Netflix eliminating online-watching limits

[checkingout]

Netflix battles Apple by eliminating online-watching limits
By Harrison Hoffman , – January 13, 2008, 10:57 PM PST

UPDATE: Netflix made its official announcement on Monday morning.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/080114/aqm092.html?.v=31

In an attempt to counteract whatever announcements Apple will make at Macworld this week, Netflix has decided to let subscribers stream unlimited movies and TV shows, with almost every basic plan, the Associated Press is reporting.

Currently, subscribers can watch anywhere from 5 to 48 hours a month, depending on their plan, although I don't see how anyone could be on the "eight-at-a-time" plan. (My two-at-a time plan came with 14 hours.)

The new, unlimited plan will be available to all subscribers, except for those on the two-rentals-per-month plan.

Even though we knew this was coming, it is still big news. We are so close to the large-scale broadband video revolution, I can almost taste it. With download speeds increasing and the promise of Netflix-enabled set-top boxes, we are almost there. I can't envision many better scenarios than having Netflix's entire catalog available for watching on my TV instantly.

Apple is expected to announce its own movie rental service on Monday--but with a pay-per-movie model as opposed to a subscription-based one like Netflix's.

I personally like Netflix's model better. But then again, Apple used the same strategy in music, and it has worked out pretty well so far. With all of these recent developments looking so promising, someone is going to have to break the news to Sony that all of this fuss over Blu-ray isn't going to matter in a year or two.

http://www.webware.com/8301-1_109-98...?tag=cnetfd.mt

[bujee1]

Originally Posted by checkingout

Netflix battles Apple by eliminating online-watching limits
By Harrison Hoffman , – January 13, 2008, 10:57 PM PST

UPDATE: Netflix made its official announcement on Monday morning.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/080114/aqm092.html?.v=31

In an attempt to counteract whatever announcements Apple will make at Macworld this week, Netflix has decided to let subscribers stream unlimited movies and TV shows, with almost every basic plan, the Associated Press is reporting.

Currently, subscribers can watch anywhere from 5 to 48 hours a month, depending on their plan, although I don't see how anyone could be on the "eight-at-a-time" plan. (My two-at-a time plan came with 14 hours.)

The new, unlimited plan will be available to all subscribers, except for those on the two-rentals-per-month plan.

Even though we knew this was coming, it is still big news. We are so close to the large-scale broadband video revolution, I can almost taste it. With download speeds increasing and the promise of Netflix-enabled set-top boxes, we are almost there. I can't envision many better scenarios than having Netflix's entire catalog available for watching on my TV instantly.

Apple is expected to announce its own movie rental service on Monday--but with a pay-per-movie model as opposed to a subscription-based one like Netflix's.

I personally like Netflix's model better. But then again, Apple used the same strategy in music, and it has worked out pretty well so far. With all of these recent developments looking so promising, someone is going to have to break the news to Sony that all of this fuss over Blu-ray isn't going to matter in a year or two.

http://www.webware.com/8301-1_109-98...?tag=cnetfd.mt

I have to admit that is pretty good news.
Over the Christmas vacation I watched the entire first season of Heroes. I'll be caught up with second by the time the writer's strike is over.
Why buy the box set when you can watch what ever episode you want with three clicks?

[familiar realm]

But as for movies, their selection sucks.

[1080p]

Now if it would work through my Media Center onto my Xbox 360 I'd be happy.

[checkingout]

I see this as one problem for the future of downloads. I doubt anyone wants a bunch of media boxes, ie., VUDU, Netflix, Apple, Xbox,,,you know what I mean. Perhaps a standard format will be used that can work on a variety of 'media centers?'

Amir detailed how an 8 bit photo could look very very close to 24 bit using a dither technique. It's in one of his posts that I don't want to hunt for right now. My point is with compression improvements, along with Internet bandwidth solutions...HiDef could be only a few years or so out. Also Bandwidth backbone can come from telephone, sattelite, cable or utility companies. Believe me they are all engineering improvements to capture (or at least stay competetive) with this future exploding market.

Originally Posted by 1080p

Now if it would work through my Media Center onto my Xbox 360 I'd be happy.

