It is exciting this is finally out, but what I am curious about is why it took so long? Clearly this was not a rocket-science situation, both platforms should have had Netflix ages before it was released. So, what happened? Was it to get Microsoft to pay for the exclusivity of forcing PS3 owners to put a disc in the drive? (Wow, that was worth the price, Ballmer - putting discs in drives is almost as exhausting as shaking a fruit juice bottle.) Does Netflix just not have coders available? Or maybe Sony is paying for this program somehow?
Sorry, just my usual Friday afternoon round of confusion. #netflixps3
@irfan: Oh, open season is great - I would love a version of Netflix streaming for my Amiga 3000. 4096 colors is cutting edge technology and I so miss the Guru Meditation errors.
Uh oh, I am showing my age again. I'll shut up now. #netflixps3
We got our confirmation email today that our disc will be here tomorrow - it will be a Netflix weekend (we don't have to stream it from my laptop anymore!). And then in January, the next update will occur and the disc will not longer be needed; thank you Netflix for not making me wait until the next release! #netflixps3
@Gann:
You really don't know how this works, do you? I can take my disc to any PS3 and put it in. Then Netflix will stream to it as long as its internet connection is fast. With the Xbox, they must have gold, and I have to remember to log out if I don't want them to continue using my account. I think this is actually a cool way t0 do it.
And don;t forget that the discs might go away with the next major SOFTWARE update for the PS3. This way they don't have to wait. #netflixps3
@exoren22: So if you're at a friends place and want to watch netflix, you have to have your disc with you... I do not see why this is preferable to just being able to login to your account.
For your second point, if the discs go away, aren't you just in the same place as the xbox owners?
Your first comment claims this system is better than xbox's, your second comment implies it will later be improved to match xbox's. #netflixps3
@Mr_Biggles: Windows 7 was my idea: That is the only reason I have been tempted to get a PS3. With netflix's growing bluray library I might actually end up getting one. #netflixps3
@Gann: No, I was simply refuting the fact that this is much worse than the Xbox model. For my use case this is probably better. My second point was that if you don't like this setup it may be coming without the disc. My perfect secnario would be to keep the disc and also have the option to login without it. #netflixps3
@Gann: I believe I read an article (sorry for not linking) stating that unlike the XBox version, the PS3 will be able to add movies to a streaming cue straight from the console without having to consult your PC/MAC first. As a side note: Can't we all just get along? My remedy: I own both consoles. But the PS3 is used for all my media and the majority of the games. The XBox is mainly for its exclusive titles, ie : Fable II, Mass Effect, Gears and so on. #netflixps3
@LessthanZach: Xbox's last update finally added the ability to manage your queue.
On your side note: Yes, we should all just get along. I have nothing against the PS3, I just think it's ridiculous to need a disc to use a streaming service.
It reminds me of the bulky induction coils needed to use the current wireless phone chargers - great idea hamstrung by the technical limits of the implementation. #netflixps3
netflix streaming on the current gen wii is pretty impossible since it lacks a hard drive to cache to, so i'm sure we wont see this until the wii hd. #netflix
@se.blackheart: Netflix streaming doesn't cache with a HDD anyway. The first Roku (now dubbed "Roku HD" streams HD content adequately, and only has 64MB of internal memory. The Wii has 512MB of internal memory and thus would be able to handle it equally well. Since the current Wii only handles SD video, it wouldn't need to use much internal memory for standard caching procedures. Assuming they could partition a small portion of the internal memory for exclusive Netflix usage, I can't see anything "impossible" about it. Did you mean "impossible" in a different way? #netflix
@se.blackheart: I have owned a Roku for a year now, and it works great. And what part of the Wii having more room for caching did you miss? The specs on the Wii actually are better than the Roku, in every regard. People with very slow connections will have problems downloading anything... that doesn't mean that providing the service for people who do have bandwidth is impossible.
Care to explain now why you believe it's impossible? I still think you're using that word wrong. #netflix
@se.blackheart: That doesn't mean that it's impossible to implement and have many if not most people be able to use it quite well. Most IPTV set top boxes that I've seen don't have nearly that much memory. Yes, they're made to go on connections with decent bandwidth but you could probably satisfy most people that have broadband with this kind of buffer and good compression. Nintendo would just have to let folks know the minimum bandwidth requirement for the old Wii to use this feature. Who knows? That might make the HD more appealing for people with lower bandwidth. #netflix
@se.blackheart: I'm not trying to sell you anything. Just making the point that Netflix streaming on the Wii is not only very possible, but may be of cost benefit and interest to many.
