Netflix coming to Windows Media Center

Netflix's streaming service will appear on Windows Media Center within the next couple of days.

(Credit: Microsoft)

Microsoft has struck a deal to bring Netflix's streaming movie service to Windows Media Center, the companies said Tuesday.

Netflix's more than 12,000 "Watch it now" movies and TV episodes are only available to users of Windows Vista Home Premium or Ultimate. XP users won't be able to access the service.

Owners of Windows Media Center will also be able to search the entire Netflix library, manage their DVD queues, and "filter searches by titles that are available to watch instantly," Microsoft said in a statement.

Microsoft continues to try to boost the amount of content available on Windows Media. In March, the company launched a new sports channel, including replays of the past NCAA basketball tournament.

"We're building on our broader vision to alleviate the need to jump from Web site to Web site to find TV shows, movies, sports and news," Microsoft said in a statement. " "With Windows Media Center, (users) can now find it in one place."

For Netflix, the partnership offers the Web's No.1 video rental service the chance to reach scores of of Vista users. Netflix's deal with Microsoft's Xbox videogame console proved to be a boon for the company.

Netflix has steadily been crossing the once wide chasm between the PC and the television by striking partnership deals with a wide assortment of set-top box makers, including Roku, and LG.

To access Netflix's service, Windows Media Center owners must first subscribe to the rental service. Then, to stream movies, they can start Windows Media Center on their computers by selecting the new Netflix tile under TV+Movies heading.

[lennie22]

this is cool to have it, I don't have to have the xbox in the living room no more.

[nmcphers]

So a PC is more fitting to have in a living room than an xbox?

[paulsecic]

Wonderful!

[aka_tripleB]

Have you seen some of the HTPCs on the market? Some are quite nice and will fit in nicely next to your TV or AV rack. They most certainly nicer than an Xbox. I'm not someone big on astetics, so I'm am one with an Xbox. But I can see why someone would put a PC next to their TV.

[jglb]

Excellent! Hulu, what are you waiting for!!! you can still display your ads in the videos played on Media Center...give the us the option to do it from Media Center!

[ducttape36]

try the second run plug in. its still in beta but it looking very promising for integrating windows media center with hulu and a slew of other video websites. www.secondrun.tv

[azadam24]

Does anyone know if this will also work for Netflix subscribers using the Release Candidate of Windows 7 Ultimate (Build 7100)? I assume it will but wanted some op-eds... Thx...

[ducttape36]

unfortunately its not there as of now. hopefully it'll be integrated soon, i just upgraded from vista to 7 RC and havent looked back until now...

[ThePunisher2099]

How different will this be, from a practicality standpoint, from having a browser window open and streaming from their website? I am not a fan of Media Center, btw. It's too slow and not intuitive enough. MS just missed the marks with several MM apps. I am a PC fan, but prefer many 3rd party MM apps.

[tenbosch]

Many people use MCE as an appliance and use the remote control (not a keyboard and mouse). It makes it very TV friendly. The problem is logging into Netflix or navigating around the Netflix website with a remote. Now you can use the MCE interface to make your selection, watch a movie, pause, rewind ff, etc... Plus, I have the Roku box for this, now I can use just the MCE box and I can probably move the Roku box somewhere else.

I do wonder how the Netflix app will work on MC extenders. Some MCE add-on's don't work very well with the extenders.

[frankwick]

I disagree. I find Media Center to be one of the best apps built for windows in a long time. It is very intuitive with the 10-ft interface (remote control). It's not made for mousing.

[matthewjlawr1]

Not intuitive? Are you mentally challenged?

[Mr. Dee]

Who said Windows and the PC is dead?

[Philstera]

Does anyone know if this will be released internationally? Hopefully not just in the states. I love using media centre and having netflix on it as well makes it a killer aapplication.

[Rolker]

I hope it'll be an international service too. Unfortunate to us, the people that don't live in the states, we don't receive most of the services you guys receive.
I think it is a great move for Netflix. Millions are watching movies and TV shows using their PC, and having a legitimate provider,with a huge library, is great for the costumers.

[jmans1212]

I think this is a nice idea. But would like some other options besides netflix. Like a previous poster said having it mix and match with hulu would be good also. I would believe that there would have to be some sort of sign on that will have to be filed somewhere. What resolutions would be available for the connection? IF you use a pc hooked up to a large monitor / tv will the video be sharp in full screen or blurry?

