Netflix update for 360

I think if it supported 1080p and 5.1 (like the PS3), they'd have marketed it as such to take away some the PS3 thunder.

Since they didn't market anything, I doubt it does, but Try The Kill Point (since I know that's 5.1)....or I can try tonight. My understanding is (as far as Netflix goes), it's a cosmetic UI change to better support Kinnect's Minority Report style navigation.

Glad it has search, but I've switched to the PS3, at least until the XBOX gets 5.1 sound (at which time I will of course re-evaluate the pros/cons of each system's implementation of Netflix). But I'll try out a 5.1 title on XBOX tonight just to verify my assumption is correct. I'm sure if it did, we'd have heard something about it.

Isn't it only free (available) if your ISP offers it?

No, the deal between the cable cos and E, requires a subscription to the cable service. They thought of everything.... scowl.

As suspected, there is no 5.1 sound. Tried a couple I know have 5.1 on the PS3 and it was still just stereo on the 360.

Same here

has there been any update on this? also has there been any talk of an update to the UI (specifically during playback) for the 360? The PS3 is far superior currently.

No updates.

Personally I prefer the 360 UI (all-around) to the PS3's. Of course, I use the PS3 due to the increased PQ/AQ. I am stuck with one of the "crappy" apps on the PS3 (there are several versions).

Things I don't like about the UI on the PS3

• No way to back out of the app unless you have a bluetooth remote solution (like the $40 logitech adapter or the bluetooth remote). Or you feel like digging out the controller. Currently I need to turn off the PS3 to exit since I am using the Nyko Bluwave solution (which you can't map the PS button to). I am a bit bitter that I have to spend another $40 for a good remote solution.
• FF and Rewind on the app are mapped to the left/right buttons on your remote (rather than FF and Rewind buttons)
• On my version of the app, I can remove a title on my queue, but it stays in the "queue" line until I exit the app (i.e. turn off the PS3) and go back in. Same with adding a title: it won't show up in my queue until I exit the app and go back in. In other words, the queue doesn't refresh.
• My version of the app is painfully slow and unresponsive (when browsing titles)
• No true quality indicators of what you are receiving.
• If you press the "info" button, the time and time remaining is currently messed up and will read something like this: "00:21:-24/02:43:-3579" for a 1:43 movie.

I know it's preference, but I wish the 360 would just get the 1080p/5.1 feeds and I'd switch back to it.

interesting -

one thing i really like about the ps3 is that the streaming starts quite rapidly at a lower resolution and then kind of ramps up (within a few seconds) to its running resolution. the 360 takes a much longer time to get going, though once it gets going it is at full res. I don't mind the lower resolution at the very beginning because rarely it is very brief and the content is rarely anything of importance (intros, studio plate, etc.).

I think the look of the UI during playback just looks very dated that's all. The PS3 has a much cleaner look. Functionally, I am happy with both.

**EDIT** you mention you can't see the quality. can't you hit the select button and have the info pop up? I thought that gave a bit rate or something to give you an idea of quality.


thanks for the reply.

It just gives you some generic info like "Medium/SD, High/SD, High/HD, X-High/HD and what the sound is. It's not bad, but my big complaint (among others) is that you can't tell if it's 720p or 1080p (since X-High/HD is apparently used for both). And of course I usually like to know how long the movie is and how much I have left, and as pointed out, the time elapsed/remaining time is currently wonky. It's not that it's bad (words instead of bars) but I also find the text to be somewhat small (even on my 50" tv)....I feel I need bifocals to read it sometimes.

Of course, on the 360, you know you're getting 720p if it says "HD" because it doesn't have access (currently) to 1080p material.

Agreed on the speed of it though. I find the app loads loads faster on the 360, but it actually starts playing faster on the PS3. So it balances out for me, since on the PS3 I'm waiting for the app to actually load, while on the 360 I'm waiting for the title to start.

Again, I am stuck with this interface: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tNRgBKEUCo

If I had this interface, I'd probably be happier with it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVcmu...eature=related

Or even better, the one they advertised when they announced it. My app even sucks worse because in each genre it will only show 75 titles (I know michaelscott has one that shows 200 titles). And navigating my app seems to be slower than videos I've seen of the other interfaces....like I can press left or right to get to other titles and it seems like there's a 1/2 second delay before it responds.

Interestingly enough, the Vudu app on the PS3 functions the same way as Netflix, in regards to backing out (I can't) and FF and Rewind. I still refuse to know why FF and Rewind on the remote doesn't work to FF and Rewind in neither the Netflix nor the Vudu App (but do work for Blu-Ray playback). In the apps you have to use the left/right/up/down arrows or rocker (or whatever your remote has) to do it. I find it bizarre....especially when I had to explain to my non-techie wife how to navigate the apps. It's like they built it to be used with the controller and not a remote.

i have the PS3 interface you like - i think it looks like it is for the visually impaired :-)

I showed my wife how to use the Xbox, so that is the one we use. I very rarely get to use all of my surround stuff at any appreciable volume, so the lack of 5.1 doesn't turn me off too much.

There is a Sony remote for the PS3 that costs around $20 at both Best Buy and Walmart. Perhaps that one will work NF better than the Bluwave?

Yes, but that defeats why I spent $200 for a Harmony remote....so I don't have to have multiple remotes sitting around or have to use controllers for things. Plus the WAF of only having one great remote is not to be underestimated.

I just need to cough up the $40 for the PS3 adapter (which yes, I am bitter about, but realize that's the reality of the situation).

Man your version does suck. FF/RW are mapped normal for me using my Sony bluetooth remote. I also have no refresh or slowness issues, except if I modify the queue from the web interface while the app is running. Then I have to force a refresh by exiting, or, quicker, add then remove a random title from the ps3 interface. And my time remaining is basically normal.

I can't really sympathize with the exit issue, since the ps3 button is the standard way to exit all apps, as well as shutting down the ps3 itself. But obviously I don't have your remote.