As for the content provided, some find it lacking, while others have found plenty worth watching. To descend into a debate based on quality of content would be to engage in a pointless debate over whose tastes are better or more relevant. I stopped doing that when I turned 12. #netflix
Good they are holding off... can't imagine any movie looking good coming out of a Wii.
Cartoons would look good though.
With their awesome whooping 64 MB external GDDR3 SDRAM! and.. and... and their awesome 24 MB internal memory to give you the bestest 480p quality ever! Yaaay wiiiiii...
...I'm glad I sold mine.
Too bad, I was a fan of Nintendo until I had a Wii. #netflix
@wannahakkalooki: The Wii has better specs (in every regard) than the newly-dubbed Roku HD set-top box. Why would it look worse? Care to explain your cavalier dismissal? #netflix
@met2art: You sure you want to compare the Wii with an HD DVR? Like a motorola 6412 or a TiVo HD DVR supporting 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, native and multiple tuners?
And yes perhaps you are right the video specs on the Wii are enough... for 480p.
I didn't buy a HD TV to watch 480p otherwise I would've just kept my old tv.
Bring up a good contender like a PS3, Wii should just stick to "fun" for now and continue rolling around in the Sandbox.
I really hope they catch up with their next release, they usually do.
(Nintendo has been on my fav list since the late 80's I just think that could've done MUCH better with the Wii) #netflix
@wannahakkalooki: Why are you bringing DVR specs into this? The Roku HD is not a DVR, and Netflix streaming content is not recordable. Many people do own a Wii and would enjoy the thousands of hours of SD content that Netflix streaming provides.
Based on your attitude they are supposed to forego all that? Why? Because it's not good enough for you?#netflix
@met2art: Dude... my point was that the Wii needs an update!
Period!
People want HD content at 1080 not 720 not 480 simple, Wii doesn't offer that. #netflix
@wannahakkalooki: Your point is not only wrong, but your point of view is based on complete ignorance of the facts. Stop projecting what you want and stick to facts, because you sound like an idiot. #netflix
And just when Roku was starting to become relevant again, Netflix goes and takes their whole god damn raison d'etre. We hardly knew you, Roku... #netflix
@met2art: I suppose if you look at it that way, Netflix only put one company out of business that really shouldn't have been in business at all, whereas google destroyed an entire industry with a simple "oh, and we included this little thing with Android 2 that you might find clever..." #netflix
I'm glad to see that the Roku hardware is still being developed, but these two offerings seem disappointing to me.
First of all, I see no market for the Roku SD model. Composite video is OK for folks still using old CRT monitors -- but then again, how many of those folks would have any idea what a Roku was anyway. And by saving $20 now, anyone would be locking themselves out of being able to upgrade the to HD if they upgrade their TV in the future.
As for the HD-XR, $30 is way too much extra to charge for just the wireless-N card. In fact, this should have been the minimal replacement for the original Roku HD at the same price point. I don't know if Roku intends to keep the HD and the HD-XR on the market simultaneously for long, but it seems like the HD should be dis-continued now. I'll have to wait until the firmware upgrade to see what the HD-XR is really bringing to the table, but right now I feel silly for anxiously awaiting this upgrade.
What would really seal the deal for me would be access to streaming media from a NAS or home server. Maybe then I could finally replace my aging XBOX (original) running XBMC (but probably not!)
@salviati: Only slightly over a third of U.S. households have an HDTV currently, according to Nielsen figures and other industry estimates. As for "how many of those folks would have any idea what a Roku was anyway"... Netflix was aggressively marketing the device in the mailer envelopes with every DVD they mailed. My mother, who is by no means a techie or gadget geek, bought her Roku, set it up herself and was watching content within minutes.
There's something to be said for simplicity and hardware that doesn't aim over the heads of the populace. The $20 saved on buying an SD model (for an SD TV owner) is a little over two months of Netflix membership.
The Roku fills a sweet spot for people who want more content but may not have the knowledge, or need, for HTPCs, NASs, extensive codec support, etc. Even a lot of SD content via the Roku is better than a pile of confusing equipment and acronyms for someone who, like my mom, just wants to enjoy episodes of British comedies, Law & Order and a few movies now and then. She is among those that might eventually have to buy an HDTV, but actually couldn't care less about 720 or 1080, and just wants to enjoy the content. I strongly suspect that there are a lot of folks out there in that demographic who are capable of setting up a Roku, and who would not scoff at a selection of SD content. #rokuhdxr
@met2art: Sorry if my comment seemed snarky towards people who are perfectly happy with SD content. I am no HD snob. My sole TV is actually an older 480p plasma and I am perfectly happy with it - albeit with component video rather than RCA.