[MrE]

too bad this service isn't compatible with OS X

[checkingout]

Did you try neflix freak? I don't have a Mac, but this might be worth a shot.

http://www.thelittleappfactory.com/a...=Netflix+Freak

Also read this...Well, here's what the Netflix web page says: "As soon as a studio-approved DRM for the Mac is available to us, whether from Apple or another source, we will move quickly to provide a movie viewer that enables you to watch movies from Netflix instantly on your Mac."

So, if the rumors are true that Apple is getting ready to offer a movie rental service, I would think that a studio approved DRM would then be available.

Originally Posted by MrE

too bad this service isn't compatible with OS X

[cloudy]

I have never belonged to Netflix or Blockbuster.
But this news is getting me interested.
However, if there is no way to get the content to my TV, why would I be interested in it? I have NO interest in watching movies on my PC.
So, what ways are available to people, to make this available on a TV? Apparently it can't stream through the 360. How about the PS3 (seeing as though it has a browser).
If I could stream rentals (unlimited) to my HDTV, I'd be all over this. Until then, it's not worth it to me personally.
And I will still say (For me personally) downloads will NEVER replace the advantage of having an Actual Disc on hand.
But it would be nice to have unlimited access to new releases, so I can then decide if the movie/s are worth picking up on HDM.

[checkingout]

PC to HDTV:
http://www.highdefinitionblog.com/?page_id=127

Downloads will not replace hard media...they will co-exist. Once Netfix or other content providers can stream a large catalog of present and past movies, it will be sensational. Imagine, just click on an ICON and watch whatever movie is selected. With music, I use rhapsody...which is a subscription service and have thousands of songs at my fingertips. A friend comes over and I ask what they feel like hearing...and more than likely its available. Does this replace the quality of say SACD's? No way. But, when I really like and artist (or perhaps a movie) then I can obtain on a 'hard' format.

IMHO...there are so many crap movies (and songs) out there that a subscription service makes sense. Of course a great movie or song is worth the purchase.

Originally Posted by cloudy

I have never belonged to Netflix or Blockbuster.
But this news is getting me interested.
However, if there is no way to get the content to my TV, why would I be interested in it? I have NO interest in watching movies on my PC.
So, what ways are available to people, to make this available on a TV? Apparently it can't stream through the 360. How about the PS3 (seeing as though it has a browser).
If I could stream rentals (unlimited) to my HDTV, I'd be all over this. Until then, it's not worth it to me personally.
And I will still say (For me personally) downloads will NEVER replace the advantage of having an Actual Disc on hand.
But it would be nice to have unlimited access to new releases, so I can then decide if the movie/s are worth picking up on HDM.

[michealo]

good summary i saw on slashdot:

DRM: Check
Low-def only: Check
Low bitrate: Check
Watch only on computer: Check
Poor selection: Check
No non-streaming option: Check
No Linux support: Check
No MacOS support: Check

[Fettastic]

Originally Posted by cloudy

I have never belonged to Netflix or Blockbuster.
But this news is getting me interested.
However, if there is no way to get the content to my TV, why would I be interested in it? I have NO interest in watching movies on my PC.
So, what ways are available to people, to make this available on a TV? Apparently it can't stream through the 360. How about the PS3 (seeing as though it has a browser).
If I could stream rentals (unlimited) to my HDTV, I'd be all over this. Until then, it's not worth it to me personally.
And I will still say (For me personally) downloads will NEVER replace the advantage of having an Actual Disc on hand.
But it would be nice to have unlimited access to new releases, so I can then decide if the movie/s are worth picking up on HDM.

I have a Mac running OS9.3 in the bedroom and a PS3 running Linux in the living room. Unfortunately neither system can take advantage of Netflix's download service.

[checkingout]

It seems Netflix is currently limiting itself to Vista and XP. Currently they are working out DRM issues to allow Mac users access the d/l service.

It would be cool if a PS3 or XBOX could utilize this service. Last October Netflix says they are working on this ability: http://kotaku.com/gaming/digital-del...als-314710.php

But who knows, as both Sony and Microsoft are working on their own D/L services....along with everybody else it seems!!!

Originally Posted by Fettastic

I have a Mac running OS9.3 in the bedroom and a PS3 running Linux in the living room. Unfortunately neither system can take advantage of Netflix's download service.

[cloudy]

I have a feeling with MS and Sony wanting to utilize their own DL abilities, that they will make it very difficult for Netflix to utilize those consoles.
Well I guess I can always hope the Netflix set-top box becomes a great option.