If you're not a Netflix subscriber and aren't interested in becoming one, please pardon
yet another post about streaming content from the formerly DVD-exclusive renter -- but for those non-Xbox owning, non-Live subscribing readers who want to get in on some HD Watch it Now action, we have some good news for you.
Earlier indications were that other Netflix-friendly devices would see updates enabling high-def support and now, in what appears to be an official confirmation from Roku's VP of Consumer Products, that company's
little $99 box will indeed be "delivering Netflix in HD by the end of the year," complete with a tweaked interface to suit all those extra pixels. Additionally, streaming here will operate over lower bitrates than the Xbox is expecting; good for those with iffy download speeds, but perhaps coming at the cost of quality. Finally, and teasingly, Roku devs are said to be working on "another major new feature" that will blow your mind. Oh, how we do love surprises.
Update: StreetStealth wrote in to let us know that Tim at Roku posted again, saying "Using a more advanced codec, we can deliver equal or better quality at lower bit-rates." We can't wait to see for ourselves.
[Via
Hacking Netflix]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Spiza @ Nov 3rd 2008 8:42AM
As soon as the netflix HD hits one of the blu-ray players, I'll probably be selling my PS3 and picking up one of those.
Bozster @ Nov 3rd 2008 9:13AM
I doubt you'll see that soon if ever..Do you really think they would shoot themselves in the foot and offer competing HD content on Blu-Ray players?
h0mi @ Nov 3rd 2008 10:16AM
1 of LG's players streams netflix. I'm fairly sure it will do HD as well.
squiggleslash @ Nov 3rd 2008 10:19AM
Bozter - how would they be shooting themselves in the foot? The CE industry just wants to shift boxes. They don't care how many plastic discs get sold by some other party, as long as their boxes of electronics sell.
If Netflix is the way to push expensive boxes, they'll add it, and they'll add the best implementation they can get away with. With Netflix just requiring Internet access, H.264/VC-1 (not sure which), and some easily decoded audio codec, adding Netflix support to a Profile 2.0 player is just a matter of putting out a firmware update.
Makes me wish Toshiba would push out Netflix support in a firmware update for their HD DVD players - which have all the right hardware features too, wonder if Netflix could pay them to do it...
Dan @ Nov 3rd 2008 11:21AM
I believe LG announced a Netflix based blu ray player. I saw an ad for it in the back of Sound and Vision.
Marshall @ Nov 3rd 2008 8:55AM
Why not just wait until it hits the PS3 instead, and continue to take advantage of the PS3's game playing and other media streaming abilities? You know that enabling this feature on computers is inevitable, and if it can be done on a computer, PlayOn will find a way to port it to your PS3, Popcorn Hour, and non-gold Xbox360.
Marshall
The Real HT Info Podcast
Bozster @ Nov 3rd 2008 9:15AM
As I pointed to Spiza, I highly doubt that Sony will allow this unless they are controlling the HD content going on PS3.
You are right with PlayOn and then streaming to PS3 but that's a long solution around obviously.
DrXym @ Nov 3rd 2008 10:13AM
Bozster, I disagree. I expect Sony would be very happy to stream Netflix to the PS3. It seems more likely that Microsoft moneyhatted Netflix which is why suddenly they've gone with Silverlight and 360 has integrated support. It's probably all tied up with an exclusivity agreement to prevent the PS3 getting integrated support. But I guess we'll see.
I suppose Sony might get "native" support if Netflix produced a BD Live disk which was basically a streaming client written in BD-J. They could also find their own streaming partner such as Amazon.
squiggleslash @ Nov 3rd 2008 3:59PM
What would be the point in partnering with Amazon? The deal with Netflix is that their service is subscription based. Amazon's is a rental service. My understanding is Sony already does an HD rental downloads service. What would Amazon add?
aaron @ Nov 3rd 2008 9:18AM
playon doesnt even come close to a native player.... things like fast forwarding/rewinding, a decent ui, hd (and even silverlight at all currently) etc.
it might be servicable way for ps3 people but its not going to even come close to matching what 360/roku/smasung&lg bluray players native player.
3dpenguin @ Nov 3rd 2008 10:13AM
I just am wonder when I can take advantage of NetFlix HD with my HD Laptop.