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emdawgz1 · Joined: 14 Mar 2006 Posts: 7949

http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/patterson/19903

Netflix, Roku unveil $99 TV set-top box

Tue May 20, 2008 9:24AM EDT

Nope, you're not seeing things. The long-awaited (and relatively cheap) set-top player for Netflix has finally arrived, allowing subscribers to watch thousands of movies instantly on their TVs—for free. No, we're not talking HD quality here, but the price sure is right.

Netflix has been teasing us with the possibility of a Net-connected set-top box for years, so it's something of a shock to see the thing finally materialize. And while the Netflix Player (built by streaming set-top box maker Roku) is, indeed, a few years late to the party—the Xbox Video Marketplace, Apple TV, and Vudu have all been with us for some time now—the movies-by-mail giant has taken a somewhat different tack, releasing an inexpensive, sub-$100 device that delivers movies free to subscribers.

CNET has a lengthy review of the player, which connects to your home network via Ethernet or Wi-Fi and includes HDMI, component, digital audio and analog stereo sound outputs.

The player itself is somewhat smaller than Apple TV and Vudu—it's about the size of a cable modem, according to CNET—and once connected, it lets you browse Netflix's collection of 10,000-odd "WatchNow" movies and TV shows. As CNET notes, the selection is something of a mixed bag: popular titles like "Blade Runner," "30 Rock," and "Heroes" are well-represented, along with such grade-Z movies as "Man with the Screaming Brain," so make sure to check out the selection before plunking down your $100.

Movies began playing within a minute or so of pressing play, according to CNET, although reviewers added that the box won't play HD movies—indeed, it only outputs a 480i signal that, while looking OK on a smallish TV set, doesn't look "terribly good" either, especially compared to a decently engineered DVD. (Apple TV, Xbox Live, and Vudu are all capable of playing HD video.)

The review also complained that some widescreen movies are only presented in the boxy 4:3 aspect ratio, something I've noticed when viewing Netflix movies on my PC. That might not make much of a difference when watching dramas like "Dangerous Beauty," but the 2.35:1 "2010: The Year We Make Contact" looked pretty bad in the 4:3 ratio.

Here's the thing, though—the Netflix Player is just $99, and if you're subscribed to the $8.99/month player or higher, all the movies are free. Now that's a pricing model that Netflix's competitors should take a cold, hard look at.

Also, keep in mind that more Netflix-enabled devices (from the likes of LG and others) are coming, so expect pricier—and higher-quality—options in the coming months.

So, what do you think? Interested in picking up a relatively cheap Netflix box, even if the video quality is only so-so?

http://netflix.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=272

jkruger · Joined: 24 Oct 2007 Posts: 2435 Location: Carlsbad, CA

I'll wait for the HD version. Go ahead, call me spoiled. I have a hard time watching anything in 480 anymore. Maybe the HD one will connect directly to the incoming cable insead of having to go thru the cable modem.

Person99 · Joined: 09 Mar 2006 Posts: 4901 Location: Flower Mound, TX

ecrabb · Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 3:57 pm Post subject:

Interesting. At that price, they'll definitely get some takers. How many they'll get will be interesting. I'm not sure.

I'm not interested in it right now because there's no high-def. I'm just not interested in bandwidth-constrained low-def. The $99 price seems cheap, but then that's ALL the box does - play Netflix movies. For $229, the AppleTV will store and play purchased movies and TV shows, rented movies and TV shows (in 720p HD w/DD 5.1), ripped movies and music, play YouTube videos, watch photos from your computer, and stream free audio and video podcasts. There's a LOT of value there for $229.

I'm just not sure... We'll see.

SC

draganm · Joined: 08 Mar 2006 Posts: 8990 Location: Colorado

WanMan · Joined: 19 Mar 2006 Posts: 10273

Hmm, why would I pay for something that would be non-tangible only when I can get it off of Usenet?

ecrabb · Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 7:17 pm Post subject:

Person99 · Joined: 09 Mar 2006 Posts: 4901 Location: Flower Mound, TX

perisoft · Joined: 29 Aug 2007 Posts: 2920 Location: Ithaca, NY

Pretty sad that we have sank to the level that people don't know the difference between theft and copyright infringement.

I presume that you also buy the BSA's assertion that it costs Discrete $4000 when a high school kid pirates a copy of Max...

ecrabb · Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 11:58 pm Post subject:

On the contrary, we're all well aware of the difference between theft and copyright infringement. There's nothing to be sad about there. What IS sad is that there's a whole generation of kids and young adults (and even some very childish full-grown adults that should damn well know better) that don't see anything wrong with downloading and watching or listening to or using something they have no legitimate right whatsoever to, and without paying the copyright owners, the publishers, and the creators a penny. Then, if you call any of them on it, their self-righteous attitude can only mean t think it's their God-given right to do so.

Of course it doesn't COST Discreet $4,000 when a kid pirates a copy of Max. The BSA is full of sh*t. By the same token, unless Discreet has given him permission to do so, that kid has NO DAMN RIGHT TO DO SO. Period. The kid's full of sh*t, too when he says he should be able to use it or play with it without paying for it. The same holds for music and movies.

If you want it, then buy it or rent it. Period. If you don't want to buy it or rent it, and then go without. It's simple.

SC

**AnalogRocks** · Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 3:46 am Post subject:

WanMan · Joined: 19 Mar 2006 Posts: 10273

Person99 · Joined: 09 Mar 2006 Posts: 4901 Location: Flower Mound, TX

ecrabb · Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 2:55 pm Post subject:

Thanks for injecting a little more common sense in the discussion, Dave.

Geez.

SC

WanMan · Joined: 19 Mar 2006 Posts: 10273

ecrabb · Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 4:02 pm Post subject:

emdawgz1 · Joined: 14 Mar 2006 Posts: 7949

I think a lot depends on your view of fair use.

If i copy a dvd of Star wars, it's stealing

If i record the hd broadcast of Star Wars un-interrupted.... its fair use.... ?

I dont like to download movies, i'll occaisionally (sp?) download tv shows that i've missed... is it stealing, not in my book but it works for me.

Person99 · Joined: 09 Mar 2006 Posts: 4901 Location: Flower Mound, TX

Person99 · Joined: 09 Mar 2006 Posts: 4901 Location: Flower Mound, TX

emdawgz1 · Joined: 14 Mar 2006 Posts: 7949

The only time my "book" is irrelevant is in a court of law, when the judge is ruling against my book. Til then my book is my pilot.