At the Boxee Beta Unveiling event in Brooklyn, Boxee revealed that D-Link has been named first choice as the hardware partner to release a Boxee Box - Boxee branded set-top box.

The device brings HDMI-support, WiFi, Ethernet, an SD card slot and two USB 2.0 ports. It also comes with optical audio, RCA audio and RF remote and plays any non-DRM media.

Sony and Netflix – the two of the fastest growing home entertainment brands in the U.S. – are joining forces to make movies and TV episodes from Netflix available to be streamed instantly to TVs via the PlayStation3.

The streaming via the PS3 system will begin next month at no additional cost to Netflix members in the United States who have a PS3 system.

Filed under: Media streamers

It can't all be sweet, right? So Netflix is indeed coming to PlayStation 3, but there's a catch, and that is a disc (badly photoshopped into the picture above) will be required for use -- not just for a one-time install, but every time you want to stream. Joystiq shot some questions off to the company, who justified this as being "fastest and easiest way to let PS3 enthusiasts get Netflix on the PS3" and that an embedded software solution through XMB will be coming late next year. It denies this has anything to do with Microsoft's exclusivity agreement, but frankly we're a bit bummed by this perplexing hurdle in convenience. At any rate, be sure to go reserve your disc now if you want to start streaming -- assuming, of course, PlayOn hasn't already satisfied your Netflix needs.

Read - Netflix interview
Read - Disc reservation page (must be logged in to see)

Netflix for PlayStation 3 requires a disc, software solution coming late 2010 originally appeared on Engadget HD on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Internet

Just in case you haven't already grabbed the remastered Blu-ray, Netflix is streaming The Wizard of Oz today only (until 9 a.m EST. Sunday, October 4,) in HD for subscribers with the proper hardware to play it. Even those who haven't signed up yet can view it via PC, though with a few less pixels. We checked it out already via Xbox 360 and while it is remarkably clear -- and probably better looking than you've seen it in the past on VHS or dodgy OTA broadcast, it's still the same movie, though the difference becomes more dramatic once reaching the colorized land of Oz.

Off to see the Wizard? Netflix streaming the classic in HD today only originally appeared on Engadget HD on Sat, 03 Oct 2009 17:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Media streamers, Internet

A first hand look at the Netflix Movie Parties on the Xbox 360 originally appeared on Engadget HD on Sun, 16 Aug 2009 17:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Industry, Media streamers, Internet

Now this is one stat from an analyst that we wouldn't refute, but we do wonder how Versaly Entertainment aquired this information. How exactly does one calculate streaming revenue from a subscription service like Netflix anyways? To be fair we are only assuming that Netflix is involved here as it wasn't specifically mentioned, but we really can't think of any other subscription based video streaming service. Our best guess is that the revenue in question is based on what the studios are receiving and not for the service itself. Regardless, it isn't hard to figure out why no one is paying $4-$5 for for the 24 hour rights to watch a movie on any of the pay-per-download services out there. Especially when you can rent a movie from just about anywhere via Redbox for $1.

Read -- Subscription downloads outperform pay-view.
Read -- Redbox undermining DVD value

Subscription services like Netflix Watch Instantly generates 20x the revenue of pay-per-downloads originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 06 Aug 2009 16:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Mvix has announces the worldwide launch of the Mvix Ultio, a hard-disk based media center capable of HD digital media playback with video output as high as 1080p.
The company claims the device supports the largest array of AV formats and codecs of any media player.

