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View Full Version : Netflix streaming question

Shades228
04-12-09, 03:38 PM
Ok so I have been debating about subscribing to Netflix for the streaming movie part of it. I have very little interest in getting the dvd's in the mail and sending them back.

I ran across http://www.anpark.com/index.php/2008/02/10/new-vista-media-center-plugin-mynetflix-beta/ as an plugin for netflix. However people say it can and can't be used with the 360 as an extender. So I have a couple of questions for people who are using this.

1: Can it be used as an extender without the watch now mode? I don't mind waiting for a movie to be downloaded because I can queue it up in the morning and then watch it later at night.

2: If it can't be used as a 360 extender would the HR work for this?

I was debating about buying the Blue Ray incorporated box they sell on the site by Samsung but I have a feeling in the next 6 months that we will see a serious drop in prices in Blu Ray technology and this service isn't worth the premium for me right now unless I don't have another option. I'm really not interested in buying a card that will output HDMI and then running another cable as I have enough cabling going on through my house at the moment.
LarryFlowers
04-12-09, 04:20 PM
Won't work with XBox 360
Wont work with any HR unit
Netflix doesn't download movies... you are watching them as they download.
Maui
04-12-09, 11:07 PM
Xbox 360 does an excelent job for netflix. I use it all the time to watch netflix instant access movies as well as Hulu and Tversity.
LarryFlowers
04-13-09, 07:46 AM
The OP wants to used an add in to Media Center to watch Netflix through the XBox 360... this will not work. You must use the Netflix built in to the XBox 360 and obtain a connection code.


Xbox 360 does an excelent job for netflix. I use it all the time to watch netflix instant access movies as well as Hulu and Tversity.
Chris Blount
04-13-09, 07:55 AM
Another thing to consider is that movies available on the Netflix streaming service is limited in comparison to their DVD and Blu-Ray titles. You will still be renting them by mail especially newer titles.
Shades228
04-13-09, 10:33 PM
Thank you everyone for your input. I decided to sub to them to test it out and at this time I don't feel their online library is any better then on demand through Directv. Sure there's tons of stuff on there but overall nothing really for the streaming.

Paying $49 for xbox live gold is not worth it to me just for this feature. I was hoping the extender would work. Unfortunately it doesn't at this time.
Ken S
04-19-09, 11:01 AM
Thank you everyone for your input. I decided to sub to them to test it out and at this time I don't feel their online library is any better then on demand through Directv. Sure there's tons of stuff on there but overall nothing really for the streaming.

Paying $49 for xbox live gold is not worth it to me just for this feature. I was hoping the extender would work. Unfortunately it doesn't at this time.

Try VMC NetFlix it's an addon for WMC that allows extenders.
REDSKINSFAN47
05-06-09, 07:32 PM
[QUOTE=LarryFlowers;2061718]Won't work with XBox 360
Wont work with any HR unit
Netflix doesn't download movies... you are watching them as they download.[/QUOTE

so i think i am understanding that if i watch a netflix movie,that would not count towards my 5gb of downloads that sprint allows,also while watching movie last night streaming from netflix it keept buffering do to a slowing internet connection if i am in an area with a better signal strenth, closer to cell towers will this stop and my speeds be faster.
LarryFlowers
05-06-09, 07:49 PM
If you stream a movie from Netflix it will count against your bandwidth. You are still using bandwidth.

Also, I do not know what Sprint is capable of delivering but I doubt seriously that any cell phone carrier is delivering a truly acceptable amount of bandwidth for streaming video. I know some people who do it with a 1.5MBS connection, but I would expect 3MBS to be truly necessary to do it right...

[quote=LarryFlowers;2061718]Won't work with XBox 360
Wont work with any HR unit
Netflix doesn't download movies... you are watching them as they download.[/QUOTE

so i think i am understanding that if i watch a netflix movie,that would not count towards my 5gb of downloads that sprint allows,also while watching movie last night streaming from netflix it keept buffering do to a slowing internet connection if i am in an area with a better signal strenth, closer to cell towers will this stop and my speeds be faster.
RasputinAXP
05-07-09, 08:14 AM
Won't work with XBox 360
Wont work with any HR unit
Netflix doesn't download movies... you are watching them as they download.

so i think i am understanding that if i watch a netflix movie,that would not count towards my 5gb of downloads that sprint allows,also while watching movie last night streaming from netflix it keept buffering do to a slowing internet connection if i am in an area with a better signal strenth, closer to cell towers will this stop and my speeds be faster.

To echo what was said above, you're STILL using bandwidth. There's no way you're going to get acceptable quality streaming Netflix via 3G cell service, and the file sizes can vary wildly. You'll be bumping your head against the 5GB cap in no time.

at $50 for a 13 month card, that works out to $3.85 a month. For the price of a breakfast a month I can stream a whole stakc of movies to my 360. Totally worth it.