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HD Netflix streaming comes to Xbox 360 first
It's something you can't get on the Roku. Nor on LG's BD300. Nor on Samsung's P2500 / P2550 Blu-ray players. Nor through Netflix's own "Watch Instantly" portal. It's high-def Netflix streaming, and it's coming first to Microsoft's Xbox 360. Just in case you glossed over this massively huge tidbit when digesting the new dashboard information this morning, we're here to remind you that when the aforesaid dash hits on November 19th, with it will come HD Netflix streaming for (US-based, presumably) Xbox Live Gold members. You should know that this is only a "soft launch" with about 300 titles available for now, and the litany of details you're surely craving simply aren't available at present time. At any rate, we'd say things just got a lot more interesting in the world of digital downloads, but there's really no need. The real question is: when will everyone else follow suit, and how quickly can we expect current Netflix streamers to get the HD upgrade?Update: We're hearing this whole HD Netflix streaming thing may actually hit all those other boxes in late November as well. Guess we'll see in time, huh?
A new HD tide is rising at VUDU
It's no secret that we're hard on VUDU around here. It isn't that we don't like the service, it's just that our expectations are so high. One of our biggest complaints has been the relatively limited selection of HD movies, but apparently that has changed recently. We follow a weekly post that lists the new HD movies on the various download services and had become very accustomed to the Apple TV adding more movies than any other. That was until a few weeks ago. Starting on the week of October 3rd, VUDU started to outpace the Apple TV, and this week released an astonishing 153 new HD offerings in one week. This is almost three times as many movies in one week as VUDU has ever added before, and way more than the 37 movies added to Apple TV's HD movie lineup or the 20 movies added to Blu-ray -- no, TV shows weren't counted. As of today, Vudu offers 553 HD movies, which is still less than the number of Blu-ray titles available (around 1000) or the Apple TV at 684. So at this rate, both Vudu and the Apple TV are on track to surpass Blu-ray's title count. But unfortunately, neither seem to be getting many of the new releases in HD day-and-date with DVD -- like Iron Man and Indiana Jones, which are due on Vudu in mid November. Now if only VUDU addressed the rest of our concerns, like the 24 hour window, the HDMI requirement, no lossless audio, and the $300 box that only does one thing.
Netflix sees 30% rise in profit, expects 500,000 Blu-ray subscribers
The current marketplace as a whole may be shaky, but while others are hanging their heads as they mumble about Q3 downfalls, Netflix is grinning from ear-to-ear. Citing lower subscriber costs, the rental outfit proudly announced a 30% increase in profits today while slightly reducing its Q4 revenue estimate. During Q3 2008, the company earned $20.4 million compared with $15.6 million a year ago while revenue rose from $294 million to $341.4 million. In related news, it also said that it "expects about 500,000 of its 8.7 million subscribers [to] be Blu-ray subscribers in the current quarter," meaning that around 5.7% of its customers would be voluntarily paying the $1 monthly premium to keep BD flicks coming. Good on you, Netflix.[Image courtesy of Flickr]Read - Netflix quarterly earningsRead - Netflix Blu-ray subscribers
VUDU's HDX titles compare to Blu-ray's picture quality
There's nothing more annoying when you're enjoying HD than when the background starts moving when it's not supposed to. We know all to well what compression artifacts look like, and the lack of artifacts is one of many reasons why we just love to watch Blu-ray movies. So if you were disappointed to read about the less-than-stellar quality of VUDU's HD titles, you're probably wondering if the recently announced HDX titles live up to their name. We're happy to say that they do, and although we aren't anywhere near the biggest videophiles around, we're hard pressed to see a difference between the picture quality of VUDU's HDX movies and Blu-ray. Unfortunately for VUDU, when it comes to home entertainment, picture quality isn't everything. Among the remaining barriers to acceptance over Blu-ray is the fact that although the movies are encoded with Dolby Digital Plus, the box is only capable of letting you enjoy old fashioned Dolby Digital -- either way, a far cry from TrueHD or DTS-HD. Oh, and you still can't own HD movies. And HDMI is required for any HD viewing. The download speed is limited to 4Mbps, so even if you have a 20Mbps connection, you'll still have to wait four hours for an HDX title to download. On top of all that, the box costs $300 and is a one trick pony -- even Blu-ray players sell for less now and can upconvert DVDs. Even with all of these caveats, we could still see this being the perfect solution for an HD movie junkie, but there's the relatively limited selection of HD and HDX titles to contend with. So while we're very happy to see Vudu make an important step in the right direction, we're still not ready to jump on in.
