It looks like MS has signed an exclusive deal to get Netflix on the 360. I hope this isn't entirely true - as Netflix access is near the top of my PS3 features wish list (right after an up to date flash player).



http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/14/microsoft-and-netflix-announce-partnership/

its great and all for 360 owners but wake me up when you can stream HD movies

Thats nice, but its SD only. True streaming HD is a long way away. By that time, look for ISPs (like Time Warner) to charge by the byte. In the meantime I'll stick with blu-ray.

Thats nice, but its SD only. True streaming HD is a long way away. By that time, look for ISPs (like Time Warner) to charge by the byte. In the meantime I'll stick with blu-ray.

I wouldn't say it's too far away. Comcast does it now (and I would assume lots of other cable companies, too).

Yeah, it's only SD; thus, not interested. However, MS did say that once Netflix is ready to stream HD, you'll be able to do it on 360 as well.

I wouldn't say it's too far away. Comcast does it now (and I would assume lots of other cable companies, too).

If I remember correctly, other than FIOS TV, all cable VOD is done in QAM distribution, not IP. So you cant compare cable VOD with NetFlix watch now service.

HD VOD with IP is VERY taxing on the bandwidth all the way from the provider to your STB.

From that article: "Microsoft says the 360 will be the only game system that allows Netflix access for no additional cost"

so it's possible that it will come to ps3 too but at a cost

The only limitations for Netflix streaming HD is really one of maturity....their service just isn't ready for HD yet.

LIVE already streams HD content, and so does AppleTV's service......its WMVHD/VC1 or MPEG4/H264 codecs with DD5.1 encoded at 1280x720 or lower. The quality can be quite good even on huge screens, but Netflix can't push that out to most of its users because their machines wont be able to decode the streams effectively.

And I also agree right about the time this kicks in, cable companies will start booting people off or giving them huge bills for "excessive use". Comcast at least has proposed a "reasonable" limit of 250gb/mo.....but for Time Warner folks or Cox...they say 40gb is their max per month? Thats insane in todays digital world.

I'm not 100% sure, but I think Netflix is crazy-successful. I don't know many people that actually rent at actual stores anymore. They've got the money to up their infrastructure for HD content; probably have had it for a while.

Playstation may end up siding with Blockbuster. It's a waste for me as I have an HDTV, but there are A LOT of people who don't even have HD yet.

I may be missing something but don't cable companies already offer video on demand? Is there really going to be demand for Netflix streamed over the internet? I don't see the appeal.

I have no use for it and will stick to blu-rays heck I'd even watch a standard dvd which are pretty cheap before I'd stream a movie over the internet.

Does anyone here have the Netflix STB (I'm guessing not since this is AVS Forum :D)? I'd like to know the technical details of watching Netflix movies streamed to your TV. 480i or 480p? True widescreen or 4:3 letterboxed? Audio and video bitrate? for some reason, I don't think I'm missing out on much by watching Blu-ray's at 1080p with lossless audio and high bitrate AVC/VC-1.

I may be missing something but don't cable companies already offer video on demand? Is there really going to be demand for Netflix streamed over the internet? I don't see the appeal.

I have no use for it and will stick to blu-rays heck I'd even watch a standard dvd which are pretty cheap before I'd stream a movie over the internet.


The Netflix catalog of movie titles is much, much deeper than any cable company's. This is a feather in Microsoft's cap, make no mistake about it. Even if it's just in perceived value.

I would never use this if it came to the PS3 -- I do not watch SD content.

Renting BD movies through netflix has been so trouble free for me, I just don't see why I would ever settle for less than 1080p and lossless audio. Sure its a great option for 360 owners but thats only because the 360 does not have a BD drive and HD-DVD lost the HD disc format war....

its great and all for 360 owners but wake me up when you can stream HD movies

hmm there's still the XBL marketplace which serves up prompt and plentiful HD downloads(NBC and Universal just signed on as well). MS is not phasing that out they're just partnering with netflix to help fill out the 360's media offerings.

