ntfxlogo UPDATE: Netflix Streams To Your PS3, Discs Have ShippedRecently, Netflix was playing coy that they would be coming to a new device in the near future, but they wouldn’t announce which one. There was minor speculation that it could be the iPhone or Wii, but the vast majority of people assumed it was the PlayStation 3, and they were right.

People who already own a PS3 and Netfix account will be able to stream directly to their system for no additional cost, which makes it a cheaper option than using your XBox360 since you don’t have to sign up for a XBox Live Gold Membership. For those looking to pay the bare minimum to get streaming to their PS3, it’s $8.99 per month, a rather paltry sum to get instant movie access.

From the press release, the initial rollout of the system will not be via a firmware update, but by a disc that can be requested from Netflix, but other than that, it should function quite similarly to the 360-Netflix interface.

“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. 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.

Netflix members simply slide the disc into their PS3 systems to reveal movies and TV episodes that can be watched instantly. These titles are conveniently organized into a variety of categories based on members’ personal preferences, popular genres, new arrivals and members’ individual instant Queues. Members can use the Netflix Web site or navigate directly on their PS3 systems to add movies and TV shows to their Queues. With the PS3 system’s Wireless Controller, members can choose a movie to watch from their instant Queues or just play directly from any of the lists. They also have the ability to read synopses and rate movies. In addition, they have the option of fast-forwarding and rewinding the video stream via the Wireless Controller.

Netflix members and PS3 system owners can now reserve a free instant streaming disc for PS3 systems by going to www.netflix.com/ps3. Upon availability, the instant streaming disc will be delivered for free by first-class mail, generally one business day after members request it.”

Between this news and the news that Dragon Age: Origins will release simultaneously for PS3 and 360, it hasn’t been a good week for XBox exclusivity. Is this a sign of new life in the console war?

UPDATE 11/5/09: Netflix has announced that the PS3 streaming discs have started shipping. I just got an email saying that mine should arrive Friday; so, be on the lookout for yours!

2 Comments Electronics,Games

2 Responses to “UPDATE: Netflix Streams To Your PS3, Discs Have Shipped”

  1. Greg Barbe on 26 Oct 2009 at 3:22 pm #

    I have Netflix on the XBOX 360. The Gold membership requirement essentially adds an extra $4-5 each month for the service. But atleast I can play online when I want. I probably wont renew the Gold service as by next year I should have a TV that can stream netflix directly.

    But otherwise its a very nice service. You do have to look out for take down dates. I’ve only seen this on a few TV series, not movies. They will say Season 1 available until XX-XX-XX. I can only guess that that is the date the Box set is released.

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  2. The Wii Gets in on the Netflix Action This Spring! | G.A.M.E.S. on 21 Mar 2010 at 5:04 pm #

    [...] will be able to stream Netflix through your Wii console. It uses the same type of Interface as the PS3. You reserve a Wii instant-streaming disc that will bring up the Netflix menu with your instant [...]

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