Netflix comes to the Wii.

[NewIdentity]

Funny, I didn't even know my Wii could play regular DVDs, now I can use it to and watch Movies?

Shelly Palmer: Netflix Bringing Watch Instantly to Nintendo Wii: MediaBytes with Shelly Palmer October 30, 2009

Netflix Bringing Watch Instantly to Nintendo Wii: MediaBytes with Shelly Palmer October 30, 2009


Netflix wll begin offering its Watch Instantly service through Nintendo's Wii. While rumors have been circulating, especially after Netflix reached a deal with Sony to include Watch Instantly with the PS3, sources say the Wii could be packaged with the service before the holiday shopping season begins. Making Watch Instantly available on all three major gaming consoles could not only help Netflix increase subscribers, but it may also give consumers more content, as Netflix is constantly working on increasing the amount of content on its instant streaming service.

Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/shelly-palmer/netflix-bringing-watch-in_b_339759.html&cp

[NewIdentity]

And in 2010 Netflix will be allowing custormer to do away with the DVD all together and offering Stream only plans.

Netflix CEO: we'll offer streaming-only plan by 2010 - Ars Technica

Netflix CEO: we'll offer streaming-only plan by 2010

Netflix CEO Reed Hastings expects the company to offer streaming-only subscription plans by 2010, as the company prepares itself for an expected transition away from physical DVD media.
By Chris Foresman | Last updated February 23, 2009 9:15 AM C

Netflix appears to be one company that sees the on-demand content-distribution-model writing on the wall. In a bid to remain relevant in a world of broadband connections and instant gratification, the company is likely to offer a subscription option that skips DVDs entirely, and allows access to its "Watch Instantly" on-demand streaming videos by 2010. "We've got one singular objective, which is 'Be successful in streaming,'" Netflix CEO Reed Hastings

[MJ4H]

Originally Posted by NewIdentity

Funny, I didn't even know my Wii could play regular DVDS

it can't

[Izulde]

If they go DVD-less, I may end up cancelling then. While Watch Now is cool and everything, I really don't want to have to rely on an Internet connection to watch movies on my TV via PS3.

Plus, there's just something fun about the DVD mailing process.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by Izulde

If they go DVD-less, I may end up cancelling then. While Watch Now is cool and everything, I really don't want to have to rely on an Internet connection to watch movies on my TV via PS3.

Plus, there's just something fun about the DVD mailing process.

New Identity's take on that article was highly misleading. Nowhere in that article did that exec say that the DVD option would be phased out. He just said there would be a streaming only subscription added, which is currently not an option. They would use that streaming option as a 'gateway drug' of sorts while keeping all of the releases in the last 1-2 years as disc only rentals. Netflix just held their 3rd quarter conference call for 2009 and announced that they plan on continuing to ship DVD's through 2030.

Blu-ray.com - A Million BD Subscribers for Netflix; Disc Rentals Expected for 20+ More Years

Hastings said he was "struck" by the fact that they expected Netflix's postal expense to be approximately $600 million and growing, as disc shipments increase with no flattening in sight - in 2011 postal expense is expected to be over $700 million.

Netflix has just spent $40 million for rental return machines that can accept the returning DVDs, open them, clean them, inspect them, and prepare them for reshipment. These machines will be installed over the next 18 months, with a view to saving money and improving service quality. Hastings said that this investment makes financial sense "because our DVD shipment volume is still growing and we expect to be renting DVDs until 2030."

It would make absolutely zero sense to stop renting DVD's. They're the industry standard and they're dirt-cheap to make, rent, and replace. Not only that, but even with the Blu-ray players gaining market share, you still have the option to watch upconverted DVD's on all Blu-ray players. While DVD players will likely fall away in favor of Blu-ray players, DVD disc sales will have a good chunk of unit sales for the next 8-10 years at a minimum.

[Subby]

Originally Posted by Izulde

If they go DVD-less, I may end up cancelling then. While Watch Now is cool and everything, I really don't want to have to rely on an Internet connection to watch movies on my TV via PS3.

Plus, there's just something fun about the DVD mailing process.

And going DVD-less will probably push me to sign back up. Happy to see DVDs going the way of the laserdisc.

