Netflix Streaming Coming to PS3 Next Month

vazel said:
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.
Click to expand...

As you say, it may be because they already had the BD-Live disc produced and when they realized they couldn't deter it from being used on the PS3 they chose to embrace it. We still don't know if it requires the disc to be inserted every time. BD 2.0 does require local storage for caching/installs.

The optimal is to have it fully integrated with the XMB and I'm sure the grief line will be long until it is.
 
patsu said:
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.
Click to expand...

w1nn4r!!!
 
Doesn't netflix use silverlight ? Which sony doesn't support ? ( i know the pc and 360 verison do). So perhaps they used the implementation they used with the lg players.
 
Before Silverlight, they use Flash. In any case, if there's a business case, I don't think technology would be a showstopper here. e.g., iPhone had a different mechanism to YouTube videos when first launched.

The special Netflix firmware probably requires more tech work. But if the BD-Live approach works now, and people want it out asap, then Sony and Netflix may simply take the easy way out. The usability questions are valid, but without seeing the app in action, it's hard to argue anything. :(
 
So this reused software has HD streaming, right?

Hate how that doesn't work on PC. When I tried using it on PC I would just get the standard stream. And now the option isn't even available to me anymore since I cancelled Live Gold and stopped using 360 netflix.
 
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I would guess that replicating potentially a few hundred thousand blu-ray discs plus postage has got to cost as much or more than developing a simple streamer app akin to what is on the 360. Would the main cost here be for licensing of the codecs?

I really do hope that this disc based kludge app (aka BIG YUCK) is not the final target. Sony has done a lot of weird to arguably dumb stuff this gen so it wouldn't surprise me if that is the case but I hope it is not.

As an aside, if this app is based on BD-live why hasn't NetFlix announced it for every sufficient profile player out there? Or have they already and this is a non-announcement for something that already existed?

Being unable to use Netflix due to being a Canuck I only see it in action when I visit friends in the US.

Cheers
 
makattack said:
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.
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Well, without knowing the details of Microsofts agreement with netflix, we can't really say why a disc is required at this point.

I think it's more likely to assume that this is a work around, rather than a technical requirement. There are already multiple applications on the PS3, like Eyecreate, the PSStore, PS Home, Life With Playstation, the Web Browser, and the Photo Viewer app. I don't think it would be very difficult for them to implement Netflix just like they have with these other apps, so it's obviously not a technical issue.

It's almost certainly a work around for Sony and Netflix to make this happen during the holiday rush where PS3's are selling rather well. Afterall, the current PS3 user base that is online most likely outnumbers the amount of people who have a 360 and a Gold Requirement.

Edit: Okay, so I'm wrong, it's not a technical requirement, rather, Netflix's desire to reuse older software to quickly snag up more subscribers.
 
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This might be the final solution; disc or not, it's enough to equal one bulletpoint on the 360's feature-list. I doubt they'll go deeper into 'needs disc' vs. 'needs Gold'.
 
deathindustrial said:
I would guess that replicating potentially a few hundred thousand blu-ray discs plus postage has got to cost as much or more than developing a simple streamer app akin to what is on the 360. Would the main cost here be for licensing of the codecs?
Click to expand...

Blu-ray disc replication is within Sony's realm of control. They are the largest in the world. If Netflix is using BD-Live, then it needs to pay Blu-ray combined royalties (HD and SD). Otherwise, I guess Netflix will pay for the codec cost separately. May be the Blu-ray related payment is how Netflix compensate Sony for the (initial) access to PS3 owners. ^_^

For postage cost, Netflix already does that for their main business. Millions of discs go out (and come back) every week at their cost.

I really do hope that this disc based kludge app (aka BIG YUCK) is not the final target. Sony has done a lot of weird to arguably dumb stuff this gen so it wouldn't surprise me if that is the case but I hope it is not.

As an aside, if this app is based on BD-live why hasn't NetFlix announced it for every sufficient profile player out there? Or have they already and this is a non-announcement for something that already existed?
Click to expand...

They need to strike an agreement with the manufacturers first. Just like they did with Samsung and the rest.
 
Ars said:
"Netflix members and PS3 owners have really wanted a way to instantly watch movies and TV episodes streamed from Netflix via the PS3 system. The instant streaming disc represented the fastest and easiest way to let them so this," Garrity told Ars. "Late next year we expect to have an embedded solution available for PS3s via a system software update slated for release through the PlayStation Network."
Click to expand...

That settles it then. The BD-Live approach is in the interest of earlier time-to-market.
 
tha_con said:
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).
Click to expand...

tha_con said:
Well, without knowing the details of Microsofts agreement with netflix, we can't really say why a disc is required at this point.

I think it's more likely to assume that this is a work around, rather than a technical requirement. There are already multiple applications on the PS3, like Eyecreate, the PSStore, PS Home, Life With Playstation, the Web Browser, and the Photo Viewer app. I don't think it would be very difficult for them to implement Netflix just like they have with these other apps, so it's obviously not a technical issue.

It's almost certainly a work around for Sony and Netflix to make this happen during the holiday rush where PS3's are selling rather well. Afterall, the current PS3 user base that is online most likely outnumbers the amount of people who have a 360 and a Gold Requirement.

Edit: Okay, so I'm wrong, it's not a technical requirement, rather, Netflix's desire to reuse older software to quickly snag up more subscribers.
Click to expand...

See, there is was no need for cynacism + assuming that that cynacism was the right answer without any actual evidence. :smile:
 
@Joshua Luna,

I didn't read @tha_con's initial post as cynical so much as overly complex. There's just no reason to imagine a scenario as follows:

* MS and Netflix decide to create a relationship that explicitly restricts the availability of Netflix content to the 360
* Netflix wants to expand their customer base, but can't get around the "exclusivity deal" they were tricked into signing.
* Netflix and Sony develop a purposely Rube-Goldberg-like scheme to get around the wording of this contract, and sniggle quietly at their brilliant plan.

That's certainly a more dramatic and entertaining scenario, fitting for reality television, but I think the real-World has a certain physical property that applies to a lot of scenarios: the path of least resistance is the one most taken.

I certainly love a good yarn, conspiracy theory, drama, what have you, but I am confused by how the entire World seems to gravitate to those more than simple answers and solutions. Maybe I'm being too simplistic... and off-topic.
 
Joshua Luna said:
See, there is was no need for cynacism + assuming that that cynacism was the right answer without any actual evidence. :smile:
Click to expand...

To me, past actions are more than enough evidence to light the flames of my imagination. Microsoft has been a part of their fair share of shady behavior when it comes to exlcusivity deals (i.e. buyouts and contract restrictions).

I mean, as much as the proudly touted Netflix on the Xbox 360, you would think they would have snagged some kind of exclusivity, especially since we haven't seen it on any other platforms within the console space. The fact that Netflix is using currently avialable resources (their streaming software for other BD players) for PS3 further illustrates that there is something going on behind the scenes (considering the delays).

That said, it doesn't explain the requirement for a disc, but Archie has already done that for us.

Edit: Bah, this is super off topic, if you want to keep discussing it though, I'd love to do so over PM's or something.
 
:cool:

Those BD-Live devkit providers should use this opportunity to show-off their techs. e.g., BD-Live IMdb and iPhone interoperability.
 
patsu said:
:cool:

Those BD-Live devkit providers should use this opportunity to show-off their techs. e.g., BD-Live IMdb and iPhone interoperability.
Click to expand...

Don't recall what movie we were watching but they were showing off the BD-Live IMdb and the wife was really impressed to say the least.
 
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