Report: Netflix streaming is now Wii-bound

(Credit: CNET)

You read earlier this week that the PlayStation 3 will soon offer streaming Netflix via a Blu-ray Disc, and now comes talk of the Nintendo Wii getting a similar treatment. While Netflix CEO Reed Hastings has expressed the desire to do so for some time, not until now have we heard some assuring details about it actually coming to fruition.

According to StreamingMedia, the plan has been in the works for some time and may hit Wii consoles as early as the holidays. This move will put Netflix streaming in even more homes as the Wii remains this generation's best-selling console to date.

Interestingly enough, as StreamingMedia points out, we're coming up on the one-year anniversary of Netflix on the Xbox 360, which in all likelihood was actually just a one-year exclusivity deal with Netflix.

We hope to have more details on the specific functionality of Netflix on the Wii as they develop.

(Source: StreamingMedia via Engadget)

[sm125925]

Great! was ready to buy a Roku but now I'll wait. My kids would be so happy to have the Wii moved down to the big flatscreen. Plus the Wii would get a lot more use.

[bmyrum]

excellent no need to buy anything else. nor hook up my 5 year old toshiba laptop to the tv and hope it works correctly.

[ejhayes76]

Wonder how this will look with the Wii's lower resolution?

I don't own a console system or Blu-ray or other Netflix device, but Netflix support could push me to buy one of the consoles. The wife would probably rather have a Wii than the Xbox/PS3 as the Wii will be used by more than just myself.

[psipher]

The Wii outputs to 480P which is standard DVD quality, which should be fine for most.

[atomD21]

In all honesty, the Netflix stream is never all that great quality to begin with, so it will work just fine.

[2ndfallout]

I disagree. When the shows are offered in HD, I think they look really good. Better than DVD, but not as good as BluRay.

[celticbrewer]

I also disagree. I have a 42" HDTV and I've noticed that Netflix looks better than SOME of the DVDs I've played. Overall, they look a lot better than SD TV broadcasts, hands down. Also remember that your internet connection speed wil determine your stream quality (mine's only 3mbps). The biggest drawback so far has been the audio. I save the "good" movies for BR and only stream the old stuff and tv shows.

[NJMetsHero]

This is good for me. I have a Wii in my dorm and I usually watch my Netflix on my computer. My TV has a decently bigger screen, I'd love this.

[RRosal]

This is good for the Netflix wagon, but I'll be darned if I'm gonna watch a good movie through the Wii's non-HD output. If I want to stream with my Netflix account, I can do it through my PC or my PS3. But I'd rather output good 'ol 1080p-ready Blu-Ray's with the PS3. And yes, I do have a Wii in addition to my PS3, so all you fanboy's can chill out before you jump on me for playing the console-favoritism card :-P

[atomD21]

Where's your 360, huh? Huh? You ridiculous fanboy... J/K

[dany612]

No it wont, the qualitity remains the same so it would look basically the same in either console.

[hakeis1]

I agree Wii is horrible for streaming Video, it's a waist of time. Have you seen streaming Video on the 360, that isn't even that great and nothing yet compares to Bluray.

[Jawknee1]

how do you know its horrible hakias? there hasnt been a way to stream movies on the Wii up to this point. Reserve judgement until it comes out.

[Jawknee1]

correction: i didnt realize you could use PlayOn to stream netflix to the Wii. Either way, that seems to work well enough, i can only assume using what ever Netlfix puts out will only make it better.

[jcmark42]

Sounds good to me. Will this need a hard connection or will it work fine on our wireless signal?

[hakeis1]

If there is such a thing as Joke of the Century, this would be it ( HA HA HA ).............

[atomD21]

Why? The Wii is perfectly capable of streaming video, and the large majority of people still don't own a huge LCD or Plasma, so SD is just fine with them. I think having Netflix Streaming for all three is a great idea. I use my 360, so I most likely wouldn't go the Wii route, but it's nice to have the option.

[hakeis1]

I would say you are wrong on most people not haveing large TV's. I think 46" Tv's and above have taken off real well in the last 3 years and Wii would be a terrible System to try to show any kind of streaming Video not to mention HD
video which it can't. The Wii was designed for children in mind and should be left at that. The system is already on the down slide cause they are already talking about a replacement for it. If you want HD movies get a PS3 that has Bluray or skip the gameing system and just get a Bluray player. Your waisting your time and money tying to get streaming video to work proper on a WII.