[Passacaglia]

Yeah, it makes a ton of sense to offer a streaming only option, so some customers can save a few bucks, and Netflix doesn't have to worry about them possessing their DVDs.

[Butter]

So, if you have Netflix streaming on your XBox 360, can you also set it up on the Wii? Or do you have to have multiple accounts to stream on multiple platforms?

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by Butter_of_69

So, if you have Netflix streaming on your XBox 360, can you also set it up on the Wii? Or do you have to have multiple accounts to stream on multiple platforms?

One account is all that is needed for all platforms (Wii, 360, PS3, Blu-ray Player, Bravia TV, PC, etc.)

[Passacaglia]

Is there a charge for 'online content' for the Wii, like there is for the X-BOX?

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by Passacaglia

Is there a charge for 'online content' for the Wii, like there is for the X-BOX?

No. The 360 is the only one with a subscription-based online format.

[stevew]

Originally Posted by Mizzou B-ball fan

One account is all that is needed for all platforms (Wii, 360, PS3, Blu-ray Player, Bravia TV, PC, etc.)

I think you can have 6 devices to each subscription.

[stevew]

This actually isn't confirmed, nor are there any dates where this is effective.

[stevew]

Plus this article is a week old.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by stevew

This actually isn't confirmed, nor are there any dates where this is effective.

There's no real reason to think it isn't going to happen. The true lynch-pin has always been the exclusive agreement with Microsoft. Now that they've gone around that with the PS3, streaming to the Wii would be a no-brainer.

[stevew]

sure.

But who knows when this is actually going to be effective. I was actually pumped that I could maybe watch Oldboy on instant watch on my TV tonight.

[albionmoonlight]

So is this something that is likely to happen soon? Or should I plop down 79 bucks to get one of those "you can watch netflix on your TV" boxes?

(And, yes, I know that the answer here is to just spend a little more than $79.00 and get a PS3 or an XBox. Humor me here. I have no desire to spend "a little more" for a video game system when I already have one (Wii) that I like a lot. My real question here is whether anyone knows if this is likely to happen in weeks or months or years or not at all.)

[NewIdentity]

Originally Posted by albionmoonlight

So is this something that is likely to happen soon? Or should I plop down 79 bucks to get one of those "you can watch netflix on your TV" boxes?

(And, yes, I know that the answer here is to just spend a little more than $79.00 and get a PS3 or an XBox. Humor me here. I have no desire to spend "a little more" for a video game system when I already have one (Wii) that I like a lot. My real question here is whether anyone knows if this is likely to happen in weeks or months or years or not at all.)

You know, if you spend an extra $20.00 you can get a combo Netflix/Blueray player instead. I think it is made by Insignia.


I read a blurb about how Nintendo may pass on this as it would be another selling feature for the next generation Wii that is coming out next summer.

[stevew]

Announcement today.

NEW YORK – It's a triple crown for Netflix. Beginning in the spring, the Wii will become the last of the three current video game consoles to get instant viewing of Netflix movies and TV shows over the Internet.

Wii owners who have a broadband connection and a Netflix subscription that costs at least $9 a month will be able to watch those programs with no extra charge.

Nintendo Co. and Netflix Inc., which wouldn't give an exact launch date for the service, were set to announce the deal on Wednesday.

To watch flicks through the gaming system, Wii users will need a special "instant-streaming" disc that Netflix will mail out in the spring. They will then be able to use the Wii's motion controller to navigate through their Netflix account and pick what they want to watch. This setup is similar to the way Sony Corp.'s PlayStation 3 currently streams Netflix programs.

Owners of Microsoft Corp.'s Xbox 360 can also stream Netflix, but the service is only available to Xbox Live "Gold" members, who pay $50 a year mainly to play games online.

The Wii is a great catch for Netflix because it gives it access to the living rooms of millions of potential new subscribers. It is easily the most popular gaming console in the U.S. with 26 million sold in the country through December, according to Nintendo.

Netflix CEO Reed Hastings has long said his company's goal is to offer movie streaming on as many devices as possible, including all three gaming consoles. Letting subscribers watch movies over the Internet is an increasingly important service for Netflix, which is based in Los Gatos, Calif., even though the company says it expects to keep renting DVDs for another couple of decades.

