It's official, Netflix coming to PS3!!!

[khaynu]

Netflix expects to begin streaming via the PS3 system next month at no additional cost to Netflix members in the United States who have a PS3 system.

http://netflix.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=334

Thank you Sony for coming through BIG TIME! With no additional charge to boot! Will strongly consider getting rid of digital cable if it works good. Now only if the PS3 could record programming DVR/Tivo style, I would be all set ;)

[indieinsd]

Yeah that would be nice, I think they have it EU. You could always record on a computer and dump it to a flash drive or media server, thats what I do.

[njshadow]

Yes, you are correct sir. (http://blog.us.playstation.com/2009/10/netflix-coming-soon-to-playstation-3/)

We’re excited to announce today that Netflix and Sony have partnered to bring you thousands of movies and TV episodes streamed instantly from Netflix to your TV via your PS3 system at no extra charge. When the application launches next month, you’ll be able to access and watch thousands of Netflix choices directly through the XMB. We think that the nearly nine million PS3 enthusiasts and 11.1 million Netflix members in the U.S. will make quite a match.

If you want to get a head start on your PS3 Netflix experience, you can sign up today at http://www.netflix.com/ps3.

[drtyfrank]

Yay. Now, if only Netflix and Canada could come to some sort of agreement...

[wideawakewesley]

Great move by Sony. I wonder if Microsoft will allow Silver Live users to use the service now.

Just for NJShadow, other great Sony news:

http://www.weeklygeekly.co.uk/geekly-news/2009/10/26/sony-in-great-marketing-shocker.html

Sony finally seem to have arrived at the party.

[royterp]

But why do you need a disc?

Initially, watching movies instantly streamed from Netflix via the PS3 system will be enabled by a free, instant streaming Blu-ray disc that is being made available to all Netflix members. The free instant streaming disc leverages Blu-ray’s BD-Live™ technology to access the Internet and activate the Netflix user interface on the PS3 system, which must be online via Wi-Fi or Ethernet.

And that can't be a download because...? Anyway, the one advantage this does have over the 360 is that I can manage my queue right on the console so that's nice.

[masherscf]

Great news.

[dolson]

But why do you need a disc?



And that can't be a download because...? Anyway, the one advantage this does have over the 360 is that I can manage my queue right on the console so that's nice.

"We believe that the exclusive arrangement limits Netflix's ability to appear on the 'dashboard' for the PS3 or the Wii." -- Michael Pachter

[royterp]

"We believe that the exclusive arrangement limits Netflix's ability to appear on the 'dashboard' for the PS3 or the Wii." -- Michael Pachter

Ah, I assumed that Microsoft's exclusivity ended which is why they can allow it on the PS3 at all. Apparently it depends on MS's definition of "exclusive". Now that I think about it, doesn't Netflix streaming require MS software (like Media Player or Silverlight)? Another reason for the disc, I suppose.

[masherscf]

But why do you need a disc?



And that can't be a download because...? Anyway, the one advantage this does have over the 360 is that I can manage my queue right on the console so that's nice.

That is weird that it's a disk. It can't be a bandwidth issue.


I think the XBOX 360 either had queue management or will have it.

There are two great advantages of PS3 netflix over XBOX 360.

1. You don't need an XBOX 360. This is particular relevant for people who don't own XBOX 360s.

2. You don't need an XBOX 360 gold account.

[az0madman]

Ah, I assumed that Microsoft's exclusivity ended which is why they can allow it on the PS3 at all. Apparently it depends on MS's definition of "exclusive". Now that I think about it, doesn't Netflix streaming require MS software (like Media Player or Silverlight)? Another reason for the disc, I suppose.

Yeah, Silverlight.

It's actually pretty smart to use the BD-Live tech to bring Netflix over to the PS3. I wonder if that means other Blu-Ray players will be able to use the disc for Netflix as well. I just hope that it'll come with HD streaming.

[ruiyo]

Very good news for US gamers... it is bound to force Microsoft to add Netflix to silver accounts too.

Next step: UK. Pretty please?

[aerodash84]

Very good news for US gamers... it is bound to force Microsoft to add Netflix to silver accounts too.

Next step: UK. Pretty please?

I really doubt MS would do that. Most of their other features don't extend to Silver members. I was pretty disappointed to find that a lot of things didn't work for me not having Gold especially online multi-player on games. If Last.Fm, Twitter and Facebook all require Gold I don't think they'd change their policy for Netflix. Just how I view how MS has been on the similar instances so far.

[ruiyo]

I really doubt MS would do that. Most of their other features don't extend to Silver members. I was pretty disappointed to find that a lot of things didn't work for me not having Gold especially online multi-player on games. If Last.Fm, Twitter and Facebook all require Gold I don't think they'd change their policy for Netflix. Just how I view how MS has been on the similar instances so far.

Yeah, but I think the difference is that Microsoft have repeatedly used netflix as a reason to buy a 360, they even go as far as putting their logo on some of the console boxes. For anyone interested in netflix this has now transformed into a reason NOT to get a 360.

The comparison I would draw is with XVid / other codecs. Both console manufacturers refused to allow the video formats commonly used by torrent files for ages, but as soon as one console opened up the other followed within weeks.

[satori]

Yay. Now, if only Netflix and Canada could come to some sort of agreement...

or even Sony... Sony sells Sony movies via the PS3 but we can't buy them. If you go to the Sony website people on there seem to think it's some law in Canada that stops this from happening and yet some how both Apple and Microsoft have been selling movies on line in Canada for years. Sony sucks for ignoring Canada and as a Canadian I'm going to get really angry soon and organize some kind of massive violent protest involving post cards and writing on them... and mailing them to someone... someone that matters... and they're going to be really upset and they'll jolly well listen to our concerns... and then they're going to ignore us.... ok, fine, Sony isn't going to ever do anything for Canadians on the PS3 and movie front... and on that note I'll admit that once I'd worked that out some time last year I decided not to ever buy anything Sony again. It's not much in the scheme of things, but it's all I can do.

[crambaza]

or even Sony... Sony sells Sony movies via the PS3 but we can't buy them. If you go to the Sony website people on there seem to think it's some law in Canada that stops this from happening and yet some how both Apple and Microsoft have been selling movies on line in Canada for years. Sony sucks for ignoring Canada and as a Canadian I'm going to get really angry soon and organize some kind of massive violent protest involving post cards and writing on them... and mailing them to someone... someone that matters... and they're going to be really upset and they'll jolly well listen to our concerns... and then they're going to ignore us.... ok, fine, Sony isn't going to ever do anything for Canadians on the PS3 and movie front... and on that note I'll admit that once I'd worked that out some time last year I decided not to ever buy anything Sony again. It's not much in the scheme of things, but it's all I can do.

That's one idea. I just moved to the states from good ol' Canada. And I gotta tell you, I do love me my Netflix!

[aerodash84]

Just found this story on 1Up on how Microsoft won't drop the requirements for Netflix Instant Watch to Silver Members. Thought it was an interesting read and relevant to the thread.

http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3176668

I will give that it is a nice layout on 360 and not requiring a Disc to watch movies is nice.

[dolson]

Sometime in 2010, there will be a disc-free option on the PS3. If Pachter was right about exclusivity reasons, then that appears to be when it runs out.