PS3 Review – Netflix Instant Streaming
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Netflix has offered instant streaming for quite some time now. The Xbox 360 has enjoyed Netflix instant streams since late 2008. Additionally other consumer electronics devices support the popular streaming service. It was only a matter of time and a natural fit for the jack of all media, the PlayStation 3, to support Netflix.
Netflix Instant Streaming on the PlayStation 3 represents a milestone for the PlayStation Network. Being the free network that it is, you’d think by default we wouldn’t see a lot of the fancy features from other paid services. However, it seems Sony wants to do as much as it can for its loyal consumers by making these features available.
In light of Microsoft’s exclusivity agreement with Netflix regarding streaming of content onto game consoles, Sony and Netflix were able to deliver the service using a Blu-Ray disc and BD-Live technology. This disc gives PS3 users direct access to Netflix Instant Streaming Queue and selections by category, very much like what Xbox 360 offers. The interface is simple and elegant which compliments the XMB interface. Users can add selections to their queue from their PC or the PS3.
The content selection according to Netflix is over 17,000 titles. There is a large selection available in every category. Some of the categories available are: Comedy, Drama, Foreign, Action, Horror, Children, TV Shows and more. The TV selection is very robust with large selection and a decent amount of High Definition programming. The movie selection is spotty, there are quite a few good movies but there are also many titles you have never heard of. If you are a fan of B-Movies the Netflix Instant Stream will provide you with a never ending supply of content. One thing that is noticeably missing and seems to be common place with streaming service is the lack of 5.1 audio. Most audio will be Stereo or Pro Logic Surround.
Each selection offers a description screen with a highlight of all the relevant information for that item. The description screen also supports the Netflix 5 Star Ratings as well. Content queues up fairly quickly and the stream offers fast forward and rewind via several minute blocks to chose from. If you stop before the end of a stream you can resume it later. The performance for the streams appear to be on parity with the Xbox 360.
Reports indicate that Netflix will be available directly on the XMB. In the mean time this Blu-Ray should give you all the features you want from Netflix on the PS3. Between this and the PSN Video Store the PS3 gives you access to pretty much all the film and TV content you could ever realistically desire to watch.
You can have Netflix send you a disc via www.netflix.com/PS3.
PlayStation LifeStyle’s Final Score
Streams great, not many hiccups or overt artifacts. Simple elegant interface that compliments the XMB. |
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12 Responses to “PS3 Review – Netflix Instant Streaming”
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November 21st, 2009 at 11:04 PM
I really like this feature and can not wait till we can get rid of the disk. All I want now is a little bit better selection. Sure there are some good titles, but far to few.
November 21st, 2009 at 11:34 PM
Ahh, Netflix on the PS3, one less thing Xbox fanboys can throw at us for features
November 21st, 2009 at 11:44 PM
it made me laugh. my friend switched over to PS3 after the price drop and last time I checked up on him I asked. “when did you last play your Xbox360?”, his response was, “oh, I haven’t been playing it, only for Netflix, but (looks at Netflix package with PS3 Blu-ray disk), I guess I don’t need to use it anymore”
November 22nd, 2009 at 12:26 AM
I have to admit I was on the fence about Netflix. After 2 weeks I think its great. People who complain about it not having enough good stuff are just not spending the time to look. Honestly 17,00 instant titles really you can’t find nothing you like… that just doesn’t make any sense. I just wish the DVDs by mail were faster but overall its a great services and really worth the price you pay per month.
November 22nd, 2009 at 1:22 AM
One problem with maybe how you’re approaching streaming is that you want to find movies you know what you want to see, but the best thing is to approach it as a mode of discovery. I’ve got loads of movies I’ve never heard of in my instant stream, and I’ve got no problem finding something to watch every time I fire it up.
November 22nd, 2009 at 2:51 AM
awesome inclusion to the ps3
November 22nd, 2009 at 1:55 PM
seeing as its a BD-Live disc wouldn’t it work on, say, a BD-Live Player other than the ps3?
Hmmmm.
November 22nd, 2009 at 3:06 PM
@cjschrissouth
That is like saying…Killzone 2 is a Blu-Ray Disc so it should work on any Blu-Ray player. So what I am trying to say is, NO it won’t work.
November 22nd, 2009 at 5:11 PM
[...] PlayStation LifeStyle PS3 Review – Netflix Instant Streaming [...]
November 23rd, 2009 at 5:45 PM
maybe- and if not, just have them ship some blu rays instead.
Can’t wait to get this- great GREAT feature. High five sony for not being greedy on your movie service, and actually caring about us.
November 30th, 2009 at 5:39 PM
too bad my internet connection right now is too damn slow to stream the damn movies! I can play games online just fine but every 5 minutes of watching a movie it stops and has to load for about 10 minutes before playing again…yes I know I need an upgrade but I live in a small ass town right now that only has DSL as an option…we have cable but they aren’t providing cable internet to our area yet. Why?? The world may never know.
February 22nd, 2010 at 2:58 AM
its the best if you like movies. suprising how annoying discs are once you have downloadable stuff. Hopefully more games will be download or the netflix disc will not be needed.