Netflix Streaming Coming to PlayStation 3 Next Month

45
Sony has announced a partnership with Netflix to bring the DVD rental subscription service's streaming online library of movies and television shows to the PlayStation 3.

"Initially, watching movies instantly streamed from Netflix via the PS3 system will be enabled by a free, instant streaming Blu-ray disc," Sony explains, which "leverages Blu-ray's BD-Live technology to access the Internet and activate the Netflix user interface on the PS3 system."

The disc will "Reveal movies and TV episodes that can be watched instantly... conveniently organized into a variety of categories based on members' personal preferences, popular genres, new arrivals and members' individual instant Queues."

Rival console Xbox 360 has supported Netflix streaming direct from the dashboard--no disc required--since the 'New Xbox Experience' update of November 2008.

Netflix has previously expressed interest in expanding to all consoles. Several surveys earlier this year gauged interest in a "Netflix Instant Streaming Disc" for the Wii or PlayStation 3. Initial surveys suggested a price of $10, revised to free in later surveys. An April job listing sought an "Engineering Leader" with "deep experience developing and testing media rich applications on current generation gaming consoles."

Reservations are now open for the disc, which Netflix "expects" will become available next month. The service will be available, as Netflix, only in the United States.

Filed Under
From The Chatty
  • reply
    October 26, 2009 5:43 AM

    [deleted]

    • reply
      October 26, 2009 5:52 AM

      Don't forget Zombie Strippers

    • reply
      October 26, 2009 5:52 AM

      lol, I heard their selection is bad but is it really that bad? What are the best/newest movies currently available? I'm in Canada where we get nothing thanks to anti-competitive crtc rules that protect domestic monopolies

      • reply
        October 26, 2009 5:58 AM

        [deleted]

      • reply
        October 26, 2009 6:06 AM

        [deleted]

        • reply
          October 26, 2009 6:12 AM

          Cool I would be interested in that... based on the content that is. Is it all available in 1080p or 720p and what kind of bit rate is it? Is it worse than overcompressed cable HD broadcasts?

          • reply
            October 26, 2009 6:17 AM

            I think all their stuff is still in 480i or 480p, don't quote me on that though.

            • reply
              October 26, 2009 8:38 AM

              lots of the TV shows and some movies are HD. Don't know about the bitrate, but its fine for me.

      • reply
        October 26, 2009 2:23 PM

        [deleted]

    • reply
      October 26, 2009 6:17 AM

      i love the netflix on my 360 and now it will be on my ps3, one less reason to pay for live.

      there are great selections on there: every episode of monty python, south park, fawlty towers, I think of it like my old non chain video store.

      • reply
        October 26, 2009 6:29 AM

        I still don't understand this instant on disc... do I need to keep paying for new discs every month for 10 bucks? In that case, xbox is more convienent. Or is it a one time cost?

        • reply
          October 26, 2009 7:14 AM

          The disc just lets you access your Netflix account. You only need the one, and they make it sound like it should be free.

          • reply
            October 26, 2009 8:50 AM

            I wonder if this disc based solution will be temporary until Netflix support is added into the PS3 via firmware update.

Hello, Meet Lola