Netflix on PS3? Yep, but not without special disc.
Watch Netflix movies on a PS3 starting in November, but not without popping in a free disc.
By Andrew Heining | 10.26.09
So the Playstation 3 is getting its stream on.
Two years after Netflix first rolled out instant Web streaming of movies to its subscribers, the Sony gaming console is getting in on the act. Once limited to computers, Netflix instant streaming is currently available on the XBox 360, LG and Samsung Blu-ray players, TiVo, a set-top box from Roku, and even some special TVs.
Playstation 3 roll-out of the feature is expected for November, but PS3 owners shouldn’t expect to just turn on their consoles sometime after the end of daylight savings and have instant access to the thousands of titles in the catalog.
Why?
“Initially, watching movies instantly streamed from Netflix via the PS3 system will be enabled by a free, instant streaming Blu-ray disc that is being made available to all Netflix members,” according to the official press release.
Why’s it needed?
“The free instant streaming disc leverages Blu-ray’s BD-Live™ technology to access the Internet and activate the Netflix user interface on the PS3 system, which must be online via Wi-Fi or Ethernet.”
In other words, the PS3 doesn’t yet have the software to deal with Netflix’s interface, and until Sony releases a software update (downloadable for free), PS3-equipped Netflixers will still have to do the disc shuffle. How very 2003.
Call it “one disc to rule them all.”
Netflix members can reserve their free PS3 dummy disc by heading here, and can expect delivery (likely in one of those joy-inducing red envelopes) one business day after they’re released.
––
Like Netflix? How ’bout Twitter? You can now access both from your PS3. Follow us @CSMHorizonsBlog.
<< GeoCities, a relic of an different web era, shuttered by Yahoo | MainComments
2. Trey | 10.26.09
Lol so true Spencer. I find articles like this hilarious calling the PS3’s features so 2003. I didn’t realize Blu-Ray, WiFi etc. were so 2003. How about the 360’s disk drive opening up? Lol now thats so 2003. Heck even the Wii has a disk drive that you slide the games in.
3. Justin | 10.26.09
It’s only a matter of time before Sony gives us the software update… and for FREE. 360 users may already have this capability, but it comes with a pricetag on top of the usual costs for a netflix account and your ISP service.
Now that the PS3 is $299 and they are catching up with the online world that the 360 has had a firm grip on… I think the last quarter of ‘09 and ‘10 will be Sony’s reclaiming of the console crown. I just got my new slim PS3 because I expect them to disappear as the holidays come closer.
4. Nicnac | 10.26.09
the 2003 comment is true from the standpoint that Sony could make an app that sits on the XMB to run Netflix. This app could be a simplified browser window that looks and runs like a Netflix cover flow, and playback window. Instead, we have to run an app of a removable disk. In fact, calling it 2003 is being generous. This is like inserting a floppy to authorize CD software (something we had to do in the 90s.
5. Dylan Carlson | 10.26.09
I doubt this has anything to do with the PS3 specifically. Netflix I believe has no intention to ever release a native installable via the PS Store. The PS3 can’t stream? This is not about codecs.
Look at it correctly: this is how Netflix plans to support streaming to any BluRay player that has BD-Live support. Do you think they want to build one-off streaming clients for everything? No. Just ship a Blu-ray disc to anyone who has a compatible player and they’re done.
The PS3 is just the proof of concept for a larger plan, since the PS3 is practically the defacto Blu-ray / BD-Live reference implementation.
6. chris | 10.27.09
When in glass houses, don’t through stones… Don’t blame the 360 for the PS3’s failings ( and yes there are a few, crap controller, slow game loading, faulty Blu-ray lasers, rumbish online, bad mult-format games) and so on.
7. fresser12 | 10.27.09
“When in glass houses, don’t through stones… Don’t blame the 360 for the PS3’s failings ( and yes there are a few, crap controller, slow game loading, faulty Blu-ray lasers, rumbish online, bad mult-format games) and so on.”
Are you really saying this… no RROD on the PS3, the controller does everything the 360 one does PLUS sixaxis… I’ve got both systems, or I HAD both until my XBox broke and Microsoft wouldn’t repair it, and I like them both. BUT, there is no question which console is the better piece of hardware, and now that the online is catching up (oh yeah, Sony doesn’t charge for that either) and the exclusive titles like Uncharted 2, Ratchet and Clank, and GOD OF WAR, are out or coming out soon… the 360’s overpriced, underpowered, and faulty hardware days are numbered!
8. ItsFree | 10.27.09
I have the 360 and have to pay $50 to use my netflix and i dont even play games online. If it takes a disc to use the PS3 i would use it as long as its free. If PS3 charge to use it i would be mad, but i cant play a game and watch Netflix at the same time to the Free Disc is fine with me.
9. Scott | 10.29.09
@ Spencer
2.4 Ghz Controllers. . .so lame because it doesn’t start with “blu” or wasn’t developed in Japan? Come on dude, Sony has a patent on everything Bluray and Microsoft made a smart move going towards DLC and Xbox Live. The Xbox 360 drives are in fact PROTECTED laptop hard drives. God only knows what the PS3 fanboys would say if Microsoft made another hackbox. . .complete double standards. Oh yeah, Netflix has the worst streaming movie selection ever known to man kind. So yeah, you guys get to subscribe for one month then move on too, lol.
10. Matthew | 11.01.09
I agree with you 100% Spencer. I read these articles and just laugh. I think I could write better reviews. lol
12. Jason | 11.09.09
Here ya go kiddos. The reason PS3 requires a disk to run Netflix is cause of a Microsoft exclusive deal with NF providing “on deck” launching. Hense the blu ray disk. Gotta love loop holes:
Trackbacks/Pingbacks
Leave a Comment
We do not publish all comments, and we do not publish comments immediately. The comments feature is a forum to discuss the ideas in our stories. Constructive debate - even pointed disagreement - is welcome, but personal attacks on other commenters are not, and will not be published.
Tip: Do not write a novel. Keep it short. We will not publish lengthy comments. Come up with your own statements. This is not a place to cut and paste an email you received. If we recognize it as such, we won't post it.
Please do not post any comments that are commercial in nature or that violate copyrights.
Finally, we will not publish any comments that we regard as obscene, defamatory, or intended to incite violence.
1. Spencer | 10.26.09
You want to know whats so 2003 how about no blu-ray just dvd, how about no wifi built in, how about no blutooth only 2.4ghz controllers how about a huge looking hdd drive that you cant even replace with a standard laptop one. Fact is if you want to know whats so 2003 look no furture than the xbox 360 LMAO!