Netflix Streaming Coming to PS3 Next Month

[tha_con]

Looks like for right now, it will require a disc. I think this is probably a work around until the Exclusivity contract that Microsoft has runs out. I expect (and hope) that a dedicated application will hit the XMB in the future through a firmware update.

Anyway, nice to see Sony get on the ball, though I'll probably stick with my 360 for now.

 

[corduroygt]

Why the disc instead of putting the app on PSN so we can just download it?
But indeed this is a megaton. Wonder if this'll force MS to make Netflix available for silver members.

 

[tha_con]

Why the disc instead of putting the app on PSN so we can just download it?
But indeed this is a megaton. Wonder if this'll force MS to make Netflix available for silver members.

Pretty sure it's a work around. If I know Microsoft (and I do) they probably have a clause in their contract with Netflix to restrict other gaming devices access to native Netflix functionality through the operating system. This is the temporary solution for Netflix. If the demand is great enough (which I'm sure it will be) then Netflix will almost certainly partner up with Sony to create a native application for the XMB (if they haven't already done so).

 

[eastmen]

The major problem with this as I see it is that its using BD LIVE to acess netflix. In my experiance with BD LIVE it has had extremely long load times. I hope this is not the case with netflix.

 

[ShadowRunner]

Are we sure the disc has to stay in the drive instead of a 1off installation? PlayTV requires a disk but only for the initial install.

 

[eastmen]

COMING SOON: NETFLIX MEMBERS CAN INSTANTLY WATCH MOVIES AND TV EPISODES STREAMED TO TVs VIA THE PLAYSTATION®3 COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM

With Movies Streamed Instantly from Netflix, Blu-ray/DVD Playback and Downloadable Videos via the PlayStation®Network, the PlayStation 3 System Offers The Industry's Most Comprehensive Options for Watching Movies and TV Shows

FOSTER CITY and LOS GATOS, Calif., October 26, 2009 – Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. (SCEA) and Netflix, Inc. [Nasdaq: NFLX] today announced that they are joining forces to make thousands of movies and TV episodes from Netflix available to be streamed instantly to TVs via the PlayStation®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system. 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.

Today's announcement pairs two of the most popular and fastest growing home entertainment brands in the U.S. The PS3 system's installed base has reached close to 9 million units in the United States, and Netflix recently reported 11.1 million U.S. subscribers as of September 30.

The partnership further solidifies the PS3 system as the most complete home entertainment hub on the market today, enabling consumers to play high-definition games, watch Blu-ray movies, listen to music, view photos, browse the Internet, and download content from PlayStation®Network − from exclusive games to blockbuster movies and popular TV shows. PS3 system owners will soon enjoy an unparalleled experience watching their favorite movies and TV shows streamed instantly from Netflix, downloading from the PlayStation Network or watching Blu-ray/DVD media. The Netflix offering expands on the entertainment experience delivered to PS3 system owners via PlayStation Network.

For only $8.99 a month, Netflix members can instantly watch unlimited movies and TV episodes streamed to their TVs and computers via Netflix ready devices such as the PS3 system and can receive unlimited DVDs delivered quickly to their homes.

"The PlayStation 3 system has always been about more than just gaming, and it will soon be the only platform in the industry to offer consumers such a variety of convenient options for enjoying movies and TV shows," said Jack Tretton, president and CEO, SCEA. "Whether you want to watch content on Blu-ray disc and DVD, download it from the PlayStation Network's video delivery service, or stream videos instantly from Netflix, the PS3 system is the only solution that offers it all."

"As instantly watching movies and TV episodes streamed from Netflix becomes an increasingly popular way to enjoy the Netflix service, our goal is to rapidly expand the devices that stream to our members," said Netflix CEO and co-founder Reed Hastings. "As a leading game console and Blu-ray disc player, bringing Netflix to the PS3 system is a real win for both Netflix members and PS3 system owners."

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.

Netflix members simply slide the disc into their PS3 systems to reveal movies and TV episodes that can be watched instantly. These titles are conveniently organized into a variety of categories based on members' personal preferences, popular genres, new arrivals and members' individual instant Queues. Members can use the Netflix Web site or navigate directly on their PS3 systems to add movies and TV shows to their Queues. With the PS3 system's Wireless Controller, members can choose a movie to watch from their instant Queues or just play directly from any of the lists. They also have the ability to read synopses and rate movies. In addition, they have the option of fast-forwarding and rewinding the video stream via the Wireless Controller.

