Netflix to stream on Wii this Spring

[Shellie]

Netflix will be able to stream movies on the Wii this Spring. It will require a FREE disc.

I'm pretty stoked about that. Since the baby, I spend most of my time upstairs, but our TV room is downstairs. We just got a 42in LCD for upstairs, mounted on the wall, and we now have the new Wii hooked up to it. The downstairs 65in has the 360 connected to it. Now we'll be able to watch Netflix movies on both tvs

More info here

[Zeus]

Yeah, but without paying my $5 for a superior online service, I doubt it would be nearly as good since, as we all know, paying money for something means you get better service. Also, do you really want a kids system delivering movies to you? I'm sure they're gonna have some stupid restriction that won't allow me to play R-rated movies on there. Being the cool and hip cat that I am, I sure wouldn't want that.

[Lox]

I actually heard that you'll only be able to stream The Wizard and episodes of The Super Mario Bros. Super Show.

[ManaMan]

It's about time they came out with this. The Wii is perfectly capable of doing this and I think they've had the software for it for quite a while now but have been sitting on it.

I reserved my disc already.

[kali o.]

Been awhile since I looked, but didn't Nintendo cap it's output to 480p?

If so, it'll look pretty ass on your new TV.

[Zeus]

Been awhile since I looked, but didn't Nintendo cap it's output to 480p?

If so, it'll look pretty ass on your new TV.

Yeah, 480p is all it does with component cables

I have 480p running on my 42" plasma all the time. It's fine if the source is good.

[kali o.]

Been awhile since I looked, but didn't Nintendo cap it's output to 480p?

If so, it'll look pretty ass on your new TV.

Yeah, 480p is all it does with component cables

I have 480p running on my 42" plasma all the time. It's fine if the source is good.

Mmmm, if you say so. I think it's a matter of how you define "fine" though. Half the resolution on your monitor and tell me it looks fine

[Shellie]

Half the resolution on your monitor and tell me it looks fine

I don't sit 2 feet from my tv when I watch movies.

Also, I dont watch HD programming all the time on my TV, and I know there is a difference on standard def. We already get practically free cable, but there are movies on the netflix streaming that arent on cable anymore, including old series. It's mainly the convenience factor for us.

Regardless, this is a great move for Netflix, as a lot of families own a Wii, but may not know about the Netflix service. I see this getting them a lot of customers.

[Zeus]

Been awhile since I looked, but didn't Nintendo cap it's output to 480p?

If so, it'll look pretty ass on your new TV.

Yeah, 480p is all it does with component cables

I have 480p running on my 42" plasma all the time. It's fine if the source is good.

Mmmm, if you say so. I think it's a matter of how you define "fine" though. Half the resolution on your monitor and tell me it looks fine

Fine = perfectly watchable and enjoyable with no loss of enjoyment due to the lack of extra resolution. My cable ain't in HD (I will never pay that much for HD) and it's not like I sit there saying "dear lord, if only this were in HD, then I could enjoy it". HD is better, yes, but a 10oz, $18 ribeye steak make an excellent, filling meal. You don't have to have the 16oz, $60 to be full.

[kali o.]

Regardless, this is a great move for Netflix, as a lot of families own a Wii, but may not know about the Netflix service. I see this getting them a lot of customers.

Mmmm, I kinda have the opposite impression. Low res, casual system, lotta impulse owners -- I'd be surprised if it manages even double digit percentages to the PS3/360 service. But I may be surprised.

Fine = perfectly watchable and enjoyable with no loss of enjoyment due to the lack of extra resolution. My cable ain't in HD (I will never pay that much for HD) and it's not like I sit there saying "dear lord, if only this were in HD, then I could enjoy it". HD is better, yes, but a 10oz, $18 ribeye steak make an excellent, filling meal. You don't have to have the 16oz, $60 to be full.

Well, two things I guess. First, I pay $6.99 (averaged) a month for a DVR, 300+ digital channels and internet, through Shaw. For the next year. If I can find a way to put my cheap powers to use, so can you.

2nd, your analogy is only apt if there is a price difference....is there (Netflix Wii vs. Netflix PS3/360)? Because if I have a choice between a free half eaten hotdog on the ground and a free Hy's Steak just cooked & plated...I'm choosing the steak. Because I'm not retarded

I think Sera/Sine have a 360...maybe a PS3 too. That's why I was curious...why make the lesser quality choice?

[Julius Seeker]

In other words, Kali came out of his 2 month absence to say he wants you to stream your DVD (which are standard resolution) using a Microsoft product (to give Microsoft more royalty dollars and service recognition) instead of Nintendo.

[Shellie]

I think Sera/Sine have a 360...maybe a PS3 too. That's why I was curious...why make the lesser quality choice?

360. There is no choice, of course if I HAD to choose, I would pick the Netflix service on the 360, but because we have the Wii on one tv and the 360 on the other, I'm excited that Netflix is coming to the Wii, for the reason in my original post. We already watch Netflix on the 360, and I love it.

