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Netflix Windows Media Center Interface  (Source: Windowsteamblog.com)
Only Vista Ultimate and Home Premium can access Netflix service

The movie rental world has changed dramatically over the years. When the movie rental business first started, you had no choice but to go to your local rental store and pick out some movies. Thanks to Netflix, that has changed and movie fans can now get their favorite films via the mail or via online streaming.

Netflix and similar services have proven to be so popular and successful that some of the largest traditional retail rental companies like Blockbuster are struggling to survive. Netflix started offering streaming films via the Xbox and in February boasted that the service now has over a million users on the Xbox.

Today, Microsoft has announced that users of Windows Media Center in Windows Vista Home Premium and Vista Ultimate can now access the streaming video catalog from Netflix. The streaming Netflix library currently offers 12,000 different films and TV shows that are available for viewing directly on Windows PCs.

A new Netflix tile is available under the TV + Movies section. The service requires a Netflix account and users can click the new Netflix tile to enter their account information. The entire catalog of Netflix streaming films and TV can be browsed from within the Windows Media Center interface. The Netflix Windows Media Center service is powered by Microsoft Silverlight. Users already taking advantage of streaming via the Xbox 360 can use the service under Windows Media Center as well.

All of the functions of the Netflix menu can also be controlled via a Windows Media Center remote, meaning users with HTPC machines connected to their TVs can work the Netflix interface directly from the remote.

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I don't get it
By hyvonen on 5/20/2009 12:04:55 PM , Rating: 2
I've been using Netflix streaming service on my WinXP for about a year... just log on to the website and stream you go.

What am I missing? Why is this news?




RE: I don't get it
By Rinadien on 5/20/2009 12:45:46 PM , Rating: 2
You've been streaming over a browser client, this is streaming through Media Center, two completely different things...


RE: I don't get it
By Suntan on 5/20/2009 1:09:36 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
two completely different things...


Yeah, one uses Silverlight to play back the video full screen... ...and the other uses Silverlight to play back the video full screen...

...I see your point.

As for the ability to use the remote. Meh. I used to think that was important, but when you know what you want, a keyboard is much quicker (I can type "Ghostbusters" into a search box much faster than you can tab through a list to find it.)

-Suntan


RE: I don't get it
By Rinadien on 5/20/2009 2:04:40 PM , Rating: 2
I'm sure that this was implemented to reduce the need of a keyboard on a HTPC, and also consolidate media players. While the streaming process may be the same, this eliminates the need of the web browser micromanagement...


RE: I don't get it
By ggordonliddy on 5/21/2009 12:16:54 AM , Rating: 2
Do you not understand that you CANNOT use the keyboard to control the Netflix movie?


RE: I don't get it
By Jackattak on 5/20/2009 12:48:24 PM , Rating: 2
People who have HTPC's running Vista Home Premium or Ultimate typically use WMC to interface their media.

In reading the article, you will see that there is now support for your Netflix account embedded into WMC without the need to go through the Netflix website.

While it's not groundbreaking or anything, it is nice for the Windows Media Center crowd to have everything under one application.


RE: I don't get it
By micksh on 5/20/2009 12:56:03 PM , Rating: 3
You had to do it within your WEB browser and use mouse with keyboard. Now you can do it within Media Center interface with only remote control and don't have to start browser.

What this article is missing is a note about free plug-ins to Media Center that allowed to do the same since at least couple of years ago. Example: vmcNetFlix. And you didn't have to use Silverlight with them if you started using it last year. Old Flash-based video has better quality.


Image Quality
By BPB on 5/20/2009 10:20:57 AM , Rating: 2
Now, if they can only increase the image quality I'll consider using it. Right now it doesn't look so great full screen on my monitor. Does Netflix do HD streaming yet? I cancelled my account some time ago.




