Review: Netflix Watch Now Service

Well, I’ve finally given the Watch Now service a test drive. Overall, the service has been implemented very nicely (assuming you don’t mind sitting in front of your computer to watch movies) and is not reminiscent of the hi-cc-up-ing streaming videos nor did I have to wait 1+ hour for the movie to download before playing. While the functional implementation was executed very well the delivery is very poor – I can only watch movies at my computer and the video quality was below average.

Now, onto the review:

Hardware:

• Pentium 4, 3.0Ghz processor
• 1GB RAM
• Windows Vista Ultimate
• Internet Explorer 7
• RCN cable modem service (10mbs down/800k up)

Installation:

• In order to watch the ‘instant shows,’ you have to install Netflix’s video player (which is embedded in your browser). I was able to install the video player without any issues. Installation took about 2-3 minutes.
• After the player installed, I got a prompt telling me that I had to update Windows Media Player. The update went smoothly and took an additional 10-20 seconds.
• I was ready to watch my first ‘instant show’ within 5 minutes.
• Rating: A

Video Playback:

Filed under: Digital Movies, IPTV, Movies, Netflix, Reviews

Netflix Begins Offering Streaming Movies/TV

Last week Netflix began offering free streaming movies last week (named “Watch Now”). They’re rolling out the service to 250,000 members each month (I wasn’t one of them – if you were, post a comment and let me know what you think!) and are expecting to have it rolled out to all members by June 2007. I’ve read Gizmodo’s positive review but I have to admit it seems pretty worthless. Here’s why:

1. The content is streamed not downloaded.
2. Since the content is streamed, you can only watch the movies and (presumably) shows on your computer (are you kidding me?).
3. No Mac support – the service supports only Windows XP w/SP2 or Vista with IE 6+.
4. The content is in standard definition, only.
5. The quality of the content can/will vary. Netflix determines the picture quality based on your internet connection and how much their servers are being slammed.
6. To start, only 1,000 titles are available and according to Gizmodo, the selection is pretty poor.
7. And, did I mention the movies can only be watched on your computer?

Now, for some of the good news:

Filed under: Digital Movies, IPTV, Movies, Netflix