However, it seems silly to me for Roku to devote resources to create a crippled version of their standard device for such a small cost savings. One of the great things I though Roku did was to release a single device with known abilities rather than sectioning up the market, causing confusion. Now, instead of just talking to someone about the 'Roku box', they will have to specify which box. I would have prefered a direct replacement upgrade of the Roku HD with the HD-XR rather than expanding it to a series.
As far as cost goes, $20 is a minimal savings. But what you loose is the ability to integrate the box into an HD or fully-digital system in the future. Instead, you would have to spend a fresh $100 (or $130). Right now, I can easily integrate the $100 Roku box into my home theatre with analog inputs, with the knowledge that when I upgrade my TV next year to HDMI, I won't have to buy a new box to go with it. Perhaps the Roku SD makes sense at ~$50, but not at $80. #rokuhdxr
@salviati: Those are good points. I would prefer to see an SD Roku box as a subsidized option with an upgraded Netflix account, and the new HD-XR box as a premium option. I think they'd dramatically increase ownership, and then people would have the incentive to buy the premium box for HD and extended features. But, the existing box at $50 would probably sway a lot of people as well. Netflix streaming is pretty popular now with so many devices supporting it, I don't think they are hurting for sales. #rokuhdxr
Has the Netflix instant play lineup improved? I'd like to get this, but if all they have is stuff like Teen Wolf Too and old episodes of the Office or Weeds, I may not bother. #ps3
@chauncy that billups: It has expanded, but I will avoid answering whether it has "improved -- one of the many improvements my wife has beat - er - helped me to learn over the years. #ps3
@chauncy that billups: anyone else starting to get really sick of people bitching about the streaming lineup? if you can't find SOMETHING on there to watch, then i just feel sorry for you. #ps3
@srdailey: Dude, I had netflix for a while. But I definitely ran out of stuff to watch on Instant play. That, plus super-long queue wait times, made me leave. However, if their lineup for instant has improved - and by improve I mean top tier content added on a regular basis - then I may consider going back. #ps3
@cartagenero: Well, "Like the Xbox 360, it'll be free" is an extremely accurate statement as long as we ignore that it isn't free on the Xbox 360. To be fair, Microsoft did steal all of the PS2 concepts (questionable hardware, backward compatibility, better game line-up, exclusivity, etc) to get the most successful (overall) platform this round, including selective memory. What is good for the goose is good for another goose - or something like that.
That said, I am glad to see Netflix streaming make it to the PS3. Sony is just late on everything this round, but they eventually get there. #ps3
This is great news for Netflix, certainly, but one wonders why PS3 streaming hit before Nintendo Wii. Wii has a user base of at least 52.5 million sold; PS3 has only ~28 million. Reed Hasting's goal is to get enough people using Netflix Streaming to create a "virtuous cycle" whereby studios will no longer be able to hold back licenses for their most popular DVD titles in the face of increased consumer demand. The PS3 along with the XBOX 360 are both huge leaps in that direction, but if I were in his shoes, Wii would be the ultimate prize.
I imagine it would have to be either some kind of technical limitation with the Wii, or someone, somewhere holding up the deal. One wonders.
11/06/09
What's so slick about any of that? #netflixps3
11/06/09
05:20 AM
Five bucks says you don't own an xbox anyway, so getting rid of it is pretty simple huh? #netflixps3
11/06/09
Sorry, just my usual Friday afternoon round of confusion. #netflixps3
11/06/09
11/06/09
Uh oh, I am showing my age again. I'll shut up now. #netflixps3
11/06/09
11/05/09
11/05/09
11/05/09
11/05/09
You really don't know how this works, do you? I can take my disc to any PS3 and put it in. Then Netflix will stream to it as long as its internet connection is fast. With the Xbox, they must have gold, and I have to remember to log out if I don't want them to continue using my account. I think this is actually a cool way t0 do it.
And don;t forget that the discs might go away with the next major SOFTWARE update for the PS3. This way they don't have to wait. #netflixps3
11/05/09
For your second point, if the discs go away, aren't you just in the same place as the xbox owners?
Your first comment claims this system is better than xbox's, your second comment implies it will later be improved to match xbox's. #netflixps3
11/05/09
11/05/09
11/06/09
11/06/09
On your side note: Yes, we should all just get along. I have nothing against the PS3, I just think it's ridiculous to need a disc to use a streaming service.
It reminds me of the bulky induction coils needed to use the current wireless phone chargers - great idea hamstrung by the technical limits of the implementation. #netflixps3
11/05/09
10/28/09
10/28/09
10/28/09
As far as Roku goes, do you use it or did you just read the brochure? #netflix
10/28/09
Care to explain now why you believe it's impossible? I still think you're using that word wrong. #netflix
10/28/09
10/28/09
10/28/09
10/28/09
10/28/09
As for the content provided, some find it lacking, while others have found plenty worth watching. To descend into a debate based on quality of content would be to engage in a pointless debate over whose tastes are better or more relevant. I stopped doing that when I turned 12. #netflix
10/29/09
10/29/09
10/28/09
Cartoons would look good though.
