Netflix and Samsung Partner to Instantly Stream Movies on Next Generation Blu-ray Disc Players

[Shane]

Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) , the world's largest online movie rental service, and Samsung Electronics America, a market leader and award-winning innovator in consumer electronics, today announced a broad partnership to offer consumers the ability to instantly stream movies and TV episodes from the Netflix Web site directly to their living rooms via Samsung's BD-P2500 and BD-P2550 Blu-ray disc players. The companies also said they are collaborating to enable Samsung to integrate instant streaming from Netflix into a range of home entertainment products.

The BD-P2550 and BD-P2500 are currently available for...

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[hharris4earthlink]

For the same price you can buy a machine that downloads blu-ray movies, has the same amount of memory, plays Blu-ray discs AND plays video games (the PS3). The difference being Sony does not have near the catalog of Blu-ray movies that Netflix does. Also, I should point out I watch Netflix Blu-ray discs all the time. It only takes 2 days maximum for me to get a disc by mail from Nextflix and they have a very large catalog.

I'd say for people who don't play video games and want almost instant access to a very large database of movies this makes sense.

Another thing some people might consider is that at the end of the year Sony, via the PS3, will introduce an online virtual world called "Home." Frankly, it's the number of integrated services that Sony provides that sold me, but not everyone will be attracted to that prospect.

Henry

[miller]

...a machine that downloads blu-ray movies...

Hi Henry,

Please provide your source for this info. Are you saying that Sony is actually providing "true" Blu-ray formatted downloads? I highly doubt it.

True, PS3 is a fine competitor to any dedicated Blu-ray player. But the Playstation Network (as you pointed out) does not have nearly the number of titles Netflix has. And you completely skipped over the fact that you do not have to pay for the movies you watch via Netflix as their "Watch Instantly" service is included free with your monthly membership fee. HD Movie downloads for the PS3 are $6 rentals.

For the record, I am a Netflix subscriber, and I own an Xbox 360 and a VUDU player. I see no compelling reason to spend $400 on a PS3. The only thing that could change my opinion on that is if they released an exclusive game that I can't get on Xbox 360 ... but that has yet to happen. None of the other items you mention are compelling enough for me.

Again, just my opinion.

- Miller

[akirby]

I bought a PS3 just to play Gran Turismo 5 (prologue). The rest is just an added benefit.

[rtywonia]

Has anyone heard any news if Netflix will ever offer higher quality downloads - as oppposed to sub par dvd's?

[akirby]

I think they all offer HD downloads now (at least NetFlix, DirecTV and PS3 do). I know DirecTV is or will be shortly offering 1080p downloads - I don't think PS3 has that yet but they do have Blu-Ray movie trailers so they have the technology. Not sure about NetFlix.

[hharris4earthlink]

Strictly speaking I should have specified HD download resolution which can look as good as the Blu-ray discs the PS3 plays. The Playstation Network offers HD content in several HD resolutions. Since the PS3 has a finite hard disk space, for movies I normally use Netflix by mail or buy the Blu-ray disc. I download mainly free movie previews, game demos and a few inexpensive games. I'm glad you're enjoying your X-box. Competition is a good thing.

[rtywonia]

I think they all offer HD downloads now (at least NetFlix, DirecTV and PS3 do). I know DirecTV is or will be shortly offering 1080p downloads - I don't think PS3 has that yet but they do have Blu-Ray movie trailers so they have the technology. Not sure about NetFlix.

netflix does not offer hd today