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Engadget's Netflix HD streaming shootout
Netflix seems to be doing things right when it comes to the streaming game, partnering with several hardware companies in an attempt to make its service more or less ubiquitous -- a pretty sharp break from the proprietary hardware approach taken by most of its competitors. That means Netflix subscribers have quite a few choices when it comes to streaming, and we thought we'd put the ones available now head-to-head and try to crown a winner. The good news? There isn't a mediocre choice out there. The bad? Well, read on.Update: We shot another video to answer some lingering questions about the Roku player, check it below.
Don't panic: NXE will stream Netflix HD via component cables
For those of us with HD displays, the revelation that the Netflix component of Xbox 360's New Xbox Experience would stream HD video via the intertubes was just spiffy. Then came various reports that said feature would only be available in situations where the 360 was connected to an HDCP-compliant display via HDMI. Even then, the scuttlebutt was that older 360s might not be up to snuff. Not true, as our pals at Engadget have found.They've tested a 360 connected via component cables and confirmed that it displays the Netflix HD content just fine, as you can see in the above photo. It should be noted that those with older HD sets, which only have DVI inputs, may encounter problems using HDMI-to-DVI converters, since the 360 can't make the necessary HDCP "handshake" in that configuration. As Engadget points out, it's still possible to use the 360's optional VGA output in this case. For most HD display owners, though, insert a big sigh of relief here.
Rumor control: Xbox 360 HD Netflix HDCP issues
Tips have been coming in today saying that streaming HD Netflix content requires a television set with HDCP, leaving some users with older TVs worried that the service will not work. As Engadget reports, the problem only relates to digital connections like HDMI and DVI. As such, the problem should only affect those using an HDMI-to-DVI converter on an older set without HDCP. Even for those in this situation, HD content will still work just fine over either component or VGA (see the above image). So, most of you can stop sweating. In the rare case that your only option is DVI, you may be out of luck.
