So, not that this matters to me since i can't get Netflix in Korea, but... is this any better than Warner's BD Live applications? I tried watching some BD Live commentaries and doing some other BD live features on some Warner movies, and it was painful... If this runs full speed (like watching it on PC) then great. If not, then the integrated service can't come fast enough.
In reading the comments, I'm not seeing any speed complaints, so I guess it is better than Warner's services. Too bad I didn't get it when I was still in the US. #netflixps3
While we're on the subject of PS3 streaming, I wanted to point out a site I co-run called Streaming Soon. We basically keep track of all the upcoming TV & Movie releases for Netflix streaming - in an effort to save you unnecessary disc rentals, but also to help point out upcoming releases you may not have previously known about, or thought to look up :)
We do this on our own, but also with the help of the Netflix community as a whole (to track down upcoming releases - see the disclaimer at the page bottom for how). Netflix even features us in their official App Gallery!
So, give our site a look, and subscribe to our Twitter as well... we keep things updated on both fronts, and love to serve our Netflix friends.
@MCWHAMMER: Oh wow. I've been really curious about something like this but haven't bothered googling lately. Thanks for the link!
The Netflix selection for streaming is very poor imo, although it seems to be vastly increasing week by week so it's all good :D #netflixps3
@OmegaNemesis28: "The Netflix selection for streaming is very poor..."
That's the stigma we've easily broken 90 times over on our site. It's absolutely ridiculous. Normal people have Instant queues as big as regular queues. Stupid people only watch new releases, and ignore every other title ever released.
I can't change people, but we can point out all of the stuff people ignore, on our site. #netflixps3
@MCWHAMMER: Stupid people? Listen, you should redact that. Uninformed people only watch new releases. Informed (of your site that you informed us of) can have instant-queues the size of most Netflix regular queues.
Stupid is not uninformed.
And thank you for streamingsoon dot com. #netflixps3
Netflix on the PS3 vs. on the 360: 1. Picture quality was identical, except for the few movies that stream in HD on the 360 that didn't seem to on the PS3 (you'll only notice if you have an HDTV). 2. It takes longer to fast-forward or rewind video on the PS3 (but, unlike with the now presumably obsolete PlayOn, at least it CAN fast-forward & rewind). 3. You can't change the aspect ratio on a 4:3 movie (at least not with the remote or on-screen menu). 4. It doesn't display the amount of time played in the video and the amount of time remaining.
None of the above are deal-breakers and overall I'm pretty impressed with Netflix on the PS3. It's not as good as the 360's version, but it's better than I thought it would be. If anyone knows if there IS a way to change aspect-ratio on videos, let me know. That's the one serious negative on the PS3 vs. the 360.
@Sloopydrew: Everything that streamed in HD on the 360 has likewise streamed in HD on the PS3, at least for me.
Pressing pause brings up a progress bar. It shows you approximately how far into the program you are. Now while it doesn't show you how much time is left, a little quick math will allow you to take the current running time from the program's total running time to figure out how much time the program has left. It's not ideal, but it's workable. But yeah, you absolutely can tell how long the video has been playing, at least.
I can't figure out for the life of me if there's a method for changing the aspect-ratio, though.
That's the only real negative that I've found, and it's not even too big a deal, given that I tend to just watch all my 4:3 programs in widescreen anyway. I got used to seeing folks stretched out unnaturally. :P #netflixps3
@Cyberxion101: That was the only thing I really had issues with. Can't stand people being all "stretchy." I'm guessing it's something we haven't figured out OR something that they'll figure out and fix. For now, I'll just stick with widescreen movies on the PS3 and watch 4:3 stuff on the 360. #netflixps3
Do you have to have an existing NetFlix account for them to actively send it to you? I'm using this as a way to decide whether I want NetFlix or not, seeing how I want to stream them and not worry about discs as much.
The disc-based version of Netflix on PS3 is not a native application for the console, but instead is a "BD Live" app that runs inside of the Blu-Ray player software. The UI is clumsy and not consistent with other PS3 user experience conventions and it doesn't appear to be customized in any way for the unique features of the console.
I will say one thing, the interface is really kind of clumsy at first but grows on you once you realize it's more of a BD/DVD interface than a game. Great with the PS3 remote.
Seems to take a bit longer to load thumbnails than on 360 although I haven't used 360 streaming in a couple of months since I sold off my 360 so I can't compare. REALLY happy to see that PS3 finally has streaming, on a disc or otherwise. Video quality seems on par with what I was getting from Netflix on 360. One huge advantage over 360 is that it lists HD content clearly as you're going through the queue.
Um... some people are saying you have to go through your queue one by one... the L2 and R2 buttons jump you 8 spaces (a page, basically) back and forward. It is a little sluggish, regardless, but bearable. I'm sure Netflix is going to add polish as they go along, far as I read the first batch was somewhat limited to keep it a bit of a soft launch. #netflixps3
You don't really need this disc. If you sign up for a service called PlayOn, you can already access Netflix, all of your files from your pc, and tons of cool plugins (watch JustinTV streaming on your PS3). Check it out.
