By installing the vmcNetflix plug-in to a Vista Premium Media Center computer, you can watch streamed Netflix content on an Xbox 360. It's buggy, but it's a lot better than watching Netflix on a laptop screen. (Providing you have Netflix, an Xbox 360 and a Vista Media Center.) Maybe Netflix should open up streaming to lots of devices, not just windows PCs as of today. I know Mac support is coming, but combining wide support for their online services with disc delivery, it could be a pretty sweet hybrid of the old and new. Video demo post jump. [vmcNetflix via Hacking Netflix and Thomas Hawk, thanks Mike]
Watch Netflix Downloads On Your Xbox 360
6:19 PM on Fri May 9 2008
By Brian Lam
7,920 views
21 comments








Comments
I don't mind booting into XP on the MBP, but Netflix doesn't like it when you're outside of the U.S.A. (Thus, Slingbox wins again)
Why go through all that hassle when you can BitTorrent any movie you want, then stream away! Horrah!
I must be a real loser, I don't have one of them 360 thinger-a-ma-bobs yet.
I want PS3 support, if I rent LOTR trilogy I want to be able to watch without the worry of my console dieing on me.
@Knight-Zero: Your comment makes it seem that 360s are dying all the time. That's just not true.
@Knight-Zero:low blow on Microsoft. lol
@Knight-Zero: ps, i dont know a single person thats 360 has died that has got it in the last year.
Add support for 720p downloads and I'm sold.
I don't know about the Xbox, but I've got just a straight up HTPC with Media Center in our living room. I just installed this and it works great. Mad props to the developer.
@ChrisH027: Because that's illegal! Hooray!
This is probably a violation of the TOS but... I don't see much real difference; streaming to your lappy and using TV out or streaming to your xbox to tv...
"I know Mac support is coming"
Yeah, right. Just like TiVo To Go...
@j4sk868: I don't feel like the problem is ridiculously widespread, however, mine just went RRoD last week. Was purchased last summer (sadly just before the price drop and the switch to the Falcon chips)
I'm excited to try this out because I have all 3, but it will have to wait until Microsoft finishes with the repairs. Until then, it looks awesome!
Are these all SD or are there hd downloads available as well?
@Knight-Zero:
First the PS3 would have to work as a Media Center extender, and I kind of doubt that MS is going to license that to Sony. Sorry. Apparently that is your punishment for making the obligatory and completely overused RRoD post.
@WatershipDown: No Bro, @Knight-Zero wasn't talking about his game kit not working, he was referring to his console throwing the 20 sided die in the middle of his fantasy movie hence the term "dieing". It takes a lot of processing power to throw the 20 sided die and could screw up your movie.
Anyone have issues getting this to work? I get a message, "Error: unable to detect netflix player!" I have no problems streaming the vids in IE.
@j4sk868: i find it funny you know no one that's had to send in their 360 for repair while everyone i work with that owns a 360 (at least 10 people) has had to send it in at least once. oh yeah, all bought within the last year
that looks good, i may need to buy a Netflix subscription now...
@redstripe8: Your gonna have to open windows defender and tell it to allow the program netflix download manager
Finally a reason to actually use media center and my vista machine that i never touch!! The program is awesome and its only beta. Once you get it setup it runs smooth. No more hooking the MBP up to the tv to watch whole seasons of heroes. Donate to that man. This is great!
I'll totally switch from Blockbuster to Netflix when this is working smoothly.
Start a discussion:
Login with your username and password below. Or comment on this post via email.
Forgot your username or password? New User?