Netflix Update on Mac, Firefox & Watch Now

Steve on the Netflix Community Blog explains why they don't expect to have Mac or Firefox support until next year.

A key issue for delivering movies online is that the studios require use of DRM (Digital Rights Management) to protect titles. And that's our holdup for the Mac - there's not yet a studio-sanctioned, publicly-available Mac DRM solution (Apple doesn't license theirs). I can promise you that, when an approved solution becomes available for the Mac, we'll be there. I'll also say that Silverlight 1.1 looks like a promising candidate - but that its DRM isn't likely to be fully available until 2008.

Steve also confirmed that Netflix now has 4,500 movies and TV episodes available for Instant Watching.

Comments

[gir]

They'll probably have a set-top box before they have Firefox/Mac/Linux support.

Stupid studios.

[craftzombie_com]

I just wrote a blog post about my issue with Watch Now no longer working due to DRM/WMP 11/Media Center 2002. Does anyone else seem to have this problem? Am I incorrect in anything that I stated? I can't be the only Netflix user with Media Center 2002....

http://craftzombie.com/wordpress/?p=188

[Edward R Murrow]

"Stupid studios."

Nice, Netflix can't figure out how to protect the studio's media from getting hacked and the studios get blamed.

http://www.tvsquad.com/2007/08/06/hackers-discover-how-to-download-streaming-movies-from-netflix/

[leonardodicrapio]

I actually have to agree with Edward on this one. This doesn't appear to be the studios' fault. Everybody always gives Apple a pass, though. Apple only wants their DRM used for ITunes. If Microsoft tried this people would be yelling and screaming.

"And that's our holdup for the Mac - there's not yet a studio-sanctioned, publicly-available Mac DRM solution (Apple doesn't license theirs)."

[leonardodicrapio]

No WatchNow on Macs reminds me of the approximately 2-year delay (after Windows users got it) of getting TivoToGo for Macs. At least part of that was due to the fact that Tivo does not have enough resources (Tivo has been an unprofitable company for the most part) to devote to software development with uncooperative companies (i.e. Apple).

April 14, 2005
TiVo CFO David Courtney said, "Apple has shown no interest and given no support to TiVo to make TiVoToGo work."

http://www.pvrblog.com/pvr/2005/04/tivo_cfo_no_tiv.html

[WG]

Try using IE Tab in Firefox (it's an add-in) and you can stream movies just fine...

[CJ]

I use IE Tab with Firefox on my PC (Win XP MCE OS on two different computers) that works fine.

My nephew uses parallels with Win XP on his MAC computer and claims that works for Watch Now in the PC mode.

And I've also heard some people have figured out how to network their PS3 to a PC that supports Watch Now and then view through the PS3 computer.

Seems like there numerous legal ways to view Watch Now already available on various Operating Systems - maybe not mainstream, but at least available.

[Edward R Murrow]

"Apple only wants their DRM used for ITunes"

Last time that I checked, we lived in a capitalist society. Is there really an expectation that Apple should share or license technology to Apple's detriment in a competitive environment?

[leonardodicrapio]

"Is there really an expectation that Apple should share or license technology to Apple's detriment in a competitive environment?"

Again, another example how Apple is the little guy and can do no wrong in some people's eyes.

Microsoft has their own box (the XBox 360). It seems like people have been quite taken with using the XBox Live marketplace to download movies (some of them in HD), but you can use the XBox as a Media Center Extender with an "old" PC with Window XP (probably with SP2, which is free) and Zune software.

And you can go to any website to get video to watch on your television via a streaming XBox 360 (Netflix's WatchNow, Vuze, Joost, etc.). But Apple is great with its limited selection, and a AppleTV that costs about as much as an XBox 360 and doesn't play games (and limits you to watching YouTube videos).

[Edward R Murrow]

"Again, another example how Apple is the little guy and can do no wrong in some people's eyes."

Uh, Apple has done most everything right with the iPod, iTunes, iPhone, Mac computers, etc. It's just a matter of time before Apple addresses any shortcomings in AppleTV.

I'm always amazed at how the mediocre will always try to cripple the excellent in this country. This whole deal about Netflix pissing and moaning about Apple not giving/licensing their DRM. Why can't Netflix just roll up their sleaves and do it themselves?

