Netflix comes to Sony's Bravia TVs; PS3 befuddled
by Alexander Sliwinski 
{ Jul 9th 2009 at 4:15PM } 
It's a reasonable explanation, considering we've seen the idea of Netflix alluded to for the Wii and this Bravia thing is about as silly as it gets. When asked for comment, Sony listed several media options it currently provides for the PS3 (full statement after the break), but currently had nothing to announce about Netflix on the console. We're currently awaiting comment from Netflix, but if the company stays the course, it'll be something like: "Netflix is always looking for ways to expand its service, but for now our game platform is the Xbox 360."
[Thanks, Protofunc; Via DigitalTrends]
Sony's full statement:
We are always looking for ways to enhance our video entertainment offerings through PlayStation 3. Currently, our video download service, available through the PlayStation store, boasts over 1900 movies and 9000 TV episodes, making it a leader in the field. We have established content partnerships with industry leaders such as MTV, Comedy Central, Spike TV, Starz, Showtime, NBC, Universal Pictures, Nickelodeon and VH1. All of this is in addition to PS3's Blu-ray movie playback capabilities, streaming video capabilities through PS3's built in Internet browser, and its full suite of game offerings makes PS3 the ultimate entertainment machine for the home.
In regards to Netflix coming to PS3..
We are always looking for content providers for PlayStation Network, but we
don't have anything to announce at this time.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
sether134 @ Jul 9th 2009 4:20PM
STUPID
finalstar @ Jul 9th 2009 4:20PM
Good thing i bought a BRAVIA HDTV last week :).. i wil try this out and hope they bring this to the ps3 console
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Jul 9th 2009 4:58PM
do you have an internet enabled bravia???
if not then you dont get shit.....lol
Stevo @ Jul 9th 2009 4:59PM
I've been a Samsung man myself, but this is pretty great if you don't have an Xbox 360 and are looking for and HDTV. Fantastic idea. Now Sony execs just need to put their Bravia team in charge of Playstation. www.theuglytree.com
RonaldoMoon @ Jul 9th 2009 5:27PM
The TV just has to Bravia Link compatible, which is pretty much any Bravia you'll find at a retail store. The Bravia Link module mounts on the back of the TV and costs about $200. Until now it was just used for Amazon VOD so I haven't bothered to pick one up, and I already have a 360 so this isn't going to make me want one either.
goTHErelentless @ Jul 9th 2009 4:22PM
"clearly there's something up here"? SOMEONE CALL JESUS, NETFLIX CONSPIRACY! AHH NOT THE BRAVIA! THE HORROR THE HORROR
Neuromancer @ Jul 9th 2009 4:22PM
I have a Bravia and I have no idea what the fuck is going on
vidGuy @ Jul 9th 2009 4:35PM
Same here. Weird deal.
AirIntake @ Jul 9th 2009 5:16PM
Yeah, I had no idea that TVs existed that could stream video straight from the internet. What do those cost?
.jpg @ Jul 9th 2009 5:21PM
i have a bravia, i will never use this feature
RonaldoMoon @ Jul 9th 2009 5:30PM
A lot of Bravias (like mine) require the Bravia Link Module (extra $200) for streaming internet video. I'm not sure if any of them do it without add-on, but I would imagine the newer more expensive models do.
Sly @ Jul 9th 2009 5:30PM
yeah, same here. i play my ps3 on my bravia, and i really have no idea what the hell this means.
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Jul 9th 2009 5:31PM
does it have Sony's BRAVIA Internet video link module. on it?? if not then it doesnt even matter....those arent the cheap sets....
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ContentDisplayView?cmsId=STATICS_LCDAdvisor&hideHeaderFooter=false&storeId=10151&catalogId=10551&langId=-1
.jpg @ Jul 9th 2009 6:01PM
mine has a lan port in the back it's the 40Z4100
Elranzer @ Jul 10th 2009 10:07AM
All I can tell is that you probably spent $1000 more on your HDTV than I did.
Longhorn of Myon [PSN: MariusElijah] @ Jul 9th 2009 4:22PM
They probably have a contract with MS for now
Bloo @ Jul 9th 2009 4:34PM
I doubt it. It's probably that Sony doesn't want to pay to have it on the PS3 because there is no monthy charge for PSN to absorb the cost and they don't want to lose more money right now.
Vidikron @ Jul 9th 2009 4:37PM
@Bloo
So there's a monthly charge for Bravia? I'm not sure I follow the logic.
Markez @ Jul 9th 2009 4:51PM
I dunno, maybe because in a way I would think Netflix is double-dipping on the 360? They're getting money from extra people signing up with Netflix just to make use of the functionality, and they're getting money from Microsoft (partially recouped by them on requisite gold membership) for the partnership they wanted with Netflix.
If PS3 were to add Netflix functionality it would be at a straight and immediate loss (if a fee/partnership were required with Netflix), without any visibility into whether it were contributing to more PS3 sales. I think it'd obviously still make sense for Netflix to get in on the PS3, but maybe not as much as it would for Sony and the PS3... Talking out loud here.
