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Netflix plans to unleash streaming video for the Nintendo Wii
First there was Wii Fit, now there's the ultimate Wii couch potato app: Netflix. Starting this spring, Netflix subscribers will be able to stream movies directly to their TVs using Nintendo's popular console. This should help the Wii catch up with the Playstation 3, which has a built-in Blu-ray player and the Xbox 360, which has Microsoft's Zune movie store. It's also a good move for Netflix, which is seeing more and more of its total business come from streaming.To use Netflix on the Wii, you'll need a broadband connection and a free disc from Netflix. Unfortunately, the Wii's hardware isn't powerful enough to stream Netflix' selection of HD videos.
As people struggle to save money, a Netflix account is one of the first things to go, but users are increasingly cutting back their plans and streaming movies instead of quitting Netflix altogether. Streaming also saves Netflix money. According to the New York Times, it's 60 cents to mail a disc, and only 5 cents to stream a movie.
Comments
12
Subscribe to commentsOssama AnsariJan 13th 2010 4:07PM
What exactly does "steaming" a movie accomplish? Does everything seems like you're looking at it through some sort of fog during playback?
In the last sentence of the article, you forgot the "r" in the word "stream". :P
Jay HathawayJan 13th 2010 4:24PM
I added the r. Gosh, I hate typos.
markJan 13th 2010 4:13PM
"This arguably gives the Wii an edge over the Playstation 3's built-in Blu-ray player and Microsoft's Xbox movie store."
I hope you are being a wise ass, as both of those consoles already have Netflix, and for the Xbox 360 there is no disc required to stream.
Jay HathawayJan 13th 2010 4:23PM
Ah, you're right. I changed it to "catch up," which I think is closer to what I was trying to say.
yabunJan 13th 2010 4:29PM
That's good news, but you can stream Netflix to about any device now (TV's, blu-ray players, Roku, XBox, toasters, a tennis racket, etc.). What would be cool is if you can control playback by steering the Mario Kart Wii wheel or if big explosions in Michael Bay movies cause the Wii mote to vibrate.
pKtJan 13th 2010 6:46PM
I, for one, would be impressed w/ wiimote controlled explosions. But ONLY if the wind from the explosion blew off Megan Fox's top.
AbhiJan 13th 2010 5:00PM
The Wii does not have HD output, so the comment that "Unfortunately, the Wii's hardware isn't powerful enough to stream Netflix' selection of HD videos." is redundant at best.
motangJan 13th 2010 8:41PM
Nice, but useless for me as I don't have Netflix at the moment.
kojo87Jan 14th 2010 12:43AM
i was just thinking about signing up for Netflix and this pretty much seals the deal. the Wii is the only console i own.
Slashee the CowJan 14th 2010 3:02AM
All well and good, but here in the land down under we have no Netlfix.
And even if we did, the only internet plans I've seen with unlimited data are too slow for SD streaming, let alone HD... or are REALLY expensive (over $100/month expensive).
So, the average person gets an internet plan with a low limit. The 50GB plan I'm on is considered HUGE. On-peak/off-peak periods (most ISPs have them) ensure that the bulk of your allowance can only be used at times when 90% of the population is asleep, if you're really lucky, at work.
Never mind that in my area, the fastest internet I can get is 1.5mbps... which is nowhere near what's needed for HD streaming.
And I'm sorry for hijacking the comments and turning them into a rant about internet in Australia, but I F$%KING HATE STEPHEN CONROY!!!!!
(And Michael Atkinson, while I'm at it).
KevinJan 14th 2010 7:25AM
All Nintendo needs to do is update its own Opera browser to allow current versions of Flash and Silverlight to be installed. Then Netflix wouldn't need any fancy delivery scheme.
SchwinnJan 14th 2010 8:38AM
FYI, signups for the Wii disc have already started here:
http://www.netflix.com/InstantStreamingDisc?device=Wii
(from Engadget.com here: http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/13/wii-streams-netflix-coming-spring-world-rejoices/ )