(Credit:
CBS Interactive)
As expected, Samsung has added support for HD streaming of Netflix video to its BD-P2500 and BD-P2550 players. The upgrade is available as a free firmware update (players should automatically prompt users to install the software update, or DIYers can download it from Samsung's support site and burn it to disc). Still no word on the promised DTS-HD Master Audio support for these players, but that will likely come in a subsequent firmware update soon.
The Netflix HD catalog is currently just a fraction of Netflix's streaming selection (300 titles out of around 12,000), but it will undoubtedly expand over time. HD compatibility was available first on the Xbox 360 last month, but--as we reported in October--all Netflix-compatible devices should be getting the HD upgrade soon. Indeed, there are signs that the high-def Netflix streaming will be hitting the remaining Netflix-compatible devices--TiVo DVRs, the LG BD300, and the Roku Netflix Player--in the near future, all via free firmware updates.
(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.
HD DVD's coffin gets another nail.
Word was out this morning that Netflix was giving up on HD DVD, but now Netflix is getting personal about it. I just received the following e-mail:
Dear David,You're receiving this e-mail because you have asked to receive high-definition movies in the HD DVD format. As you may have heard, most of the major movie studios have recently decided to release their high-definition movies exclusively in the Blu-ray format. In order to provide the best selection of high-definition titles for our members, we have decided to go exclusively with Blu-ray as well.
While we will continue to make our current selection of HD DVD titles available to you for the next several months, we will not be adding additional HD DVD titles or reordering replacements.
Toward the end of February, HD DVDs in your Saved Queue will automatically be changed to standard definition DVDs. Then toward the end of this year, all HD DVDs in your Queue will be changed to standard definition DVDs. Don't worry, we will contact you before this happens.
You can click here to change your format preferences.
We're sorry for any inconvenience. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call us at 1 (888) 638-3549.
-The Netflix Team
While I'm often accused of being a Blu-ray supporter (I think this e-mail proves I'm not as one-sided as some people might think), the note actually makes me kind of sad. The fact is I'm much more of a renter than a buyer. I always thought (naively) that if I got a hankering to watch an HD DVD on my XBox 360 HD DVD player, I would be able to rent it from Netflix--even if HD DVD went down. Not so much anymore.
Is this the final nail in the coffin? Well, couple this Netflix announcement with Best Buy's announcement that it "will recommend Blu-ray as the preferred format" and the end looks very near. Of course, HD DVD fans can remain in denial.
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