Xbox 360 to offer first-ever Netflix HD streaming

(Credit: Engadget)

When Microsoft unveiled the plan for the new Xbox Live experience back at E3 2008, we were thrilled to hear that Netflix instant streaming was among the features announced.

That news just got a little sweeter now that Engadget HD is reporting that Xbox 360 owners will also be able to stream selected Netflix titles in HD.

While a list of HD-ready movies is not immediately available, some 300 titles will be ready for HD streaming when the service launches--along with the new Xbox Live experience--November 19.

Judging from the screen grab, it looks like the Netflix 360 player will gauge your Internet connection and decide whether or not your hookup can handle glorious high-definition content.

This is certainly big news for Xbox 360 owners, as no other device has the ability to stream Netflix in HD. Can you hear that? It's the sound of a Roku player crying.

[Zen-Masta]

I've been a blockbuster subscriber for a couple of years and quiet honestly I don't even use the service very much. I've had 3 DVD's for a few months and I still haven't watched em. I watch more stuff on my DVR than I do DVD's. I think I'm going to switch to netflix just because of this. That way I'll at least get some use out of it. I was already thinking of it before they announced the HD now I think it's an absolute must for me.

[hawaiiinsomniac]

WOW! This is great news! I was contemplating of buying an Apple TV but guess what!?? They only have HD movies for RENT and not for purchase. Given that this is included in my Netflix account and I already use XBLA, its no Apple TV for me!

[UKStory1355]

How much bandwidth would you need? My DSL only gets me about 0.750 Mbps on average, which is fine for XBox Live, but I don't think it will be enough for this.

[pase121]

Sorry buddy I think your outta luck. I would guess that you need at least 2-3 mpbs for high def streaming. If you can afford to upgrade your internet connection...do it.

[roemer7]

This is great! Now the question is, assuming we will still need a pc connected to our Xbox 360, do we need Vista and Media Center or will this work with my XP computer?

[gotrsx6]

roemer, this is not the same as streaming through PC as was done using the xbox as a media center extender. this will allow netflix subscribers to access, download, and watch movies using ONLY your xbox 360 console and internet connection.

[lepomp]

Does the XBOX 360 have to have a hard drive?

[amp323]

To be able to stream Netflix through your Xbox you also need to have an Xbox Live Gold Membership, so yes you need a hard drive

[MadLox]

Microsoft is running a 'Memory Upgrade' promotion for those without a hard drive.

You can get a free 512 memory card or buy a refurb 20 gig hdd by entering your console info at this site:

http://www.xboxstorageupgrade.com/hh/web/home/hhauthentication.jsp?ssLocale=en_US

Yes it's a refurb, but it does come straight from Microsoft. And it's only a 20 spot...

[blackmagik01]

Looks like Microsoft really came from behind the back and slammed dunked this deal. Especially now at a time that Comcast has announced it's increased and quadrupled amount of bandwidth that can be achieved for a small price. I personally think Microsoft had insides on that whole thing with Comcast. Both companies really benefit from each other anyways.

[jbart610]

Microsoft has been talking about this for a year, so I don't buy the idea that they colluded with Comcast.

[alknobel]

I can't wait for the service to start, hopefully it will live up to the promises and hype.

[FargoUT]

Oh great ... now I'll have to invest in a 802.11n router. I doubt my 802.11g router will be able to handle the stream. I guess I can always just run a Cat5e cable to the box, but that would just add a wire which I'd rather not have.

No complaints against XBox or NetFlix on this one though. Just hope that NetFlix is able to stream more HD movies in the future! Since I got my laptop, my DVD player has been collecting dust. This will be the future of home theater, but I fear the bottlenecks which are bound to come up (specifically the ISPs and their caps on bandwidth usage).

