Well, I am now tempted to join netflix because of the ability to stream movies etc to the Xbox. My wife and I just finished season 1 of lost, and now she is on my case to get get season 2 (and then 3, 4), and at ~$30 per season to buy used from ebay etc, it got me thinking of netflix instead. To me the convienence of owning the DVD is that we can watch something when we least expect it (ie kids have a sleep over at a last minute etc), thus steaming immediately would be great.

On the netflix website, they have 4 pricing plans, 3 movies at a time =$16.99/mo, 2 movies at a time =$13.99, and 1 movie = $8.99. The last one for $4.99 is not worth it. All 3 state that there is unlimied downloading. If this is true then I suppose I would get the $8.99 plan, as I am unlikely to order that many movies via mail. I just wanted to verify that for $8.99/month, I will get unlimited streaming of most of the netflix library (it does not have to be in HD only). OR is the standard download library also very limited? Similarly, there is not much about the Xbox on their site, and I wanted to ensure that streaming to PC = Xbox as well? Thanks.

im pretty sure the lowest priced tier on netflix only allows a few hours of streaming movies , the other plans that say unlimited downloads are the one you need for xbox 360 streaming i have the 14.99 plan and its not too bad , the sd movie selection is pretty fair right now but im sure it will get bigger , but the hd selection is pretty dry . but im sure they will add more as they see their customer base rise up in part with NXE

Don't know if you have an HTPC, but all episodes of Lost can be streamed from ABC.com.

Don't know if you have an HTPC, but all episodes of Lost can be streamed from ABC.com.

How good is the PQ playing ABC.com's streamed shows on a 50"-ish tv?

You can also give PlayOn a try. Its just a one time payment of $30 and you can stream everything from Hulu and some CBS, youtube, ESPN videos.

the cheapest plan that has unlimited is 8.99 a month as you found out.... the only reason to get the 2 at a time or 3 at a time plan is if you want to watch different content on more than one xbox. the number of streams you can have going at once is tied to your number of dvd's part of the plan.

ie 1 dvd plan at a time gives you 1 netflix stream at a time
2 dvd plan gives you 2 concurrent netflix streams

and the unlimited applies to all the plans.

ABC's website has Lost S1/2/3/4 all in HD streaming (with limited commercials)... for free.

Just saying...


* didn't see others said as much. whoops. but yeah, quality is actually very high on a good connection.

How good is the PQ playing ABC.com's streamed shows on a 50"-ish tv?

Every episode of Lost is in HD. The quality is absolutely stunning. The streaming video I have ever seen.

So now does Netflix only offer streaming through the 360? I'm not concerned at all with watching a DVD and I don't have a BR player. The only movies I'm willing to pay for is HD movies but I don't like the streaming idea because it almost always goofs up due to a hiccup in the internet speed.

I have the $8.99 Netfilx plan and steaming is great on both my PC and 360.
The way you do it is log onto your netflix account on your PC and load up your instant watch playlist with shows and movies you want to watch, then the 360 will update the list with what you just added.
Takes a couple of seconds.

There are some titles that won't stream on the 360, don't know why but it lists the ones in your queue that aren't available for Xbox streaming.

I have the 15megabit plan from Cox Communications but I get 30megabit speeds.
Netflix HD streaming only uses about 1.2MB (Megabytes)/sec for it's stream.

http://www.transamws6.com/pics/pc/netflix.jpg

There are some titles that won't stream on the 360, don't know why but it lists the ones in your queue that aren't available for Xbox streaming.


Maybe because there are a half-dozen or more other ways you can watch them? I use PlayOn to watch all those (on my Xbox 360 at that), but you could watch them with the Roku box, watch them on your laptop, you can watch them on a PS3 or DirecTv box with PlayOn as well. Soon you'll be able to watch them on Tivo apparently. It's only the 360 native player that's gimped (although it's the only one that will play the HD version of the movie, so that's a huge plus).

Also, nobody has mentioned to the OP that Lost isn't available via streaming on Netflix.

How good is the PQ playing ABC.com's streamed shows on a 50"-ish tv?

I stream an ABC show to a 46" Aquos and it looks just fine. Also, it should be noted that your picture quality auto adjusts based on the performance of your network connection. If for some reason your connections gets overburdened then your picture will get really pix elated but will return to normal when the connection health is better. Pretty standard for streaming playback.

Maybe because there are a half-dozen or more other ways you can watch them? I use PlayOn to watch all those (on my Xbox 360 at that), but you could watch them with the Roku box, watch them on your laptop, you can watch them on a PS3 or DirecTv box with PlayOn as well. Soon you'll be able to watch them on Tivo apparently. It's only the 360 native player that's gimped (although it's the only one that will play the HD version of the movie, so that's a huge plus).