Playstation may end up siding with Blockbuster. It's a waste for me as I have an HDTV, but there are A LOT of people who don't even have HD yet.

Blockbuster isn't goingt o be entering the VOD market anytime soon. WHile they did buy out a VOD service a while back they're using it instead to allow people to download movies to discs at their B&M locations instead of at their homes.

Obviously you'd need a Netflix account for this, which I don't have and don't plan on getting anytime soon. Is there an account that offers streaming video only?

Don't get me wrong, I'm definitely a fan of HD content, but I think HD video will eventually come to this service, and in the meantime, there are great shows available on Netflix's service (lots of BBC series) that were never filmed in HD. Since I already subscribe to netflix, I'd like to have this available in my living room.

There are many, many, many titles that will never be released in BD or in HD VOD. Almost all older episodic Japanese anime shows for example will never be released in any HD form. And those are perfect candidates for NetFlix service. And NetFlix does have a lot of them available for streaming.

Don't get me wrong, I'm definitely a fan of HD content, but I think HD video will eventually come to this service, and in the meantime, there are great shows available on Netflix's service (lots of BBC series) that were never filmed in HD. Since I already subscribe to netflix, I'd like to have this available in my living room.


I agree; I still love HD Content, but many times a movie is either 1) not available in HD; or 2) doesn't need to be in HD [meaning I'm content with SD] -- so I think this is a great start to VOD exposure to a broad market outside of TV subscribers; also, according to a netflix press release HD stream is to be available at a later date [possibly Q4 '08].

The only negative I saw, was you need to be a gold member to stream the movies which might leave some people out, although most I know who have a network connection are gold members.

Obviously you'd need a Netflix account for this, which I don't have and don't plan on getting anytime soon. Is there an account that offers streaming video only?

no but the lowest plane that gets teh styreaming is only 5 bucks per month and you still get to use their dvd service.

From that article: "Microsoft says the 360 will be the only game system that allows Netflix access for no additional cost"

so it's possible that it will come to ps3 too but at a cost

This is a misleading statement because you not only have to pay for a Netflix account but you also have to pay for a 360 LIve Gold account. I'm not interested in a Gold account, ergo there would be an "extra cost." And there is a cheap box you can buy that does the exact same thing and charges no extra fee.

I would say it is a great deal if you already are a Gold member but otherwise it is nothing special.

Agreed, it is misleading.....it would be something if you could do it at SILVER level. The Netflix agreement is fairly "obvious"...I mean you gotta be a member to use the service, but this will mark the first time its easy to get NETFLIX streamed content to a HDTV...since most folks wont have an HTPC, and most folks have 360 hooked up to something other than a PC monitor.

So I think its a win. I'll absolutely use the service...in fact, I was getting close to canceling my netflix (not enough good stuff released on DVD these days).....this will probably cause me to keep the account open for some time.

ehhh....

Renting BD movies through netflix has been so trouble free for me, I just don't see why I would ever settle for less than 1080p and lossless audio. Sure its a great option for 360 owners but thats only because the 360 does not have a BD drive and HD-DVD lost the HD disc format war....

There is a TON of content that is only on SD. I have both the 360 and PS3 and I am very happy about this netflix news. Get blu-ray discs to watch on PS3 and stream older SD stuff I want to watch on Xbox. FOR NO ADDITIONAL COST. That's great news for me. Wonder if netflix will increase their "instant - watch now" inventory?

Its much better then paying points to microsoft to watch older SD shows, now I can stream them for free on my TV.

I also only use Macs at home so as of now there is no way to stream netflix. Xbox will solve this for me (and other mac+xbox users)

Now lets see what Sony can do to raise the bar.

So what content will be available from Netflix? All of their SD catalog?

Or just some selections ala "WatchNow"?

Now lets see what Sony can do to raise the bar.

No Netflix deal, obviously, but they are working directly with the movie studios. Pretty much all that are supporting Blu-Ray.

You can "rent" SD and HD formats, and you can purchase them as well.

