Attention, PlayStation 3 owners: want to watch a movie streamed instantly from Netflix via your PS3? I’ve got terrific news for you; very soon you’ll be able to do just that.
We’re excited to announce today that Netflix and Sony have partnered to bring you thousands of movies and TV episodes streamed instantly from Netflix to your TV via your PS3 system at no extra charge. When the application launches next month, you’ll be able to access and watch thousands of Netflix choices directly through the XMB. We think that the nearly nine million PS3 enthusiasts and 11.1 million Netflix members in the U.S. will make quite a match.
If you want to get a head start on your PS3 Netflix experience, you can sign up today at http://www.netflix.com/ps3.
For more information, check out the press release below (or click here), and stay tuned to the PlayStation.Blog for further updates on the rollout.
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COMING SOON: NETFLIX MEMBERS CAN INSTANTLY WATCH MOVIES AND TV EPISODES STREAMED TO TVs VIA THE PLAYSTATION®3 COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM
With Movies Streamed Instantly from Netflix, Blu-ray/DVD Playback and Downloadable Videos via the PlayStation®Network, the PlayStation 3 System Offers The Industry’s Most Comprehensive Options for Watching Movies and TV Shows
FOSTER CITY and LOS GATOS, Calif., October 26, 2009 – Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. (SCEA) and Netflix, Inc. [Nasdaq: NFLX] today announced that they are joining forces to make thousands of movies and TV episodes from Netflix available to be streamed instantly to TVs via the PlayStation®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system. Netflix expects to begin streaming via the PS3 system next month at no additional cost to Netflix members in the United States who have a PS3 system.
Today’s announcement pairs two of the most popular and fastest growing home entertainment brands in the U.S. The PS3 system’s installed base has reached close to 9 million units in the United States, and Netflix recently reported 11.1 million U.S. subscribers as of September 30.
The partnership further solidifies the PS3 system as the most complete home entertainment hub on the market today, enabling consumers to play high-definition games, watch Blu-ray movies, listen to music, view photos, browse the Internet, and download content from PlayStation®Network − from exclusive games to blockbuster movies and popular TV shows. PS3 system owners will soon enjoy an unparalleled experience watching their favorite movies and TV shows streamed instantly from Netflix, downloading from the PlayStation Network or watching Blu-ray/DVD media. The Netflix offering expands on the entertainment experience delivered to PS3 system owners via PlayStation Network.
For only $8.99 a month, Netflix members can instantly watch unlimited movies and TV episodes streamed to their TVs and computers via Netflix ready devices such as the PS3 system and can receive unlimited DVDs delivered quickly to their homes.
“The PlayStation 3 system has always been about more than just gaming, and it will soon be the only platform in the industry to offer consumers such a variety of convenient options for enjoying movies and TV shows,” said Jack Tretton, president and CEO, SCEA. “Whether you want to watch content on Blu-ray disc and DVD, download it from the PlayStation Network’s video delivery service, or stream videos instantly from Netflix, the PS3 system is the only solution that offers it all.”
“As instantly watching movies and TV episodes streamed from Netflix becomes an increasingly popular way to enjoy the Netflix service, our goal is to rapidly expand the devices that stream to our members,” said Netflix CEO and co-founder Reed Hastings. “As a leading game console and Blu-ray disc player, bringing Netflix to the PS3 system is a real win for both Netflix members and PS3 system owners.”
Initially, watching movies instantly streamed from Netflix via the PS3 system will be enabled by a free, instant streaming Blu-ray disc that is being made available to all Netflix members. The free instant streaming disc leverages Blu-ray’s BD-Live™ technology to access the Internet and activate the Netflix user interface on the PS3 system, which must be online via Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
Netflix members simply slide the disc into their PS3 systems to reveal movies and TV episodes that can be watched instantly. These titles are conveniently organized into a variety of categories based on members’ personal preferences, popular genres, new arrivals and members’ individual instant Queues. Members can use the Netflix Web site or navigate directly on their PS3 systems to add movies and TV shows to their Queues. With the PS3 system’s Wireless Controller, members can choose a movie to watch from their instant Queues or just play directly from any of the lists. They also have the ability to read synopses and rate movies. In addition, they have the option of fast-forwarding and rewinding the video stream via the Wireless Controller.
