watch instantly
Latest
Netflix, EPIX deal is official; Paramount, MGM and Lionsgate movies start streaming September 1
Netflix streaming queue starting to look a little stale? It's working on that, and has signed a deal that brings EPIX's library of movies to Watch Instantly -- just not that instantly. If you're not familiar with EPIX, allow us to refresh you, it's a network launched last year by Paramount, MGM and Lionsgate that brings their movies home (though often unfortunately cropped and zoomed to 16x9) through a linear channel, video on-demand or internet streaming. Under this new agreement, movies from those studios can come to Netflix 90 days after they debut on the premium pay-tv and subscription VOD services. While that means streamers won't get access to Iron Man 2, The Expendables, or Dinner for Shmucks anywhere near day-and-date with their DVD or Blu-ray releases, those kinds of high profile flicks will show up and stick around with greater regularity than we've been used to. The companies haven't released further details, but rumors reported by the L.A. Times suggest licensing costs could reach $1 billion over the next 5 years. The first movies covered by the new deal arrive September 1, likely with flicks from the Star Trek, James Bond and Indiana Jones series (hopefully not Kingdom of the Crystal Skull) among them. Update: Analyst Dan Rayburn claims on Business of Video that Netflix won't be getting any EPIX movies in HD, so we asked Netflix VP of Corporate Communications Steve Swasey whether we could expect HD streaming movies with Movie Parties or if they would have Starz-like restrictions. The answer? "HD over time and no restrictions on Party Viewing." Take from that what you will.
Netflix officially announces PS3 search, promises 'more cool features in store'
Sure we knew the PlayStation 3 had added search to its Watch Instantly repertoire (some of you have known longer than others) but just in case, there's a post on the official Netflix blog from VP of product development Greg Peters saying so. The truly interesting element is that this may be just the tip of the iceberg for any Netflix watcher, as he explains this upgrade is a result of the company's "continuous improvement architecture" that will allow it to add more features. No word on specifically what "cool features" (closed captions? 1080p? surround sound? offline viewing?) could be in store, but we certainly can't wait to find out. Seriously -- we can't wait, we want to know right now. Tell us.
Netflix Watch Instantly title search flips on for all PS3 users
Being tied to a disc hasn't made for the easiest Netflix Watch Instantly experience on the PlayStation 3, but it has its benefits, and now that includes the ability for all users to search its library directly on the console. This feature's been available to some for months before it was even announced the Xbox 360 would get parity in a fall update, but we can confirm it's currently rolling out to all PS3 users. It should automatically update the next time you're watching, so just slide left from Instant Queue on the top bar to live the glorious life of title searching that you deserve. %Gallery-95206%
Netflix plans discless Watch Instantly on the PS3 by late October, more 'pure streaming' worldwide
It's still a pretty big window, but Netflix CEO Reed Hastings has narrowed down the time until we can expect a disc-free streaming experience on our PS3s from "later this year" to some time before its next earning call, which should happen around October 21. Other notes from the Q2 highlights included a shoutout to Hulu Plus, where Netflix "plans to learn what customers like about Hulu Plus" and use that to enhance its service, as well as the upcoming launch of a streaming service in Canada, and how the lessons learned may be applied to other "pure streaming" offerings internationally in the future. Investors aren't too happy the company missed earnings projections, but we're figuring once they close the ETrade window and pick up a Shockaxis they'll start to get over it.
Netflix adds Relativity Media to its Instant queue, takes on HBO and Showtime
Ever wonder why premium movie channels (your HBOs and the like) get top-shelf Hollywood movies not long after their DVD release but yet you're still stuck streaming Mystery Science Theater 3000's greatest hits on Netflix? That situation could be changing thanks to a deal with Relativity Media, who you may not have heard of before but has had a hand in the production and distribution of big Hollywood flicks like 300 and A Serious Man. The deal with Netflix will bring some of the company's movies to Watch Instantly within months of their DVD release, avoiding the usual multi-year exclusivity window that pay networks usually require. Right now only a few movies are mentioned, including The Fighter, Skyline, Movie 43, and Season of the Witch, but this deal establishes Netflix as a player in this market, pitting itself against HBO and Showtime for first distribution of premium content to the small (but ever growing) screen. If things go well, your Instant queue could be getting a bit more plump over the next year or so.
