Reason alone to subscribe to NetFlix. I got into a funk of holding onto DVDs for weeks a couple months ago, but I realized I was spending more time watching The Office and documentaries online. Good on you, Netflix!

getjustin

The quality of these videos is really outstanding...

Unfortunately I can't really use it since I use linux for all my media serving needs. I tried using XP in vmware, but the quality just wasn't there.

The How-To Geek

@2-7offsuit: SAME QUESTION! Can this be done with an xbox media extender?

webwbr

If you want to use Firefox, try the IETab plugin. It works great.

jdjonsson

FYI -- it won't work if you're abroad. My mother was hoping to watch some movies online via this service instead of bringing DVDs along with her while she's in Canada for a few months.

Won't work. She's sad. :-(

INTPLibrarian

OK, Netflix and Apple, it's time to open it up to non-Windows users. I'd no longer need Bootcamp on my Mac Mini media computer, and it'd be wonderful. Hopefully the online-content-resistant movie companies will finally allow their movies to be watched this way.

Math-Maniac

I was thinking of switching to NetFlix from Blockbuster Online to get the "Watch Now" feature (more useful than in-store returns for me), and then NetFlix goes ahead and makes the streaming time unlimited! Bye bye, Blockbuster!

omarz

so how does the video compare to hulu.com's videos?

falc

Ok, now how do I connect XBMC to it so I can watch them on my TV?

2-7offsuit

i think the move is pointless since i would be hard pressed to actually reach the old limits imposed. i do agree the quality is pretty good and it works well in XP via VMWare on an iMac even at fullscreen.

sototallycarl

This is a great move, Netflix. I find the video quality to be excellent, and the streaming has been absolutely pain-free...all two times I've used it.

The selection in all categories for the "Watch it Now" service is abysmal. They have quite a few titles available, but I'd challenge you to find three people on the street who have even HEARD of 75% of the movies.

This leads me to believe that it's more of a problem with Netflix getting the rights to make these movies streamable. I'm sure the studios are wary of this, which is ridiculous since it's a lot easier to just rip a DVD than it is to capture streaming video like this.

Dignan17

this is a pretty good service, but the selection kinda sucks. there are a few really good movies, and a bunch of b flicks.

it would also be nice to see a "To Watch" list feature so you can flag a movie or TV show that you want to watch later and not have to look it up again.

zedncocheese

I second the comment about the video quality being great. I just wish that more content were available for streaming: of the 102 (released) titles in my queue, only 4 of them can be streamed! I'm looking forward to the streaming-to-TV device that Netflix and LG are developing, but I hope that Netflix seriously enhances their streaming catalog before the release later this year.

Misnomer

@falc: In my opinion it is much better than hulu (I have a login and have used it) if you have a broadband connection and can get the high quality connection (It automatically checks your bandwidth and adjusts the video accordingly. You can go fullscreen and it looks decent. It isn'ts Hi-def or DVD quality but it is good for streaming video.

My only complaint is that their Sci-fi movie selection is very slim.

EracMan

My wife and I have been using this feature to watch TV shows (a lot of TV show selection).
The movie selection still needs some oomph but it is getting better.
Since they are using Silverlight, it has the capability of being available on all platforms, but one of the Netflix blogs stated they are most likely waiting for version 1.1 for some of the bug fixes (and that version should be out in march). They may release sooner depending on confirmation from Apple if iTunes Movie Rentals are available and if an AppleTV refresh comes out.

Insomnic

The quality is pretty good on the Netflix Watch Instantly service. The catalog is still pretty low quality right now though you can find a few good ones in there. I imagine the available movies and the pricing structure will change once the Netflix, LG "extender" comes out.

Regarding the "how to rip netflix watch-now movies" comment. I would be very cautious doing that now as Netflix has developed a way to monitor those doing that and will cancel your account permanently as described in this post from November:
[brentevans.blogspot.com]

cfaslave

i'm still not clear ... can you utilize the online movies with a mac?

kubmg

@Dignan17: Ah but more time consuming because you have to rent them one at a time rather than being able to do it in sequence with online streaming. I was considering getting NetFlix for streaming videos at school but know that I know the selection of mainstream movies is poor I'll just tough it out.

Woodsyx

I can't get this to work with IE tab. I always get this message:
Your operating system is not compatible with this feature. Try again from a computer with Windows XP Service Pack 2 or Windows Vista.

Kiwi Carlisle

Anyone know if there is a way to fool the bandwidth detection Netflix uses, so as to grab the high quality stream? No, not in order to steal. Me and my Mom (read: only an easy or scriptable solution will do) both legally love Netflix and would make use of the Watch Instantly feature...if only the 1.5Mb DSL speed wasn't prohibitive.

Help!

ipsophatso

Netflix tracks people who are downloading and defeating their DRM. You will likely get caught.

Too bad Netflix's streaming library sucks balls. Also too bad it's Windows-only. I'm a Mac guy and I like good movies. Netflix can accommodate neither.

Looking forward to Apple's announcement tomorrow! See ya, Netflix!

LD

@Kiwi Carlisle: I get the same message, but that's because I refuse to sully my computer with XP just to watch movies.

infmom

I use watch now titles to catch up on older movies I've always wanted to see.

dkushknee

Does this use a NetFlix client or does it use Media Player? If the latter, will it work in OS X with Quicktime and Flip4Mac? Or does NetFlix simply block detected OS X browsers?

imajoebob

I love it! I used to use it when Netflix gave subscribers the a limited number of hours, usually equivalent to $1=1hour and caught up with the Office-only draw back, can't download into a device, thus avoiding piracy. Jobs is pretty intent on monopolizing how we receive and buy entertainment as indicated by the recent MacWorld news.

geekiegirl29

Is it US only? Cos everytime lifehacker mentions something like this it turns out to be US only...

soul_grind

Has anyone tried the referrer hacks, I have done lots of stuff thats otherwise prohibitive. It can be done using proxomitron (local proxy software, I highly recommend it for curious to advanced users, windows only), I think. I also know there are Firefox plug-ins on all platforms that allow you to edit what "they" see, googling http referrer hacks should get you well on the path. They only know what your browsing from because your browser tells them, You simply need to lie to netflix. as far as if there are other prohibitive features, possibly like it only allowing users with the latest windows media player or something, then there could be issues. best of luck, If I get around to doing this Ill post.

tomjrace

@imajoebob: It uses Silverlight which is platform independent, but they are currently requiring IE and Windows. One of the Netflix blogs mentioned they are waiting for Silverlight 1.1 before releasing for other OS and browsers - I assume for bugfixes since Silverlight pages are still friendlier in IE than Firefox (see the new Microsoft Downloads beta run on Silverlight to see Firefox crash while IE runs nicely).

Insomnic

@INTPLibrarian: Tell your mother to use a proxy server. Basically, she connects to a server in the USA and then that server connects to Netflix, and forwards the data back to her. There are tons of US proxies. I have yet to travel abroad, but I've done a similar thing to get BBC content that was suppose to be EU exclusive, while being in the states.

radiometric