PS3 to get Netflix Streaming

[admin]

Adding to Netflix's impressive list of supported hardware will soon be Sony's PS3, joining Microsoft's Xbox 360 which has had Netflix streaming for a year now with great success.

But it's not all good news, as the PS3's Netflix functionality will not be built into the console, but rather, only accessible through a Blu-ray disc. Users will first have to insert the special disc and then access Netflix using Blu-ray's BD-live functionality. While other Blu-ray players that use this method often produces a clunky user experience, it should work better on the PS3 as does most Blu-ray movies due to the more powerful processor and improved response speeds.

The PS3 Netflix service, via the Blu-ray disc, will be available at the end of the year. Users can already reserve their copy of the disc right now.

More:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10382762-1.html

Get your copy of the Netflix disc here:

http://www.netflix.com/InstantStreamingDisc

[drfsupercenter]

Man, we have Blockbuster, not Netflix... I wonder if that'll ever have console streaming.

[Alien Bay]

I bought a Samsung Blu-Ray (BD-P1590) two weeks ago that currently streams Blockbuster, Netflix, Pandora and YouTube.

The YouTube, as you can imagine is by nature, clunky.

I don't have an account with Blockbuster so I can't speak to that one.

The Netflix is awesome and the Pandora (both require online registration to connect to the player) migrated all of my stations that I created online. The Netflix feature is phenomenol as there are so many Instant Views available.

It's a little curious that the PS3 would require a Blu-Ray disc (unless it's just a money making option) as with my player, all you need is a network connection (it does support a wireless connection, but according to the manual, you can only use a Wireless Samsung USB Lan adapter... I assume the drivers are compatible only with their adapter). I think it's separate from the BD-Live function (which requires a 1 Gb min USB drive, not included.)

[admin]

Yes, it is a bit strange that the PS3 would require a disc to access Netflix. I would have thought it would be easy, given the PS3's amble HDD space, to produce a native Netflix app for it, along the lines of the Folding@Home client. Perhaps that will come in due time.

The disc itself uses Blu-ray's BD-Live, and I can't but help to think that Sony may have insisted on this to promote Blu-ray, since if you think about it, Netflix streaming is a direct competitor to disc based distribution.

I also wonder if the disc would work on other BD-Live Blu-ray players, and whether this means all BD-Live players can now work with Netflix?

[drfsupercenter]

The disc is probably for DRM purposes... possibly to not allow streaming if you're not using HDCP or something. (I know with the Xbox 360, I plugged it in my DVD recorder and tried to record some free demo clips off there and it simply refused to record it, since apparently the Xbox has some insanely new Macrovision - and unlike with VHS, my recorder won't look the other way)

And hmm, they make Blu-Ray players that stream Blockbuster? Is that an addon feature or they just come that way? I was kinda annoyed when I got my Xbox 360, as it ONLY supported Netflix, and I don't think the PS3 supports Blockbuster either... oh well, now that I'm in college and don't have as much time to watch movies, I suppose I'll settle with renting DVDs...

[Alien Bay]

This is from July.

[UncasMS]

Originally Posted by Alien Bay

I bought a Samsung Blu-Ray (BD-P1590) two weeks ago that currently streams Blockbuster, Netflix, Pandora and YouTube.

i have the samsung bd-p1600 in use since february and they added support for youtube and MKV/MP4 via firmware update recently

my question is: does the 1590 also play mkv/mp4 these days or is there still a difference between 1590 and 1600?

[drfsupercenter]

Oh Samsung, eh?

My TV is Panasonic. With a PS3...

[Alien Bay]

Originally Posted by UncasMS

.....

my question is: does the 1590 also play mkv/mp4 these days or is there still a difference between 1590 and 1600?

Uncas,
I have no idea and am not sure how to tell. I don't see any reference in the manual re: these files.
I bought this at Sam's Club a couple of weeks ago and the manual, on the front, says it's for models;

BD-P1590
BD-P1590C
BD-P1600

[admin]

Netflix spokesman says that an "embed" solution, that is one without the need of an external disc, should be available next year for the PS3. Looks like the disc was just a temporary solution, a quick fix to get Netflix support on the PS3 going.

[Derree]

Now if we could get this in canada lol, we still can't download movies or tv shows on ps3 yet, and netflix itself isn't available here at all...