You can upload the movie to your PSP.

Oh, and it goes live tonight.

No Netflix deal, obviously, but they are working directly with the movie studios. Pretty much all that are supporting Blu-Ray.

You can "rent" SD and HD formats, and you can purchase them as well.

You can upload the movie to your PSP.

Oh, and it goes live tonight.

To me that's not raising the bar, just catching up to microsoft/itunes - really nothing new.

I hope they will have a ton of content, that could make them stand out.. but based on the amount of content in the playstation store now (as compared to live network), I don't have high hopes.

Maybe Sony's downloads will have better audio, I know xbox live audio in downloaded movies is not always up to par (sometimes just stereo and not even 5.1 on some HD movies!!!)

Maybe Sony's downloads will have better audio, I know xbox live audio in downloaded movies is not always up to par (sometimes just stereo and not even 5.1 on some HD movies!!!)
I'm highly doubtful that the audio will be any better. The HD music videos I've downloaded do not have 5.1 or 2.1 for that matter (just 2.0).

Which is why I'm not going to be using this service. I'm not going to spend $5 to test to see if the download will have 2.1 or 5.1.

If they can provide trailers and music videos that are in 2.1 or 5.1, then I will consider using this service.

Yeah, I'm not sure that MS's Netflix deal will actually gain either MS or Netflix any new customers. It seems like its biggest appeal will be to people (like me) who already have both.

In contrast, Sony's been very careful about how it does its movie service. They're taking their time and testing the waters. Hell, Sony already owns a major movie studio and DVD distribution company and it still took them over a year to get this service going. They're going the safe route and it's probably wise, considering that I don't see how MS's Netflix deal would add any kind of profitability or market share.

Sony's big win in the movie business was with the Bluray format. I imagine that will continue to be the PS3's major media focus going forward. Adding a video download service I think is more a token gesture than a genuinely profitable venture. ...unless they can figure out something exceptional to do with it.

if sony giving u hd dload why netflix

if sony giving u hd dload why netflix

Sony hd downloads are $6 a pop for newish releases! Where my netflix 3 at a time, unlimited rental account costs about $17 per month.

Just checked out some movies on there, pretty good start.. possibly better then xbox live when it started HD movies (don't remember how many they had when it got going). I didn't notice any description of audio format so it looks like it will be a little bit of a mystery for now.

Also it looks like some movies are for purchase only, no rentals.

I will definitely enjoy using all 4 options: blu-ray, playstation store downloads, xbox live downloads, netflix.

... I don't see how MS's Netflix deal would add any kind of profitability or market share.

I'd be willing to bet that a very large portion of the 10,000,000 people who currently subscribe to XBL do not have a netflix account, those who do may not use the VOD feature they currently offer; this will throw that service into the limelight to make people aware of it, giving Netflix a pretty large populate to gain new members. Additionally, I'm sure many people will realize on their own that rather than paying ~$4 for an SD download via the marketplace they can use the Netflix option to stream for free with a membership as cheap as $9.99 a month which includes actual dvd's via mail. The only way this wouldn't be a value to users is if they only watch 1 movie per month.

Then you have the users like myself whom cancelled Netflix because it was taking too long to get movies by mail; Once this service goes live I'm signing up again just for the streaming feature alone.

Now, I do realize you need to be an XBL Gold member to take advantage of the service, which I can't really say I agree with, I think silver and gold members should both have the same features available outside of MP features.

I haven't checked yet, can you PURCHASE HD movies or only SD movies....

you'll get Netflix on PS3. Sony has a close relationship with Netflix, is my guess :)

I haven't checked yet, can you PURCHASE HD movies or only SD movies....

Only SD versions can be purchased. HD versions are rentals.

So what content will be available from Netflix? All of their SD catalog?

Or just some selections ala "WatchNow"?

It is their "watch now" catalog, no more, no less. The big complaint about it so far, besides the lack of HD, is that it is not a very exciting catalog. And Netflix statements have left the expectation that they don't expect it to include the latest DVD release major titles any time soon.

