vmcNetflix: Watch Instantly on the Xbox 360
The vmcNetflix Windows Vista Media Center plug-in now has the ability to stream Netflix's Watch Instantly movies to the Xbox 360.
You'll need a Windows Vista Home Premium Media Center and an Xbox 360, and you'll need to associate the Xbox with the Vista computer. Install the vmcNetflix plug-in on the Vista computer, and then you can run it on the Xbox Media Center (you'll find it in the "Program Library" under "Online Media"). You'll have to enter your Netflix username and password, and then you can watch movies on the Xbox 360.
I got it working, and recorded a short video to demonstrate the vmcNetflix plug-in:
The vmcNetflix plug-in works, but it is a bit buggy. You might get codec errors, and have to wait before using fast-forward (it hung the Xbox on several occassions). You also have to make sure the Vista computer is running, otherwise it won't work.
The vmcNetflix plug-in also lets you search for movies, edit your queue, and more. If you have an Xbox and Vista Media Center, I recommend giving it a try.
via Thomas Hawk and Davis Freeberg.
This is a great feature. Unfortunately, I'm getting the codec error on my 360 whenever I try to play a movie. I'll keep trying, but it looks like it isn't meant to be just yet. Works fine on my Vista computer though!
Posted by: WilsonGoneWild | May 09, 2008 at 06:39 PM
Man thats awesome!! I bet netflix's lawyers are going to be all over them for the download feature though.
Too bad I sold my vista MC laptop a couple of months ago :(
Posted by: vw | May 09, 2008 at 07:04 PM
Is there any way this plug-in can screw up your Xbox?
Posted by: Jerry | May 10, 2008 at 10:23 AM
Wilsongonewild:same problem here. damn. looks awesome
Posted by: Jon | May 10, 2008 at 01:10 PM
@Wilsongonewild
I got it to work for me. First on your pc, go to netflix watch now and update player. Then go through the steps again, and reintiliaze player if it asks.
Posted by: Jon | May 10, 2008 at 01:27 PM
Wow, I've been waiting for something like this! Doesn't run on XP media center though? :(
Posted by: Jesse | May 11, 2008 at 11:09 AM
I'm having the same issue, it says the player cannot initialize or something. If it can work, though, this would be an awesome app.
Posted by: Adam | May 11, 2008 at 06:35 PM
I would like to see something like this for XP. Vista ain't for me and I ain't alone.
Posted by: hueristix | May 11, 2008 at 06:49 PM
Everyone have fun with that download feature, remember that Netflix can detect that you're holding more of the movie on your system then you're supposed to, and will (Without warning) Ban you're Netflix account for breaking the TOS if you use the Download Episode feature, go ahead tho if you want to risk it.
~D
Posted by: ~D | May 12, 2008 at 09:45 AM
That's great news. We've been waiting a long time for this. Even if it's not official, it still could save the planet.
Posted by: Mischa G | May 12, 2008 at 11:24 AM
Here is one in beta for MCE 2005.
http://www.geekitsolutions.com/project/NetflixMC/Windows-Media-Center-PC-Plugin/
Posted by: SoylentGreenIP | May 12, 2008 at 02:26 PM