Netflix implements $1 per month Blu-ray premium charge
It's true -- the inevitable has happened. We learned in August that Netflix would be tacking on a $1 surcharge per month for unlimited access to Blu-ray titles, and now a flood of users are receiving e-mails confirming the fee. Starting on November 5th, the $1 charge will be added on each month so long as you're craving BD content, though we have a sneaking suspicion that won't force you back into the less detailed world of DVD. Gotta pay to play, they say. Check the full text of the e-mail after the break.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
VUDU goes live with 1080p HDX rentals, doesn't charge extra for 'em
We had a hunch that VUDU was readying Blu-ray quality rentals, and sure enough, the company has just got official with its HDX format. Essentially, HDX is a new tier of video quality for the on-demand rental service. VUDU will be delivering the content in 1080p24 via its patent pending TruFilm compression technology, which is reportedly "unrivaled" in the home content delivery biz. In our talks with the outfit, it clearly spent some serious time mastering the delivery process here, but all this quality comes at a cost. Not monetary, mind you -- the actual HDX rental fees will be the same as current HD rentals -- but we're talking time. On most broadband connections, you'll be waiting three to four hours before the experience begins, though the ability to order an HDX film online (while you're at work, for instance) helps alleviate that pain somewhat. Also of note, HDX flicks will only be available for rental initially, though hopes are that a purchase option will show up in due time. 50 HDX films are on tap today -- dig in and see what you think. Full release is after the break.
Starz Play content added to Netflix's streaming library
And the hits just keep on comin'. Merely hours after Netflix revealed that its API was open for all and just days after announcing deals with ABC and CBS, the firm is extending its reach once more with a fresh deal with Starz. As we're waiting for the ink to dry, the two have already fessed up to an agreement that will "make movies from Starz -- through its Starz Play broadband subscription movie service -- available to be streamed instantly at Netflix." Best of all, the additional content (over 2,500 new flicks eventually; 1,000 available now) will be included with Netflix members' current monthly subscription fee. For those who'd rather (we're talking all 2.5 of you), Netflix will soon offer a Starz Play-only subscription for $7.99 a month. Full release is after the fold.
Netflix CFO doesn't anticipate Blu-ray to greatly impact sales
We've already heard Netflix CEO Reed Hastings say that the firm's DVD business was still good for the next decade, but CFO Barry McCarthy clarified its position on the sector by touching on Blu-ray adoption and online streaming. When asked about the significance of BD on its business, the exec casually replied that he "didn't anticipate a big impact," noting that thus far "consumer adoption has been slow." His sentiments match pretty well with sales figures, and until player prices dip into the sub-$200 realm, we don't see the situation changing much. Regarding online streaming, he asserted that its service would "outpace competing services such as Amazon.com's video-on-demand offering despite a smaller inventory of titles," and in fact, it would be used as a key ingredient for hooking new subscribers. Read the whole spill in the link below.[Image courtesy of P2P-Weblog]
Blu-ray Discs popping up in Red Box rental kiosks
DVDPlay already announced its intentions to start stuffing Blu-ray Discs into its movie rental kiosks earlier this year, and we've been waiting ever since to hear a similar announcement from rival Red Box. Today, we're still waiting for said announcement, but we've received a report from the wonderfully named Aloha, Oregon that at least one Red Box movie rental kiosk has a Coming Soon flyer for Speed Racer on BD. When our tipster contacted Red Box concerning the discovery, the representative did affirm that if Blu-ray was shown, Blu-ray was on the way, though we aren't sure if they'll cost more than the $1 DVD rentals. Keep an eye out at your local kiosk and let us know if you see the same.[Image courtesy of CashCrater, thanks Mike]
VUDU readying Blu-ray quality rentals
While rumors have been flowing hot and heavy about VUDU's possible demise, it seems the company has other plans in mind. We've received word that select beta team members are now being asked to try out new downloads that are intended to rival Blu-ray quality. Dubbed HDX movies, these ultra-high-def flicks are currently being watched by folks willing to wait a number of hours (two to three) for a film to start, but there's no guarantee that we'll ever see this hit the masses. Sure, we totally dig the idea of BD-quality content on-demand, but we could almost scoot down to Blockbuster, rent a bona fide Blu-ray Disc, watch, and return it before a so-called HDX title even begins.[Thanks, anonymous]
Netflix shipping woes fixed, rentals flowing freely again
Stellar news, Netflix users -- those shipping issues that have been plaguing certain customers for a few days now are finally fixed. Currently, the company is still investigating the root cause as it attempts to ensure such a problem doesn't crop up again, but for those who've been adversely affected this week, you can look forward to a bit of compensation. No, we're talking a personalized "I'm sorry" letter in the mail, but existing users will get 15% off their next bill and folks within their trial period will get another week on the house. Party on, dudes and dudettes![Image courtesy of Homotron]
Netflix shipping systems act a fool -- have you been delayed?
We fully understand that we're a few days late in posting this up, but seriously, we figured Netflix would fix whatever's been ailing its shipping system well before now. Days after we heard the first reports of users getting an atypical warning when viewing their queue alerting them of possible shipment delays, tips are still flowing in from frustrated users. The message asserts that the company is "still experiencing issues with its shipping systems," though it gives no estimated time for a fix to be implemented. Have you been bitten by the Netflix delay bug? Have your titles continued without so much as a hiccup? Let us know in comments below.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
VUDU announces $0.99 extended rentals, "99 for 99" movie channel
Shortly after picking up its very own adult channel, VUDU is announcing a more, shall we say, family friendly bit today. Effective immediately, VUDU users will be able to renew any SD rental for $0.99 within seven days of first viewing the film, while renewals of HD rentals will cost $1.99. Additionally, VUDU has launched a new "99 for 99" movie channel which contains a rotating list of 99 films that can be rented for -- you guessed it -- just south of a Washington. Interestingly, VUDU calls the deals "summer blockbuster specials," though there's no sign of an end date for either. Can't say this totally changes the way we see the movie set-top-box, but it's certainly a step in the right direction. Full release after the jump.
