Comments on: Netflix Adds Streaming Video (PC only)

By: MegaZone

MegaZone — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 23:14:59 +0000

Steve,

It wasn’t a rumor, it was announced.

But since then it seems to have fizzled out, or, at best, gone dormant.

By: Steve

Steve — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 23:09:15 +0000

What happened to the Tivo-Netflix partnership rumor? http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5915470/site/newsweek

By: Steve Wills

Steve Wills — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 22:50:45 +0000

I was considering re-upping with Netflix once they confirmed details of their on-demand service (I’m a former subscriber who just ran out of time to watch enough movies to make it economical). I guess I just had too much faith in the rumors about the TiVo option that have been kicking around for a while, because that’s what would do it for me. Well, this just doesn’t cut the mustard, does it? Who the hell wants to watch 18 hours of video a month on a computer screen? Not even close, Netflix, and absolutely nothing like a cigar.

By: MegaZone

MegaZone — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 21:51:58 +0000

Mari,

The SlingCatcher would have to support whatever technology Netflix is using for playback. If it is a Flash based player, then the SlingCatcher would need a browser and Flash to handle it.

Unless you could stream to a PC then use the Sling software to bounce it to the SlingCatcher. But since the video plays back in the browser, I don’t think that would be easily done – and control would be weak.

But note my tongue in cheek comment above – the way the Netflix system works sounds a lot like how Sling works. It is possible that Netflix is licensing Sling Media’s technology to do their streaming. Sling Media talked about broadband content delivered directly to the SlingCatcher in the future – this could be that content. Pure speculation, of course.

And the dormant TiVo/Netflix link could return too, with downloads or streaming to the TiVo. Maybe they’ll add video stream support to HME and there will be an HME-based Netflix player.

By: Mari Silbey

Mari Silbey — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 17:51:11 +0000

Is there any reason you wouldn’t be able to watch a Netflix streaming movie on your TV via SlingCatcher?

By: Davis Freeberg

Davis Freeberg — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 23:09:09 +0000

Given how long we have been waiting for Netflix’s TiVo partnership to show signs of life, it seems pretty lame that some users are able to get the Watch now feature and others can’t. Netflix should definetely set up a priority list so that users who have been looking forward to this feature will be able to take advantage of it.

By: MegaZone

MegaZone — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 21:25:41 +0000

Dave,

Notice that this is streaming and it adapts for the available bandwidth and the viewing pane? Remind you of anything?

In an unrelated note, how about that SlingCatcher and hard drive attachment, and the vague promise of ‘broadband content’?

I’m just saying…

By: Grant

Grant — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 20:56:29 +0000

Hmmm…it worked for me. I have access to the “Watch Now” page, and have successfully been able to stream movies. Guess I got lucky!