Mr Khan @ Jul 9th 2009 4:59PM
I doubt they would let themselves get locked in like that.
sk8monroe81 (PSN--XBL) @ Jul 9th 2009 5:09PM
vid-
just a guess but there are only 3 console choices and 1 already has netflix.
now with TV's there are more than 10 brands to choose with different features and not 1 of them offers netflix service, which would stand out as a selling point for sony TV's, in the hopes of increasing sales.
putting netflix on the ps3 will not necessarily increase ps3 sales since most people buy a console to play games and may already have a 360 with netflix or soon wii.
but everyone who purchases a TV set wants to watch movies.
not a bad move to push TV's....
Vidikron @ Jul 9th 2009 5:35PM
@sk8
Seems like a reasonable explanation.
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Jul 9th 2009 5:39PM
like I said below....plain and simple they are working on the tech....right now I'm pretty sure that the WindowsMedia/Silverlight tech they are using isnt going to fly on the PS3 or Wii....
Vcize @ Jul 9th 2009 9:00PM
Vidi, they don't lose money on every Bravia they sell...
gordo @ Jul 9th 2009 4:22PM
Sony's sure is right, paying for individual episodes is Aaaawwesome...
Markez @ Jul 9th 2009 4:25PM
Hopefully Netflix comes to every device possible soon, because it's absolutely awesome. Good god I love the watch instantly stuff via my 360. Let's hope everybody can taste the goodness soon, other than 360/tivo/bravia owners.
Big thumbs up to myself for finally getting into Dexter :P
Markez @ Jul 9th 2009 4:28PM
PS - Seeing Michael Jackson eat KFC was the greatest moment in my life. (God bless Jay Mohr filling in for Jim Rome yesterday)
Neuromancer @ Jul 9th 2009 4:35PM
Yeah Dexter is awesome, his sister is pretty easy on the eyes too.
Markez @ Jul 9th 2009 4:42PM
Yeah, she's kind of a fox. BUT, her, LaGuerta, and Doakes all seem to be pretty lame characters/actors in the series thus far in the 1st seez.
Neuromancer @ Jul 9th 2009 5:23PM
LaGuerta is a pain in the ass but I think Doakes is funny, I like how he fucks with Dexter.
Iwa @ Jul 9th 2009 7:48PM
"Let's hope everybody can taste the goodness soon, other than 360/tivo/bravia owners."
Don't forget two Samsung and one LG Blu-Ray players and the Roku digital video player.
itbekevin2010 @ Jul 10th 2009 12:23AM
there is always torrents free and DVD quality
RIP Air McNair PSN: johnnynumber5 @ Jul 10th 2009 12:36AM
Jay Mohr is a douche ... not as bad as petros and money mike today tho ...
The sklar brothers have been my favorite fill in's for Rome and we still have Whitlock tomorrow (he had david simon last time who created the wire - best show in TV history - stream THAT). But, PS3 owners can do the netflix instant streaming although it's not as straightforward and integrated - It's an app called play-on that turns a home computer into a media server and allows streaming ... http://www.themediamall.com/playon#get-started ... so, it is there as an option if you really want the functionality.
I'm kind of torn on netflix in general because I wouldn't want to do the DVD/BD in the mail thing. The PS3 also has that flash enabled web-browser which works great for using pretty much every internet streaming site (Justin.TV, watch-movies-links.net, surfthechannel.com, hulu, mega video etc etc) and gives access to pretty much everything without a subscription fee but it's not always going to be a direct feed quality stream.
There are options out there ... I probably wouldn't be all that interested in Netflix anyway on the PS3 unless they offered a free trial to test it out. It would also probably cannabalize sales from the PSN video store and possibly even a small impact on some blu-ray purchases.
Just kind of thinking out loud here.
Senecal @ Jul 9th 2009 4:27PM
Booooooo!!
Storm Eagle::The Blood Edge @ Jul 9th 2009 4:27PM
Wow. Re.Tar.Ded.
"streaming video capabilities through PS3's built in Internet browser" Oh. You must mean Hulu. Which doesn't fucking work anymore!
And how are you going to compare paying a flat monthly subscription to watch thousands of movies whenever you want, to paying a fee for each and every movie/tv episode you DOWNLOAD. Not streaming, DOWNLOAD.
Thumbs up their asses.
Markez @ Jul 9th 2009 4:29PM
Don't recall which thread I saw it in here, pal, but I seem to remember somebody mentioning a way around that... Maybe somebody will chime in...
XBL: Burritoclock PSN:Herbie Hat @ Jul 9th 2009 4:31PM
I have never tried it, but can you do the netflix streaming threw the PS3 web browser?
Now that I think of it, I always bitch that the 360 doesn't have a web browser but have never once used the PS3's.... I guess I will let that go now.