Netflix members and PS3 system owners can now reserve a free instant streaming disc for PS3 systems by going to www.netflix.com/ps3. Upon availability, the instant streaming disc will be delivered for free by first-class mail, generally one business day after members request it.
About Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.
Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation® and PS one® game consoles, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, the ground-breaking PlayStation®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system and its digital services which include the PlayStation®Network and the PlayStation®Store.
Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. markets the PlayStation family of products and develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for the PS one® game console, the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, and the PlayStation 3 and PSP systems for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif., Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. serves as headquarters for all North American operations and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
About Netflix, Inc.
Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX) is the world’s largest online movie rental service, with more than more than 11 million subscribers. For only $8.99 a month, Netflix members can instantly watch unlimited movies and TV episodes streamed to their TVs and computers and can receive unlimited DVDs delivered quickly to their homes. There are never any due dates or late fees. Netflix members can exchange DVDs as often as they want using a postage-paid return envelope. Members can choose from a vast selection of DVD titles and a growing library of movies and TV episodes that can be watched instantly. Netflix is partnering with leaders in consumer electronics to bring to market a range of devices that can instantly stream movies and TV episodes from Netflix directly to members’ TVs. These devices currently include Blu-ray disc players and new Internet TVs from LG Electronics; Blu-ray disc players from Samsung and Best Buy’s Insignia brand; the Roku digital video player; Microsoft’s Xbox 360 game console; TiVo digital video recorders; and, soon, the PS3 system and Internet TVs from Sony and VIZIO.
OK. So here r da specialities. Regulars can install other operating systems while da slims can synchronize a Bravia TV remote to use with da slim PS3. If PS3s r 2 complex 4 u, start out with the PSP Go. (It’s the most advanced PSP yet) Well, that’s all I’ve got 2 say 4 now. Keep up da good work, Sony! [Hmmm, if only a disc wasn’t required 2 start da Netflix 4 da PS3.]
A word count on this comment box would be great. Just spent 20 minutes typing up a review only to lose it becuase it was to long. Thanks guys. Can I have my 20 minutes back now.
Ok now to my review. I am a die hard Sony fan but I hate to admit that Sony failed miserable with the Netflix software. Those with both the PS3 and 360 will agree with me on these three points.
One: Where the heck is the HD quality. I ran the same move on my PS3 and Xbox. The Xbox = HD quality. The PS3 = 1970 quality. The movie was grainy and pixelated at times.
Two: What the heck do the buttons on the PS3 do. How do I rewind a movie, fast foward, etc. After about an hour or so all I know is that the X button will puase and play a movie and the Circle button will totally kick you out of Netflix and back to the XMB (which sucks if you accidently hit it while in the middle of a movie like I did). On the 360 you hit the A button and it brings up a menu bar that allows you to pause, rewind, etc. and if you hit the B button it just takes you back to the movie info screen.
Contined in next post.
Three: The navigation just plain sucks especially if you are trying to veiw a TV series like Heroes, Legend of the Seeker, The Office, etc. On the PS3, you first have to select the movie, then you are given a page that allows you to play episode one, select a different episode, rate the move or add to que. Lets say you want to watch episode three. You select play different episode. This then takes you to a scroll screen where you have to scroll through the available episodes. Once you find the one your looking for you select it and this takes you to the episode description play. If it’s the one you want to watch, you hit play and your finally watching your show. Once it ends however, you have to go through the whole process again to select the next one.
Continued….
Three: The navigation just plain sucks especially if you are trying to veiw a TV series like Heroes, Legend of the Seeker, The Office, etc. On the PS3, you first have to select the movie, then you are given a page that allows you to play episode one, select a different episode, rate the move or add to que. Lets say you want to watch episode three. You select play different episode. This then takes you to a scroll screen where you have to scroll through the available episodes. Once you find the one your looking for you select it and this takes you to the episode description play. If it’s the one you want to watch, you hit play and your finally watching your show. Once it ends however, you have to go through the whole process again to select the next one.
Continued…..
With the 360 you scroll through the series, select the one you want to watch and it takes you to a screen that lists all the available episodes. You scroll down the list and it gives you a description of the episodes on the right hand side of the screen. Once you find your episode you select it and it takes you to a more detailed page. Hit play and presto your watcing your show. Once the show ends however you go right back to the episode select screen and you can just click on the next episode. No need to repeat 5 steps just to get to the next episode.
