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The Netflix Player  (Source: Roku)
Netflix Player retails for $99.99 and adds no monthly fees for unlimited viewing of 10,000 program catalog

Despite the fact that the high definition format war has only recently ended with Blu-ray as the winner, many see any high definition format as being already on the way out along with standard DVDs. The future of movie delivery is digital downloads and even companies like Netflix who’s bread and butter is physical DVD rentals understands this fact.

To transform Netflix into a firm that has the seeds planted for future growth -- that will undoubtedly include digital rental delivery -- it has announced a new device that streams movies to a TV over an internet connection called The Netflix Player. The device is made by Roku and is cheap compared to other movie streaming devices from competitors at only $99.99 to purchase.

The box promises to work with any TV you have and offers RCA jacks, S-video, component video, HDMI and optical audio out. The movies and TV episodes streamed to the box can be sent over a broadband internet connection via an Ethernet jack or Wi-Fi.

Netflix says that the current library available for streaming to the device includes about 10,000 movies and TV episodes. Anyone subscribing to Netflix can watch as many of the available shows and movies as they want for no additional fees. The catch is that no brand new movies are available on the service.

For many, the tipping point of streaming rentals gaining popularity is when streaming new release films are available on the day the movie can be bought or rented on physical discs. Apple recently started offering same day as physical release streaming rentals over its competing Apple TV product.

The player from Roku isn’t the only Netflix player coming for consumers to choose from. The Associated Press reports that LG will be integrating the streaming service into an upcoming Blu-ray player that is supposed to be available in the second half of 2008. Two other unnamed consumer electronics companies are also working on Netflix TV boxes as well.

The one glaring difference currently between the Apple TV service and The Netflix Player from Roku is that the Roku box lacks high definition capabilities. Anyone used to watching programs and movies in HD knows it is very hard to go back to standard definition. Despite that fact, many Netflix subscribers will see great value in a $99.99 box that allows the streaming of movies and TV shows for no additional charge per month. 

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Nothing new
By EntreHoras on 5/21/2008 10:09:45 AM , Rating: 2
Anyone who has a Tivo has this feature thought Amazon.com. Anyone who has Comcast has this feature through On Demand.

I don't see the benefit of going through Netfix.




RE: Nothing new
By rtrski on 5/21/2008 10:17:22 AM , Rating: 2
For those you pay per watch. With NF if you've already got a subsciption, you get the instant-watch unlimited for no added fee.

Granted it's all back-catalog stuff, except perhaps the TV episodes...


RE: Nothing new
By therealnickdanger on 5/21/2008 10:18:59 AM , Rating: 3
quote:
Anyone who has Comcast has this feature through On Demand.

Anyone with Comcast On Demand is also paying extra $$ for cable box rental, plus $$ for an upgraded "digital" cable package, plus $$ for actual content.

As a Comcast subscriber/slave, I can guarantee this is a better deal. Perhaps I'll reduce my cable package to basic and get this thing instead.


RE: Nothing new
By MrBlastman on 5/21/2008 10:27:41 AM , Rating: 4
I'm already doing that and have been for years. <^> to comcast :)

Basic cable every day + Netflix for movies all the time. Good combination. Fight the nickel and diming.


RE: Nothing new
By therealnickdanger on 5/21/2008 10:41:20 AM , Rating: 2
I would just like to see some industry consolidation first. I don't want to have my 360, cable box, Netflix box, Blockbuster box, AppleTV, etc...

Ultimately, I may just forego all of it and stick to what I know best:

Torrent my favorite TV shows --> stream via 360s from PC. Redbox and Live for movie rentals. Basic cable for local HD channels.


RE: Nothing new
By MrBlastman on 5/21/2008 10:48:47 AM , Rating: 2
Ya know, you can pick up your local HD channels with an antenna - and they come in far more clear than they will via Comcast or other digital cable providers.


RE: Nothing new
By therealnickdanger on 5/21/2008 12:12:33 PM , Rating: 2
Some do... Where I live I get half the channels really well OTA, but not the others, and I've tried lots of different antennae. Since the cable is already feeding into the rooms where I have TVs, may as well hook them up. You get all the local programming for free (including HD) just for having Comcast broadband. Besides, I'm not a real PQ-snob when it comes to broadcast television. The moderate compression doesn't bother me when watching The Office. The torrents I download are much worse.


RE: Nothing new
By tallcool1 on 5/21/2008 12:02:20 PM , Rating: 2
Cable is definately getting expensive. For that reason I do not subscribe to any of the movie channels like HBO, etc. A lot of the programs I watch are not on the basic channels, so that doesn't work for me (except for some sports like NFL). If I want to watch a movie, instead of paying a rental fee, I'd rather put that money towards just purchasing the DVD. I also do not see the appeal of spending $100 for a box that currently only streams 1/10 of Netflix's library and at a lower video quality than the original.


RE: Nothing new
By Moishe on 5/21/2008 10:43:57 AM , Rating: 2
The benefit if for new customers who want a cheap way to get into on demand movies.