I don't want 6 different ways to watch netflix. I want the xbox to work correctly...that being said I wouldn't call the 360's implementation "gimped". Its not the interface preventing these movies from being played, it's the studio (which is Sony owned I might mention) licensing that prevents them from playing on the 360. Read more about it here: http://blog.netflix.com/

EDIT: I went and read the blog again; looks like it's amended to say it's not a "Licensing Issue" Well I'd like some actual explaination as to what it really is then? I mean, 1 studio, owned by Sony isn't allowing a competing product to stream the title but it's available on a PC, a roku or through Tivo? Yeah, that seems fishy to me.

I don't want 6 different ways to watch netflix. I want the xbox to work correctly...that being said I wouldn't call the 360's implementation "gimped". Its not the interface preventing these movies from being played, it's the studio (which is Sony owned I might mention) licensing that prevents them from playing on the 360. Read more about it here: http://blog.netflix.com/


Yes, I know, but I was answering his question of why they even show up in the list. Right now they aren't available through the XBOX, but most of us still want them in the list because we have other ways to watch them. For instance, I am traveling right now. I'll probably watch one from the hotel tonight on my laptop. I obviously want the "full" list, not the "xbox-only" list. Of course, it makes no difference to me which one I watch because the "xbox only" list is still playable on my xbox using PlayOn.

I'm not sure what you would call the xbox native Netflix if not for "gimped"...I mean, regardless of if it's licensing or not, the point is that it doesn't play all the movies that are available through other means (even on the same XBOX using a 3rd party solution). If that doesn't make the experience "gimped" then I don't know what you would call it. Limited? Not quite there? Not as much selection as every other Netflix Watch Instantly device currently in existence?

Right now the only advantage it has over other solutions is the HD offering (which of course is a big advantage). Content-wise it comes in last place.

How good is the PQ playing ABC.com's streamed shows on a 50"-ish tv?

It's been said already, but I'll echo that the PQ is very good.

I have a Netflix account and I never use the streaming option because the selection is still very limited. Don't expect to stream any new releases. As a source for renting Blu-rays, however, it is excellent.

I have a Netflix account and I never use the streaming option because the selection is still very limited. Don't expect to stream any new releases. As a source for renting Blu-rays, however, it is excellent.

I feel the same way. Before this 360 thing I only ever had one movie in my queue that was able to be streamed. Even that movie was just filler in my queue.

Don't expect to be streaming Batman Returns any time soon. I think of Netflix streaming as a means to watch old stuff that you don't want to waste a rental slot on. Even then it's going to be hit or miss. Once you queue up your favorite movies you'll see that they aren't going to be taking much, if any, business away from the Live movie rentals.

I feel the same way. Before this 360 thing I only ever had one movie in my queue that was able to be streamed. Even that movie was just filler in my queue.

Don't expect to be streaming Batman Returns any time soon. I think of Netflix streaming as a means to watch old stuff that you don't want to waste a rental slot on. Even then it's going to be hit or miss. Once you queue up your favorite movies you'll see that they aren't going to be taking much, if any, business away from the Live movie rentals.

Yeah, it depends on your tastes. I have 69 movies in my Instant queue right now, but I had those before the XBOX stuff came online. So it's better for some people than it is going to be for others.

But none of my titles are brand-new. I have some new-ish stuff in there, like The Host, The Signal, Iraq in Fragments, Quid Pro Quo, No Country For Old Men, etc, but most of it is older stuff that I just haven't seen yet.

Hopefully the selection improves a bit.

I feel the same way. Before this 360 thing I only ever had one movie in my queue that was able to be streamed. Even that movie was just filler in my queue.

Don't expect to be streaming Batman Returns any time soon. I think of Netflix streaming as a means to watch old stuff that you don't want to waste a rental slot on. Even then it's going to be hit or miss. Once you queue up your favorite movies you'll see that they aren't going to be taking much, if any, business away from the Live movie rentals.
i agree its that way for now but i really see this becoming the real netflix 2.0.... now its not going to happen for a few years but it is going to improve with the selection and will have everything (with a higher price).

but for now its a great way to just load up a bunch of oldish movies (i have 140 in my queue currently) and have them available to play when nothing else is on. or if the movies i have from the mail plan arent what i want. (i want a horror flick and i have a comedy in the mail). its also that reason i think the streaming service will take off because its netflix mail service w/o all the issues of the usps.

Thanks for the tips. Maybe trying to stream the shows via HTPC might be teh way to go for the moment, especially if the content for the Xbox is limited.

Thanks for the tips. Maybe trying to stream the shows via HTPC might be teh way to go for the moment, especially if the content for the Xbox is limited.

I use both. I do like the Xbox interface for watching Netflix though

http://www.transamws6.com/pics/theater/netflix-03.jpg

http://www.transamws6.com/pics/theater/netflix-02.jpg

http://www.transamws6.com/pics/theater/netflix-01.jpg

i would just go ahead and use the xbox only.... i dont think the sony lockout will last much longer and there is no substitute for the native interface on the 360.

Anyone know if i'd need a 20g hd to use the netflix streaming option?
I just have the standard memory card. :(

not only do you have to DL the NXE, but you also have to DL a unique Netflix app. i'm not sure how much space both require in total. but assuming you have a 256/512 card, i can't imagine why you couldn't enjoy the service.