As much as I hate to admit this, until Sony makes Netflix a part of the XMB and cleans up the interface and image quality, I will continue to watch movies on my 360. There Netflix is a far superior interface then the PS3’s.
SPJammer: “Two: What the heck do the buttons on the PS3 do”
It’s strange that the PS3 manual doesn’t seem to give the mapping of the DS3 buttons to video control.
SQUARE = Scene Search
SELECT = Display
L1 = Return to Beginning
R1 = Next
L2/LEFT = REW
R2/RIGHT = FF
Start/X = PLAY/PAUSE toggle
TRIANGLE = Control Panel
Some of these do not work with the Watch Instantly disc–I know that SQUARE doesn’t do anything and I suspect that R1 doesn’t either. Many other video functions (which also may or may not work) are on the control panel.
I’d suggest buying the PS3 Bluetooth remote or one of the many others available. (I use a Harmony remote with the Logitech PS3 Harmony Adapter).
SPJammer: “One: Where the heck is the HD quality. I ran the same move on my PS3 and Xbox. The Xbox = HD quality. The PS3 = 1970 quality. The movie was grainy and pixelated at times.”
There are only HD encodings for something between 400 and 500 titles (I counted 493 one day and later that same day it was down to 462); some titles expire. For the HD titles that I tried, I got the HD encoding and it looked as good as it does on the Xbox and the TiVo. How are your Xbox and PS3 connected to the network? Mine are both wired to ports on my router. You’re unlikely to get a connection fast enough for the HD encoding through wireless G.
SPJammer: “the Circle button will totally kick you out of Netflix and back to the XMB”
It will also kick you out of a video disc at any point, whether in a menu or during playback. This is essentially a very fancy menu on a Blu-ray disc which doesn’t have video on it.
I got my Netflix disc a few days ago and I thought that the GUI was fine. It looks like the GUI on the Roku box and many of the other embedded players. I think that the only custom GUIs are the ones on TiVo and on the Xbox.
I think that it’s a great boon to people who have a PS3 and no other device capable of Netflix Watch Instantly streaming, but I’ll stick to using my TiVo, since the interface is faster than either this or the Xbox (though less attractive than either) and the TiVo is silent.
I posted my full review on AVS Forum:
avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=17489643#post17489643
go ps! you can overcome microsoft!
I got netflix myself & I”m so excited about this yo!!! I never know this was going to be the PS3. I thought is was only going to be on the 360 but I was wrong. But I”m happy that I”m wrong. This is going to be so much fun!!!
Marc,
As for the HD issue I have my systems set up the same way as you do and both are connected to my TV via HDMI. The movies I tried just played at a better quality on the 360. For those that don’t have a 360 or any other Nexflix enabled device, the GUI works great, but compared to the current 360 version it just doesn’t stand up. Now I am sure that once Sony makes this available on the XMB the GUI will definitly be improved upon and I will definitely quite watching on my PS3 at that point.
I have no idea why you’re apparently not getting the HD encodes while on the PS3, but my point is that I am getting them and the quality is equal when I play those titles on the PS3, Xbox and TiVo. When you say “the GUI works great, but compared to the current 360 version it just doesn’t stand up”, you should make it clear that it’s a subjective opinion–I’m sure that there are others who wouldn’t agree. For one thing, there are people who hate the NXE Dashboard, and the 360 Netflix player precisely imitates the look and feel of the Dashboard (of course, there are also lots of people who don’t particularly care for the XMB, myself among them 8^), but the Netflix disc GUI bears no resemblance to the XMB). There are things about the 360 Netflix GUI that I like better and things about the PS3 one that I prefer. I probably slightly prefer the Xbox one, because the way that TV series episodes are accessed is handier.
Whatever. As I said before, this is a great boon to PS3 owners who have no other Netflix streaming device; those of us who do can make the decision of which we like better. I have TiVo, Xbox 360 and a PS3 and I’m not choosing to use either of the consoles 8^).
I wanted to get this, but netflix won’t ship the PS3 disc to Puerto Rico….it’s a shame really….I was looking forward on becoming a member…