With their awesome whooping 64 MB external GDDR3 SDRAM! and.. and... and their awesome 24 MB internal memory to give you the bestest 480p quality ever! Yaaay wiiiiii...
...I'm glad I sold mine.
Too bad, I was a fan of Nintendo until I had a Wii. #netflix
10/28/09
10/28/09
And yes perhaps you are right the video specs on the Wii are enough... for 480p.
I didn't buy a HD TV to watch 480p otherwise I would've just kept my old tv.
Bring up a good contender like a PS3, Wii should just stick to "fun" for now and continue rolling around in the Sandbox.
I really hope they catch up with their next release, they usually do.
(Nintendo has been on my fav list since the late 80's I just think that could've done MUCH better with the Wii) #netflix
10/28/09
Based on your attitude they are supposed to forego all that? Why? Because it's not good enough for you? #netflix
10/29/09
Period!
People want HD content at 1080 not 720 not 480 simple, Wii doesn't offer that. #netflix
10/29/09
10/28/09
10/28/09
10/28/09
10/27/09
Revision3 has already been announced. Pandora and Flickr were leaked in the process.
TWiT via MediaFly has also been announced.
Until the usability of the USB port is defined, it's hard to justify $30 for WiFi-N. #rokuhdxr
10/27/09
First of all, I see no market for the Roku SD model. Composite video is OK for folks still using old CRT monitors -- but then again, how many of those folks would have any idea what a Roku was anyway. And by saving $20 now, anyone would be locking themselves out of being able to upgrade the to HD if they upgrade their TV in the future.
As for the HD-XR, $30 is way too much extra to charge for just the wireless-N card. In fact, this should have been the minimal replacement for the original Roku HD at the same price point. I don't know if Roku intends to keep the HD and the HD-XR on the market simultaneously for long, but it seems like the HD should be dis-continued now. I'll have to wait until the firmware upgrade to see what the HD-XR is really bringing to the table, but right now I feel silly for anxiously awaiting this upgrade.
What would really seal the deal for me would be access to streaming media from a NAS or home server. Maybe then I could finally replace my aging XBOX (original) running XBMC (but probably not!)
10/27/09
There's something to be said for simplicity and hardware that doesn't aim over the heads of the populace. The $20 saved on buying an SD model (for an SD TV owner) is a little over two months of Netflix membership.
The Roku fills a sweet spot for people who want more content but may not have the knowledge, or need, for HTPCs, NASs, extensive codec support, etc. Even a lot of SD content via the Roku is better than a pile of confusing equipment and acronyms for someone who, like my mom, just wants to enjoy episodes of British comedies, Law & Order and a few movies now and then. She is among those that might eventually have to buy an HDTV, but actually couldn't care less about 720 or 1080, and just wants to enjoy the content. I strongly suspect that there are a lot of folks out there in that demographic who are capable of setting up a Roku, and who would not scoff at a selection of SD content. #rokuhdxr
10/27/09
However, it seems silly to me for Roku to devote resources to create a crippled version of their standard device for such a small cost savings. One of the great things I though Roku did was to release a single device with known abilities rather than sectioning up the market, causing confusion. Now, instead of just talking to someone about the 'Roku box', they will have to specify which box. I would have prefered a direct replacement upgrade of the Roku HD with the HD-XR rather than expanding it to a series.
As far as cost goes, $20 is a minimal savings. But what you loose is the ability to integrate the box into an HD or fully-digital system in the future. Instead, you would have to spend a fresh $100 (or $130). Right now, I can easily integrate the $100 Roku box into my home theatre with analog inputs, with the knowledge that when I upgrade my TV next year to HDMI, I won't have to buy a new box to go with it. Perhaps the Roku SD makes sense at ~$50, but not at $80. #rokuhdxr
10/27/09
10/26/09
I'd imagine that using the PS3, with its prodigious graphics power and lots of HDD buffer space, is a much easier platform for this than the Wii. #ps3
10/26/09
10/26/09
10/26/09
10/26/09
10/26/09
10/26/09
10/26/09
10/26/09
That said, I am glad to see Netflix streaming make it to the PS3. Sony is just late on everything this round, but they eventually get there. #ps3
10/26/09
I imagine it would have to be either some kind of technical limitation with the Wii, or someone, somewhere holding up the deal. One wonders.
10/26/09
10/26/09
Oh FFS, the Wii is not for kiddies. #ps3
10/26/09