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Review: Netflix Streaming on Sony’s PlayStation 3
Wed Nov 11, 2009 at 05:20 PM ETTags: Netflix, PS3, PlayStation 3, Sony, Michael S. Palmer (all tags)
Michael Palmer got his hands on a Netflix Streaming Disc for the PS3 and gave it a whirl. Here's what he thought of it...
By Michael S. Palmer
Following Sony’s new marketing campaign (“It Only Does Everything”), Netflix Streaming has finally arrived on the PS3. When announcements were made last month that we’d finally be joining the ranks of the Xbox 360 as well as various LG, Samsung, and Insignia networked Blu-ray Disc players, I immediately signed up for my free Netflix “Instant Streaming Disc.” I wasn’t exactly sure why they were sending me a disc, thinking that it would be some type of firmware update. But it turns out (or, if I had read the announcement further than “go here to sign up for your free disc”) the Instant Streaming Disc is actually a Blu-ray, which uses BD-Live to stream movies and television episodes from the Netflix server. Meaning, every time you want to stream content, the Instant Streaming Disc must first be inserted into the PS3.
Setting It Up.
Netflix Streaming on the PS3 rquires: a Netflix membership subscription plan with unlimited viewing included (1-at-a-time DVDs with unlimited streaming is $8.99/month, and $10.99/month for a 1-at-a-time with Blu-ray Disc access), the free Netflix Instant Streaming disc, and a broadband internet connection (hard wired or wireless).
For installation and title selection, you’ll at first need both a computer and your PS3 (in the future, one could use the PS3’s internal internet browser). First, insert the Instant Streaming Disc into the PS3. An unlocking code will show up on your TV’s screen. From there hop over to your Netflix account, in the “Watch Instantly” tab, where it will ask you for that code. Once entered, the PS3 will sync up your Instant Queue. Selected titles can be arranged as you see fit, just like your DVD Queue. It’s handy to pick carefully here, because if you have a lot of titles, scrolling over to the last one can be a bit time consuming.
Daily Use.
Running the disc brings you to your Instant Queue. Clicking to the right (using either a remote, or a PS3 game controller – I personally am using a Harmony 880 via the Nyko PS2 USB adapter. Logitech now makes a PS3 adapter for their remotes) scrolls you through your Queue. Click UP and then to the right to access other categories, such as Recently Watched, New Arrivals: Movies, New Arrivals: TV, Comedy, Drama, Action, and a myriad of other genres.
Click (or press down) on any title to “play,” give the title a star rating, or “remove from Instant Queue.” Once a movie is started, options will change to “resume playing” or “play from the beginning.” TV shows are organized by season, so play options include “Play Episode 1” or “Choose Episode.” “Play,” “pause,” “fast forward” and “rewind” buttons work as they should (though fast forward and rewinding require 10 or so seconds to buffer). But pressing stop will exit you out streaming all together (taking you back to the PS3’s menu); to go back to your Instant Queue, simply press “menu” and then click “up.”
Movies and TV episodes are available in “HD” (AVC encodes oscillating between 1.5 and 5 Mbps) and SD (running just under 600 kbps), with all audio in two-channel, stereo Dolby Digital. There are over 17,000 movie and TV titles. TV shows are a mix of old and new; movies are generally older, given contracts movie studios have in place with pay cable outlets which streaming would violate. “Starz Play” titles are newer releases (anything that’s currently playing on the Starz network), but they don’t appear to be in “HD.”
Impressions.
For anyone savvy enough to have a Netflix account and a PS3 already, this is a no brainer. It’s free (well, included in your subscription), and easy for those of us who have no trouble surfing the web. For folks less technically savy, this service is more difficult than using cable or satellite On Demand services because you can’t manage your account from one location.
Quality-wise, Netflix Streaming certainly isn’t a Blu-ray killer, let alone even competitor, but I suppose that’s not really the point. This is an added feature to allow subscribers more content and added value. Quote-unquote HD content is “serviceable.” Not as good as HD cable/satellite, but a bit more resolution than DVD. I checked out ‘Pan’s Labyrinth’ (a fantastic Blu-ray, btw) and the opening sequence of ‘Scorpion King 2’. These two features weren’t as clear as the Vudu HDX titles I’ve seen, nor as good as Quicktime HD movie trailers. They suffered from banding, blocking, and digital artifacts. Once my expectations were in the proper place, I was generally pleased. This would be a good way to see a title when you didn’t want to wait for Netflix to send out your next disc. The one thing to mention here is that my Internet connection did drop out once, and so ‘Pan’s Labyrinth’ paused, and started replaying in SD, which was no comparison. To get it back up to “HD”, I hit “menu”, and “resumed playing” which re-buffered the feed, and brought it back in “HD.”