Filed under: Industry, Media streamers

We're not saying it's all good news for Netflix, but even someone with our limited financial knowledge can tell that this quote from CEO Reed Hastings in its Q1 results means things are going pretty well: "We added more net subscribers than in any previous quarter in our history and grew year-over-year GAAP EPS by 76 percent." We don't have to know what GAAP EPS is (earnings reported according to generally accepted accounting principals, and in our Wikipedia-based financial opinion we're concerned this may not truly reflect the earnings of the company until we can evaluate the operating cash flow per share - but this isn't that kind of blog) to recognize the company has a hit on its hands with Watch Instantly, even while its biggest competition is struggling. After busting through 10 million subscribers in February, the company is up to 10,310,000, adding 920,000 to its ranks in Q1 alone. Other news from the earnings call: Streaming only subscriptions are still being "considered" but not planned right now, the company is rolling out a new machine to test discs for scratches and cracks, and the company's biggest threat, just like we discussed on the podcast, is the spread of rental kiosks. You can check the reports for the rest of the details but if, like us, you're more interested in finding out when more HD and surround audio are coming to the streaming service, you'll be disappointed, because they're not in there.

[Image courtesy of TooMuchNick / WireImage, via Hacking Netflix]

Netflix Q1 results: Unprecedented growth, 10.3 million subs, improving testing for cracked discs originally appeared on Engadget HD on Fri, 24 Apr 2009 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Media streamers

Rumors of Netflix content streaming to the PS3 date back to, well, the first rumors of it hitting the Xbox 360. We all know which of those two platforms got some red envelope love last year, and now, soon after hearing the service may be heading to the Wii, we have what seems to be similar confirmation that Netflix is at least still considering bringing their bitstream to the PS3. The screenshot above was captured by a reader, showing a message like that on the earlier Wii survey -- in fact it's exactly the same from what we can see. Given our proximity to that least newsy day of the year on April 1st we can't be sure this is entirely genuine, but it probably is time for Sony to make a little room in its XMB for Netflix.

[Thanks, Jake N.]

Is Netflix PS3-bound, too? originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 25 Mar 2009 07:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Media streamers

There's a new survey from Netflix making the rounds, asking customers if they'd like to watch Netflix on the Wii. The service would apparently require a $9.99 "Netflix Instant Streaming Disc," which users could pop into the system when they wanted to watch -- far be it from Nintendo to offer a firmware update. While many of the folks we know are already getting Netflix on their Xboxen, the Wii would obviously let Netflix hit a lot more households with those Instant Watch goodies, if this ever comes to pass. As for Sony, it's still denying any plans for Netflix on the PS3, but perhaps this would help change its mind (and won't involve another $10 DVD -- we only have so many Hamiltons to go around).

Netflix headed for the Wii? originally appeared on Engadget HD on Sat, 21 Mar 2009 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: HD DVD, Media streamers

This news may not be a surprise, given the huge success of Netflix's Watch Instantly streaming service, which had been activated over 1 million times on Xbox Live the last time we checked -- accounting for about 10 percent of its subscriptions. Regardless, word has come from Netflix's CFO Barry McCarthy that the company plans to offer a streaming-only service "in the near future." The Watch Instantly service currently offers about 12,000 movies (around 100,000 titles are available if you order the physical discs), on a variety of devices, including Xbox Live and Roku boxes, so it seems like a smart move, though we don't know the timeline or pricing of the stream-only service. Here's to hoping they expand their offering a little before then... maybe Final Destination? Just a suggestion.

[Via Joystiq]

Netflix streaming-only subscriptions coming 'in the future' originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 25 Feb 2009 20:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Media streamers, Other hardware, Sony, Internet

Good thing we didn't think Sony PR was sweating the Microsoft / Netflix joint announcement about cracking 1 million Xbox Live / Watch Instantly users, because we might misinterpret this press release as a sign of desperation. We might just be confused enough to think reinterpreting a lack of access to services and options as a money saving bullet point was questionable, or that pooh poohing video streaming, and then touting the ability to stream online content in consecutive bullet points was a somewhat curious strategy. We'll stop now, mentioning our incredibly slow firmware updates in the face of a cited "study" proving faster PSN download times or pointing out our issues with the PlayStation Video Store would likely be going too far. Check the read link and let the straight-laced fellows over at Joystiq (also to thank for the Quincying picture at right) bring you unfettered, intelligent analysis of these points.