Part of the reason for that is because it'll take some time for movies to become available for streaming. The company has about 17,000 movies and TV shows available for Internet watching, compared with more than 100,000 DVD titles it rents out.

In another sign of its commitment to streaming, Netflix said last week it will delay sending out Warner Bros.' latest movies by nearly a month so it can get rights to show its subscribers more movies over the Internet.

In addition to the three gaming systems, Netflix streaming is already available on devices such as the Roku digital video player, along with some Blu-ray players and Internet-connected TV sets. It's also available on computers.

But consoles represent an important entry point into millions of homes because so many people already own them. And offering service through the systems will likely also prompt existing Netflix subscribers who haven't tried streaming over the Internet to do so.

Hastings called the Nintendo deal a "big step forward" in advancing its streaming service.

Reggie Fils-Aime, president of Nintendo of America, said the company's first priority is always gaming, but it also wants to "continue to surprise our customers" by offering other activities.

[terpkristin]

I guess the question I'd ask is, what's the quality going to be like? Most people can already stream through 360/PS3 or a variety of other boxes (Roku, some DVD players, some TV's, etc). With the non-HD output of the Wii, would anybody actually do it? My Wii looks like crap on my 52" HDTV (which is fine, I expect it, and it's not like I'm playing the games for graphics), and I'm not sure I'm ready to shell out for the component cables for it.

/tk

[MJ4H]

Originally Posted by terpkristin

I guess the question I'd ask is, what's the quality going to be like? Most people can already stream through 360/PS3 or a variety of other boxes (Roku, some DVD players, some TV's, etc). With the non-HD output of the Wii, would anybody actually do it? My Wii looks like crap on my 52" HDTV (which is fine, I expect it, and it's not like I'm playing the games for graphics), and I'm not sure I'm ready to shell out for the component cables for it.

/tk

The Wii outputs in 480p, which is standard DVD quality these days (up from the original 480i for DVD output).

[cschex]

This is great for someone like me, who has a Wii and a moderate size TV (32 in) and doesnt like going through the hassle of connecting/disconnecting the laptop to the TV. Very excited about this.

[MJ4H]

Originally Posted by cschex

This is great for someone like me, who has a Wii and a moderate size TV (32 in) and doesnt like going through the hassle of connecting/disconnecting the laptop to the TV. Very excited about this.

Yep, I'm not a movie person, but I like that this is available to me.

[stevew]

Originally Posted by terpkristin

I guess the question I'd ask is, what's the quality going to be like? Most people can already stream through 360/PS3 or a variety of other boxes (Roku, some DVD players, some TV's, etc). With the non-HD output of the Wii, would anybody actually do it? My Wii looks like crap on my 52" HDTV (which is fine, I expect it, and it's not like I'm playing the games for graphics), and I'm not sure I'm ready to shell out for the component cables for it.

/tk

Go buy some for like 8 bucks shipped on monoprice.

[Daimyo]

Originally Posted by terpkristin

I guess the question I'd ask is, what's the quality going to be like? Most people can already stream through 360/PS3 or a variety of other boxes (Roku, some DVD players, some TV's, etc). With the non-HD output of the Wii, would anybody actually do it? My Wii looks like crap on my 52" HDTV (which is fine, I expect it, and it's not like I'm playing the games for graphics), and I'm not sure I'm ready to shell out for the component cables for it.

/tk

I doubt most people have the 7+ Mbs internet speed required to get full quality HD quality streams anyway... Most people probably don''t even max out SD quality (3Mbps).

My Wii looks just fine on my 720p projector at 80+" using the component cables.

[NewIdentity]

Originally Posted by Daimyo

I doubt most people have the 7+ Mbs internet speed required to get full quality HD quality streams anyway...

What are you still on Dial up or something?

I think 8Mbs is as slow as you can get nowdays with 12Mbs being the standard for where I live.

***I am assuming you are talking strickly about download speeds here.

[MJ4H]

Originally Posted by NewIdentity

What are you still on Dial up or something?