On my 52” Sony LCD, the SD streaming content was subpar (but truthfully, most SD content doesn’t look great). It’s like watching a non-anamorphic widescreen DVD, and “zooming in” your TV to make it fill more of the screen. Images and text are hazy, fuzzy, and colors are muddy. Here I checked out ‘Armageddon’ (which was in anamorphic widescreen), ‘Dead Space: Downfall’ (non-anamorphic widescreen) and ‘Big Bry’s Western Style BBQ’ (1.33:1). Each title had its own disappointment. ‘Armageddon’ was blocky, and less engaging without its 5.1 mix; ‘Dead Space’ looked clear, but it had letterboxing and pillar boxing happening at the same time; and ‘Big Bry’s’ audio was out of sync for the entire presentation (though, this might not be the fault of the service).
Despite its ease of use, and the fact that it’s free (Xbox 360 owners have to pay over $50/year for Xbox Live Gold service), my biggest complaint is the necessary Instant Streaming Disc. Sure it’s a nifty use of BD-Live, and no doubt there’s a specific, genius-computer-programmer reason as to why it had to be designed this way, but frankly, it’s cumbersome. Is it really THAT hard to get up off the couch and insert a disc, like when playing any Blu-ray or DVD? Of course not, but like the PlayStation Store or Network, streaming content seems better served for when you can exit out of a movie or game, and then click over to something else. Now streaming is forced to be a conscious choice, and given the quality of the service, it might be a better value to pop in another Blu-ray or in some cases, a DVD. At least with many DVDs, you’re getting a discreet surround sound mix.
Bottom Line.
Though Netflix Streaming may have its uses (digging back in to childhood classics like ‘Voltron’!), and it’s great to bring another feature to the PS3, video/audiophiles need not apply. The current lack of quality will be bothersome. Hopefully, with time, the streaming / video encoding quality will grow along with the selection of “HD” content. For now, enjoy what you can.
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'District 9' Blu-ray Includes 'God of War III' Demo for the PS3
Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 11:00 AM ETTags: Disc Announcements, Sony, PlayStation 3 (all tags)
As previously reported, Neill Blomkamp's 'District 9' will hit stores on December 29, and the release will reportedly include a playable demo for 'God of War III.'
According to the folks at Game Informer, the Blu-ray will include the PlayStation 3 demo on the disc.
After completing the demo players will have access to a behind-the-scenes featurette on the making of the game.
Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $39.95.
You can find the latest specs for 'District 9' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under December 29.
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- Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
- District 9 (Blu-ray)
Sony Adds Netflix Streaming To PlayStation 3
Tue Oct 27, 2009 at 02:00 PM ETTags: PlayStation 3, Netflix, Streaming Content (all tags)
Sony has announced that PS3 users will soon have access to the popular Netflix streaming service through the use of BD-Live.
Fans of the PlayStation 3 just got another bragging point, as Sony has announced that Netflix will be available as soon as next month. There’s a bit of a catch though. Rather than being able to access the service through the systems menu thanks to a system update like the rival Xbox 360, PlayStation owners will need to access the service through BD-Live.
Netflix will provide Blu-ray discs free to subscribers who can reserve the discs now at Netflix.com/PS3. Streaming will be available at the standard $8.99 price. Netflix is hoping to echo the surge in memberships seen after the addition of the service to the Xbox, but with a few extra dollars tacked on to each one for Blu-ray rentals.
Sony’s press release states “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.” This wording may indicate that a firmware update or installation disc may be in the works and that the BD Live streaming may only be a temporary solution.
Source: Press ReleaseSee what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
Sony Adds Netflix Streaming To PlayStation 3
Tue Oct 27, 2009 at 02:00 PM ETTags: PlayStation 3, Netflix, Streaming Content (all tags)
Sony has announced that PS3 users will soon have access to the popular Netflix streaming service through the use of BD-Live.
Fans of the PlayStation 3 just got another bragging point, as Sony has announced that Netflix will be available as soon as next month. There’s a bit of a catch though. Rather than being able to access the service through the systems menu thanks to a system update like the rival Xbox 360, PlayStation owners will need to access the service through BD-Live.
