HD Netflix streaming comes to Xbox 360 first

Lee Stewart

HD Netflix streaming comes to Xbox 360 first

http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/29/h...box-360-first/

HD Goofnut

I would sure like to see how these HD streaming downloads stack up to the 1080i/p MPEG2/4 broadcasts that the SAT/CAB companies have on the market.

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ack_bak

This is good news. The more ways to get HD the better. But keep in mind Netflix does not offer new releases via it's streaming service (mostly catalog titles, TV shows, and documentaries). And I would not be surprised if the quality is slightly worse than HD cable/sat.

BobY

We'll have to wait and see. AppleTV's HD offerings are even better than Cable/Sat HD VOD quality--it all depends on the codecs used and what bit rates they run them at.

DanPLC

Their streaming movies used to be severely out-of-date, but since adding the Starz movies, the lineup is pretty good now. They won't have brand new releases, but there are plenty of movies from the last few years on there. Of course these aren't currently in HD. But hopefully they'll eventually get everything in HD and expand their streaming catalog.

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pjc

that's awesome!

hatt

Sounds like good news for XBox owners but what about the game console factor? People don't want to be burdened with game consoles when wanting to watch a movie.

Somehow I don't think we will see any of the anti PS3 people in this threads.

ack_bak

Yeah I just don't get the backlash against "game consoles" being used to watch movies anymore. I was very reluctant to use a PS3 as my primary Blu-Ray player initially, but it has proven to be an excellent player and it is clear to me that both Microsoft and Sony's intention all along was not to sell you a game console, but a media hub. Of course they want you to buy the $59 games, but they also want you to play games online, they want you to download movies, and they want you to be able to stream content like movies, and music onto you console. I would much rather have one box that does everything I want (and does it well) than 3 different boxes. Add in DVR functionality to the PS3 and 360, and now we are talking

BobY

Hey, what about me?

This will be a nice feature for XBOX owners and may further enhance the desirability of the XBOX for people looking to own one, but it's not going to attract people who aren't interested in gaming.

hatt

I've kinda gotten interested in this HD Netflix stuff. Have to see how it plays out with the quality and if they start charging for this. I guess this would work on the cheapest XBox right?

BobY

I don't think there is a "backlash" against game consoles. There are people who like gaming and want to own game consoles and there are people who have no interest in gaming and will never look at a game console if what they want to do is play movies, especially when they can get a standalone player or STB for less money.

There are also people who recognize that a PS3 or an XBOX360 makes a powerful media center, even if they aren't interested in gaming much, but that is a very small piece of the CE market--most consumers don't like to put all their eggs in one basket, especially when the basket costs more and can only do one thing at a time. There's also the problem of losing all of your entertainment options if it breaks and the inability to upgrade various parts of the system as desired.

hatt

Buy an Xbox is all I can tell you. This may be a neat service if Netflix doesn't start charging for the HD downloads.

Liquidx

However it stacks up is fine by me. I haven't bought a BD in months, I'm all for the convenience and cost effectiveness than driving to the video store now.

I'm over spending nearly $30 on movies and since Blockbuster has shut down a few stores in my area, I'm left with a single rental store with limited amounts of BD titles.

BobY

Naw, you got me all wrong--I'm not a PS3 hater, I'm a game console hater!

Well, not really true--I'm a game console "disinterested party"--I burned out on video games years ago when I had to design, build and test them for a living (pinball is still fun, though). I must admit however, the Wii is fun in a silly sort of way.

hatt

BobY you have to come to terms with the fact that many products are no longer only able to do one thing. You have a cell phone right, I bet it does all kinds of stuff not necessary to send and receive calls. Same thing with a "game console," so what if it plays games, it also does this, that, and the other that you may want. I bought one game for my PS3 and have played it maybe a couple times in the past month but the PS3 gets used everyday for some other function. I don't see what is so hard about that concept.