I find the interface to be a little more clumsy than the 360 version. You can't really see far ahead on the lists, and the lists scroll much more slowly. The whole UI just seems slower, but that might be because my PS3 connects wirelessly and my 360 is hardwired. Still, one way or another, nice to have, especially with the two systems in different rooms. Comcast can suck these. #netflixps3
So I got my Netflix PS3 "Instant Streaming Disc" this morning and I'm trying it out right now viewing "Wall-E."
I have both the 360 and PS3 (both wired) and so far, I've found the speed and quality of the PS3 stream no different than the 360. The biggest difference is the GUI.
The PS3 version doesn't have the smooth sliding interface found on the 360 menu system and you must keep tapping on the d-pad or right analog stick repeatedly to surf through your queues. This method is a bit slow especially if you have over a hundred items in your queue as I do.
On the plus side, the PS3 menu system seems to be far less cluttered and easier to read with it's larger fonts.
Another difference I've noticed on Netlfix PS3 is the lack of display adjustment. For instance, the 4:3 aspect ratio is always stretched to widescreen (if you have a widescreen TV/monitor) with no apparent option to switch it to normal. Some may be bothered by this. I am indifferent, yet I wouldn't mind if the option were there.
At this point, I find the 360 version of Netflix a tad bit more efficient. Down the line, I suspect/hope Netflix PS3 will improve (particularly on menu scrolling speed). It's absolutely serviceable as it is now, but lacks that bit of polish 360 users are used to. #netflixps3
I plucked mine out of the mail early this morning and have been enjoying it quite a bit.
I do like the interface quite a bit and actually like it better than the 360's. I can't wait for this to be integrated into the PS3's boot interface.
With that said, the only real complaint is that it came in a paper sleeve vs a decent case. Easily fixable so it really is a small complaint. #netflixps3
@gpturismo: I've been a Netflix user since 2006, so you can imagine how cool it was to get a double-bagged red sleeve with a red PS3 disc in it. I felt all special :D
An HD-DVD red case would've completed the package though, you're probably right about that ;) #netflixps3
@runandgun: Note that this isn't a format conversion. The video/sound will not be run through another compression algo. Quality will be identical to the original - only the container changes. #netflixps3
@MrBounce: System specs have nothing to do with encoding quality - they only have to do with the time required to encode.
Changing containers is not transcoding. Transcoding implies recompressing with a different codec. Media containers are not codecs. They're file envelopes. As such, there's no loss of quality/data as the video and audio files contained within the container remain the same. Containers such as MKV (matroska) exist with the purpose of combining multiple audio/video/subtitle streams into a single file. The specifications of the container describe only the way data is stored (but not coded) within the file. #netflixps3
@Koztah: In regards to Tversity and streaming to the PS3? Actually system specs do have to do with encoding (along with your connection) because you simply can't stream a high quality vid with a Pentium 1 with Tversity. There's a reason why you can adjust the resolution of the encoded video. You'll encounter severe frame rate issues / choppiness because your machine can't keep up trying to transcode a high frame rate vid file.
As for changing containers, the PS3 cannot natively play MKV's, regardless of what avi, mp4, etc it contains). Remember Tversity and other programs like PS3Media Player are used by many people simply because of this reason (streaming video that the PS3 cannot play natively). I'm not sure what you're getting confused with, but try turning off transcoding in the Tversity options when trying to stream to the PS3 with different MKV's and you'll see what I'm talking about :) #netflixps3
@MrBounce: I was under the impression that you meant recompressing an mkv (and thus losing separate streams) into a divx or mpeg or somesuch, then streaming it to the PS3, rather than live transcoding.
The link I provided showed a way to switch from the matroska container, which the ps3 cannot read, to one it can. This makes lossy transcoding unnecessary. #netflixps3
@Zallin: I don't see a reason to wait when they can provide the feature sooner with a disc-based solution until the firmware update is a go. I'm sure that Netflix wants the extra costumers and Sony wants another feature to add to the PS3 checklist. #netflixps3
11/07/09
In reading the comments, I'm not seeing any speed complaints, so I guess it is better than Warner's services. Too bad I didn't get it when I was still in the US. #netflixps3
11/06/09
We do this on our own, but also with the help of the Netflix community as a whole (to track down upcoming releases - see the disclaimer at the page bottom for how). Netflix even features us in their official App Gallery!
So, give our site a look, and subscribe to our Twitter as well... we keep things updated on both fronts, and love to serve our Netflix friends.
[www.streamingsoon.com]
11/07/09
The Netflix selection for streaming is very poor imo, although it seems to be vastly increasing week by week so it's all good :D #netflixps3
11/07/09
That's the stigma we've easily broken 90 times over on our site. It's absolutely ridiculous. Normal people have Instant queues as big as regular queues. Stupid people only watch new releases, and ignore every other title ever released.