I think 8Mbs is as slow as you can get nowdays with 12Mbs being the standard for where I live.

***I am assuming you are talking strickly about download speeds here.

Most DSL around here isn't close to that.

[Alan T]

Originally Posted by MJ4H

Most DSL around here isn't close to that.

These days if you are in metropolitan areas usually you are able to get anywhere from 20 to 80 Mbps for fairly affordable prices. Even default users in those areas often end up with 8-10 Mbps connections.

If you aren't in the population centers, then you won't likely have fiber running to your streets, and in some cases might even be too far from the CO for decent speed DSL and could be still limited to as poor as 128 or 256kbps connections, or even in some cases still dialup only.

I don't know what the actual numbers are for broadband availability these days, but I am guessing that high speed broadband is now available to over half of the U.S., but that doesn't necessarily mean everyone that can get it does have it.

I think both Daimyo and New Identity's comments were a little too broad-sweeping.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by Daimyo

My Wii looks just fine on my 720p projector at 80+" using the component cables.

I misread the above as.....

Originally Posted by Daimyo

My Wife looks just fine on my 720p projector at 80+" using the component cables.

I was all ready to type up questions about secret sex tapes until I reread the post.

[Celeval]

Originally Posted by cschex

This is great for someone like me, who has a Wii and a moderate size TV (32 in) and doesnt like going through the hassle of connecting/disconnecting the laptop to the TV. Very excited about this.

+1. This will bring us from watching Netflix streaming on a less-than-ideal laptop screen to on the TV.

[Daimyo]

Originally Posted by Alan T

These days if you are in metropolitan areas usually you are able to get anywhere from 20 to 80 Mbps for fairly affordable prices. Even default users in those areas often end up with 8-10 Mbps connections.

If you aren't in the population centers, then you won't likely have fiber running to your streets, and in some cases might even be too far from the CO for decent speed DSL and could be still limited to as poor as 128 or 256kbps connections, or even in some cases still dialup only.

I don't know what the actual numbers are for broadband availability these days, but I am guessing that high speed broadband is now available to over half of the U.S., but that doesn't necessarily mean everyone that can get it does have it.

I think both Daimyo and New Identity's comments were a little too broad-sweeping.

I live in a major population center and up until recently I had the option of 1.5Mbps DSL (with actual speeds <1Mbps) or 6Mbps Cable (with actual speeds <3Mbps). We now have Uverse available which tops out at 18Mbs for $65/month (I'm getting that installed today, woot!). Most of my coworkers in the Chicago city limits don't even have the option of uverse yet.

I check Verizon Fios and it tops out 50 Mbps (at a cost of $140!) and isn't available in most places. The most reasonable plan is 15Mbs for $50 which puts it out of most people's price range.

I think you overestimate the availability of high speed broadband. 80 million people in the US have broadband right now and I bet the vast majority have connections less than 1.5 Mbps.

[Alan T]

Originally Posted by Daimyo

I live in a major population center and up until recently I had the option of 1.5Mbps DSL (with actual speeds <1Mbps) or 6Mbps Cable (with actual speeds <3Mbps). We now have Uverse available which tops out at 18Mbs for $65/month (I'm getting that installed today, woot!). Most of my coworkers in the Chicago city limits don't even have the option of uverse yet.

I check Verizon Fios and it tops out 50 Mbps (at a cost of $140!) and isn't available in most places. The most reasonable plan is 15Mbs for $50 which puts it out of most people's price range.

I think you overestimate the availability of high speed broadband. 80 million people in the US have broadband right now and I bet the vast majority have connections less than 1.5 Mbps.

Based on the reports from ATT, Verizon, Comcast, Charter, etc I think your experience or co-workers experiences are not necessarily the end all fact on this. A City like Chicago is a pretty large area, so obviously there are going to be different availability in different parts of the town.

As for your other comments, you basically were repeating my point. Even though major metropolitan areas generally have much higher bandwidth availability the majority of the country doesn't. Without making this pretty boring,

I'm guessing though that most of the users who have dialup still aren't really the targeted audience for the Netflix streaming online.