It's also for existing customers who are already paying for the service but have no way to watch it. $99 is a good deal for this thing.


RE: Nothing new
By jhb116 on 5/21/2008 10:56:22 AM , Rating: 2
The benefit is competition and convergence.

I have Cox whose interfaces are probably similiar to Comcast. I hardly ever use the on-demand because it is really slow, offers limited content and the interface leaves much to be desired. And yes you do have to pay extra for the "good" stuff.

Also - XBox has started to offer this type of service as well. I have only tried navigating it once or twice, however, I have similiar complaints about its interface. Much of its content is also extra which limits my willingness to experiment with it.

I'd be interesting in seeing the interface for this device - if they make an "Apple" like breakthrough with the interface - Netflix has a better chance of going "mainstream" with this device.


Meh
By JackBurton on 5/21/2008 10:01:57 AM , Rating: 2
This will use up a valuable connection on my receiver. I'd rather Netflix just provide the service through the XBox 360 or PS3. For the people that don't have either of the consoles, this box will be fine though.




RE: Meh
By Schadenfroh on 5/21/2008 10:12:04 AM , Rating: 2
A PS3 disk that would allow me to watch NetFlix movies over it would be nice.


RE: Meh
By Mitch101 on 5/21/2008 10:13:03 AM , Rating: 2
I would too but that would require what the $279.00/$349.00 X-Box 360? This at $99.00 and offering 10,000 without any additional charge is a very good start.

I get something like this now with my DirectTV HD unit but those who cant get satellite. I think this is a pretty good alternative. Some Cable areas have something similar.

Now will comcast start bandwith limiting people on video streaming services too because I can see if they do this right it will replace torrents as being the majority of bandwidth because it would be easier for the average Joe to use this device instead.


RE: Meh
By SocrPlyr on 5/21/2008 10:16:39 AM , Rating: 2
RE: Meh
By SocrPlyr on 5/21/2008 10:17:38 AM , Rating: 2
You still need a computer w/ vista media center, but I just thought it should be a stop gap.
Josh


RE: Meh
By Mitch101 on 5/21/2008 10:28:09 AM , Rating: 3
Media center is really ahead of its time with the latest Mobo's coming with HDMI ports its only a matter of time before its more mainstream.

I run Vista Ultimate and a few days ago it popped up saying it detected my Direct TV HD-DVR and opened communication with the unit. I'm not sure what this means yet but a quick look at it appears I can stream content to my Direct TV HD-DVR because it shared out Photo's, Music, and movies to my DTV unit.

Tablet PC's kid of blow today but if they can make it work with Surface I'm betting everyone will be getting a Tablet PC.

These technologies are going in the right direction the question is when is that technologies time.


RE: Meh
By geeg on 5/21/2008 11:43:17 AM , Rating: 2
according to netflix website, netflix player does not need vista or does not store the videos on the computer. the computer is needed just to fill the list. than you can turn it off.


RE: Meh
By MrBlastman on 5/21/2008 10:26:00 AM , Rating: 2
If it weren't for the DRM, Netflix might be able to offer it through other browsers. I've been very disappointed that it won't work on my Wii's browser. :(

But, I still watch Netflix on my TV and surround sound - via an Optical Cable from my PC to my Stereo and a S-Video cable from my PC. Not a big deal really. Works pretty good.

Still... this box is intriguing. I wonder what OS it runs? Probably Windoze given the DRM but... the possibilities of hacking in to it to run your own apps on it perhaps draws my attention to it.


QQ when you're not gonna buy it anyway
By Baked on 5/21/2008 10:29:11 AM , Rating: 2
"But it's gonna take up a valuable connection on my TV"

Get a HDMI switch.

"But it doesn't have optical audio port"

It has HDMI.

"You can use comcast on demand"

It's crap and limited to the movie you have to pay. Clearly you don't have comcast cable.

"X360 or PS3"

No.




RE: QQ when you're not gonna buy it anyway
By theflux on 5/21/2008 11:38:48 AM , Rating: 3
How about: "It isn't high definition in a world where everyone is moving to high-definition TVs?"


By OPR8R on 5/21/2008 1:38:51 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
"It isn't high definition in a world where everyone is moving to high-definition TVs?"


K, but there's no service that offers what Netflix does in HD.

Before you make a decision about this, I recommend you try it. I have an HTPC hooked up to my 46" LCD TV and stream Netflix (to which I already subscribe). I can tell you that even at 480p (DVD resolution) it looks fine. It's not HD but show me a service that'll allow you to stream HD content.

This is a big step in breaking consumers' addiction to disk media. Netflix has something like 8 million+ subscribers that almost all have access to the service already. If you believe Netflix, they will eventually add HD content and expand their library (which they have been doing). I'm afraid though that what we're seeing is the beginning of another war, AppleTV vs Netflix. I don't know if that's a war that Netflix can win, though I think their service is better.

I hope this idea catches on. I've always liked Netflix's attitude towards customer service. Their pricing is very reasonable and for what it is, it's good technology.