RE: Image Quality
By StevoLincolnite on 5/20/2009 10:45:27 AM , Rating: 2
First they need to expand Netflix world wide... Unable to get Netflix sitting outback on the dunny with the laptop, brushing away dunny budgies yet.


RE: Image Quality
By DerekMorr on 5/20/2009 10:53:01 AM , Rating: 2
Yes, they have HD streaming. They have supported it for several months.


RE: Image Quality
By Jackattak on 5/20/2009 11:12:24 AM , Rating: 2
Thanks for clarifying. I couldn't find it on their website but I was pretty sure that when my wife and I tried it a few weeks ago for the first time that it was in HD of some level (1080i I think).


RE: Image Quality
By FITCamaro on 5/20/2009 3:03:25 PM , Rating: 2
I streamed the first 3 seasons of Heroes through my 360 in HD. Was great.


RE: Image Quality
By Anonymous Freak on 5/20/2009 12:06:48 PM , Rating: 2
They do *NOT* have HD streaming for computers. They only have it for dedicated NetFlix-compatible devices. This Media Center plugin does not do HD. Nor can the NetFlix plugin be used on a Media Center Extender.


RE: Image Quality
By BPB on 5/20/2009 2:47:35 PM , Rating: 2
Thanks for clearing that up!


Does this work??????
By chrgeorgeson on 5/20/2009 10:38:32 AM , Rating: 2
Does this work on Windows 7 RC1? I'm at work so I can't check.




RE: Does this work??????
By DigitalFreak on 5/20/2009 11:27:53 AM , Rating: 2
No. However, it does download a setup file when you click the tile in Vista MCE, so you may be able to install that on Win7.


RE: Does this work??????
By MrPickins on 5/20/2009 3:02:29 PM , Rating: 2
I've tried the download. It doesn't work...

Confirmed here:
http://thegreenbutton.com/forums/permalink/361485/...

It's just my luck, I just upgraded my Vista HTPC to Win7 last night.


RE: Does this work??????
By Lord 666 on 5/20/2009 6:42:19 PM , Rating: 2
Netflix does not support Web streaming yet for Win7 x64. Comes up "Unsupported OS".

But this now makes me want to check out this new way out.


RE: Does this work??????
By RamarC on 5/20/2009 8:24:12 PM , Rating: 2
unsupported OS is a minor problem probably fixed by the app simply being made aware of win7. (i wonder if the add-on/plug-in can be configured to run in vista compatibility mode.) i'm sure that by the time the retail version is out, it will be compatible (if not sooner).


AWESOME!!!!!!
By cbuchach on 5/20/2009 2:09:58 PM , Rating: 3
I have a dedicated media center and whenever I want to use my Netflix, I have to pull out the keyboard and mouse and launch ie to get to the content. I always wished the had access directly through mediacenter--this is AWESOME!!!




Good
By rburnham on 5/20/2009 10:59:41 AM , Rating: 2
This is a good thing.




Pointless
By reader1 on 5/20/09, Rating: -1
RE: Pointless
By chrgeorgeson on 5/20/2009 10:40:39 AM , Rating: 2
I'm pretty sure MS does NOT support piracy! I guess Blu-Ray and Streaming are going to do AWESOME!


RE: Pointless
By DigitalFreak on 5/20/2009 11:29:26 AM , Rating: 4
Good thread subject. Your post was Pointless!


won't go back until...
By blagishnessosity on 5/20/09, Rating: -1
RE: won't go back until...
By cscpianoman on 5/20/2009 10:41:41 AM , Rating: 2
I would say give it some time. I'm sure Netflix is very much aware there is a large community with mythtv, mediaportal and the like to not overlook them. My guess is they aimed for windows media center to test the waters.


RE: won't go back until...
By Jackattak on 5/20/2009 10:42:23 AM , Rating: 4
Anything Linux will always be a "niche market".