Netflix members and PS3 system owners can now reserve a free instant streaming disc for PS3 systems by going to www.netflix.com/ps3. Upon availability, the instant streaming disc will be delivered for free by first-class mail, generally one business day after members request it.

About Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation® and PS one® game consoles, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, the ground-breaking PlayStation®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system and its digital services which include the PlayStation®Network and the PlayStation®Store.

Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. markets the PlayStation family of products and develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for the PS one® game console, the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, and the PlayStation 3 and PSP systems for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif., Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. serves as headquarters for all North American operations and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

About Netflix, Inc.

Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX) is the world's largest online movie rental service, with more than more than 11 million subscribers. For only $8.99 a month, Netflix members can instantly watch unlimited movies and TV episodes streamed to their TVs and computers and can receive unlimited DVDs delivered quickly to their homes. There are never any due dates or late fees. Netflix members can exchange DVDs as often as they want using a postage-paid return envelope. Members can choose from a vast selection of DVD titles and a growing library of movies and TV episodes that can be watched instantly. Netflix is partnering with leaders in consumer electronics to bring to market a range of devices that can instantly stream movies and TV episodes from Netflix directly to members' TVs. These devices currently include Blu-ray disc players and new Internet TVs from LG Electronics; Blu-ray disc players from Samsung and Best Buy's Insignia brand; the Roku digital video player; Microsoft's Xbox 360 game console; TiVo digital video recorders; and, soon, the PS3 system and Internet TVs from Sony and VIZIO.

Sounds like your going to have to load the netflix disc ( a bluray) and then load BD LIVE and then your in NETFLIX.

 

[tha_con]

The major problem with this as I see it is that its using BD LIVE to acess netflix. In my experiance with BD LIVE it has had extremely long load times. I hope this is not the case with netflix.

I think that depends on the interface and optimization. Movie studios generally aren't fantastic software engineers, so I don't really expect movies to be "polished". If Sony is putting any weight behind this, then it could be better.

Ultimately though, I do expect this to be native on the XMB.

 

[Arwin]

Still it's not an ideal way to do it. But I'm presuming that it's a quick fix, as they mention 'initially'. A dedicated player should hopefully appear under the 'TV' heading sometime in the future, maybe levering some of the Play TV GUI code? They probably wanted it out before Christmas though and this looks like it was the fastest way to do it securely.

 

[obonicus]

There's an 'initially' in there somewhere, which might mean two things: maybe this will come to firmware at some point or at some point the disc won't be free.

Also, it says you can manipulate your queue via xmb, however that'd work.

 

[eastmen]

There's an 'initially' in there somewhere, which might mean two things: maybe this will come to firmware at some point or at some point the disc won't be free.

Also, it says you can manipulate your queue via xmb, however that'd work.

actually i don't see where it says doing anything via the xmb. It just says you can use your ps3 to access your que . Which means using the netflix disc and bd live

 

[obonicus]

actually i don't see where it says doing anything via the xmb. It just says you can use your ps3 to access your que . Which means using the netflix disc and bd live

It's in the PS blog post:
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.

Still no idea what that means, since it also mentions BD-Live.

 

[vazel]

I think that means you launch the disc through the xmb. This is just a regular BD disc to get by the Microsot-Netflix agreement so I don't think there will be PS3-specific features.

I'm hoping it has HD streaming. That's something I sorely miss about the 360 netflix streaming. Hopefully they got that working on BD-Live because so far all the video streaming I've seen on BD-Live has sucked but that's probably just movie studios wanting to save on bandwidth bills.

 

[upnorthsox]

actually i don't see where it says doing anything via the xmb. It just says you can use your ps3 to access your que . Which means using the netflix disc and bd live

And I don't see where it says that the disc must be inserted everytime.

I guess we'll just have to wait and see, unless Archie could fill us in with some more details.

 

[vazel]

If you didn't have to use the disc then why not just download a 2MB app from the PSN store like on Live? This disc is clearly a way to get past a Microsoft-Netflix agreement. This way it's not a PS3-specific app it's just a BD disc you can use on any BD player but the BD player it's most often going to be used on happens to be the PS3.

 

[makattack]

The disc requirement doesn't sound like a "work-around" for some licensing requirement. Netflix has been trying to get on as many consumer devices as possible, and this is probably the just quickest/most expedient method available to them based on the software requirements / restrictions available to them. I don't see how this would "get around" anything by distributing via physical media vs. digital distribution.

I see this disc requirement as purely a technological requirement.

