E308: More details about Netflix on the Xbox 360

Chatting with Marc Whitten and the entire Xbox 360 team at today's Community Briefing (more Community Briefing details will be coming later today), we were treated to a demo of the Netflix Xbox 360 service and how it works. Specifically, we were shown how the queuing system will be integrated and really, it's rather a straightforward process that utilizes Netflix.com.

First, to connect one's Netflix account to their Xbox Live account, customers will enter a keycode via Netflix.com that'll link the two accounts together. Then, once linked, the Netflix.com queue will instantly appear on the Xbox 360 allowing instant access to the movies. Want to change your movie queue? Simply update your movie queue online and within' 10 seconds, your Xbox 360's Netflix list will update. A very slick process indeed.

Other Netflix details we were able to learn from the Community Briefing was confirmation that only SD videos would be offered and streamed to the console (not downloaded) as the system analyzes which bitrate is the best fit for your connection. Up to eight friends can watch a movie together BUT they all must be Netflix subscribers. Finally, we were informed that Netflix's servers would handle all movie streaming and that they'll significantly upgrade their infrastructure before the Fall release.

Reader Comments (24)

Friends must be Netflix subscribers + no HD- that ruined it for a few people I am sure.

I didn't think they offered any streaming hd content anyways?

I believe you are correct, but it would've been an excellent addition. I wonder if its a technical limitation or because it would have a negative impact on XBL Marketplace HD Movie rentals.

it's more of the fact of what HD streaming will do with the current internet infrastructure as a whole.

Meaning it'll kill bandwidth.

Will it be available in Europe?

Is this going to be for U.S. Live accounts only? I'm hoping they release it for Canada as well :(

For people asking if it is US only. Do you get the Netflix "Instant Watch" feature now? I guess another question is if Netflix is offered where you are now at all?

If the answer to either question is no, I would guess you won't be getting it.

For people asking about HD. Roku makes a Netflix player now. It has HDMI and component outputs. It has been said that it is capable of putting out HD. Netflix plans on offering HD sometime in the future. Whether that is next year or in 5 years, who knows.

I wish we had Netflix in Canada. *sigh*

This was great news to hear today. I used to have Blockbuster Total Access but we cancelled it after they upped their prices. I think that this would be well worth picking up nexflix for.

I have a Roku box. It streams in 480p. The quality dips a little if your having bandwidth troubles. The selection is not so great if you like big famous awesome movies. It's really great if you like obscure documentaries and older movies. And because they're instant and unlimited, it's easy to pick a weird movie you're not sure about and watch the first few minutes to see if it's crap or not.

I also have a Roku box. My queue is filled with old movies and documentaries. I've watched a lot of movies that I haven't seen since I was a kid.

I think Netflix will really work on building up the instant watch movies.

HD HD HD.. no hd is a real bummer.. if XBLVideo marketplace streamed HD im sure theyd just rebrand it netflix and call it a day.. id rent more movies if the entire video marketplace or netflix catalogues were offered for a flat monthly rate for streaming/download over XBL... im up to about 1 every 6 months with the current pricing plan..

would it be too much to ask for M$ points to be converted to real money ala nintendo and sony 1pt = 1 dollar? im less likely to spend pts if i dont know how much im spending, not the other way around..

Really looking forward to this, I've been hoping they would announce this at E3.

why oh why would I want to watch a movie with 8 friends over the internet? Isint this the same as me and a friend watching a movie and pushing play at the same time at each of our houses? I mean theres no talking during a movie (unless your a jerk) so this seems pointless. And the fact that they all need to be netflix subscribers blows too. combine that with US only (netflix is US only) and no HD (come on, its all about HD nowadays) means this service is like 99% pointless.

Except for the people who don't watch everything in HD. And don't watch things with friends over Xbox Live.

Yeah, that'd be me. I'm stoked about it.

"I mean theres no talking during a movie (unless your a jerk) so this seems pointless."

See: MST3K. Depending on the film, and how clever your friends are, it can actually be great fun talking through a film... sometimes it can even elevate an unwatchable film to pretty damned funny.

As far as "x seems pointless" statements in general... keep in mind there are 7 billion+ people on this planet, and I can assure you they don't all have the same tastes and proclivities you do.

Its not necessarily pointless. If this means if you have a Live Gold acct.. you can stream movies via Netflix from the Xbox, then I'd stop downloading movies via Bittorrent and streaming to my xbox.

You prolly won't when you see how abyssmal the watch it now selection is!

This is a pretty cool deal, stream standard def content through the 360 and get everything that is released on blu-ray mailed for the PS3. Makes Netflix a great deal for multi-console owners. Although I already can't keep up with 3 discs at a time, and I don't even have cable, plus I gotta find some time to play all these games ......

Too bad my mom hates netflix.

The thing that sucks about this is that like most things the early adapters will have to buy out the rights to get the good stuff....I wish it was as great as it sounds, but usually things have catches to them. Hopefully the Great outways the OK, not the Good outwaying the Bad (because that is not a way to get a service going) I'll def have to check up now that I heard this skeptisism about the current offerings, it should be what is on the MKPLACE now is the movies we can watch HD or SD (That would be XBOX's Gift to the partnership...I mean what are they really giving Netflix besides our potential money...what is Netflix giving Microsoft for that? Money which we won't see...Time will tell, and History can predict...which side are you on?

so wait you have to pay for a netflix account? that wouldnt make it free that would make it so you have to pay for netflix to use this feature anyway thats gay.

Is a gold account required?

E308: More details about Netflix on the Xbox 360

Reader Comments (24)

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