Of course HD looks better on an HD tv, but if you already have Netflix, why wouldn't this be a good thing? And at only 8.99 a month for the service, which includes one mailed DVD out at a time, it's worth it, even if you only have a Wii to stream from.

[Zeus]

Fine = perfectly watchable and enjoyable with no loss of enjoyment due to the lack of extra resolution. My cable ain't in HD (I will never pay that much for HD) and it's not like I sit there saying "dear lord, if only this were in HD, then I could enjoy it". HD is better, yes, but a 10oz, $18 ribeye steak make an excellent, filling meal. You don't have to have the 16oz, $60 to be full.

Well, two things I guess. First, I pay $6.99 (averaged) a month for a DVR, 300+ digital channels and internet, through Shaw. For the next year. If I can find a way to put my cheap powers to use, so can you.

2nd, your analogy is only apt if there is a price difference....is there (Netflix Wii vs. Netflix PS3/360)? Because if I have a choice between a free half eaten hotdog on the ground and a free Hy's Steak just cooked & plated...I'm choosing the steak. Because I'm not retarded

I think Sera/Sine have a 360...maybe a PS3 too. That's why I was curious...why make the lesser quality choice?

Well, I don't get Shaw out here. I'm in Rogersland where there is no other option other than Bell. And those two are insanely expensive, particularly to someone who's close friend and business partner is an ex-Rogers guy and I get the 70 or so basic channels for free. Couple that with my Primus unlimited Internet, torrents, and my streaming to my TV through my PS3 and I have a free DVR that works just as well with more selection. Why pay for something I already have a better version of for cheaper?

I was speaking to someone who only has one option. Obviously, if you have the option for the exact same price you'd be a fool not to get HD....unless, of course, you have Rogers or Bell internet and the extra size becomes an extra cost you have to bear due to their should-be-illegal pricing structures. Then there's a cost-benefit analysis to be done. But all things being equal? Of course I'd get it through my PS3

[kali o.]

In other words, Kali came out of his 2 month absence to say he wants you to stream your DVD (which are standard resolution) using a Microsoft product (to give Microsoft more royalty dollars and service recognition) instead of Nintendo.

Wrong on both counts -- me being absent and your interpretation.

Good to see you are still fielding your usual degree accuracy

Fact is, the Wii just doesnt make sense for the service, in a lot of ways (wasn't it wifi only too?)...Hell, in Sera's position, I'd make Sine set up the PC to connect to the upstairs TV (and the downstairs one) and stream Netflix that way. Half the cost for better results = win.

[SineSwiper]

Mmmm, I kinda have the opposite impression. Low res, casual system, lotta impulse owners -- I'd be surprised if it manages even double digit percentages to the PS3/360 service. But I may be surprised.

That's a dumb statement. Wii dominates the console market right now, even if it is casual users. Hell, the casual users don't care about the SD vs HD debate. They are still watching shit on their old 20-year-old TV.

[kali o.]

That's a dumb statement. Wii dominates the console market right now, even if it is casual users. Hell, the casual users don't care about the SD vs HD debate. They are still watching shit on their old 20-year-old TV.

What's dumb about it? "Casual" users apparently lack the brain power to work a standard controller and they are single game owners/impulse buyers.

So why is this market going to suddenly translate into a high adoption rate for a 3rd party online tech-savvy service? Fill me in with the logic, swift

[Kupek]

What's dumb about it? "Casual" users apparently lack the brain power to work a standard controller

Really? You're actually going to make that argument? That casual players are such because they're too stupid to figure out hardcore games?

[kali o.]

Really? You're actually going to make that argument? That casual players are such because they're too stupid to figure out hardcore games?

I'm not making the argument - I've seen that argument bandied about to justify the appeal of the Wii. Including from people on this board.

You'll notice I tossed in specific wording ("apparently") to reflect my general postion on that angle...though i firmly believe the second point.

[Zeus]

Really? You're actually going to make that argument? That casual players are such because they're too stupid to figure out hardcore games?

I'm not making the argument - I've seen that argument bandied about to justify the appeal of the Wii. Including from people on this board.

You'll notice I tossed in specific wording ("apparently") to reflect my general postion on that angle...though i firmly believe the second point.

No, the argument made here and in most places is that the Wii is for casual players, not that they're too stupid to figure out hardcore games. That was your twist on it. That's Seek-ing up the point (and in relation to your other post above, give Seek some credit, he's actually supporting a very small fraction of his points now - although still far lower than minimally acceptable - which is far better than the past :-)

To answer your second point in Sine's post, it's not the direct correlation you're making it out to be (ie. stupid casual gamers = high adoption of tech-savvy service). First, casual does not equal stupid gamer, we've addressed that point above. Second, casual does not equal tech-stupid gamer, either. You're talking about a choice on your to spend your entertainment time/dollar. There are plenty of people (including those who work with computers and have even played many video games in the past) who simply don't play much and don't want heavy games to get into. It's not just grandmothers who own the system. Heck, look how many people here have one (even Sine does; if I'm not mistaken, he actually bought two). So it's not like these people can't play the games or are stupid from a computer or technical point of view, they simply aren't gamers.

