Lots of people are very interested in the Netflix streaming that will be introduced with the Fall dashboard update. This is an attempt at a FAQ for that topic, since there what information there is out there is pretty spread out.
NOTE: This is a work-in-progress, and I need your help to fill in some of the blanks. Anything you notice that is incorrect/outdated/incomplete, please post a comment indicating the edit needed
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Q: What? Netflix is going to send movies to my Xbox?
A: No, stupid. Well, ok, kind of. Netflix has a feature for subscribers that allows them to stream movies directly to their computers. You know, over teh intarwebs. And now you'll be able to stream to your 360 as well.
Q: Great, how much extra is this going to cost me?
A: Actually, it's a (mostly) free service. Cool, huh?
Q: "Mostly" free? What do I need to buy?
A: You need an Xbox Live Gold account and a Netflix subscription.
Q: What Netflix subscription plans work?
A: Should be any of them. The cheapest is $5 a month, which comes with two hours of streaming per month. All others, starting at $9/month, include unlimited streaming.
Q: How many movies will I have access to?
A: Supposedly over 10,000, though it is not clear if the library will be the same as Netflix PC, or a smaller subset. This post by Major Nelson mentions that the new Starz Play library will be included.
Q: Is it just movies, or tv shows too?
A: Dunno. CAGs?
Q: When will it be available?
A: By all accounts, November 19th, 2008, the same day the new dashboard hits.
Q: What resolution are the streams? HD, SD, Youtube-quality? Is the audio Dolby Digital, DTS, or mono?
A: You know, that's a good question. I don't know... any CAGs help out here?
Q: I'm broke and/or morally opposed to paying for XBL Gold. Can't I do it for free?
A: Sort of. Try searching for vmcNetflix or PlayOn. They have some limitations, but at least PlayOn can handle Hulu and the like.
Q: That's like $150 a year between the $9/month Netflix plan and $40 for XBL (if I find a deal). Is it worth it?
A: You probably already have XBL, right? And the $9 plan gives you one DVD out at a time with as many exchanges as you want. It really depends on what movies are available. Of course, if you already have both services, this is just a cool way that they are blended together.
Q: Are there any other cool features of the service?
A: I don't know how cool this is, but Live Party is part of the new dashboard as well. It sounds like you'll be able to watch movies and chat with your friends online. From Major Nelson:
LIVE Party system. Create a party of up to eight friends, and stay with them from one game to another, or watch a Netflix movie together, or share a slideshow of your personal photos. It works with all Xbox 360 titles, not just upcoming games. LIVE Party allows up to eight people to chat in the dashboard, so you can meet up before playing.
Q: I have another question about Netflix and the 360. What do I do?
A: Post a reply and ask it!
NOTE: This is a work-in-progress, and I need your help to fill in some of the blanks. Anything you notice that is incorrect/outdated/incomplete, please post a comment indicating the edit needed
****************************************************************
Q: What? Netflix is going to send movies to my Xbox?
A: No, stupid. Well, ok, kind of. Netflix has a feature for subscribers that allows them to stream movies directly to their computers. You know, over teh intarwebs. And now you'll be able to stream to your 360 as well.
Q: Great, how much extra is this going to cost me?
A: Actually, it's a (mostly) free service. Cool, huh?
Q: "Mostly" free? What do I need to buy?
A: You need an Xbox Live Gold account and a Netflix subscription.
Q: What Netflix subscription plans work?
A: Should be any of them. The cheapest is $5 a month, which comes with two hours of streaming per month. All others, starting at $9/month, include unlimited streaming.
Q: How many movies will I have access to?
A: Supposedly over 10,000, though it is not clear if the library will be the same as Netflix PC, or a smaller subset. This post by Major Nelson mentions that the new Starz Play library will be included.
Q: Is it just movies, or tv shows too?
A: Dunno. CAGs?
Q: When will it be available?
A: By all accounts, November 19th, 2008, the same day the new dashboard hits.
Q: What resolution are the streams? HD, SD, Youtube-quality? Is the audio Dolby Digital, DTS, or mono?
A: You know, that's a good question. I don't know... any CAGs help out here?
Q: I'm broke and/or morally opposed to paying for XBL Gold. Can't I do it for free?
A: Sort of. Try searching for vmcNetflix or PlayOn. They have some limitations, but at least PlayOn can handle Hulu and the like.
Q: That's like $150 a year between the $9/month Netflix plan and $40 for XBL (if I find a deal). Is it worth it?
A: You probably already have XBL, right? And the $9 plan gives you one DVD out at a time with as many exchanges as you want. It really depends on what movies are available. Of course, if you already have both services, this is just a cool way that they are blended together.
Q: Are there any other cool features of the service?
A: I don't know how cool this is, but Live Party is part of the new dashboard as well. It sounds like you'll be able to watch movies and chat with your friends online. From Major Nelson:
LIVE Party system. Create a party of up to eight friends, and stay with them from one game to another, or watch a Netflix movie together, or share a slideshow of your personal photos. It works with all Xbox 360 titles, not just upcoming games. LIVE Party allows up to eight people to chat in the dashboard, so you can meet up before playing.
Q: I have another question about Netflix and the 360. What do I do?
A: Post a reply and ask it!