 

[upnorthsox]

If you didn't have to use the disc then why not just download a 2MB app from the PSN store like on Live? This disc is clearly a way to get past a Microsoft-Netflix agreement. This way it's not a PS3-specific app it's just a BD disc you can use on any BD player but the BD player it's most often going to be used on happens to be the PS3.

It absolutely could be this, or it could have little/nothing to do with MS-Netflix and have everything to do with how they can use BD-Live (it too has licensing agreements) and/or how the PS3 handles the loading of BD-Live apps. One thing I did notice was that they say: "Members can use the Netflix Web site or navigate directly on their PS3 systems to add movies and TV shows to their Queues.", does this mean that the PS3 browser will have the Netflix streaming plugin installed? Again, IDK but would love to get any info Archie could provide on this.

 

[vazel]

The disc requirement doesn't sound like a "work-around" for some licensing requirement. Netflix has been trying to get on as many consumer devices as possible, and this is probably the just quickest/most expedient method available to them based on the software requirements / restrictions available to them. I don't see how this would "get around" anything by distributing via physical media vs. digital distribution.

I see this disc requirement as purely a technological requirement.

Because this way it's not a PS3-specific app. This is a regular BD disc that can run on any BD player. Assuming there is a Microsoft-Netflix agreement that restricts a Netflix streaming app for other gaming consoles for a period of time. Once that agreement runs out I expect a PS3-specific app to come out via PSN.

It absolutely could be this, or it could have little/nothing to do with MS-Netflix and have everything to do with how they can use BD-Live (it too has licensing agreements) and/or how the PS3 handles the loading of BD-Live apps. One thing I did notice was that they say: "Members can use the Netflix Web site or navigate directly on their PS3 systems to add movies and TV shows to their Queues.", does this mean that the PS3 browser will have the Netflix streaming plugin installed? Again, IDK but would love to get any info Archie could provide on this.

Why would a PS3-specific app have to use BD-Live? VidZone doesn't use BD-Live it's an app you download from PSN.

 

[patsu]

I heard the exclusive agreement with MS will expire in November. So by then, there should not be anymore strings attached to MS.

The disc requirement may be more because Netflix wants to reuse the same software they have for all Blu-ray players, and Sony doesn't want to fund a new app. In one of their financial meetings, the Netflix CFO mentioned that they are still not making money on the digital distribution front. On the PS3 side, we all know Sony wants to focus on profit making.

I'd wait for the real thing to come before deciding whether the BD-Live implementation is up to snuff.

EDIT: If it's a BD-Live app, you *have* to run it from a disc. The BD-Live security model and context are tied to the physical disc... unless Sony virtualizes the Blu-ray disc.

 

[vazel]

I heard the exclusive agreement with MS will expire in November. So by then, there should not be anymore strings attached to MS.

The disc requirement may be more because Netflix wants to reuse the same software they have for all Blu-ray players, and Sony doesn't want to fund a new app. In one of their financial meetings, the Netflix CFO mentioned that they are still not making money on the digital distribution front. On the PS3 side, we all know Sony wants to focus on profit making.

I'd wait for the real thing to come before deciding whether the BD-Live implementation is up to snuff.

EDIT: If it's a BD-Live app, you *have* to run it from a disc. The BD-Live security model and context are tied to the physical disc... unless Sony virtualize the Blu-ray disc.

The BD players that have Netflix have Netflix in the firmware, they don't run from disc. So then they can't be using BD-Live.

 

[makattack]

Because this way it's not a PS3-specific app. This is a regular BD disc that can run on any BD player. Assuming there is a Microsoft-Netflix agreement that restricts a Netflix streaming app for other gaming consoles for a period of time. Once that agreement runs out I expect a PS3-specific app to come out via PSN.
Why would a PS3-specific app have to use BD-Live? VidZone doesn't use BD-Live it's an app you download from PSN.

Well, the simplest reason for this sort of implementation is one that follows the KISS principle of engineering: it's the quickest, easiest method to implement this feature until they can integrate it into the PS3 with a native version.

I don't see any business reason for doing this to get around licensing requirements. If anything, licensing issues tend to revolve around how your market a service/application -- this solution doesn't get around the dual marketing effort between Sony and Netflix. Hence, I see this as an interim solution driven by expediency.

There are already Bluray players with Netflix streaming capabilities, so we will adapt what's available and use that. I don't know if Sony plans to help Netflix with the development of a PS3 native client, but I can't imagine Netflix has many PS3 developers on staff. The development might be contracted out, but perhaps the time to release didn't fit within their joint (Sony/Netflix) marketing schedules/requirements.