Netflix will provide Blu-ray discs free to subscribers who can reserve the discs now at Netflix.com/PS3. Streaming will be available at the standard $8.99 price. Netflix is hoping to echo the surge in memberships seen after the addition of the service to the Xbox, but with a few extra dollars tacked on to each one for Blu-ray rentals.
Sony’s press release states “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.” This wording may indicate that a firmware update or installation disc may be in the works and that the BD Live streaming may only be a temporary solution.
Source: Press ReleaseSee what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
Class Action Lawsuit Filed Over PS3 Failures
Tue Oct 06, 2009 at 03:15 PM ETTags: Sony, PlayStation 3 (all tags)
Sony is now facing a class action lawsuit based on the allegation that a recent patch to the Playstation 3 has created hardware failures.
We reported last week that a not insignificant number of PS3 systems have experienced optical drive failure after installation of a recent patch. Today it was reported that a PS3 owner named John Kennedy has filed a class action suit against Sony for the failures. Among the accusations are complaints for breach of warranty, negligence, and negligent misrepresentation.
The 3.0 firmware update for the PS3 was a mandatory upgrade, and is viewed as responsible for causing systems to freeze while playing games, and even stopping the system from recognizing the optical drive. Sony confirmed that the 3.0 firmware affected systems on its blog shortly after the update, though no specifics were given, stating “SCEA is aware of reports that PS3 owners are experiencing isolated issues with their PS3 system since installing the most recent system software update.”
A further firmware update is alleged to have caused even more problems. What prompted the suit though was Sony’s statement that the plaintiff in this case would need to pay $150 to have his system fixed.
Sony has not yet released an official statement regarding the suit.
Source: Courthouse News
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$299 PlayStation 3 Slim Officially Announced and Detailed
Tue Aug 18, 2009 at 04:45 PM ETTags: Sony, PlayStation 3, Product Announcements, Industry Trends (all tags)
Smaller, lighter , and less power hungry, the new PS3 has finally been announced.
Available in the US in the first week of September, Sony has officially announced the PS3 Slim. It’s smaller, it’s lighter, and it’s cheaper, at an MSRP of only $299. Kaz Harai, who announced the price cut, says the PS3 Slim won't have capabilities that the normal PS3 doesn’t have.
The price cut, which will affect standard PS3s starting tomorrow, may be a big announcement, but perhaps more important for home theater buffs is the power consumption, which has been cut by 34%. Less power consumption means less heat, and less heat means a quieter fan, which makes the PS3 slim preferable to it’s bigger brother for Blu-ray watching.
The PS3 slim does not have the ability to install an OS like Linux, something expected by many. There also does not appear to be a simple way to remove the hard drive, meaning that an upgrade from the on board 120GB drive will be difficult at best.
More images and full specs are available at video game site Destructiod.
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87 Percent of PS3 Owners Watch Blu-ray Movies
Thu Jul 09, 2009 at 11:00 AM ETTags: Sony, PlayStation 3, Industry Trends (all tags)
Unlike Spider-Man 3, this is an example of a symbiotic relationship at its best.
Some might say Sony’s gamble has paid off. Suffering some slower game system sales in order to cement their place in the high definition disc wars has had a tremendous benefit. While as recently as last year NPD polls showed that 60% of PS3 owners didn’t know about its Blu-ray capabilities, the Entertainment Merchants Association revealed recently that the Playstation 3 is the driving force behind Blu-ray sales.
According to the report, 87% of PS3 owners play Blu-ray movies on their console. While the EMA does expect much lower priced standalone players to outpace the PS3 this year, this is certainly a strong showing for Sony. It’s clear that quite a few PS3s have been sold based on Blu-ray alone, so we have to wonder how many people actually use it for playing games!
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Trade-in 4 PS2 Games at Amazon, Save $50 on a PS3
Mon Apr 13, 2009 at 02:30 PM ETTags: Amazon, Sony, PlayStation 3 (all tags)
In addition to the regular trade-in offer on PS2 games, Amazon is offering an additional $50 worth of savings towards the purchase of a PlayStation 3.
Between now and April 19, trade in four PS2 games using Amazon’s trade-in service and in addition to the gift card, Amazon will also knock $50 off the purchase of an 80GB PlayStation 3.
Complete details on this offer can be found by clicking here.
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PS3 BD-Live Update Now Available
Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 11:19 AM ETTags: PlayStation 3, Firmware Upgrades, Sony, Hardware (all tags)
Sony launched Firmware Update v2.20 for the Playstation 3 Monday night, officially upgrading the game console to a BD-Live (aka Profile 2.0) Blu-ray player.