[Butter]

I didn't know if anyone else had mentioned this elsewhere, but they finally shipped the disc for this about 2 weeks ago. So now I have Netflix on my XBox 360 in my main room, and on the Wii in my oldest son's room. Seems to work fine over wireless.

[cschex]

This is probably a stupid question, but does the streaming disc count against your # out-at-a-time limit, or is it in addition to those?

[Doug5984]

Originally Posted by cschex

This is probably a stupid question, but does the streaming disc count against your # out-at-a-time limit, or is it in addition to those?

It doesn't for the PS3, so I highly highly doubt it does for the Wii, and for the x-box you don't even need a disc.

[Doug5984]

Question on Netflix on the Wii- does it have just your instant Queue or does it also have all the other stuff that the xbox has like the newly added and different lists of movies.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by Doug5984

Question on Netflix on the Wii- does it have just your instant Queue or does it also have all the other stuff that the xbox has like the newly added and different lists of movies.

The PS3 version has the instant queue and also has tabs where you can browse the other movies by genre and by newly added. I would assume the Wii has the same since it's the same setup.

[Lathum]

So if I have a Wii how do I activat this? I went to the Netflix website but didnt see anything on there. I saw the XBox stuff but nothing about the Wii.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by Lathum

So if I have a Wii how do I activat this? I went to the Netflix website but didnt see anything on there. I saw the XBox stuff but nothing about the Wii.

Wii Streaming Disc Link

[Lathum]

Thanks!

[JeeberD]

The only thing I don't like is that you can't seem to search by title. Other than that, it's great...

[Galaril]

Originally Posted by JeeberD

The only thing I don't like is that you can't seem to search by title. Other than that, it's great...

So you already have the streaming for the Wii or with some other system?

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by Galaril

So you already have the streaming for the Wii or with some other system?

PS3 and Wii have the same interface. You have to page through movies by category.

[JeeberD]

Originally Posted by Galaril

So you already have the streaming for the Wii or with some other system?

For the Wii...

[SteveMax58]

Originally Posted by cschex

This is probably a stupid question, but does the streaming disc count against your # out-at-a-time limit, or is it in addition to those?

I dont think it would for any system. I actually use Netflix on my Blu Ray player only and it has no bearing on the discs I have out at any time. It has 2 separate que tabs...1 for discs, 1 for streaming.

Keep in mind though(for those that aren't familiar with Netflix)...the titles available on disc are not always (or overly often) the same that are available via streaming. Meaning, there are less available via streaming than disc.

[Galaril]

Originally Posted by JeeberD

For the Wii...

I cancelled my netflix membership I while back but got the wii and am interested in the streaming on wii from Netflix. How is the resolution from the wii to the tv for streaming from netflix. I am speaking not even on High Definition just standard is it as good a s DVD, like a tv show quality or less?

[Matthean]

Originally Posted by NewIdentity

You know, if you spend an extra $20.00 you can get a combo Netflix/Blueray player instead. I think it is made by Insignia.

Just looked this up since the Roku player was mentioned in another thread. From what I can tell, Insignia sells it for $179.99.

[CrimsonFox]

Originally Posted by Izulde

If they go DVD-less, I may end up cancelling then. While Watch Now is cool and everything, I really don't want to have to rely on an Internet connection to watch movies on my TV via PS3.

Plus, there's just something fun about the DVD mailing process.

LOL I agree! I feel a real sense of accomplishment when I finish my DVD, seal it up and file it in the mailbox.

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by CrimsonFox

LOL I agree! I feel a real sense of accomplishment when I finish my DVD, seal it up and file it in the mailbox.

I like the excitement of going to the mailbox and seeing that familiar red envelope.

[Butter]

Originally Posted by Galaril

I cancelled my netflix membership I while back but got the wii and am interested in the streaming on wii from Netflix. How is the resolution from the wii to the tv for streaming from netflix. I am speaking not even on High Definition just standard is it as good a s DVD, like a tv show quality or less?

Depends on your bandwidth. On the couple of times I have popped into my son's room to check it out, I can't tell the difference between it and satellite.

And to those that have asked, no it does not count as a disc out. For the Wii, it's a disc that is yours to keep, because you have to load it every time you want to use Netflix.