I can't change people, but we can point out all of the stuff people ignore, on our site. #netflixps3
11/07/09
Stupid is not uninformed.
And thank you for streamingsoon dot com. #netflixps3
11/06/09
None of the above are deal-breakers and overall I'm pretty impressed with Netflix on the PS3. It's not as good as the 360's version, but it's better than I thought it would be. If anyone knows if there IS a way to change aspect-ratio on videos, let me know. That's the one serious negative on the PS3 vs. the 360.
11/06/09
Pressing pause brings up a progress bar. It shows you approximately how far into the program you are. Now while it doesn't show you how much time is left, a little quick math will allow you to take the current running time from the program's total running time to figure out how much time the program has left. It's not ideal, but it's workable. But yeah, you absolutely can tell how long the video has been playing, at least.
I can't figure out for the life of me if there's a method for changing the aspect-ratio, though.
That's the only real negative that I've found, and it's not even too big a deal, given that I tend to just watch all my 4:3 programs in widescreen anyway. I got used to seeing folks stretched out unnaturally. :P #netflixps3
11/06/09
Don't know about changing the aspect ratio, though. #netflixps3
11/06/09
So yeah, the only real negative is the inability to change the aspect, and that's not really that huge a problem, IMO. #netflixps3
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Do you have to have an existing NetFlix account for them to actively send it to you? I'm using this as a way to decide whether I want NetFlix or not, seeing how I want to stream them and not worry about discs as much.
11/06/09
I guess you get what you pay for. #netflixps3
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Seems to take a bit longer to load thumbnails than on 360 although I haven't used 360 streaming in a couple of months since I sold off my 360 so I can't compare. REALLY happy to see that PS3 finally has streaming, on a disc or otherwise. Video quality seems on par with what I was getting from Netflix on 360. One huge advantage over 360 is that it lists HD content clearly as you're going through the queue.
Um... some people are saying you have to go through your queue one by one... the L2 and R2 buttons jump you 8 spaces (a page, basically) back and forward. It is a little sluggish, regardless, but bearable. I'm sure Netflix is going to add polish as they go along, far as I read the first batch was somewhat limited to keep it a bit of a soft launch. #netflixps3
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I have both the 360 and PS3 (both wired) and so far, I've found the speed and quality of the PS3 stream no different than the 360. The biggest difference is the GUI.
The PS3 version doesn't have the smooth sliding interface found on the 360 menu system and you must keep tapping on the d-pad or right analog stick repeatedly to surf through your queues. This method is a bit slow especially if you have over a hundred items in your queue as I do.
On the plus side, the PS3 menu system seems to be far less cluttered and easier to read with it's larger fonts.
Another difference I've noticed on Netlfix PS3 is the lack of display adjustment. For instance, the 4:3 aspect ratio is always stretched to widescreen (if you have a widescreen TV/monitor) with no apparent option to switch it to normal. Some may be bothered by this. I am indifferent, yet I wouldn't mind if the option were there.
At this point, I find the 360 version of Netflix a tad bit more efficient. Down the line, I suspect/hope Netflix PS3 will improve (particularly on menu scrolling speed). It's absolutely serviceable as it is now, but lacks that bit of polish 360 users are used to. #netflixps3
11/06/09
I do like the interface quite a bit and actually like it better than the 360's. I can't wait for this to be integrated into the PS3's boot interface.
With that said, the only real complaint is that it came in a paper sleeve vs a decent case. Easily fixable so it really is a small complaint. #netflixps3
11/06/09
An HD-DVD red case would've completed the package though, you're probably right about that ;) #netflixps3
11/06/09
It's not available here anyway, so meh. #netflixps3
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11/06/09
[forums.tversity.com] #netflixps3
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11/06/09
If you follow this forum topic word for word, guaranteed you'll be transcoding files in no time:
[forums.tversity.com] #netflixps3
11/07/09
Changing containers is not transcoding. Transcoding implies recompressing with a different codec. Media containers are not codecs. They're file envelopes. As such, there's no loss of quality/data as the video and audio files contained within the container remain the same. Containers such as MKV (matroska) exist with the purpose of combining multiple audio/video/subtitle streams into a single file. The specifications of the container describe only the way data is stored (but not coded) within the file. #netflixps3
11/08/09
As for changing containers, the PS3 cannot natively play MKV's, regardless of what avi, mp4, etc it contains). Remember Tversity and other programs like PS3Media Player are used by many people simply because of this reason (streaming video that the PS3 cannot play natively). I'm not sure what you're getting confused with, but try turning off transcoding in the Tversity options when trying to stream to the PS3 with different MKV's and you'll see what I'm talking about :) #netflixps3
11/08/09
The link I provided showed a way to switch from the matroska container, which the ps3 cannot read, to one it can. This makes lossy transcoding unnecessary. #netflixps3
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