Storm Eagle::The Blood Edge @ Jul 9th 2009 4:31PM
I hope so Markez. My Fiancee and I practically live off of Hulu at work. It'd be nice to have it on the 50" at home. I'll poke around the 'net.
gordo @ Jul 9th 2009 4:32PM
Right? That Hulu shit is wacktimonious
gordo @ Jul 9th 2009 4:34PM
And no you cannot stream Netflix from the browser, or else this entire article would be moot
Vidikron @ Jul 9th 2009 4:35PM
What do you expect them to say? If Netflix signed a deal with MS then Sony is stuck for now.
Trev @ Jul 9th 2009 4:38PM
1. The 360 video marketplace works the same way. Pay per episode and download. Comparing it to Netflix is kind of stupid. "Why doesn't sony provide a service just like this service that microsoft /isn't actually providing/?" Another company is doing it and if Sony signed the same deal, would have the same functionality.
2. Tversity 1.6 can rencode/stream Hulu content to the PS3. Set up your queue on a computer and add your account and it shows up in the folder list under RSS & Internet. They only let you do this with the "Pro" version, which requires an email address to download (but paying for it is optional after that, so I don't know why they bothered). I don't know if it works with Netflix or not, never tried.
XBL: Burritoclock PSN:Herbie Hat @ Jul 9th 2009 4:43PM
Trev: I think you read Storm Eagle's post wrong...
copa @ Jul 9th 2009 4:50PM
Hey Trev,
Thanks for the pointer to TVersity. I just checked it out, and it looks terrific. One question I couldn't get from the site: Will it let you store and encode Hulu content offline? TVersity doesn't support live video streaming to my iPod Touch, so a direct Hulu stream wouldn't work for me.
Trev @ Jul 9th 2009 4:59PM
@burritoclock
I wasn't specifically addressing him or really disagreeing. 1 was just my opinion on the whole thing. No one, including Sony, should be trying to compare the PSN video and Netflix services because one is a company unto itself with a totally different business model, which is generally more convenient. The MS and Sony video stores are a more appropriate comparison and are essentially the same and if Sony got themselves a Netflix deal for the PS3 instead of a TV line, they would be able to claim all the same functionality.
I guess I really didn't need the list items either, but I've been coding for a site whose owner has insisted on numbered output for stuff so I think I was just temporarily brainwashed into numbering things.
@copa
I have no idea. I don't think it lets you store Hulu stuff explicitly, though I'm pretty sure it just downloads other podcasts. If you aren't using Tversity 1.6 yet, they added a bunch of stuff in 1.5 and fixed it up for 1.6 by including a built-in stereo mix. It might work differently than what you've got now.
Ordeith @ Jul 9th 2009 4:59PM
Trev:
After the next update the 360 will support streaming out of the video library, not just downloading.
And you will have access to the same videos you rent/purchase on your PC or on a Zune.
RIP Air McNair PSN: johnnynumber5 @ Jul 10th 2009 12:58AM
To answer one of the original questions: Yes, you can stream netflix instant downloads to the PS3 with a 3rd party application and a computer (media server - any computer) -
http://www.themediamall.com/playon#get-started
As for the PS3 web browser - it's way more than HULU. The browser is Flash enabled and there is a dearth of content out there you can watch without paying anything. I was watching Transformers 2 again on my PS3 just a few days ago =)
There are seriously an unlimited amount of sites to watch any TV show or movie in existence through the web browser for free - you can even watch live internet streams (ustream, justin tv etc etc ...) I won't post the links to all of them here but if anyone is interested just hit me up on PSN and I'll give my favorite ones.
naxe305 @ Jul 9th 2009 4:29PM
So........ Sony..... What happened to HULU?
I liked being able to watch Family guy and The Simpsons for no additional charge over my ISP.
Now I'm pretty sure Sony wised up to PS3 owners steaming FREE Hulu videos instead of spending 1.99 per episode of the same program. So i doubt Hulu will be back. It was fun while it lasted.
I'm not a fan of micro transactions.
pd771 @ Jul 9th 2009 4:32PM
It was something in Hulu's code and had nothing to do with Sony. Being owned by TV companies, they don't actually want to make it so easy to use Hulu.
Longhorn of Myon [PSN: MariusElijah] @ Jul 9th 2009 4:42PM
GO: Your reaction to Hulu [the online video service] apparently blocking PS3 users from watching videos in the browser?
Eric Lempel: Last week we stared hearing that, and we've tested it out here, and it does seem you can't access Hulu. You can access the site, but when you go to play a video, you get an error message. We're not quite sure why that is. If I speculate I might guess it's because they refined their list of supported browsers and we were a victim, or maybe they're intentionally blocking the PS3, but right now it doesn't work, and you'd really have to talk to Hulu about why that is. We have an open browser, there's a ton of sites that do work, and it's compatible with other video streaming sites like YouTube and music streaming sites, so. But it's true, Hulu's not working right now and I'm not really sure why.