Taking this into consideration leads to the last point: size of userbase. How many people own a Wii in North America? 20 mil or so? I will grant you that the proportion of Wii owners who are tech-savvy is substantially less than that of the PS3 or 360 (you'd be amazed how "stupid" some of those are), but with such a large installed userbase, it's obviously worth it for Netflix to offer the service. Much more informed people than you or I who have much more stake in the consequences have made this decision.

[SineSwiper]

Geesh, I'm no major fan of the Wii, but it's not hard to see that even 5% of 20 million consoles is still 1 million subscribers to Netflix. That's at least $120 million in gross income minus whatever the overhead is for the profit margin.

And that's a conservative 5%.

[kali o.]

No, the argument made here and in most places is that the Wii is for casual players, not that they're too stupid to figure out hardcore games. That was your twist on it. That's Seek-ing up the point (and in relation to your other post above, give Seek some credit, he's actually supporting a very small fraction of his points now - although still far lower than minimally acceptable - which is far better than the past :-)

I'd refrain from telling me what I have read if I were you ...

First search turned up 2 results...and if I cared, I'm positive I could find more. I am certainly not about to link off site to refute your silly assertion about what I have read. The major argument behind the Wii control scheme's appeal was intuitiveness and accessibility -- that implies what, exactly?

http://tows.cc/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1 ... al+control

http://tows.cc/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1 ... omplicated

As for seeker, he was shooting 0 for 2. If you want to be his cheerleader and give his hyperbolic empty post "credit", go nuts. Don't ask me to...

First, casual does not equal **insert paragraphs of verbal diarrhea**.

You just typed an assload of opinion without a basis in fact to counter an argument I don't even especially agree with (eg. controllers are too complicated for retarded casuals). Hell, if you look at the above links, you'll even see me arguing AGAINST it.

I'm more than happy to ignore the lack of any factual basis in your post, as opinions are fine for debate. But the fact that I already clearly stated the base assertion isn't mine makes it all just...well, annoying. Beyond that, NO ONE as far as I have seen has stated EVERY Wii owner is a casual, so your rebuttal isn't even applicable or relevant. Sine/Sera own multiple consoles and PC's...I'd hardly be calling them casual.

A casual IS an impulse buyer - generally speaking, they are slow to adopt new technology (that includes Netflix and HDTVs). If the service is driven on the Wii by anyone, it'll be non-casual owners like Sine/Sera setting it up.

Anyway, back on topic:

- Wii is limited on video output
- Wii is limited to WiFi out of the box (assumed, unverified)
- Same service offered on PC and 360/PS3
- Wii is the WORST choice for streaming to an HDTV

It's nice that the Wii will have the service, but I'm still confused why Sera wants it and doesn't just use an alternative. And unlike Sine's prediction, I'd be surprised to see 5% of NA Wii install base utilise it. Like I said before, I predict single digit % of the combined PS3/360 subscription base.

PS Kupek, was funny to see this given that you raised the proverbial eyebrow to my comment...

I think your perspective is off. You're right, if a person wants to play a game, even a complicated control scheme won't deter them. But that's not the set of people we're talking about with "casual." We mean people who ordinarily don't want to play games. If they have no a priori desire to play, then any barrier to entry is going to reinforce that. Simple control schemes, however, remove that barrier, and someone with no prior desire to play might be willing to try it out.

Hence why a game like Madden still falls under hardcore.

[SineSwiper]

It's nice that the Wii will have the service, but I'm still confused why Sera wants it and doesn't just use an alternative. And unlike Sine's prediction, I'd be surprised to see 5% of NA Wii install base utilise it. Like I said before, I predict single digit % of the combined PS3/360 subscription base.

You seem to think that everybody has more than one console. No, there are many, many people, most of them in fact, that only have a Wii. And those people will be able to watch Netflix on their TV on-demand. Considering that most people have only DVD players, and the Wii supports the same quality as a DVD, what's wrong with that kind of output?

And two is the options. Sure, I could go downstairs and watch the same thing, but it's the same reason why I have two TVs. I have the option to watch something on Netflix if I'm stuck upstairs. I would probably prefer the 360, but considering it's free with my Netflix, I don't see why there's any argument. If anybody has Netflix and has consoles, ANY OF THEM, they will register their device for the console service.

[kali o.]

You seem to think that everybody has more than one console.

No. I think non-casuals (ie: you) have more than one system. I think casuals have 1...and they don't go online...and they won't use Netflix on their Wii.

[Kupek]

Kali, there's a difference between literally being too stupid to use a control scheme, and such a control scheme being a high barrier to entry.

Anyway, I didn't catch on that you were mocking Sine.