Popbox updates: July 4th launch window, final word on content partners (Netflix) promised soon
The Popbox isn't the only media streamer to have suffered delays since its CES 2010 debut (Boxee Box) but it is nearing availability, and the official blog has been busy reassuring potential buyers it will be everything it can be. As of the most recent update, we should expect hardware to roll out July 4, but there's no word yet whether Netflix will actually be present among the content partners when it ships. ZatzNotFunny noticed weeks ago the movie rental shop's logos had disappeared from Popbox materials and the manufacturer has so far offered no specific reaction, only that it can't discuss the details of its interaction with "top video partners." A complete list of content providers is promised prior to any Amazon preorders shipping, but your guess is as good as ours as to when that will happen, so Watch Instantly fans should definitely continue to keep an eye out.
ViewSonic streams Netflix, other stuff with NexTV VMP75 networked media player
The world needs another network media player like it needs another eight billion barrels of oil floating around in the Gulf of Mexico, but if you're somehow still struggling to decide on one of the many, many options available to you, ViewSonic has an alternative up for consideration. The new NexTV VMP75 is a rather compact set-top box, donning a glossy black finish and proud support for streaming Netflix Watch Instantly content. You'll also get local and network playback of whatever content you've got laying around on your nearby hard drives, and around back, you'll find an Ethernet socket (WiFi is optional), eSATA / USB combo port, a dedicated USB socket (for connecting thumb drives and external HDDs), a S/PDIF audio port, HDMI output and an AV aux plug. ViewSonic claims that you can also stream content from YouTube, SHOUTcast, Flickr and Live365.com, and there's even an inbuilt web browser if you take pleasure in (presumably) torturous experiences. All you? If so, it's up for pre-order right now at Amazon and Newegg for $129.99.
Netflix for Xbox 360 adds search in November
It didn't get a slot during Microsoft's just-concluded Xbox 360 press conference, but the Netflix streaming app will finally add one of the most often requested (and denied) features: the ability to search through the entire Watch Instantly library and add movies to your queue, right from the console. Proudly stating it's the first gaming console to let you update your queue without a computer (Roku does it too, but try playing Gears of War on that) there's no word on any Kinect tie-ins, probably the reason it didn't get any higher billing than a bullet point in Marc Whitten's 2010 letter to Xbox Live members. Update: As a few commenters have pointed out, it appears Netflix has been beta testing search access for PlayStation 3 Watch Instantly viewers, as shown in these pics. If you'd like to get in on the trial good luck as it seems to be mostly by chance, although creating an all new account probably couldn't hurt -- and hey, your queue was getting stale anyway. [Thanks, Michael] %Gallery-95206%
Popular TV shows disappearing from Netflix streaming queues? - Update: Fixed
And not just things that should go, like season 2 and on from Heroes. We're getting reports (and have noticed in our own queues) that things like 30 Rock, Lost, The Office, Prison Break, MI-5 and pretty much any other show we'd like to watch have dropped from available for streaming over Watch Instantly to coming soon or unknown. Searching the website intermittently showed them available, and then they disappeared completely -- including any options for Blu-ray and DVD rental -- which would appear to indicate this is just an extension of severe problems it's been experiencing since yesterday, reported by Hacking Netflix. The pessimists in the crowd have floated the possibility that licensing issues, potentially due to some premium Hulu service on the way, are the villains in this case of the vanishing videos. We're not so sure that's the case and have reached out to Netflix to find out what's going on, but any plans to check out Liz Lemon and the crew this afternoon are ruined -- you may have to actually get some work done. Update: The @NetflixHelps twitter account has posted this is a "purely technical" issue that it's currently working to resolve so put your worries aside, explaining the sudden burst of productivity to your boss will be difficult enough. Update 2: The same account now reports things have returned to normal, and a quick glance at our queue appears to confirm it. Consider the weekend begun. [Thanks to Owen, everyone who sent this in]