[nathan_dyer]

That's great, but where's the love for Boxee? As a Linux user, that would definitely tickle my fancy.

[wolivere]

Welcome to the less then 1% crowd

[pentest]

Welcome to the parrot BS statistics club.

[viper396]

@pentest. It not much different then the typical BS that the Linux crowd likes to spout off at every mundane opportunity. Guess you can spoon in out but your too immature to take it.

[EcuadorHomesOnline]

This is GREAT news! I use Media Center a lot and I was disappointed when I saw that I needed to buy a $99 box to view streaming movies on Netflix. Without having to buy a separate box, I would use the download service exclusively.

[frankwick]

you don't need to buy a box. Sign up for the Silverlight streaming option. It's free. The only downside is that it is only available in a browser and not in Media Center.

[EcuadorHomesOnline]

Thanks franwick - I didn't know about that. I was very impressed with the performance of the Silverlight video during the Olympics. The player doesn't seem to crash all the time like the Flash player does.

[gertruded]

Coming with draconian DRM, more DRM, and more DRM.

Windows is dying, choked by its own hand: DRM, "trusted computing", WGA, bloat, and back doors for government spies.

[Super2online]

Loser thoughts- go bury your head in the sand in shame.

[monkeyfun14]

Troll.

[James7777777]

I hope they contacted the programmer of MyNetflix for this. For those who don't know MyNetflix is an add on for Vista Media Center that provides full netflix support. It is really amazing.
Link: http://www.anpark.com/index.php/2008/02/10/new-vista-media-center-plugin-mynetflix-beta/

Those mentioning Hulu go check out and support SecondRun.tv's plugin. It aggregates online content into Vista Media Center. Still needs a lot of work, Microsoft should back it as it seems to have the same goal.
Link: http://www.secondrun.tv/

Media Center is already amazing and it just seems to keep getting better.

[mados123]

Well, MS didn't need to contact him (Anthony Park) because Netflix already did. They (Netflix) actually hired him and he relocated his family to work out in California - good for him!

http://www.anpark.com/index.php/2008/05/18/netflix-hired-me/

[ducttape36]

i've had netflix on windows media center for years thanks to third party plug-ins. however, this is still great news.

[frankwick]

As a fan of both NetFlix and Media Center, this is really good news for me. The Silverlight streaming that is available today is VERY good quality, but I am forced to leave my Media Center to launch it. Good news and great idea!

[frankwick]

Will Media Center users be able to stream (via an extender) Netflix to other TVs that are not PC connected?

[Stammy12]

No. There is no media extender support. It sucks that they like to keep this a very closed environment. Everything is proprietary.

[Spimby]

Netflix: Please support linux!!!!

[viper396]

Netflix is supporting Windows because Microsoft approached them and did alot of the legwork and technical support. Is anyone in the Linux crowd doing the same, writing the plug-ins, developing the software, etc? Typical of the Linux crowd, you're mostly talk and whining but little to no action.

[Spimby]

@viper396 - It was just a simple request (with a 'please' even). But don't let that stop you from going on a pro-Microsoft roid-rage.

[FearNo1]

Nice..but hopefully netflix adds more and better streamable content. I'd like the XB360/netflix interface to be improved as well.

[ArtInvent]

Netflix : please support Linux, Ubuntu, etc.

[freddy_ace]

Thanks to this article I am finally have a reason to use media center. I love netflix on the media center, very convinient with the remote that came with my HP laptop. Without the remote I still prefer the quick and easy interface. I use it with my wireless mouse presenter. Now if only more internet tv providers would hook into media center that would be great.

[grayfrier]

Then why the He** did they make a Media Center for XP this is as stupid as a Screen door on a submarine again MS has made us waste money to get nothing for something! ( no I wrote it right )
And Ms wants me to migrate to Win7 they can kiss my__________ (fill in the Blank).

[grayfrier]

And NetFlix just cut their own Throats do they have any Idea just how many people not companies still use Win Xp3
NetFlix you just lost a customer I'm heading to RedBox you just blew it big time and I'll bet alot will follow way to go Kissing to MS and cutting lot of the poor out!