[ddesy]

I seriously doubt the Wii would have any problem playing back the standard definition Netflix streams, and that is the majority of their content. Not to mention that the Wii was not designed just for children...

[Jawknee1]

How is anyone wasting their own time when Netflix are the ones working on getting the Streaming on the Wii running? if some one already has a Netflix account and a Wii, once its available it should be reaady to go for the comsumer. your talking out your rear Hakeis. Just stop. wait till for the reviews before you spout your jack@ssery.

[iowampb39]

I heard netflix on WII was set for Holiday Season 2010 not 2009.. so I think this is a year off.

[killa08]

This would give me a reason to try and find the Wii I bought lol

[Jawknee1]

There hasnt been enough hardcore games to keep me using my Wii as much as i did when it came out. Nintendo needs to get it in gear and get a new Metroid and Zelda out asap.

[iowampb39]

It is also funny that they made WII's so cheap they can't even play DVD's...
How hard would it have been to just give the customer a little more value in the WII by allowing it to double as a DVD Player like all other gaming consoles can... I wonder how much money they saved per unit not allowing it.. a buck? :)

[ddesy]

So cheap they can't even play DVDs? I don't think you understand. The hardware is perfectly capable, but it was originally intended to be a game system and nothing more.

[millsbum]

my WII can play dvds thers a hack u can look up for

[Jawknee1]

gee maybe its cause just about anyone who was going to or would buy a Wii probably already has a DVD player.

"man i really want a Wii so i can watch DVDs".

[NervClaX]

What a crock! You need to buy an adapter to hook the Wii up to an ethernet cable and without it, you're stuck streaming it over your home wi-fi. And without an HD output you get skippy, blocky, blurry Netflix. But hey, what do you expect for free?

Most people didn't bother using the wi-fi, anyway. Very few people will use this feature and it won't help sell the Wii.

[ddesy]

Ummm.... let's see. The speed of 802.11g is up to 54mbps, and the average Internet connection is under 10mbps. Wi-Fi is more than adequate for the streams. Heck, I can stream HD content in my home on an 802.11g connection with no problem!

Skippy, blocky, blurry? Not all standard definition content fits that description. In fact, most doesn't.

Stop bashing the Wii just because you don't understand it. It is just plain silly.

[Jawknee1]

if you have a decent internet connection speed and a decent enough wireless router the streaming will be fine. ive been streaming netflix to my comupter through a wifi connection all week without any problems. once i get my blue ray disc for the PS3 ill be streaming netflix to my PS3 through guess what? Wifi.

All the Wii haters are out in droves today.

[dadvk]

The quality of the steam has alot to do with you internet speed. We have 10meg cable
internet and even on our 56" 1080P TV, it looks great. I have tried streaming Netflix wireless with Play-on software and it worked great. Looking forward to it as long as no additional fee like with the 360!!!!!

[docdjr]

I don't agree... I use netflix on my wii and it looks better than my ps3. use it with play-on. I use it wireless with only 1.5. works fine ! stasrts out little slow , but plays all the way thru.

cant wait for free.

[Jawknee1]

id be interested to know if the Netflix Blue Ray streaming disc improves the PS3 streaming from what the PlayOn does.

[Jawknee1]

i dont know how this will fair without HD compatibilty. Sure SD works, and i dont mind my Wii games being in 480p, but movies i would like to see a bit better quality. If possible, Nintendo should update the console with a firmware that lets it render at least in 720p with the componant cables. not sure if its possible though.

Anyone know if this would require a hardware update or if it could be done with newer software?

I personally just signed up for Netflix because of the PS3 streaming now available. I may try the Wii version as well just to compare and contrast for my self.

[cheshire191]

i gotta say .. if you are a true internet TV user .. quality is usually NOT at the top of the list of thing you look for. This is a perfect thing for people who are not savvy enough to hook up a computer the to TV or just don't want to fumble around with a mouse or PC remote.

I would even pay a few bucks for the actual app to make it simple to watch movies through the TV.

w00t!

[carrlitoz14]

You guys should read this.
http://www.gameguru.in/nintendo-wii/2009/12/no-wii-hd-launching-in-next-year-nintendo/
Maybe the the SD Wii will have netflix a lot sooner.