It is their "watch now" catalog, no more, no less. The big complaint about it so far, besides the lack of HD, is that it is not a very exciting catalog. And Netflix statements have left the expectation that they don't expect it to include the latest DVD release major titles any time soon.

I wonder why that is? It seems like it would be cheaper for them to let people stream a new release rather then have them ship it both ways. Plus they wouldn't even need to buy as many DVD discs.

Are the movie studios demanding more money to let their movies be streamable? Or just flat out not allowing it?

The holy grail most are looking for is to pay a monthly fee and download all the HD content you want!

I wonder why that is? It seems like it would be cheaper for them to let people stream a new release rather then have them ship it both ways. Plus they wouldn't even need to buy as many DVD discs.



I think you just answered your own question.

Yeah, I'm not sure that MS's Netflix deal will actually gain either MS or Netflix any new customers. It seems like its biggest appeal will be to people (like me) who already have both..

I completely dissagree. It will generate hoards of new customers on both sides of the fence. I believe its biggest appeal is to customers who only have 1 of the services. Because now they have a reason to be interested in the other. Customers who dont have either service.. would be the hardest to attract.

Customer A - Already has Netflix, has enjoyed the streaming movie service and wants it in his living room. He's also interested in a device that offers gaming, movies, media sharing, and digital entertainment. The $299 360 is now able to deliver all of those services.

Customer B - Already has a 360, and is interested in streaming netflix movies. He's bought movies in the store and rented them through both the store and mail. Now he is able to instantly watch movies.

I am customer "B" myself.





Now for the haters. And thats literally what you guys are doing. Angry because a service is unique, interesting but un-available to you and your console.

I literally have to laugh at the amount of people, in this thread and others, who all of sudden are NOW too good to watch anything that is not HD. If the streaming movies truly are close to dvd quality.. then that quality is enough to satisfy the VAST majority of the movie watching market. People watching instant movies, care more about the programming than they do the amount of pixels on the screen. The same way people eating instant food, care more about filling their stomach than they do having a 5 star meal at the most expensive resturant in town.

You "HD only" people are a very, very small group. And I find it very hard to believe that you dont watch the other 400+ channels available on every cable provider that are SD only.

Even funnier, I would wager most of these "HD only" people.. are either married, have kids, or have someone significant in their life that they watch tv with. And this person could care less if the program is HD or SD. That person just cares to watch the program.

Stop with the excuses already.. its a win for 360. And if it does appear on the PS3.. you guys (or someone significant in your life that uses your A/V gear) would enjoy the Netflix watch it now feature.

I wonder why that is? It seems like it would be cheaper for them to let people stream a new release rather then have them ship it both ways. Plus they wouldn't even need to buy as many DVD discs.


If you get a major movie on a netflix disc, its very likely to have the netflix-only flat label on the disc...so you can tell Netflix isn't getting like "off the shelf" DVD cases and sending them out (like, say Gamefly does with games).


Are the movie studios demanding more money to let their movies be streamable? Or just flat out not allowing it?


Part of the problem is movies need to be converted to stream, and secondly....it assumes that everyone who has netflix access has high bandwidth broadband.

A few folks I know who have netflix have really slow DSL pipes and can't effectively stream.

If you are a cable user in a highly congested area, you're going to get problems streaming consistently, so that could be a problem.

Third, the movies aren't DVD quality...close, but they are softer..like DIVX DVD rips are.....DVD still gives you a sharper picture.


The holy grail most are looking for is to pay a monthly fee and download all the HD content you want!

Right..just in time for the cable companies to enact bandwidth limitations and overcharges, which will effectively kill any hope of HD streaming online.

I literally have to laugh at the amount of people who all of sudden are too good to watch anything that is not HD. If the streaming movies truly are close to dvd quality.. then that is enough to satisfy the VAST majority of the movie watching market.

You "HD only" people are a very, very small group. And I find it very hard to believe that you dont watch the other 400+ channels available on every cable provider that are SD only.

