(Credit: LG)
It's been just over a year since the Roku Digital Video Player was released. That $99 box made it easy for Netflix subscribers to play the rental service's 12,000-title library of streamable movies and TV shows on their TV set. Since that time, the Netflix service has also appeared on the Xbox 360, TiVo DVRs, and Blu-ray players from LG and Samsung. (A recap follows, for the uninitiated; the Netflix-savvy can jump straight to the list of Netflix-compatible products.)
Netflix offers thousands of streaming titles over the Internet, available on an "all you can eat" basis for any customer on the $9 per month (one DVD movie by mail at a time) or higher plan. So, in addition to getting DVD (or, for an additional premium, Blu-ray) discs by mail, Netflix subscribers also get unlimited access to thousands of hours of on-demand programming. Just add the titles to the "Instant Queue" in your Netflix account, and they'll be available on any compatible device once you pair it. (The setup procedure, as outlined by CNET's Molly Wood, is quick and easy.)
There are a few downsides. Almost none of the available movie content would be classified in the "new release" category--the newest titles are usually at least a few years old. Also, the availability of titles ebbs and flows--many are available for a window of 60 to 90 days, after which they may or may not return a few months later. And many of the videos aren't available in their native wide-screen format.
That said, we think the advantages are palpable. Netflix's TV selection offers a wide array of more recent choices than its movie slate, including some CBS shows that appear within a week of their initial broadcast (disclosure: CNET is a property of CBS). Netflix has also begun offering a small but growing slate of streaming content in HD. Video quality is generally good, and selections start playing within 30 seconds. They will also auto-resume wherever you left off, even if you move to another device. (You can have multiple Netflix devices on each account, and you can also stream to Web browsers on Macs and Windows PCs.)
But the bottom line is that Netflix streaming is just a great value proposition. For those who are already Netflix subscribers, the streaming feature is effectively a free upgrade--one that can offer hundreds of hours of programming a month. By contrast, the same monthly fee (as little as $9) would only get you a handful of movies or TV episodes on rival pay-per-view services, such as Apple's iTunes (Apple TV), Vudu, and Amazon Video-on-Demand.
For 2009, the list of Netflix-compatible devices continues to grow even longer. We've rounded up all the current product choices, and will keep this list up to date as needed. Prices listed are the current street prices. Netflix the quick and easy way: Roku Digital Video Player ($100)
The first Netflix box is still, in many ways, the best. Priced at just $100, the Roku Digital Video Player remains the cheapest way to get Netflix on your TV. Built-in Wi-Fi means you can connect it with just two cables--power and HDMI--though the little box has all of the AV connections you'll need to connect it even to older (non-HD) TVs. A recent firmware upgrade added access to Amazon Video-on-Demand content (albeit on a pay-per-view basis), and Roku is promising more online "channels" in the months ahead. Netflix-enabled game consoles: Microsoft Xbox 360 ($300)
Since November 2008, the Xbox 360 has been Netflix-enabled. But there are caveats: Netflix only works with 360s that have a storage option (owners of the entry-level 360 will need to add a hard drive or at least a memory card), and it only works for 360 owners with Xbox Live Gold memberships (which run around $50 a year). But if you've already got a 360, there's probably no need to pick up the Roku box. Sony PlayStation 3 ($400)
Netflix is not officially supported on the PS3. However, a third-party software package called PlayOn offers a great workaround. Download and run the software on your Windows PC, and it allows you to access Netflix content on the PS3--along with otherwise Web-only content from Hulu, YouTube, CNN, CBS, and ESPN. We had issues with earlier versions of PlayOn, but the current iteration seems considerably more stable and responsive. And since the company offers a free 14-day trial period (before you need to purchase a $40 license), it's pretty much a no-lose scenario. Netflix-enabled DVRs: TiVo HD DVR ($250 plus service) TiVo HD XL DVR ($600 plus service)
Any of the Series3/HD TiVos can be paired to a Netflix account. And TiVo also offers Amazon and YouTube streaming (in addition to a host of other online content choices), making it the closest thing to a digital video Swiss Army Knife to date. Digeo Moxi DVR ($800)
Like the PS3, Moxi isn't an "official" Netflix partner, but--following an April 2009 software revamp--it works just as well with the PlayOn software as the Sony game console. Currently, Digeo is offering free subscription keys for Moxi owners. Netflix-enabled Blu-ray players: LG BD370 ($250) LG BD390 ($400) Samsung BD-P1600 ($250) Samsung BD-P3600 ($350) Samsung BD-P4600 ($400)
Every 2009 Blu-ray player from LG and Samsung offers Netflix compatibility, giving those companies a big leg up on competitors such as Sony and Panasonic (both currently Netflix-less). If you don't have a wired Ethernet connection near your TV--and you don't want to invest in a pair of powerline Ethernet adapters--you'll probably want to go with one of the higher-end models that include Wi-Fi (either built-in or with a USB dongle). We found the Samsung BD-P3600 and LG BD390 to be excellent choices--the latter offers access to YouTube videos and other digital files (photos, music, and videos) on your home network, while the former includes Pandora streaming (it also streams photos and music from a networked PC, but we didn't have much luck with that feature). Netflix-enabled home theater systems: LG LHB953 ($500) LG LHB977 ($700) Samsung HT-BD1250 ($500) Samsung HT-BD7200 (coming soon) Samsung HT-BD8200 (coming soon)
As with their standalone Blu-ray players, LG and Samsung have also built Netfix compatibility into their 2009 Blu-ray home theater systems. We haven't reviewed any of these systems yet, but we expect the Netflix functionality to be identical to what's found in the company's respective Blu-ray players. None of these models have built-in Wi-Fi, however. Samsung offers a Wi-Fi dongle for $80, while the LG models will need a powerline Ethernet adapter or wireless bridge if you don't have a nearby Ethernet jack. Netflix-enabled TVs: LG LH50 LCD TV series ($1,500-$2,000; pictured at top of this post)
LG's LH50 series of LCD TVs are slated to become the first TVs with Netflix streaming built-in--obviating the need for any external add-ons. Sets in the series will also offer access to Yahoo Widgets. Netflix on your PC:
It's worth mentioning that any Mac (Intel-based) or Windows PC (XP/Vista) can access Netflix streaming directly through a Web browser. Connect a TV to your PC's video output, and you can enjoy Netflix streaming--and any other Web-based video--without the need to buy additional hardware. It's a choice that some find compelling enough to ditch their cable or satellite TV service altogether. Additional reading: Dreaming of cutting the subscription TV cord You don't need satellite TV when times get tough
John P. Falcone covers home theater and network entertainment
05-30-2009, 03:10 PM
Netflix-compatible video devices compared
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(Credit: LG)
John P. Falcone covers home theater and network entertainment