Sony calmly responds to Microsoft / Netflix streaming gains originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 05 Feb 2009 21:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Industry, Media streamers, Internet

We already covered the numbers from Netflix's impressive earnings call this past Monday, but there was another story lurking in there too; a potential sign of the coming apocalypse for physical media. The company is reporting that many of its customers are substituting mailed movies for streamed ones, taxing the USPS less and their broadband connections more. CEO Reed Hastings is playing coy about whether this is a strong trend or just the curious behavior of early adopters, and since his company gets paid either way he probably doesn't care, but you can be sure those still firmly attached to profits from plastic discs are going to be watching this pattern rather closely. (As if Sony needed any more bad news.)

Netflix sees subscribers opting for streaming over mailing, global surplus in red envelopes predicted originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 28 Jan 2009 09:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Roku has agreed a deal that will give its set-top box users access to Amazon’s video on demand (VOD) content.
The agreement means owners of Roku digital video players will be able to instantly purchase, rent and watch digital movies and TV episodes from the Amazon service.

LG Electronics has announced the first broadband-enabled HDTVs with Netflix streaming software embedded directly in the set.
The new LCD and plasma “broadband HDTVs” will be able to show Netflix’s library of movies, TV episodes and HD content directly on the set without needing an external device.

Netflix has reached its target of 500,000 Blu-ray subscribers ahead of schedule.
The retailer's chief financial officer Barry McCarthy said subscribers had added the option of paying an extra USD $1 to receive Blu-ray Disc titles at a quicker rate than Netflix forecast in October.

Blockbuster may be hinting at offering its download service on Blu-ray players - Netflix is actually doing it.
From next week two Samsung Blu-ray players are to provide Netflix videos in high definition.

Netflix has hired Bill Holmes, a five-year veteran of digital-media company DivX, to help build its video-streaming business.
His appointment is the latest in various moves by the company to build on its 8.4 million subscriber base with its streaming services.

LG Electronics and Netflix are to launch the first Blu-ray Disc player that will have the ability to instantly stream movies and TV episodes from Netflix directly to the TV.
The LG BD300 Network Blu-ray Disc Player, which is to be launched in the autumn, will play high definition Blu-ray discs and up-convert standard DVDs to 1080p.

Sony has signed up the major studios, including Fox, Disney and Warner, to offer HD movies on its US download service.
The downloads can be transferred from the console to the Play Station Portable handheld device.
This latest development follows Microsoft's announcement that it will add a NetFlix movie streaming service to its XBox 360 video game console.
The continuing rivalry between the console makers is good news for consumers.

Filed under: Misc, Blu-ray, Other formats, Internet

[Via Slashdot]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Misc, Blu-ray, Other formats, Internet

Many of you Netflix users may have never heard of Profiles. For those that have, you'll probably be quite disappointed to hear that it'll soon be vanishing. Put simply, Profiles enables users to "set up separate DVD Queues under one account," and for any couples in the house, they can attest to the usefulness of said feature. Netflix is planning to eliminate Profiles on September 1, 2008, and its only explanation is that "the change will help it to continue to improve the Netflix website for all customers." Anyone perturbed about the change? Does it not bother you at all?

[Thanks, Kris]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

With Blu-ray sales still not setting the heather alight much has been made of the high cost of HD players and continued viewer satisfaction with standard-definition DVD.
Paul Erickson, director of DVD and HD Market Research at DisplaySearch, is in no doubt these are big factors contributing to Blu-ray’s slow shift into the living room.
Adding to the picture is the emergence of online content delivery as a viable source of HD programming, something that is seen as posing a real threat to Blu-ray’s long-term survival.

Blu-ray discs and DVDs are going to survive for another 20 years even though great advances are being made in digital downloading.
That is the belief of Reed Hastings, head of NetFlix, the online rental service, who also stated that he doesn’t think a rival physical optical disc will emerge to challenge Blu-ray.
Speaking at an investors meeting, Hastings said on DVD and Blu-ray wouldn’t be replaced by digital downloads and ray Hollywood studios would continue releasing films on disc.
“Our view is that the studios are going to publish DVD and Blu-ray for another 20 years,” he said. “I don’t think there’s going to be another physical optical disc.”