Netflix's latest conquest, Windows Media Center

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Netflix is on a mission to takeover the world of movie streaming, 1st they invaded the computer with Silverlight powered streaming. Then they cut an exclusive deal with Microsoft to bring streaming to the Xbox 360.

Now they are bringing their world domination plans full circle. In a post on the official Windows Team Blog, Microsoft announced Netflix integration into Windows Media Center.

As of tomorrow users with Windows Vista Home Premium and Ultimate will notice a new option in the "Movies & TV" tab of media center. They will be able to access instant and DVD queues, as well Netflix's "recommended" movies

There have long been ways to get Netflix into media center through non-official channels, but it is good to see Microsoft adding it to the growing stable of add-ons available for WMC.

Check out the Videos of the Windows Media Center\ Netflix mash-up below..

Netflix in Windows Media Center

Getting Netflix in Windows Media Center

Now if we could just get some Windows 7 Netflix streaming love....

(1 reply) #1 excalpius on 20 May 2009 - 06:29

Nice! Most people will get their first taste of this with Windows 7, I suspect.

#1.1 roadwarrior on 20 May 2009 - 15:47

Huh? Did you read the article?

As of tomorrow users with Windows Vista Home Premium and Ultimate will notice a new option in the "Movies & TV" tab of media center.

(3 replies) #2 Raikou Tch on 20 May 2009 - 06:32

I wanna be a part of Windows Team Blow. This is a good idea though, a lot of people don't want to have to buy a separate box or extender.

#2.1 roadwarrior on 20 May 2009 - 16:12

You can already watch the same Netflix videos directly from the web site anyway, this is just an added convienence for those with Media Center.

#2.2 nicbot on 20 May 2009 - 22:32

@roadwarrior: Correction, this is for people who use WMC on their TV. Try it

#2.3 roadwarrior on 21 May 2009 - 00:40

nicbot said,

This runs on the computer (note that others have mentioned that it does NOT work with Media Center Extenders) only, so the only advantage of this over simply watching directly from the web browser is the enhanced interface. Without this supporting an extender, the only way to use this on a TV is directly connecting the computer to the TV.

FYI, I've used Netflix instant watch for a while now, with the computer through the browser, with a Roku box on my TV, with PlayOn on my PS3 (again, on the TV), and now with WMC on the computer. I think that qualifies me as somewhat knowledgable on the subject.

(4 replies) #3 Windows7even on 20 May 2009 - 06:41

brandon says no joy for windows 7 users....yet.

#3.1 nicbot on 20 May 2009 - 22:33

Just posted this over at LH:

FYI for Windows 7 RC 1 users...

This option is not available in WMC for Win7, BUT you can get Netflix in Win7 MediaCenter working by doing the folloiwng; (Tested myself)

1. Make sure you can view watch now movies via your browser. In Win 7 you have to use the new Netflix movie viewer (Works natively with FF too!) [www.netflix.com]

2. Install the MyNetflix MCE plugin: [www.anpark.com]

3. Open the MyNetflix Configuration from the start menu when the install is done. Enter account details and test to verify.

4. Open MediaCenter-->Extras-->MyNetflix

5. Rejoice!

#3.2 nicbot on 20 May 2009 - 22:35

Sorry, links are broken and I couldn't edit...

Links;

Newer Netflix player: http://www.netflix.com/silverlightoptin
MyNetflix MCE plugin: http://www.anpark.com/Software.aspx

#3.3 IDLE19 on 22 May 2009 - 15:30

didnt work for me.

#3.4 IDLE19 on 22 May 2009 - 15:46

(2 replies) #4 Antaris on 20 May 2009 - 07:29

The guy in the last advert sounds like he has a cold...

#4.1 Tom W on 20 May 2009 - 07:31

Swine flu

#4.2 +Chipshop on 20 May 2009 - 10:49

and those woolly gloves make me feel somehow uneasy s

(1 reply) #5 FloatingFatMan on 20 May 2009 - 07:29

So is this US only, or what?

#5.1 DigitalManifestations on 20 May 2009 - 07:31

FloatingFatMan said,

I'm guessing so due to media licensing rights and whatnot.

#6 Kosh on 20 May 2009 - 07:46

Oh man. I wish Netflix would be available here in Austria.

#7 macrosslover on 20 May 2009 - 09:32

for those who don't read the comments on the source article the first guy says that you can't use this on an extender at all. So Xbox Live Gold is still the only way to do it on an extender of sorts apparently.

#8 +chorpeac on 20 May 2009 - 12:49

Now if they could just get some quality modern stuff to stream. WHo wants to watch Top Gun? I'd rather be able to watch Transformers, Batman, etc, etc.... GET BACK TO WORK NETFLIX!!! MAKE MORE TITLES AVAILABLE!!!

#9 3dfxman on 20 May 2009 - 12:56

Sure would be nice if they could get around the licensing rights and provide this to other countries other then the US. I know i would use the service.

#10 supernova_00 on 20 May 2009 - 12:59

I wish netflix would let us stream new releases and recent movies. I hate that most of them are all old movies. I also wish Verizon would work out a deal with them so I could stream to my tv through FiOS.

(3 replies) #11 KarbonKopy on 20 May 2009 - 13:30

Downloaded the update and took a look. Not bad for install but acted off after install when it wouldn't take my account information. A restart of MCE solved the problem, and the rest looks good.

#11.1 KarbonKopy on 20 May 2009 - 14:31

That was on my x86 Vista MCE, the x64 doesn't seem to have the update....

#11.2 jme621 on 20 May 2009 - 18:41

KarbonKopy said,

where did you get the update from?

#11.3 KarbonKopy on 20 May 2009 - 19:52

I think it might just be showing up in MCE. I doubled checked my x64 system (didn't install anything) and the netflix icon was just there. Click on it to install the program...works real well.

(1 reply) #12 C_Guy on 20 May 2009 - 14:33

Now if we could just get some Windows 7 Netflix streaming love

Maybe you should wait until Windows 7 has actually been released? There's an idea.

#12.1 GreyWolfSC on 20 May 2009 - 17:59

Well, it should be tested at least.

#13 ir0nw0lf on 20 May 2009 - 15:18

And no "extra" fees, like the Xbox 360 users whine about (ie. having to have a paid Gold account vs. the free Silver)!

#14 ripgut on 20 May 2009 - 15:35

*Buys Netflix stock*

(1 reply) #15 Deihmos on 20 May 2009 - 17:57

I wonder if this will work on the xbox 360 media center extender.

#15.1 GreyWolfSC on 20 May 2009 - 18:00

Nope. It's in the first comment of the source article.

#16 ChrisJ1968 on 20 May 2009 - 22:17

does..well, anyone care? I've never had any use or time for netflix when I have Verizon fios

#17 Biometric Man on 22 May 2009 - 01:52

Word on the street is that Nuclius is supposed to have Netfilx integrated into it as well. With the Blu-ray player built in and full HDTV it will be awesome. Nuclius will kill everything except the game consoles and soon they will have problems too. http://tr.im/icX8

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