As we've previously reported, this latest PS3 update was announced by Sony last week, and earns the PS3 the distinction of being the first Blu-ray player in North America to include BD-Live, enabling users to experience interactive features via specially-encoded Blu-ray discs, including downloadable video content, ringtones, live "interactive movie-based" multi-player online gaming and more.
The full list of Firmware Update 2.20's announced features are as follows:
- BD-Live (Profile v2.0) Upgrade
- "Resume play" will enable PS3 system to start playing a Blu-ray disc and DVD at the point it was stopped, even if the disc had been removed (BD-J format not supported)
- "Audio Output Device" will be a new Remote Play setting, enabling PSP to serve as a remote control for music played through PS3
- PS3 system's Internet browser will be enhanced: Video files directly linked from a Web page will be able to be streamed, and the browser's view speed will be improved
- DivX and WMV format videos larger than 2GB will be playable
- "Mosquito Noise Reduction" will be added as an AV setting in the control panel of the DVD/BD player for improved movie playback (BDMV format not supported)
Sony's press release for the PlayStation 3 Firmware Upgrade Version 2.20 can be read in full here.
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Related links:
- PlayStation 3 to Support BD-Live [Press Release]
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- PS3 BD-Live Firmware and Blu-ray Discs Due This Month (Mar 20, 2008)
- High-Def FAQ: Blu-ray Profiles Explained (Nov 23, 2007)
PS3 BD-Live Firmware and Blu-ray Discs Due This Month
Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 03:00 PM ETTags: Firmware Upgrades, Hardware, PlayStation 3, Sony (all tags)
Sony Computer Entertainment today announced a late-March launch for the latest firmware upgrade for the PlayStation 3, which will bring BD-Live and a host of additional interactive capabilities to the console.
Dubbed Firmware Upgrade Version 2.20, it will bring BD-Live (aka Profile 2.0) to the PS3, enabling users to experience interactive features such as downloadable video content, ringtones, live "interactive movie-based" multi-player online gaming and more.
Though Sony has not set an exact availability date for v2.20, it is due in "late March," which will make the PS3 the first Blu-ray player in North America to include BD-Live. (Panasonic previewed a stand-alone BD-Live Blu-ray player, the DMP-BD50, earlier this year at CES, with the unit expected to hit stores this May.)
"With Blu-ray established as the high-definition optical disc standard, more consumers are ready to jump in and take advantage of everything the format offers," said Scott A. Steinberg, vice president, product marketing, SCEA, via press release.
"Whether you want to download movie extras, send ringtones to your phone, or play interactive games, BD-LIVE will offer exciting new ways to enjoy a Blu-ray movie. With these regular firmware updates and future-proofed technology, SCEA is making the 10-year lifecycle of PS3 possible."
To inaugurate the release of the PS3's BD-Live upgrade, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has also announced the addition of exclusive BD-Live content to the upcoming Blu-ray releases of 'Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story' and 'The 6th Day.' Exact details on the additional BD-Live features have not yet been specified, but we'll keep you posted. (Note that these two titles are not the first BD-Live-enabled Blu-rays to be released, however, with Lionsgate's 'War' and 'Saw IV' having hit stores earlier this year with BD-Live features already on the discs.)
The full list of Firmware Update 2.20's announced features are as follows:
- BD-Live (Profile v2.0) Upgrade
- "Resume play" will enable PS3 system to start playing a Blu-ray disc and DVD at the point it was stopped, even if the disc had been removed (BD-J format not supported)
- "Audio Output Device" will be a new Remote Play setting, enabling PSP to serve as a remote control for music played through PS3
- PS3 system's Internet browser will be enhanced: Video files directly linked from a Web page will be able to be streamed, and the browser's view speed will be improved
- DivX and WMV format videos larger than 2GB will be playable
- "Mosquito Noise Reduction" will be added as an AV setting in the control panel of the DVD/BD player for improved movie playback (BDMV format not supported)
Sony's press release for the PlayStation 3 Firmware Upgrade Version 2.20 can be read in full here.
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Related links:
- PlayStation 3 to Support BD-Live (Press Release) [High-Def Digest]
- Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
- Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (Blu-ray)
- The 6th Day (Blu-ray)
- Saw IV (Blu-ray)
- War (Blu-ray)
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- CES: Panasonic Intros First BD-Live Blu-ray Player (Jan 06, 2008)
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