I've said it before here; all people are create equal. Clearly, engineers are not created equal and the engineers who have worked on the Mac are much more equal than others.

“Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.”
- Albert Einstein

[leonardodicrapio]

"Apple has done most everything right with the iPod, iTunes, iPhone, Mac computers, etc."

Steve Jobs has fooled millions of people into buying 128kbps songs with DRM for 99 cents a piece that will only play on an Apple MP3 player. Everybody thinks it is so great and easy because they can't hear the difference between a CD and an MP3 with the $5 headphones that come with an iPod.

Then he will charge you an extra 30 cents to upgrade it to 256kbps and remove the DRM. iTunes rips to the AAC format by default, which most non-Apple MP3 players don't play (I think Sony may be one exception, but I don't know anyone who owns the Sony MP3 player which looks like a giant bean).

Mac computers which didn't have TivoToGo for over 2 years when Windows users had it. Mac computers that can't play Netflix WatchNow. iPhones which run on the antiquated AT&T Edge network.

"I'm always amazed at how the mediocre will always try to cripple the excellent in this country."

Yes, clearly all Apple users are superior to Windows users. Why don't all you Apple fanboys get over yourselves and realize that software development is going to happen for the masses first and the niche crowd last?

[lifterus]

"Why can't Netflix just roll up their sleaves and do it themselves?"

Get a clue. The studios have sanctioned DRM from Apple and from Microsoft. That's about it. You expect a small company like Netflix to spend a fortune developing their own DRM, and then trying to get the studios to approve it (which they could not)?

Microsoft allows Netflix, among others, to license their DRM. Apple does not. This is to our (the consumer) detriment. Simple as that.

I'm a Mac user. I really can't stand Windows. But I'm not some "Apple can do no harm" idiot. Their DRM practices are extremely anti-consumer. And as a Netflix subscriber, I suffer for it. Apple would be doing just fine if they allowed others to license their DRM. Some argue they'd actually be doing better in the long run.

I don't care how much you worship Apple. If you are a consumer you shouldn't support this policy of theirs. Period. People in Europe seem to understand this basic concept.

[Edward R Murrow]

"You expect a small company like Netflix to spend a fortune developing their own DRM, ..."

Whoa, I thought that the company was named Netflix because media was going to be distributed in a variety of ways, including Internet.

Is Netflix talking out of both sides of it's mouth on this issue? Is Netflix saying "We don't know how/can't afford to do the DRM work ourselves, we named the company Netflix so that we can deliver media over the Internet"?

[leonardodicrapio]

Ed, get a clue...

With Windows you can get Amazon's Unbox, Netflix's WatchNow, MovieLink, etc. for movies (and/or tv shows).

With Windows you can get Napster, Rhapsody, Yahoo! Music Unlimited, etc. for music.

With Apple you can get iTunes for movies and music. With Windows you can get iTunes, too. EMusic works with Macs and PC's, too.

It's called choice, Ed, and Apple doesn't give you much of it. I guess that hefty price for your makes it up for the lack of choice that you get.

ScoreCard: Windows 8, Apple 2.

[Edward R Murrow]

"ScoreCard: Windows 8, Apple 2"

Ya, and with Windows you get Minesweeper, Solitaire, Pinball, Spider Solitaire; heck, the list just goes on and on.

For awhile there, I thought we were talking about the inability of Netflix to cowboy-up and do their own DRM for Mac.

Maybe Netflix should rename itself to DVD-By-Snail-Mail-Now-And-Forever.

[leonardodicrapio]

"For awhile there, I thought we were talking about the inability of Netflix to cowboy-up and do their own DRM for Mac."

3 Movie Download Services -- No DRM for Mac

Blockbuster's newly acquired MovieLink
No DRM for Mac

Netflix's WatchNow
No DRM for Mac

Amazon's Unbox
No DRM for Mac

Your anti-Netflix and pro-Apple stance shows, Edward. If Microsoft tried to pull what Apple is doing -- allowing people with Macs to only purchase music and videos (that the rights holders require to have DRM) from Apple's iTunes store -- there would be a million man march in Washington decrying how foul Bill Gates is.

[Edward R Murrow]

"Your anti-Netflix and pro-Apple stance shows..."

Somebody has to do it; virtually everyone else here posts like they're a Stepford Wife.

