I received an email from Netflix this morning indicating that because I was a Netflix member I could now download unlimited movies from their website. Interesting. What was even more interesting was that this would be in addition to the movies I already received via mail. I have the 3 DVD subscription to the service paying $16.99 a month.
What really interested me was how good would the service be? Could a broadband connection really play movies well? What about software? What would needed to be installed?
I went to the Netflix site and learned that my Firefox browser was a no-no and that I would need to use Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher. I also needed to upgrade my Media Player to version 11, needed some added security updates and also the Netflix software of some kind. After installing and getting the updates I was ready to proceed. I should also note that I have a cable connection at 3MB and was also using my laptop in my living room via a wireless connection. My wife wanted to watch the new American Idol and quite frankly I can’t take the BS of watching any more untalented singers. 
So it was a good time to try streaming video from Netflix.
I tried Letters From Iwo Jima, The Good German & The Italian Job. All of the movies played perfectly. There were no hiccups of any kind. Here are the system requirements needed:
System requirements:
- Windows XP with Service Pack 2 or higher, or Windows Vista
- Internet Explorer version 6 or higher
- Windows Media Player version 11 (DRM version 5145) or later
- An active broadband connection to the Internet
- 1.0 GHz processor
- 512 MB RAM
- 3 GB free hard disk drive space
This is the future of media rental. No waiting in long lines. No disappointment because a new release is not available. No waiting for DVD in the mail. Plus no DVD’s that are damaged and can’t be played. I really like this type of service and will be using it in the future.
Commenst welcome.
[tags]netflix, dvd, rentals, download, streaming, video, media player, software, service, [/tags]
Hi Ron
That Sounds Good….
But Do You WAN_NA…watch a Movie On Your Computer__OR
Did you HOOK–IT–UP to a TV..?
Heh Denny,
Thats on my list next.
You guys are startin to bug me….I’m still watchin Clint Eastwood on VHS!
Hello Goose,
Sorry to hear about your plight.
GOOD—WORD RON……..plight.
http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd167/dennyoo/mirrorball.gif
Caution, when the Netflix online player is downloaded, it apparently shuts down the QuickBooks Pro 2008 automatic update engine. Netflix warns you about this, and I advise not to proceed, it is a hassle to fix it. Even after removing the Netflix player, QuickBooks kept complaining that I was using an outdated version. Manual updates did not correct the problem.
The only remedy was to go into Control Panel and Change/Remove programs, choose QuickBooks, then run the QuickBooks repair facility. That took about a half hour and a reboot, now it works fine. On the restart of QuickBooks, it updated the entire thing.
Hi Peter,
Thanks for the info.