Even funnier, I would wager most of these "HD only" people.. are either married, have kids, or have someone significant in their life that they watch tv with. And this person could care less if the program is HD or SD. That person just cares to watch the program.

Stop with the excuses already.. its a win for 360. And if it does appear on the PS3.. you guys (or someone significant in your life that uses your A/V gear) would enjoy the Netflix watch it now feature.

You're right about it being fine for the masses. I'm in that small minority, though- I don't have cable TV, or a significant other at home who would be fine with SD. Just me, myself, and my newfound irrational distaste for SD. :)

I think the big thing though, is Netflix's selection of movies you can stream isn't too hot or wide-reaching.

Adding a video download service I think is more a token gesture than a genuinely profitable venture. ...unless they can figure out something exceptional to do with it.
+1

I checked out the offerings yesterday and the selection for video downloads is not bad at all. I haven't tried anything yet but it is tempting :)

I did download and watch Stargate SG1: Ark of Truth in HD for $4.50 last night. It's looked as good if not better than I remember from XBL. But it was only in stereo. XBL may have been in stereo too. I don't remember. Although the DVD I have is in DD5.1.
It did download a little slower than the normal 50mbs I usually get but it was still around a 30mbs to 40mbs rate for the download. I assume the service was really busy since it just launched. Either way the connection was more than fast enough not to interrrupt the viewing.
And just like with XBL HD VOD, I was able to start watching in 15 to 20 seconds.

I did download and watch Stargate SG1: Ark of Truth in HD for $4.50 last night. It's looked as good if not better than I remember from XBL. But it was only in stereo. XBL may have been in stereo too. I don't remember. Although the DVD I have is in DD5.1.
It did download a little slower than the normal 50mbs I usually get but it was still around a 30mbs to 40mbs rate for the download. I assume the service was really busy since it just launched. Either way the connection was more than fast enough not to interrrupt the viewing.
And just like with XBL HD VOD, I was able to start watching in 15 to 20 seconds.

I thought it was odd the Ark of Truth was on there in HD- I didn't think it was out on Blu-ray or available in high def, while I know that the newest SG flick is- I haven't seen that one yet so now I have my hopes up that they'll add it soon.

Customer A - Already has Netflix, has enjoyed the streaming movie service and wants it in his living room. He's also interested in a device that offers gaming, movies, media sharing, and digital entertainment. The $299 360 is now able to deliver all of those services.
...

Now for the haters. And thats literally what you guys are doing. Angry because a service is unique, interesting but un-available to you and your console.


But customer A also has to be willing to pay a monthly fee for Live Gold status. That's the part that bugs me. I have zero interest in that service. And I can pay $99 once (and that price is likely to go down, especially since it is a non-exclusive and other companies are coming out with comparable boxes; I bet that there will be TV sets with the feature built-in within the year) for another box that does exactly the same thing with Netflix that the 360 is doing with no additional monthly fee.

I'm no hater. I think the 360 has a much better online store than the PS3 so far and I think its great that the 360 is offering Netflix. If I was already a Gold subscriber I would be happy to have this ability (since I am already a Netflix user). But the service is not enough to make me want to be a Gold user. For one, as an existing Netflix subscriber I already know what they have available for streaming and it hasn't proven that useful for me. I can stream them now via my PC connection to my Plasma but have bothered to do so twice in six months.

Citivas.. I wasnt talking specifically about you. But in general.

And I dont think any Netflix customer is interested in purchasing a $299 xbox, and then paying $50 a year just to stream movies to the their 360 over the internet. Atleast I'd hope they were not that ill informed when the $99 box exists.

I guess I should have further defined the "A" customer as a person who was interested in ALL the features the 360 has to offer. With the Gold membership priced at $4 bucks a month.. is a pretty big list.

Okay, so maybe some 360 owners might get a Netflix membership, but I doubt it will work in the other direction. MS has little to gain from this relationship, unless Netflix gives them a chunk of rental profits based on the numbers of views via XBL.

