Friday Poll: From Netflix to you, but how?

News.com Poll

Netflix delivers
What's the best way to get Netflix offerings?

Please Mister Postman, look and see...
Streamed on Xbox 360
TiVo HD for me
Streamed directly into cerebral cortex
Netflix? Give me the corner video store.

View results

Watching Netflix offerings via DVDs delivered by mail is fast becoming very 2007.

This week brought word that the Xbox 360 will become the first device to allow Netflix streaming in HD when the new Xbox Live experience launches on November 19.

And TiVo's high-definition set-top boxes for digital video recording will by the end of the year be able to stream more than 12,000 movies and TV shows from the video rental site.

What's more, Netflix announced that it will use Microsoft's Silverlight software to deliver streaming movies not only to PCs, but to Intel-based Macs as well.

With Netflix distribution methods seemingly expanding by the day, we want to know how you prefer to get your Netflix flicks. Vote in our poll. And are there other devices you wish you could use to view your Netflix picks? Let us know in our Talkback section below.

[MCVanOLinda]

You forgot another option... Simply viewing streaming Netflix over a Media Center PC.

[Tay41988]

you dont have to have a media center pc.. all you have to do is download the plug in

[fmusignac]

Netflix works great in the mail... Ive got subscription with 2 movies and Ive always got a new one on the mailbox when I need it. On the PC its pretty cool and I connect it to my 52'' Sony Bravia and its viewable although not HD quality... Cant wait to see if they bring it to the PS3 and that would complete my home theater!

[thehog2]

I'm a Netflix subscriber, but for now I am stuck with snail mail. Why? Because I am hard of hearing and Netflix' as well as all other streaming video services, including Apple, do not offer Closed Captioning for ANY of their video downloads. And TV CC will not work on streamed videos.

[MCVanOLinda]

Excellent point. My roommate is hard of hearing (too much loud music I suspect) so he often requests closed captioning or subtitles.

[J-Hawaii]

Unlimited blu-ray on my PS3 and 1080p big screen - keep em' coming Mister Postman. I guess I could always stream powerful titles like "Before the Rains" if I had an Xbox...

[drhamad]

Until streamed video equals the quality of blu-ray, which won't happen anytime soon, it won't be my preferred method. That's not to say I'd never use streaming, but it'd only be in circumstances where I need something *right now.* It would not be the preferred method.

[veljacs]

The mail service is excellent but I watch most of my Netflix selections
by streaming video my PC.
When will Netflix be available in Europe?

[trickycoolj]

I use a component cable from my pc to my HDTV, works great. Was recently considering TiVo so I wouldn't have to subscribe to Comcast DVR... this might be the kicker to shell out the money for that TiVo.

[newsjeff]

I want to see my Sony PS3 be able to stream Netflix to my HDTV. Now I just, DVD's and BluRays through the mail. Please Netflix, let PS3 owners have the capability too!

[bobcbold]

I use the streaming service to my PC and my Roku box that I can hook up to any TV anywhere with a WiFi signal. ( Go to a friend's place and bring a movie with the Roku box!) I have the one-at-a-time DVD subscription for $8.95, so I get maybe10 DVD's a month and all-I-can-stream for less than $10 w/tax. And now coming in HD to my Xbox 360? Even better. BTW, the titles available for streaming got a big boost last month with offerings from Starz. Plus there are Showtime series like Dexter, Brotherhood and Weeds to stream, along with the CSI franchise. And you can watch NBC shows like Heroes the day after they air on broadcast. I love it!

[robertorosco]

Who needs Netflix when there's Usenet. :)

[Persico06]

Well, I'd prefer if they keep the option of either streaming via xbox 360 or Mr. Postman.

[dougjake]

I'd love to watch Netflix streamed through my PS3. Maybe someday.

[MickBurke]

Where's the Red Box?

[Heebee Jeebies]

I will stick with the post office. If Netflix ever does away with mail service, they will loose me as a customer. As far as I am concerned streaming video from any entity is just a way to A) make more money for them without charging less. And, B) to control the consumer more because the quality is worse, the copy protection is higher and in the case of BD-Live it is also apparent a way for studios to keep track of customers without them knowing about. Otherwise why would a Blu-Ray disc call home when you simply watching the movie that is contained on the disc. It wouldn't unless the studio is collecting things about your equipment and viewing habits. This is why when I buy blu-ray (which isn't very often) I will now start running it through Any DVD/HD which now has an option to disable BD-Live. If the studios or hardware makers won't let me choice when, how and why a disc calls home or accesses the net then I will make the choice for them.

Robert

[vinhluu]

I was once a netflix subscriber, but have since moved on to renting and buying from iTunes. Quality, convenience, more recent titles available for download, and Mac support is where iTunes wins over Netflix. I loved Netflix, especially its selection of foreign and independent films. However, with DVDs, I never had the movie when I actually had time to watch something, and not always the right movie at the right moment. What Netflix needs to do is improve their streaming options... wider selection, higher quality, and support for the Mac platform.

[chrisx1]

XBox is way to noisy to be a home theater appliance!!
Ugly too, but noise is what really ruins it.

[nancyeie]

I purchased the Roku device to watch Netflix instant on my tv and I like it. I just wish you would put that option in your poll, and I also wish Netflix had more offerings for instant viewing.

[HANDJOBBY]

now, i understand the advantages to being able to stream videos at any time you'd like, and depending on the user, HD content may or may not be all that important. however, there will always be a need for the "dvd by mail" feature provided by netflix. not everyone can afford a high-speed internet connection for their homes, but less than $10 a month works for most people with a cheap, affordable dvd player. i guess what i'm trying to say is that i think the option should always be there, and probably will be.

[Bearishly4u]

I currently use Roku and have a 360 as well. If Netflix could allow streaming of ANYTHING AND in HD, I would pay double what I do now! DVD's in the mail really is becoming outdated.

[airmalefl]

Streaming is great, but remember, ISPs are starting to think of putting caps on bandwidth. That would kill streaming!