[dirty55409]

too bad my qwest DSL sucks! So no HD-Content for me! I wish I could somehow download the HD-Content to my Xbox then remove it after watching it (The hack for downloading instant view movies is not worth it btw)

[ddiddy415]

Keep in mind everyone......not every movie is going to be streamed in HD.....if you try using the stream service on your pc....you'll realize that the selection isnt great........as for the connection speed....it has to be from 8 on up

But if you want real hd.....just buy a ps3....amazon has a deal right now if you buy a ps3 along with four blurays....you'll get $100 dollars off.....Thats a 299.99 ps3 right there........thats cheaper than the xbox 360 (xbox=199.99 /xbox live membership (has to be gold to stream netflix)=$50/ hard drive (since it doesnt come with one.(cheapest one is $59.99.....bluray player adapter (once it comes out) $150
Be smart people......get the ps3 its a better deal.....and it will last alot longer than the xbox 360......just look at the ps2........its still around.....i dont see the xbox around anymore....do you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[petersadosky]

Do you think that has something to do with, you know, no one buying the PS3?

[pdskep]

Sour grapes from a Sony fanboy. So Sony sorry.

[Liquidx01]

pdskep, that it how it sound to me.

The Blu ray player... err, I mean PS3 is becoming less and less relevant. No wait, it had to be relevant in the first place to become less and less relevant... whatever. I have a ton more regrets about buying the PS3 than the 360 that I've had to return 3 times. Seriously.

[gotrsx6]

you're right, Sony is still selling many PS2s. In fact, they are selling more PS2s per quarter than PS3, (see sony's recent quartly release). why? because PS2 was indeed great and innovative, had great games, was enjoyable. but PS3 is NOT. the games are subpar, servers are terrible. x360 was a step up, so people upgraded. the same cannot be said for ps2, which is why it still sells while ps3 suffers. (deals on amazon are for products which are not selling, ps3 is NOT SELLING, they are not going to mark down a product they can sell at a higher price, its simple economics, sell at market value, market doesn't want PS3, so value drops.) I like my PS3, i hate all the games i have for it. and i can't even play littlebigplanet single player because the servers are so slow. how stupid is that, the single player game is crippled by online ineptitude by Sony.

[supremesketch]

Hey ddiddy415, you really need to check your info before hyperposting. Here is the actual Amazon ad:
Save $100 When You Buy a Blu-ray Player and Four Warner Blu-ray Discs Together
Save $100 when you buy a Blu-ray disc player together with four Blu-ray discs from Warner Home Video. Choose an eligible Blu-ray disc player and four eligible Blu-ray discs from the below list, and add them all to your Shopping Cart. At checkout, enter the code AMAZONBD to receive your discount. The offer is valid only for players and discs sold by Amazon.com. Rules and restrictions apply. See details

It appears the movies will end up costing yoiu next to nothing. Not sure where you got the $299.99 thing but time to pinch yourself and come back to reality.

[scott7272]

That's because the xbox games play on the xbox 360. The new PS3 does not play PS2 games.

[ddiddy415]

(SUPREME SKETCH)....I was talking about the ps3 itself....I know you have to buy for movies...here is the article froma (bluraydotcom)
For a limited time, Amazon.com is offering a $100 instant rebate when you purchase a select Blu-ray Disc player along with four eligible Warner Blu-ray titles. The players include an 80GB PlayStation 3, Sylvania NB500, and Samsung BD-P1500 and there are 22 Warner Blu-ray titles to choose from, including 'Batman Begins'.

The discount effectively lowers the cost of the player by $100, meaning you can get a PS3 for $299, the Sylvania for $99, or the Samsung for $112!

To receive the discount, simply add an applicable player and titles to your shopping cart, and then apply the special code during check out. A full list of titles, as well as the special code, can be found by following the link below.

[ddiddy415]

(SUPREME SKETCH)....I was talking about the ps3 itself....I know you have to buy for movies...here is the article froma (bluraydotcom)
For a limited time, Amazon.com is offering a $100 instant rebate when you purchase a select Blu-ray Disc player along with four eligible Warner Blu-ray titles. The players include an 80GB PlayStation 3, Sylvania NB500, and Samsung BD-P1500 and there are 22 Warner Blu-ray titles to choose from, including 'Batman Begins'.