Like with Sony's new video service, I have a hard time seeing how this could be profitable to anyone other than Netflix and the movie distributors.

Maybe I'm giving people too much credit, but anyone with an HDTV can easily hook up a PC to it and watch streamed movies from Netflix that way. Maybe that intimidates people who aren't used to thinking that way, but anyone who's savvy enough to buy a game console to watch VOD movies, probably also knows how easy it is to hook up a PC to an HDTV.

I can't imagine that these services will be genuine selling points to consumers looking for a video game console. Buying a PS3 for Bluray I understand, but VOD I don't get.

Okay, so maybe some 360 owners might get a Netflix membership, but I doubt it will work in the other direction. MS has little to gain from this relationship, unless Netflix gives them a chunk of rental profits based on the numbers of views via XBL.

Like with Sony's new video service, I have a hard time seeing how this could be profitable to anyone other than Netflix and the movie distributors.

Maybe I'm giving people too much credit, but anyone with an HDTV can easily hook up a PC to it and watch streamed movies from Netflix that way. Maybe that intimidates people who aren't used to thinking that way, but anyone who's savvy enough to buy a game console to watch VOD movies, probably also knows how easy it is to hook up a PC to an HDTV.

I can't imagine that these services will be genuine selling points to consumers looking for a video game console. Buying a PS3 for Bluray I understand, but VOD I don't get.

Say it with me......"One less black box to hook up". Netflix has 8.26 million subscribers. 360 has about as many XBL subs. People who have both will use the service and people already have a 360 will have very little reason to not want to use the service. MS made the deal because it added a giant selling point to the 360. Throw in some cheap advertising on the netflix site and it's an even better deal.

Say it with me......"One less black box to hook up". Netflix has 8.26 million subscribers. 360 has about as many XBL subs. People who have both will use the service and people already have a 360 will have very little reason to not want to use the service. MS made the deal because it added a giant selling point to the 360. Throw in some cheap advertising on the netflix site and it's an even better deal.


Pretty much. Yeah. Hell, it was worth it to Microsoft just so Sony can't do it. And, if some Silver subscribers upgrade to Gold because they already have Netfilx, all the better.

just for info purposes, Directv's DOD service uses IP to download HD on-demand content. Provided you have a solid Internet connection, it works pretty well.

If you have a windows Vista PC using the latest WMP and you also have a netflix account you should be able to do the following:

1) Install Google Media streamer UPnp [http://desktop.google.com/plugins/i/mediaserver.html?hl=en]

2) Install WMP netflix plugin [http://myweb.cableone.net/eluttmann04/projects/vmcNetFlix/default.htm]

3) Start streaming to your PS3 (setup PS3 to search for uPnp devices on the network).

I am not sure if it works just that all the pieces seem to be there, just that the big disadvantage is that it is not integrated into the PSN/XMB and requires the use of a windows PC.

[link to setup UPnP on PS3 (http://boardsus.playstation.com/playstation/board/message?board.id=ps3media&thread.id=44464)]

P.s.
I do not have a Netflix account and do not see the big deal about getting this service on the PS3

I may be missing something but don't cable companies already offer video on demand? ...
Yeah, you're missing something. The ~25 million of us getting our video content via satellite. :rolleyes:

Yeah, you're missing something. The ~25 million of us getting our video content via satellite. :rolleyes:

Well directTV offers VOD as long as you have a ethernet plugged into the HR20 (even though it is crap !).
My concern is that cable companies will start throttling bandwidth or injecting resets into communication streams since the impact (business and bandwidth) is greater than a few people that use P2P to download apps and movie.

I see a big battle on the horizon between content providers and ISPs (who also want to deliver content). I think the lobbies that have the most money (to buy your congress man) will win the day :( .