Poll: Do you still visit the store for movie rentals?
After reading a somewhat shocking survey here recently which found that most Americans saw in-store renting as a fading habit, we began to wonder if those sentiments were reflected by the actions of our readers. Of course, even Blockbuster is making moves to protect itself should people resort to by-mail / online rentals en masse, so it's not like folks aren't already going to the store less often. How do you get your rentals the majority of the time? By walking to your mailbox? By utilizing that broadband internet you pay so dearly for? Or do you still enjoy taking the family out to your local rental store at ~$4.00 / gallon?[Image courtesy of Boston] %Poll-17800%
Netflix CEO says Blu-ray premiums coming "very soon"
Netflix taketh away, and Netflix giveth. Netflix is about to taketh once more (this time from your wallet), with CEO Reed Hastings noting on a recent conference call that the promised Blu-ray premium would be instituted "very shortly." Specifics weren't mentioned, but we are hearing that the new pricing will be applied across its entire subscriber base "based on how the tests go." Hastings did note that BD rentals still make up a "very low" percentage of rentals, but of course, that will obviously change as time progresses. Any guesses as to how much said "premium" will be?[Image courtesy of WorkItMom, thanks Dan]
Survey finds most Americans think in-store movie renting is fading out
Even we would agree that digital downloads aren't apt to siphon away a significant amount of physical media market share in the immediate future, but a recent survey conducted by CinemaNow (read: your skeptic hat should now be firmly in place) suggests that the vast majority of Americans feel otherwise. As a matter of fact, 87% of those surveyed agreed that "renting DVDs at the video store or through mail service will become a thing of the past," and 94% of those same folks reportedly felt that movie downloads were just "better for the environment." Not like the average joe / jane understands how much energy is consumed by warehouses full of drives, gigantic air-conditioned server rooms and legions of PCs sucking down content, but yeah, these results are totally representative of the truth.[Image courtesy of Street Knowledge]
HD movies featuring stereo sound in PlayStation Video Store
Though we suspect this is totally normal judging by the fact that not all HD flicks available via Apple TV have 5.1 Dolby Digital surround sound, it is a wee bit disappointing. One particular tipster wrote in to express his frustration with Sony's recently launched PlayStation Video Store, noting that his HD movie rental featured only stereo sound. When contacting Sony on the matter, a Store specialist informed him that no refunds were allowed and there was no way to determine how audio was packaged prior to downloading. So yeah, if multi-channel audio is paramount, you may want to think twice about emptying your wallet in the PS Store.
Samsung teams with Blockbuster to push Blu-ray in Taiwan
While we fortunate Americans have been renting Blu-ray Discs from Blockbuster for a good while now, citizens of Taiwan haven't had the same privilege. Thankfully, all that's getting set to change, as the rental chain has committed to offering up 50 BD titles in each Taiwanese location before the end of this month. A new partnership between it and Samsung will also place Sammy's BD players (the BD-P1500, in particular) in-store for patrons to experience the 1080p difference, and it's said that Samsung manager Li Je-rong believes that "with strong channel assistance from Blockbuster and Tsann Kuen, consumers will become more familiar with Blu-ray." As for pricing, expect to pay NT$150 ($4.93) for each Blu-ray movie versus NT$100 ($3.29) for traditional DVDs.
Netflix tidbits: DVD business could peak in a decade, Mac streaming on the way
Given Netflix's blatant plunge into the world of online content delivery, it shouldn't come as a surprise that the outfit's execs understand that physical media is at risk. Sure, DVD rentals far outnumber online rentals today, but Netflix is assuming that its DVD business could peak in around five to ten years. In a brief interview this week, CEO Reed Hastings told investors that "everybody peaks sometime," but he did note that Blu-ray was apt to make the "DVD ecosystem stronger." Even though the company is definitively moving at least some of its attention to online streaming, it's still quite aways from delivering a "standalone streaming service." On a slightly different note, we also learned that Intel-based Macs would be able to tap into the firm's "Watch Now" service "later this year," but unfortunately, it didn't get any more specific than that.[Image courtesy of ANPark]
Blockbuster expanding Blu-ray dedication across US / Canada
We're not exactly sure what Blockbuster's saying here outside of what's already been said -- after all, the rental chain chose to back Blu-ray eons ago -- but nevertheless, a new release from the company is trumpeting the expansion of Blu-ray all across the US and Canada. As of this week, BD Discs will be available in every single corporate store in the US and Canada (along with select franchise locations), and to entice you further, it's setting up more Blu-ray kiosks featuring a 42-inch HDTV and a PlayStation 3. Additionally, the firm's by-mail service has had a BD preference option added so users can "automatically indicate that they want to receive all available movies in the high-definition format." We certainly dig the sound of that last part.[Image courtesy of Portfolio]