[Matthew M.]

HAHAHA There are more windows fanboys than apple fanboys in this thread- that's so great... Lmao @ the Apple doesn't give people choices thing, that was pretty funny. Especially right after you said iTunes ran on both windows and mac. lolololol

Just stop posting your insolence XD

You're slowly breaking the internet

[Shane]

Apples to Apples...

A mac is 100 times better than Microsoft Windows. Microsoft boomed first and thats what people know. Everyone has seen windows and kids have grown up with windows. Its hard for someone who has been with windows for a while switch to apple and get used to it.

Microsoft is money hungry! They don't care about anything but how to make money. They are trying to compete with Apple but fail. Users are actually switching from Vista BACK TO XP!!!! c'mon! When you order a new PC, you actually still have the option to install and run XP with your new computer. The time for Microsoft has come and gone and Apple will own!

Even in the Gaming console industry. XBOX live costs! PS3 DOES NOT!

Apple owns with iPod and iTunes, Next comes microsoft with their zume.

I will never own a Xbox because its their lame attempt to get into the gaming industry. I will never own a new ford... another lame attempt to take over another industry with Sync.

When you buy a PC, get ready to spend 30 minutes uninstalling the crap and free trail software you get with your PC. Again money and marketing, lets pack a PC full of junk!

98% of viruses out there are direct attacks to Microsoft. So make sure you have the best virus scan out there, you need it.

Yes, it sucks that because Microsoft has owned the world for sooo long that it takes a while for company's to get support out for Mac, but ill wait! I'll wait because Apple is worth it. I'm getting ready to spend 3000 on a new iMac! For all of you who say apple is too expensive, all I can say is you get what you pay for.

You die hard Microsoft fans joined a moving bandwagon when there was 'no choice'. Microsoft is the Now, Apple is the Future!

[CB]

I run PCs, macs and a variety of linux boxes. I like macs, but their crippling of their own machines in order to extract more profit is very frustrating. In this particular case it is not clear why their practice is not considered monopolistic in the same way that Microsoft was considered that it was monopolistic. They are clearly favoring their iTunes with their business practices to the exclusion of other agents. I see no reason why Apple should be given a pass just because they are "cute", or "the under-dog". I an tired of going into the mac shops and being told that all problems are not theirs, that their system is perfect its always the other guys fault. If Apple wants to be the future they need to learn to compete in a non-monopolistic, non-sheltered world.

[Shane is a pain]

"A mac is 100 times better than Microsoft Windows"

Hey shane - you are comparing hardware (mac) to an operating system (Microsoft Windows). Do you see how this is not comparing 2 similar things in the same category? Microsoft is a SOFTWARE company. They make some hardware (Mp3 players, consoles, etc.) but they are not in the PC business. They don't need to be. So either say "OS X is better than Windows (version)" or even "A mac is 100 times better than a Compaq". But what you said makes no sense. I think you have seen one too many of those "I'm a Mac/ I'm a PC commercials" and it may have warped your little mind a bit..

[mr eggs]

OSX is better than Windows, period. I've been a Windows user since Windows 3. I hope no one even tries to refute this. Whoever does has no idea about operating systems.

Forget about Windows Vista, that's a load of 'I want to be like OSX' crap with more resource requirements and a bunch of pop-up checks - which are annoying and the list goes on. (I know you can turn off many of those options and improve performance, but the selling point of those options were to protect you and give a better user experience, right?) My main computer is a MAC running OSX.

Anyhow, I agree Steve Job's and Apple's way too controlling with their DRM. You only have one choice and that's ITunes. Sucks, but it doesn't interfere with my life with the exception of...

I'm subscribed to Netflix and it's pretty annoying that I have to reboot into Windows to use it, but that's the only work around I've found for now... Parallels isn't a choice for me because of the CAD software I use. Yes, again another PC-only software, but I don't blame them because the larger percentage of the population uses PC. This was the due to the back-stabbing of Bill Gates and other events..

For choices go with PC, for quality and the best personal computer go with a MAC. It's all dependent on your lifestyle.

[mr eggs]

And, to Shane: Apple is money hungry, too. ALL corporations are money hungry!!!! We live in a capitalist society! That's why they came up with ITunes... Only one option..

And I agree with CB.

thanks and peace..

[Greg]

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