First footage of Netflix on PS3
by JC Fletcher 
{ Nov 6th 2009 at 1:15PM } 
Unfortunately, the early report of the service doesn't sound quite perfect. Otis says in the YouTube description that all video renders at 480p and doesn't scale properly. We'll be testing these claims ourselves when we get the chance to check out the service. Let us know with a comment if there's any other feature of the PS3's new Netflix capability that you'd like us to investigate!
[Thanks, Otis!]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
atx1980 @ Nov 6th 2009 1:17PM
It looks standard Def,
Looks like shit!
Traceur_Ryuk [Founder of The Anti-EMCB(tm) and co-leader of ATDF] (PSN: Ryuk_shinigami) @ Nov 6th 2009 1:24PM
It's on YouTube, of course it's gonna look like shit. I haven't watched the video because I'm on my iPhone and for some reason it won't let me watch it, but I imagine it's cause it's on YouTube...
The_Black_Circle @ Nov 6th 2009 2:08PM
You got that from watching a youtube video that doesn't even have an HD option (HD on youtube is very poor as well)
You're some kind of genius.
Nick @ Nov 6th 2009 2:56PM
I can verify that it looks bad. I received my disk this morning and promptly gave it a go. They definitely have some work to do in comparison to the quality found on the 360. And for the time being I will still be using my 360 for Netflix.
That being said, remember that this wasn't so hot on 360 when it first started either, and they have had a year head start to get it right. I imagine when they finally get it built into a firmware update, and it is available via the XMB without a disk, the kinks will be worked out. But for someone like me, it doesn't matter. I've got it on both systems, and will just use the one that is the most convenient.
ladykiller @ Nov 6th 2009 4:01PM
@Tracuer:
you do know youtube show HD right? your silly claims are invalid
Marztype @ Nov 6th 2009 4:08PM
I'm pretty sure it'll be better on the XMB since PlayON is way faster than XBox Instant Streaming, except that it doesn't upscale, but that's because it's a home server solution.
Monica Dickey @ Nov 6th 2009 5:48PM
hi welcome to the internet. Streaming standard quality youtube videos are not an example of how something looks in real life.
atx1980 @ Nov 8th 2009 10:29AM
still looks like shit!
Buzzkiller @ Nov 9th 2009 10:09PM
@ serioussam7
because he's an aggie
Player1 @ Nov 6th 2009 1:18PM
I wonder if all video is 480p because PSN is generally slower than Xbox Live.
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Nov 6th 2009 1:19PM
PSN has NOTHING to do with it....it connects DIRECTLY to Netflix servers and does NOT go thru PSN....in case you didn't notice you are signed OUT of PSN when watching a Blu-ray movie
seriousam7 @ Nov 6th 2009 1:21PM
why is this ^ guy such an asshole all the time?
Matthew @ Nov 6th 2009 1:23PM
It isn't streamed from PSN, it's Blu-Ray Live. I'm sitting watching the Office right now and yes it isn't HD and yes some videos I've tested aren't scaled exactly right. But people, if you're a Netflix subscriber it's a FREE addition to your PS3, I find it hard to complain. The issues will get ironed out, at the moment I'm just enjoying watching Netflix on my TV for the first time.
Orchard Pear @ Nov 6th 2009 1:23PM
"I wonder if all video is 480p because PSN is generally slower than Xbox Live if you have no idea how to properly configure the settings on your PS3 and Router."
Leobebes (BDF: Braid Defence Force) @ Nov 6th 2009 1:23PM
Can someone correct me please if I am wrong, but doesn't Xbox Live's gold fees go towards a more robust server farm that gives Xbox Live a more robust integration of its services unlike PSN? Case in point possible the Netflx service?
Not trying to flame a serious question...
jarhead906 @ Nov 6th 2009 1:24PM
PSN and Xbox Live are the same. Neither are 100% reliable and both perform only as good as your personal ISP allows.
Prof. Von Manifest (aka Dallas McCoy of the Cocaine Imperium) [PSN: Manifest37] @ Nov 6th 2009 1:24PM
Hey A&M, I don't get signed out when I watch a Blu-Ray movie. I think that just happens randomly.
But yeah, it's connecting directly to Netflix.
