Just over a month ago, it came to light that online movie rental behemoth Netflix was
surveying its customers about the possibility of streaming movies to their Xbox 360s. Fast forward to March 2008 (i.e. now) and Netflix spokesman Steve Swasey has
confirmed the existence of the survey and thrown a little more fuel onto the speculation fire. Specifically, Swasey did not confirm whether or not there is a pending deal between Microsoft and Netflix to provide a movie streaming service, but he did say that the company wants consumers to obtain its movies "in as many ways as possible."
While the
Xbox Live Marketplace already offers individual movie rentals, a subscription service -- presumably one in which users could watch as many movies as they could stomach for a flat monthly fee -- would certainly be a welcome addition. Who knows, the Spring Update is right around the corner after all ....
[Via
Joystiq]
{ Mar 25th 2008 at 3:45PM } 
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Darkseide @ Mar 25th 2008 3:49PM
I bought my Xbox 360 HD-DVD player and my PS3 (For Blu-Ray) last December, on the 28, with the hope that HD-DVD would win. Sadly, this isn't the case, but I still prefere HD-DVD over Blu-Ray. My PS3 merely sits there and plays streamed video files that the 360 constantly buffers. HD-DVD will live forever for me!
Neuromancer @ Mar 25th 2008 3:52PM
RIP HD-DVD. Believe it or not I cancelled my Netflix subscription the day they announced they weren't buying any new HD-DVDs, thinking I could send a message. Oh silly me. If this deal goes forward (esp. with hi def movies) I'd sign up again, though.
Gemini Ace @ Mar 25th 2008 3:58PM
Provided this is added to my current Netflix subscription, and I can stream/download as many movies as I want in a month, then I'm in. My worry is that MS will put some stupid restriction on the number of downloads or make it too expensive.
lysernix @ Mar 25th 2008 3:59PM
I sub Netflix, I sub XBL... so... joining 'em up sounds great!
I do occasionally watch those streams on my computer - the "view instantly" Netflix titles? I've often thought it would be nice to just view them on my TV (without finagling some gimmicky magic - just make it easy!). The quality shouldn't be too much different... I have a 20" LCD for comp screen and they look very watchable. They should look almost as good on a 1360x768 32" LCD.
This is what I hope they do... people already subscribed to Netflix can now watch the "View Instantly" titles through the Xbox, and therefore on TV as opposed to comp screen (I know this can be done already, but not this easily!).
Timur Tabi @ Mar 25th 2008 4:00PM
The video downloads from netflix.com are terrible quality. Any videos they make available via the Xbox have to be much better quality.
Also, the cost should be no more than $6/month, otherwise DVDs are cheaper.
xtremesniper @ Mar 25th 2008 4:01PM
Somehow bring this to Canada and you've got yourself a deal.
DeadPlasmaCell @ Mar 25th 2008 4:07PM
@ Neuromancer
I feel ya on the HD-DVD thing.. What I don't get is why not just keep renting them out anyways until the studios no longer ship HD-DVD and even then, just rent what you have. Doesn't make any sense just to stop it all together.
Michael Lobue @ Mar 25th 2008 4:11PM
I would love for this to happen, but considering Microsoft charges $3 to $5 to rent a movie I can't see them allowing this service for free.
Also Netflix streams are actually pretty good. They may not be ideal for watching the latest action blockbuster, but for tv shows and older movies that you don't want to pay to rent, the streaming looks just fine.
mgroves @ Mar 25th 2008 4:39PM
Meh. How about Netflix renting out 360 games instead?
todd @ Mar 25th 2008 4:18PM
Wow, would be cool... I don't have cable or netflicks currently but if the cost was ok and they had decent stuff I would be up for it. This and XNA are going to blow away PS3's service.
Tony @ Mar 25th 2008 4:18PM
I'd be cool with this. I have both right now.
I just hope there will be more to it than getting to stream the mostly horrible stuff Netflix offers. Granted there's some gems and some good TV shows, but eh.
monkeymonkeymonkey @ Mar 25th 2008 4:27PM
@Timur Tabi,
Terrible quality? Your internet connection must be terrible quality. The movies and shows that ive watching on Netflix "Watch Now" feature are pretty good. Its not HD (yet) but its at least DVD quality.
dylan @ Mar 25th 2008 4:41PM
I just got a phone call from best buy about my gift certificate for my hd-dvd player, GTA 4 here I come...
willxcore @ Mar 25th 2008 4:52PM
Netflix currently lets you stream a collection of their movies from the website for free included with your membership. I just hook up my PC to my HDTV, my speakers to my stereo system and I have it on the big screen no problem. I would obviously use the service if it was provided through a convenient method such as XBL but not if they started charging more for that option (which I'm sure they will). EXCEPT if they started letting you stream HD and more movie choices.
Nathan Baxley @ Mar 25th 2008 5:09PM
I've always felt the Video Marketplace didn't have enough movies to pick from. That's why I've never bought anything from it. But hopefully with Netflix the library of videos will be more complete and I will stream movies from it, as long as they don't pull an iTunes.
M. Dizzy @ Mar 25th 2008 5:43PM
As long as the movie lineup was good (IE included every friggin movie on XBLM), I'd pay a monthly fee for AYCE.
john paul @ Mar 25th 2008 6:21PM
This would seriously kick some apple TV @$$
M. Dizzy @ Mar 25th 2008 5:46PM
@willxcore
If netflix did like vongo (www.vongo.com) and made a Windows Media Center plugin for their streaming service that'd be T&A. I would still be with vongo except they only have five movies I want to watch and 3 of the five have a ppv charge.
I don't get that one at all...I'm paying you a monthly fee to let me watch your movies on demand...but you want to charge me to watch the ones I want to see.
Brandon @ Mar 25th 2008 5:58PM
How about games from Netflix!! When can I get my rentals from you.
Deck @ Mar 25th 2008 8:19PM
This could be absolutely fanstastic!!
As long as there isn't a limit to the amount you can stream every month or if a monthly price isn't something ridiculous. I remember when it was first rumored, it was something like "A small (I think it was around $5-10) one time fee for the disc to stream movies as long as you have your netflix account active". That I would totally go for but if they start putting restrictions on it, it may not be quite as good as we all hope.
George Arauz @ Mar 26th 2008 10:20AM
Video marketplace is still best
James @ Apr 1st 2008 5:10PM
Maybe MS will get the message that people are interested in a pay-per-month (vice pay-per-view) movie system. I for one would gladly subscribe to "XBL Platinum" for double or more what I'm paying now, if I got unlimited (or even limited-but-generous) movies and TV shows while my sub was active.