Netflix via 360 FTW
Not yet in surround sound but in HD resolutions, Netflix and Microsoft have just fired the first ballistic missle in the new HD format battle. Small arms fire has come from Apple and a few other places around the web but nothing has matched the significance of yesterday's escalation.
Netflix has been streaming moves for a while. The selection isn't great (since the studios don't particularly like the idea) but you can nearly always find something you like in there. Microsoft has been renting downloadable HD content through xbox Live for even longer. As of yesterday Netflix has now added an HD section to their streamable movies. As of yesterday anyone with an xbox 360 and a Netflix account can stream movies direct to the xbox. The same selection problems exist but there are some shining stars in there. I don't think you have to have a 360 to stream the HD movies but it doesn't hurt the experience. Streaming these movies through the 360 brings Netflix streaming into the living room and into a comfortable movie watching venue without the hassle (and believe me, it is a hassle) of setting up an HTPC and without the troll like solitude of watching a movie alone, on your computer.
Bluray is still struggling to recover from its hard fight with HD-DVD. The question at the end of this sentence has been asked before but with Netflix and the 360 moving into the space there is nobody left who can doubt the validity of inquring "Who the hell needs physical media like Bluray discs if I can pay $15 per month to Netflix and watch all the HD I want?"
I haven't tried streaming HD from Netflix yet, making this post a bit premature. However, I'm just so damned excited by it all I can't hold it in. It is true that the 360 HD movie rentals did suffer slighly in the picture quality department when compared to Bluray/HDDVD. If Netflix has the same issue I would consider it forgivable considering the how fresh the product is. With a little time, a little maturity, a couple of victories under their belt, Netflix might be the weapon Microsoft uses to finally slay Bluray.
Netflix has been streaming moves for a while. The selection isn't great (since the studios don't particularly like the idea) but you can nearly always find something you like in there. Microsoft has been renting downloadable HD content through xbox Live for even longer. As of yesterday Netflix has now added an HD section to their streamable movies. As of yesterday anyone with an xbox 360 and a Netflix account can stream movies direct to the xbox. The same selection problems exist but there are some shining stars in there. I don't think you have to have a 360 to stream the HD movies but it doesn't hurt the experience. Streaming these movies through the 360 brings Netflix streaming into the living room and into a comfortable movie watching venue without the hassle (and believe me, it is a hassle) of setting up an HTPC and without the troll like solitude of watching a movie alone, on your computer.
Bluray is still struggling to recover from its hard fight with HD-DVD. The question at the end of this sentence has been asked before but with Netflix and the 360 moving into the space there is nobody left who can doubt the validity of inquring "Who the hell needs physical media like Bluray discs if I can pay $15 per month to Netflix and watch all the HD I want?"
I haven't tried streaming HD from Netflix yet, making this post a bit premature. However, I'm just so damned excited by it all I can't hold it in. It is true that the 360 HD movie rentals did suffer slighly in the picture quality department when compared to Bluray/HDDVD. If Netflix has the same issue I would consider it forgivable considering the how fresh the product is. With a little time, a little maturity, a couple of victories under their belt, Netflix might be the weapon Microsoft uses to finally slay Bluray.
Blogged with the Flock Browser
posted by Unknown at 3:16 PM
4 Comments:
tested. verdict: very good.
now,if Netflix can just come to the UK i can join in with the streaming goodness
why isn't there an equvalent? difference in copyright law?
there prolly is,although i havent looked into it...but its only Netflix that is partnered this way with the 360,and the UK launch of Netflix has been delayed for some reason
Post a Comment
<< Home