Player1 @ Nov 6th 2009 1:25PM
@Orchard Pear: Is there some port I need to specifically open for PS3? It's never indicated anything like that and I can't exactly pull that information out of my ass. All the games work fine, but downloads are very slow. I have the proper NAT settings.
Player1 @ Nov 6th 2009 1:29PM
God, I'm sorry everyone that my PSN downloads are slow and I haven't tried Netflix over it yet, how the hell would I know that it doesn't go through PSN.
Leobebes (BDF: Braid Defence Force) @ Nov 6th 2009 1:39PM
@jarhead
Thanks just wanted to clear it up. PSN is the same as XBL therefore XBL is a ripoff because they charge for the same service.
mightymightyme @ Nov 6th 2009 1:56PM
As someone who owns a 360 and a ps3 and has a FIOS connection, the PSN is slower. However I think the implementation of Netflix is probably whats causing the speed issue, I think the service will be much nicer once its incorporated into the UI. Can't wait to try it out and have Netflix streaming on both TVs!
Freedom Town @ Nov 6th 2009 2:08PM
@jarhead906 :
No, Xbox Live and PSN are not the same. They are FAR from the same.
I'm not going to add to the 360 vs.PS debate here. But it is very safe to say that you get what you pay for. PSN is good, for a free service. Xbox Live is good, for a service you pay for.
You try the two out and see for yourself the differences
End User @ Nov 6th 2009 2:58PM
Funny... I can download games/updates/patches faster than 1MBps, sometimes up to 2MBps. And I didn't have to do any kind of special "configuration." (for a second I was thinking, "Wait, that can't be right... maybe I'm thinking 1Mbps..." but I've monitored downloads as they come down the pipes and that "[#downloaded]MB / [#total]MB" ticker goes up at a rate of at least 1MB per second every time).
Don't have LIVE so I can't compare, but 1MBps is hardly "slow."
phinnvr6 @ Nov 6th 2009 3:38PM
Actually PSN is generally noticeably faster than Xbox Live. It's even
been proven (not just by me) on performance tests. On top of that
(further proving your ignorance), it connects directly to Netflix, it
doesn't go through PSN, so what does this have to do with PSNs
performance anyway? Xbox does the same thing, which is part of the
reason why its so absurd MS charges for Live Gold to use it.
Darth Bradwart, The Dark Lord of the Sith @ Nov 6th 2009 1:18PM
Please, let that be a glitch.
SolidSnakeX @ Nov 7th 2009 9:30AM
Cause he thinks he knows everything! lol...I've been on this planet longer then probably most of you anyway..But who cares.. this is about NET-FLIX!.. I still think the PSN is crap anyway hoping 2010 it runs way better then now..3.10?..hey Eric Lempel wheres In game Music and Cross In Game Chat as well as Universal Friends/Ban List with VidZone!..America gets screwed all the time while the rest of the world is more updated with there cool consoles..UPDATED AMERICA HELL YES! 12 years behind when it comes to Technology. etc =(
CzAr @ Nov 6th 2009 1:18PM
PS3 singing to 360;
Anything you can do,
I can do better.
I can do anything
Better than you.
No, you can't.
Yes, I can. No, you can't.
Yes, I can. No, you can't.
Yes, I can,
Yes, I can!
Anything you can be
I can be greater.
Sooner or later,
I'm greater than you.
No, you're not. Yes, I am.
No, you're not. Yes, I am.
No, you're NOT!. Yes, I am.
Yes, I am!
Chibi Chaingun - blackhivemedia.com @ Nov 6th 2009 3:38PM
Netflix isn't in HD on PS3.
Chibi Chaingun - blackhivemedia.com @ Nov 6th 2009 3:41PM
Actually, I have read conflicting reports. HD on PS3 netflix?
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Nov 6th 2009 1:21PM
so ummmmm yea....I need to go check my mail...
but Didn't the CEO of Netflix say that it supported 720p streaming? this is more of a Netflix Dropping the ball thing than Sony.....
LaughingMan @ Nov 6th 2009 1:28PM
On the Netflix streaming service, only a portion of the available movies and shows are available in HD. One I found was Heroes Season 1.
Give it a try. It looks like any show or movie that supports it will be labeled with "HD" in the description page.
Freedom Town @ Nov 6th 2009 2:12PM
@ Chris D :
No, netflix didn't drop any ball. Learn about what you are discussing before accusing people of messing something up.
