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Netflix unveils movie streaming service
It's not quite a set-top box, but it's certainly a step in the right direction. Netflix is starting a movie streaming service this year, rolling it out to customers over the next six months. Initially only 1,000 movies and TV shows will be available, but they plan to add more over time. Movies will be available to stream directly from the site, meaning you won't need to worry about downloading files and you won't be able to burn to DVD.
Customers won't need to pay any extra for the service, but there will be a limit on how many movies you can watch per month. The most popular plan, three discs at a time, will allow for 18 hours per month of streaming viewing. We'll need to wait and see how the quality and selection are on this, but it should prove to be a nice bonus for current customers until they figure out a way to make this happen on our TVs.
By mr_coffee at 12:27 PM ON 01/18/07
That's fun. I'm a NetFlix subscriber and I didn't even know that. Also, most newer graphic cards have an option to output to a second source... like a TV. Chances are that the quality lost in the stream won't look nearly as good on a larger screen though.
By Omegablood at 6:14 AM ON 01/19/07
This is truly disappointing. After hearing rumors of the set top box I was excited and waiting patiently. I already have Netflix so it will be a nice plus but I(and I think most people)don't watch movies on their PC.
Micro Soft could potentially blow Net flix out of the water with their X-box live.
I have an X-box 360 and am connected to X-box live which offers Movies as well in HD(limited selection), TV shows (small selection, music videos, Free demos and trailers.
The prices are reasonable for movies and the licenses for TV shows don't expire. Watch them as much as you like.
Downloading and watching are a non-issue. With in a few minutes of starting a download you can begin watching your movie or show.
It's what I was expecting from netflix. If MS got their act together they should make a set top box specifically for movies.A tivo like device so you could also record from your TV as well. They already have the infrastructure. They could call it the M-Box.
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Omegablood:
This is truly disappointing. After hearing rumors of the set top box I was excited and waiting patiently. I already...More »