The discount effectively lowers the cost of the player by $100, meaning you can get a PS3 for $299, the Sylvania for $99, or the Samsung for $112!

To receive the discount, simply add an applicable player and titles to your shopping cart, and then apply the special code during check out. A full list of titles, as well as the special code, can be found by following the link below.

[Liquidx01]

Oh, he's part of the Sony Defense Force over on Bluray.com... the same site that bans anyone if they speak even slightly negative about Blu-ray. Great site for one sided information! Not too mention 90% of its members are immature teenagers with PS3's. Now it all makes sense, he's just a troll.

I recall asking a question about Blu-rays major profile issues and getting lynched because the answers did not "fit" with what they were pushing or wanted talked about there. Farkin communists...

The sad part of that "deal" he's pushing here is that you need PAY for 4 Blu-ray movies in order to receive $100 off. Kicker is, 4 BD movies worth owning will cost nearly $100 or MORE since they average between $25-$30 each... remember I said worth owning.... meaning current blockbuster titles.

There is a reason why the PS3 isn't flying off shelves... no one wants it. You can save the talking points that all of you on Bluray.com copy and paste everywhere about how the PS3 essentially costs less than 360... no one cares.

There is a reason why the 360 still outsells the PS3... it's called games and an online network that makes the PSN look like an obvious afterthought. The network top to bottom is generic at best.... no kidding it's free. I wouldn't dare spend a nickel on it.

[make_or_break]

Considering how BD content has done at the cash register, how could you even HINT that the PS3 will outlast the 360? There aren't enough games for the Sony, Bluray isn't the eye-candy attraction that gets people to open their wallets for the premium over DVD, and face it, those shiny, plastic/aluminum discs as a delivery system are so *yesterday* in the download world we have TODAY, not to mention in the future as bandwidth advancements improve the experience even further.

All you PS3 fanboy BD types that whined about how comprehensively GREAT the PS3 was going to be...you sure missed the boat on that one. There's a reason why the PS3 fell back to No. 3 in sales among the newest gen consoles: lack of value. As much as I like my own 80GB PS3, I'm more or less resigned to the realization that my now ancient first gen 20GB Xbox 360 still whips it on versatility and content. As much as I hate MSFT in general, they've got Sony more than covered when it comes to the convergent experience.

[BillJr106]

i was looking forward to taking advantage of this already... and now it just got sweeter... i get 30 down and 5 up from cablevision so I am sure I will have no problem handling the HD stream..

[DarthViking1]

I already have a gold account on Live and have been a subscriber to NetFlix for the past 3 months, I can't wait to stream HD movies to my 360! :)
(Live A+ NetFlix A+)

[erikzimm]

Anyone know if this is a subscription service, like the typical Netflix model, or through Xbox Live can I "pay-as-I-go."

[pdskep]

erik, it is the Netflix model. If you have an unlimited Netflix account (starting at $9/month I think) and a XBL gold account you can stream as much as you want for free...except for the aforementioned account fees.

[3883624]

if i dont have a netflix do i still get free movies???
i rilly need to know becuse its bugging me rilllllly badd

[exostencil]

"...Netflix streaming in HD when the service launches on November 19."

Uh, it's November 25th and still no streaming HD from Netflix. What gives?

[iemmsley]

I dont think they will come close to Vudu (www.vudu.com). You want instant HD quality movies without waiting for it to download first. Try Vudu... They also have over 12,000 movies in their database and it only requires 4MB Internet connection... I just had mine for about 3 weeks and I really love it. There is no montly service fee but just pay for the movies you rent and of course the cost of the box to purchase ($299 - Right now it is $99 for Holiday promotion)... Check it out at www.vudu.com or your nearest Best Buy store...