Windows Media Center Netflix plugin updated for Watch Instantly in HD
We already knew Windows Media Center users could stream Netflix Watch Instantly in HD now, but after an update it is able to note which titles support HD streaming to the PC. The next time you pull it up, expect to download the app like it was the first time and sign in all over again, otherwise things are pretty much the same. We poked around a bit and didn't see any other UI tweaks beyond that "HD" tag below the supported movies and TV shows, but it's still one of the slickest Netflix frontends around -- at least until Roku gets its update. Want to see if you're actually getting the 720p feeds? Hold down ALT + SHIFT and left click to bring up the stream manager, speeds of 2600kbps or 3800 kbps mean you're there. [Thanks, George]
Netflix turns on HD indicator, queue for PC (including WMC) & Mac Watch Instantly streamers
Not that there was any doubt left, but we're getting numerous reports of users seeing the "HD" indicator appear while watching Netflix streams through the Silverlight player for PCs and Macs. Also, a special queue indicating the subset of content available for off-TV HD streaming is live now so users can see what is and isn't on the list (the HD is available boxart popup notifications are there as well, but don't appear to be entirely accurate.) Media Center streamers are in luck as well, as posters on The Green Button have noticed, although there's no indication within the client or queue itself in the WMC frontend the 3800kbps HD streams come through just fine. Unfortunately, we don't recommend anyone else watch Lost season one right now -- after last week's Across the Sea debacle it's just too painful.
Leaked Netflix blog post indicates official HD streaming to PC launch soon
Still not seeing any HD Watch Instantly streaming on your PC or Mac? Don't worry, as all indications point to a full rollout sooner rather than later, the most recent being this post that momentarily popped up on Netflix's official blog long enough to be caught by Google. We've asked about any upgrades for the Media Center plugin but haven't heard anything back yet, but for now it's just a matter of "when" will everyone see the HD icon light up on that Silverlight player.
Netflix stealth launches HD streaming to PC and Mac
It appears HD Netflix Watch Instantly streams aren't just for living room set-top boxes anymore now that Netflix is streaming more than half of its 720p-encoded titles to Macs and PCs (through the Silverlight web player, no word on the Media Center add-on.) According to Hacking Netflix, you can tell which ones are ready to go by checking the mouseover box for the (HD Available) tag as seen above. Our experience matches several other reports that not everyone is seeing the tag on all the same titles, so until it's rolled out fully, YMMV. It's not the new release flicks or surround sound add-ons that many are waiting for, but it could slide PQ up another notch for HTPC owners and everyone who just has to watch Killer Klowns from Outer Space at work -- but you'd never do that. [Thanks, @DaveZatz]
Roku teases revamped Netflix Channel user interface on video, coming in June
With the introduction of Netflix on so many devices, it's now up to everyone to battle it out for supremacy in user interfaces. We were actually duly impressed with the implementation on Nintendo's Wii, and it seems that the pressure has convinced Roku to retool their own UI. A new teaser has been released today by the company showing off the new Netflix Channel, and while the overall look and feel is certainly slick, it's a few key additions that have us most excited. According to the company, the update will allow users to search the entire Netflix Watch Instantly library right from their screen, as well as the ability to browse and add titles to one's queue for later playback. We're told that the update will be pushed out in "transparent" fashion to users in June, but an exact release date isn't yet available. Hop on past the break and mash play, won'tcha?
