 is a very welcome advancement in the HTML spec, which is slow moving and sadly aged. But there is no way it is going to offset the power of what Flash, Silverlight, Java, and native apps will do on a computing device.
Case in point, Netflix will never touch HTML5 for video delivery right now because it lacks any sort of DRM tools that the studios require to have a feeling of protection on their movies.
HTML5 is not even close to being an answer for rich-media developers. It will offer a few long-needed features for web developers though.
@colbyp but neither is a giant iPod... unless you consider convincing people to actually pay for it "magical" I DO
Hmm, people clamoring for a dongle...support...hehehehe
@sshating id definitely just get a laptop tablet instead, can i run Zbrush on an iPad and use a stylus to create 3d models? Nope
@sshating .. You are such a troll. The same could be said for so many devices:
- Plug your PSP into the TV. Lame. Buy a console.
- Plug mouse into your laptop. Lame. Buy a desktop.
- Plug HDMI into your EVO. Lame. Buy a laptop.
- Plug power into your mobile phone. Lame. Buy a landline.
sweet. now where's the iphone/ipod touch netflix app?
So you're completely ignoring everyone who is travelling with only an iPad who might want to watch TV on big screen. That's a big ignorance.
@SteveyAyo get it right its ipod XL :P
@taligent your last 3 made absolutely no sense at all...
-so a desktop is as portable as a laptop w/mouse?
-why is HDMI in the EVO lame? its built in
-how many mobile phones can you carry around in your pocket anywhere?
@SteveyAyo landlines* not mobile phones
People need to realize that these companies by and large arent stupid. But they cant hold and app and not release it cause they need to add xyz...or improve abc...if they did the app would never come out.
They release a stable basic app first..then add to it with updates. I have no doubt netflix had plans to have video out for the app from the start and that people bitching about it had nothing to do with them finally adding it. I think it was a matter of they did update after update..added feature after feature and this one happened to be the one they got around to adding the video out capabilities. It takes time to write code..to test it over and over..to wrinkle out the big bugs..just be patient.
Hence why eventually I have no doubt HD streams will be coming soon. With 3g using normal streams and wifi using HD. But again...they gotta test it and play with it..get rid of the bugs..and they only have so many people on their staff so they gotta prioritize.
Who cares about video out? Where is my iPhone version of Netflix?! I've been waiting got 2 yrs now!
I don't really like Apple but this is still a plus for iPad users, you can move your netflix from room to room on a larger screen and share it with family and friends, plus who doesn't have Wifi at home these days? Good move if you ask me.
Trolling again. Do you spend all day being a troll ? I mean seriously, every apple post you add nothing to the conversation but troll.
@sshating Does Google, Microsoft pay you to post? Try the device because based on your coments you obviously haven't tried it.
Good, now the iPad can do what my netbook could two years ago...