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Nov 6th 2009 6:37PM
Freedom STFU.....
I was stating off of what was said here....after getting my disc and seeing indeed there were HD titles I know it not to be the case....if there were no HD titles available then it WOULD be netflix dropping the ball...
Otis Whitaker @ Nov 6th 2009 1:21PM
You're welcome!
Also, it MAY do HD, my connection is capable of HD. But the scaling issues and issues with SD content is very much there, and very much troublesome :x
Otis Whitaker @ Nov 6th 2009 1:23PM
Also, I really do think the resolution problems are soley to blame on it being BD-Live, and the XMB intergration SHOULD fix that.
IIRC, on other BD live titles, when you view SD content, it forces the PS3 into the resolution of the content, and doesn't upscale.
I recall it doing that with some BD-Live trailers on some WB disc once :x
Otis Whitaker @ Nov 6th 2009 1:24PM
Sorry, I meant my connection ISN'T capable of HD.
3Mbps Down, 40K/s upload.
On the 360, I usually always get 4 bars for SD content, and 3 bars for HD content.
under13warrior @ Nov 6th 2009 1:24PM
I wish we had netflix in Canada!
Chromekreeper @ Nov 6th 2009 10:25PM
any day now, *fingers crossed*
Ghaleon @ Nov 6th 2009 1:24PM
I'm sure my 1080i TVs are still boned, sticking to 360's service, thanks Sony.
Darth Bradwart, The Dark Lord of the Sith @ Nov 6th 2009 1:29PM
Yeah, because Sony is running Netflix. Oh, by your comment, Microsoft is too...?
Jody Anthony (gamertag and psn: JodyAnthony) @ Nov 6th 2009 1:40PM
I assume he's referring to the fact that 720p content is downscaled to 480p instead of upscaled to 1080i on PS3. I had that problem too when I had my old CRT HDTV, it was 480i/480p/1080i, and any 720p content on PS3 would play at 480p. Conversely, 720p content on my 360 would upscale to 1080i on the same TV.
Luckily there aren't any 1080i only tvs coming out anymore, I don't think.
Evan @ Nov 6th 2009 1:27PM
I tried it out. Certain shows (newer movies, tv series like The Office) have an HD icon next to their name and stream at 720p. I'd imagine shitty anime like the guy in the youtube video is watching streams at 480.
Evan @ Nov 6th 2009 1:30PM
Also should add that the UI launches in 720p, not 'whatever res your ps3 is set to'
Otis Whitaker @ Nov 6th 2009 1:33PM
That's good to know :x
Also, most content on Netflix is in SD.
The point of the matter is, is that video isn't upscaled. If it's 480p content, your PS3 runs at 480p, not upscaling the 480p to 720p.
FOR EXAMPLE, all the Starz content is 480p :x
LaughingMan @ Nov 6th 2009 1:27PM
I have tried the Netflix streaming disc, and I can confirm that it DOES support HD streaming.
I tried an episode of Heroes Season 1, and it comes through in 720p.
GiggMan @ Nov 6th 2009 1:27PM
Joystiq you clever little gaming blog veterans, all you aspiring bloggers take note.
"all video renders at 480p and doesn't scale properly" is an instant 150 posts.
Dummy00001 @ Nov 7th 2009 1:38PM
> "all video renders at 480p and doesn't scale properly" is an instant 150 posts.
I do not mind Sony coming out and fixing their 1080i support. Or at least properly stating where they stand.
I own one of the first HDTVs which is 720p/1080i, and Google's 500K results for "PS3 1080i problem" isn't really inspiring. First match is the Joystiq post about FW 1.30 which goes into details about how exactly PS3's support for 1080i broken is...
Kai Cherry @ Nov 6th 2009 1:29PM
I got this in this morning.
I can confirm it supports and plays back 720p.
At first I thought it did not as the first title I tried seemed to "hang" (Leverage TV Series) however another title I tried did in fact play and does so @ 720p
-K
nukee @ Nov 6th 2009 1:29PM
So has anybody figured out if this will work on any internet connected Blu-Ray player?
Traceur_Ryuk [Founder of The Anti-EMCB(tm) and co-leader of ATDF] (PSN: Ryuk_shinigami) @ Nov 6th 2009 1:29PM
I don't care about HD anyways seeing as how I don't have an HDTV ;(