Netflix's Q1 results show record subscriber growth, little resistance to new release delays
Another quarter, another 1,699,000 more Netflix subscribers. The company's Q1 results also showed a jump in the percentage of subscribers using Watch Instantly streaming, now up to 55 percent. The Q&A session that followed provided a few other interesting details, including that company is considering introducing a "family plan" to account for more streaming devices, along with simultaneous access at home and on mobile devices like the iPad and iPhone. As far as how 28 day delays on new releases are affecting its business, execs pointed simply to the low churn rate of subscribers (we're not surprised) as evidence that the tradeoffs were a net benefit. As far as competition for its services, they're focused on the VOD offerings from satellite / cable companies, but apparently not worried by the prospect of a streaming-only service from Redbox undercutting the cheapest all you can eat Netflix plans. All in all, this adds up to possibly the best quarter we've seen from the red envelope people, but feel free to dig through all the numbers beyond the read link.
Seagate FreeAgent Theater+ HD media player gains Netflix streaming
Seagate's FreeAgent Theater+ HD media player has quite a few competitors surrounding it, and for the most part, it didn't really offer a huge competitive advantage when we peeked it back in September. 'Course, that's before support for Netflix's Watch Instantly came along, and today, the tables seem to have turned. The aforesaid storage outfit has announced that a gratis firmware update will enable this here player to stream Netflix as well as content from YouTube, vTuner and Mediafly. For those just now willing to give this unit a second look, it also doubles as a UPnP / DLNA streamer to play content stored on networked PCs and drives, and it can procured for right around $100 sans a FreeAgent HDD. So, Roku -- you just going to sit there and take this, or what? %Gallery-91131%
Netflix Watch Instantly adds closed captioning support for the PC, Mac
digg_url = 'http://digg.com/tech_news/Netflix_Watch_Instantly_adds_closed_captioning_support'; We'd like to welcome the hard of hearing to the internet delivered video party, now that Netflix has begun offering optional closed captioning on a limited number of Watch Instantly titles. Currently only available through the Silverlight player on Mac or PC, Chief Product Officer Neil Hunt promises it's in the works for other platforms and should arrive there around fall along with the long-awaited support for 5.1 surround sound. Of course we're also still waiting for HD streaming on the PC but we know this is a big deal for specific communities and situations. For now, you can test out the feature on seasons 1-4 of Lost, part of about 100 titles so far with others being filled in "over time." Now excuse us, we need to watch some old episodes with CC switched on and make sure our Lostpedia entries are correct before the finale.
Netflix for Wii now 'fully available' to all users
Netflix discs have already been shipping out to quite a few Wii users for a couple of weeks now, but Nintendo and Netflix have only just now finally announced that the discs and service are "fully available" to all users as of today. So, if you weren't among the rather large initial group, you should be receiving your disc any day now (if you haven't already), and you can of course still request a disc from Netflix if you haven't done so -- assuming you have a Netflix membership, that is.
Poll: Wii Netflix discs now arriving, was it worth the wait?
It looks like today's the day that the first Wii Netflix discs are arriving in customer's hands, which only means one thing -- time for a poll. The Wii may be the last of the big three consoles to get its instant streaming fix, but it also has the largest installed base, and plenty of eager Netflix subscribers looking for an easy way to get instant streaming in their living room. Still haven't received your disc? Then you can get a taste of what's in store in the video after the break -- and if you have received it, be sure to let us know how it's working out in the poll below. [Thanks, Erik]%Poll-43449%
Netflix finally ships out Watch Instantly discs for Nintendo's Wii
Wii owners have been waiting for this day to come since early January (or before, arguably), and at long last it looks as if the rental superstar has come through. Customers around the US are receiving email notifications today stating that their Watch Instantly disc (required for Netflix playback on the Wii) has shipped, and it should be waiting in their mailbox before this weekend begins. We'll be interested to see how the streaming service performs on the weakest of the three major consoles, but given that no 1080p content is available, we doubt they'll be any major snags. Let us know when your disc arrives and how the experience is down in comments, won'tcha? [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