If you have a windows Vista PC using the latest WMP and you also have a netflix account you should be able to do the following:

1) Install Google Media streamer UPnp [http://desktop.google.com/plugins/i/mediaserver.html?hl=en]

2) Install WMP netflix plugin [http://myweb.cableone.net/eluttmann04/projects/vmcNetFlix/default.htm]

3) Start streaming to your PS3 (setup PS3 to search for uPnp devices on the network).

I am not sure if it works just that all the pieces seem to be there, just that the big disadvantage is that it is not integrated into the PSN/XMB and requires the use of a windows PC.

[link to setup UPnP on PS3 (http://boardsus.playstation.com/playstation/board/message?board.id=ps3media&thread.id=44464)]

P.s.
I do not have a Netflix account and do not see the big deal about getting this service on the PS3

that method only works if you are using a media center extender(a 360 for instance).

Does anyone here have the Netflix STB (I'm guessing not since this is AVS Forum :D)? I'd like to know the technical details of watching Netflix movies streamed to your TV. 480i or 480p? True widescreen or 4:3 letterboxed? Audio and video bitrate? for some reason, I don't think I'm missing out on much by watching Blu-ray's at 1080p with lossless audio and high bitrate AVC/VC-1.

I got the Roku box at launch and I love it. Since I'm already a Netflix subscriber, this device only set me back $99 and I can now stream movies instantly (well, takes about 30 seconds to buffer and then the movies begins) at no additional charge. Picture looks good on my 52" 1080p LCD. Quality is better than many DVDs I've seen. When you start playing a movie, the box checks your internet connection (not sure what metrics it uses; probably pings a host and checks for latency), and depending on its findings begins streaming a good, better, or best quality version of the movie. I've never had anything but best quality, which I believe requires a 3Mbps downstream connection.

I am in no way affiliated with Roku or Netflix, I'm just a happy camper when it comes to this device. And for everyone who says they don't have room for another device on their rack, this thing is tiny (smaller than most DSL/cable routers) and makes no sound. The fact that it's completely silent is enough to make me keep it vs. streaming Netflix on either my Xbox or (potentially) my PS3. Of course it's no match for Blu-ray, or any HD content. But it's great for those times when a movie you haven't seen for a while pops into your head and you want to watch it now. The real problem with Netflix VOD is the selection; they claim to have 10k movies available, but looks to me like most of them are B or C grade titles that were made to be aired at 3am on some obscure cable channel :rolleyes:.

Answers to your other questions below.





1) There is very little memory on the board. Just enough to buffer a few minutes of video if your bandwidth gets congested temporarily. Just enough flash memory for the software. Instant viewing is done by buffering the minimum video the box thinks it needs to avoid interruption due to variable bit rate encoding.
Edit: The buffer is 64MB. 2-5 minutes of video, depending on the stream.
2) If you have Windows and IE, go to Netflix.com choose 'instant watch'. The video you stream to your PC is the identical stream we're pulling to the box. So you can preview the quality without even having the box.
Most videos, depending on the title, look quite good on my 60" Sony HD.
Actual DVD will be better, of course, if for no other reason than surround sound. Audio tracks on instant watch titles are stereo only. Surround sound will come with HD streams.
3) It will up convert to HD when HD is made available. At this time, it only output 480p 4:3, and 480p 16:9. You will only be able to get HD resolutions on HDMI with HDCP support. Component video outputs are limited to 480p for copyrighted content because there is no copy protection.
4) Bandwidth is a very complex subject I won't tackle now. But yes, if your cable modem is fast enough, it'll work. It has a few minutes of video buffer, so as long as it can catch up from time to time it'll work.
It really all depends on how you're using it.
5) It's a new chip made by NXP semiconductor. PNX8935
http://www.nxp.com/applications/set_top_box/ip_stb/stb225/
6) Not user expandable.
_________________
QA Engineer for Roku

I think this would be great (for either XBOX or PS3) I have both. I currently have Blockbuster online rental, But i would switch if this is possible. As others have said, there are alot of SD movies that i still havent seen, plus if you have people over and you bring up a movie (oh, we can watch that, give me a second) that is a nice feature.

-J