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.
Do you find Windows Media Center's blue, remote controlled façade easier to navigate than the cold red, white, and yellow world of Netflix? Then check out Andrew Park's new plug-in for the Vista version of Windows Media Center called MyNetflix. The plug-in lets users link to their Netflix account, search for movies, and make changes to their queue without leaving the couch.
Users navigating from their computers can also partake in Netflix's streaming service, letting them watch movies without having to wait discs to come in the mail. Because of the reliance on software, users enjoying Media Center via extenders (read: the XBOX 360) cannot partake in the streaming--that is, unless they've got their PC hooked up directly to the TV, or are planning to get one of those newfangled Netflix Watch Now-enabled set-top boxes due to arrive later this year.
The software is in "beta" and we haven't tested it out, but if you're a Netflix user who happens to use Media Center, this is definitely the missing link.
[via Engadget]
Watch your 'Watch Now' streaming movies from Netflix on big TVs in a more eyeball-friendly manner with this Vista Media Center plug-in.
(Credit: Anthony Park / www.anpark.com)
(Credit:
CNET Networks)
We checked out MeeVee in September, and cited its lack of integration with recording and viewing services. Today, MeeVee has strengthened its viewing service with two new features: personalized networks and community video. Essentially the site lets you pick out your favorite shows and then aggregates relevant videos from hosting sites like YouTube and EVTV1 (with several more on the way). Clicking on any of these videos will actually take you outside of the MeeVee site, but there's a helpful frame put on the top of the screen to direct you back. We're told MeeVee is moving to an embedded system for some content providers before its official release next week.
What's interesting is the differentiation in the channel results: the network videos come from major content providers, whereas the community videos are often fan-made. Adding the CBS show Jericho gave me some great results for network, but the community videos gave me mostly clips of WWE wrestler Chris Jericho (who is arguably more entertaining than Jericho's Skeet Ulrich).
You can quickly add a variety of shows, actors, or keywords, and MeeVee grabs videos for you to watch. What I like even more is not having to register with MeeVee to enjoy these personalized features (note: you do have to create a profile to save your favorites). There's still no Tivo or Windows Media Center integration like we had hoped for, but as far as work-entertainment sites go, MeeVee clearly has a winner with this new video aggregation tool.
(Credit:
CNET Networks)
(Credit:
CNET Networks)
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