RE: won't go back until...
By therealnickdanger on 5/20/2009 10:58:38 AM , Rating: 4
I was just going to say... I highly doubt that the number of Myth/Linux HTPC users even comes close to the number of Media Center Vista users or 360 users. Don't forget all the new Blu-Ray players that support Netflix as well as their own Roku box. I would bet that Netflix doesn't care much at all about the niche HTPC users.


RE: won't go back until...
By amanojaku on 5/20/2009 12:42:04 PM , Rating: 5
quote:
I would bet that Netflix doesn't care much at all about the niche HTPC users.
Or maybe Netflix doesn't have the resources to justify costly development for a growing number of niche markets. Netflix is doing the right thing for the current market: develop software for the largest user base, and let hardware manufacturers handle what's left. It's not like Netflix makes money off of the player and, unlike Apple, Netflix doesn't seem to mind the 3rd party apps providing the same functionality.


RE: won't go back until...
By mfed3 on 5/20/2009 10:59:38 AM , Rating: 2
maybe you should stop whining and pay for something for once. or *gasp* develop it yourself instead of telling netflix, a company which is trying to make money, not appease freeloaders, what to do. as much as i respect linux for all its uses in embedded systems, freetards really get on my nerve sometimes.


RE: won't go back until...
By blagishnessosity on 5/20/2009 11:18:28 AM , Rating: 1
I never implied that I wouldn't pay for a service I thought had value. I stated why I didn't think netflix's service had value to me, hence why I don't currently have a subscription. The entire point of "a company that is trying to make money" is to satisfy their customers so that that company can, in turn, make more money. If it had value to me, I'd pay for it. Damn, you are an idiot. And, *gasp*, I would develop a netflix app if they had an open platform--but they don't! Lastly, your implication that linux users are all freetards and freeloaders is both ignorant and insulting.


RE: won't go back until...
By CU on 5/20/2009 11:34:00 AM , Rating: 2
How would it be freeloading? You would have to pay Netflix to get the movies/TV shows. And he didn't ask Netflix to write the HTPC code in MythTV or whatever, just make the API open to anyone.


RE: won't go back until...
By Mitch101 on 5/20/2009 11:13:46 AM , Rating: 2
XBOX/XBMC was great for the DVD days and some 720P content but its starting to fade in the wake of HD. I just pulled my HTPC from the living room and I have a netflix subscription but I have a projector in my office that I can test with.

My Negatives of HTPC
HTPC Running Media Center - Poor Codec Support other than those supported by Microsoft, Yes I have codec packs loaded but they don't play well with Media Center, Horrible Screen Calibration if you have a rear projection HDTV, Computer wakes up upon every detection of IR signal so the PC tends to run all the time instead of just when needed. Lets face it most people are using way more wattage than what should be needed also so over time there is a cost. If you don't have a rear projection HDTV then media center PC is not bad but it just leaves me wanting more from it.

HTPC Running XBMC - Codecs dont leverage hardware acceleration its too CPU dependant, Remote control options limited to XBOX 360 controller or expect to spend some time getting it all working right, Expect to get up to power on the unit, no video recording options like Media Center.

Final note about HTPC's is they are PC's so the occasional annoying update popup for various software apps which require you drag out a mouse or keyboard to say OK to upgrade can become a bit annoying for those who just want to power up the device and hit play.

I replaced the HTPC with a Network Media Tank. Egreat M34A to be exact. Its what the western digital box should have been. The $150.00 unit overall is better than today's HTPC's in my opinion.


RE: won't go back until...
By Bateluer on 5/20/2009 12:31:33 PM , Rating: 3
While I'm a big Linux supporter and fan of open APIs, there's not a viable market for Netflix to offer their service to. When compared to the number of users running Windows Vista, the number of Linux users in inconsequential.

If you are one of those people running Linux, I would image that you can use Virtual Box and create a Vista Home Premium VB to stream the media. Or pick up a cheap Xbox 360 Arcade somewhere.

I am intrigued by this feature, personally, I'll have to test it out under Windows 7 RC's Media Center.


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