How To Get the New Netflix Media Player Now

If you're a Intel Macintosh, Firefox, or PC user that wants to try the new Silverlight-based Netflix Media Player, the Official Netflix blog has opened the beta to all Netflix customers. Warning: There are several things you should be aware of first:

It's a beta, so it could be buggy. If you have problems, post them in the comments on the Netflix blog.

Not all movies are available to watch with Silverlight. You may notice errors or lower than normal quality when watching certain titles.

The new player works on PCs and Intel-based Macs.

Windows users should be aware that if you opt in, you will need to use Silverlight on all the machines you use to watch instantly.

If you're really sure you want to do this (they haven't said if you can "opt-out"), click on the following link: http://www.netflix.com/silverlightoptin.

Another warning: You have to be careful how many computers and Netflix-ready devices you use with your account. From the Netflix website:

In addition, due to requirements from content providers, there's a limit to the number of unique devices each account can use to watch instantly. Each Netflix account may watch instantly on up to six unique authorized devices, including personal computers and Netflix ready devices.

Reader Michael wants Netflix to add a way to "opt out" of the new Media Player: I think a lot more people would dare try it if they had the ability to opt back out if the selection of compatible movies was too restricted, or the Silverlight player too problematic to live with during the unspecified beta period.

If you've tried the new Media Player, what do you think?

Comments

[Matthew Watts]

I can't get it to work on Mac. I have the right hardware, but it is broken.

When I try to start a movie (Silverlight successfully installed) I see this: Error Code 810 2157. I am not over my computer limit or anything, and of course I am signed into Netflix.

Awesome.

[Matthew]

I left out the first part of the error code where it says "Sign in details are invalid, please try signing in again on Netflix.com".

[Mark]

I'd really like to do this, but I'm afraid it'd break PlayOn for my Xbox 360

http://www.themediamall.com/playon

Any idea as to whether or not it would break it?

[Mike]

I have an Intel MacBook Pro and had the same problem with a sign in details error after Silverlight installation. I signed out of my Netflix account, signed back in and everything loaded fine. Try it.

[imyselfandme]

works great for me, other than the occasional movie that isn't silverlight supported yet.

[jrblaze]

So Netflix still hasn't made a way for us to De-Authorize/Remove devices/computers our account?? I have a Roku and a Tivo and a Xbox and at least 2 computers that I would like to stream to...

[Jon]

Matthew, I had the same problem you did. I logged out of Netflix and signed back in. After that all was well.

[runithome]

Using with Safari 3.1. Works flawlessly. Loading of movies happens at least twice as fast. Noticeably lower resolution at first, but after about 20-30 seconds, picture gets more sharp.

I did try with Firefox 3.0 and it crashed everytime after player said it was buffering. Will try to re-install Silverlight to see if it makes a difference and/or disable some plugins to see if that makes a difference. I will give an update later.

[Matthew]

Thanks for the response guys. Signing out of Netflix and back in again (After installing Silverlight for the 1st time) worked, and I was able to start up a movie. I haven't watching anything fully yet with the new player, but I at least got past that error code.

[Richard]

Working for me after crashing Safari 3.2 on 10.5.2. Quality of 30 rock is great, but sound is lagging by a quarter second.

[Stephen Worth]

I hope they are planning to release a PowerPC version. My main media computer is a PowerPC Mac. If they aren't supporting PowerPC, they aren't really supporting Mac.

[Mark R]

@Mark
FYI, This is from playons site, http://www.themediamall.com/node/474 :
if you sign up for the new Netflix Silverlight beta testing program, your Netflix account will be incompatible with Windows Media Player, which PlayOn depends on currently for Netflix support.

We are however already investigating this, and rest assured that we will be adding support for Silverlight accounts in the near future.

[AnnR]

hmmm..think I'll just wait.

[ben]

works great for me in firefox 3 on a macbook pro. wooo!

[jargon13]

Stephen, if you can't afford a new Intel Mac then you aren't cool enough for the cult of Mac.

[tvindy]

Sigh. If only Netflix let me watch from outside the US.

[jmcnally]

This is FANTASTIC!

I'm using Firefox 3.0.3 on a Mac Mini (Intel, 1.66 GHz, 2 GB RAM, 250 GB HD). I already had Silverlight installed, so I was good to go after the opt-in took effect.

Movie start is much quicker than with the Flash player. The thumbnail-based skip feature helps you get to the scene you want quicker too.

This reminds me why I GOT the Mac Mini, hooked to my Samsung LCD. Keep it coming, Netflix!

[Robert]

So far, so good! For those who seem to not get it going, try signing out and signing back in.

Look forward to higher res videos in the future. And, of course, a better selection.

Nice to finally have it for macs!

[Matt]

Terrible video quality, even for a beta you'd think the vids would look a little better than the Low Speed version of the old player. I regret opting in for the beta.

[keller]

i'm on a mac and it worked absolutely flawlessly. stoked that watch instantly for mac finally exists.

[jeff]

Goodbye Parallels. Thank you Netflix!

[Steven Hoober]

Pretty new iMac: works very well so far, but I am not likely to test it heavily as it refuses to believe I have a decent connection. Coupled with the inability say "I'll just wait for it to buffer" means I can only watch shows in old-TV-in-Mom's-room quality. It's a bit lame.

Install was quick and reasonably painless, but is clunky. Not as automatic as most, but I presume that's part of the beta-ness.

[hueristix]

From what I understand the device limitations that NFLx is forced to implement reset on January 1, so all the more reason for me to check this out ASAP. Although I would rather have read- "certain titles may be available only in super high bitrates..."

[s. green]

Works well with my firefox 3.03 and loaded fast for beta. The quality is good for beta use. Netflix rocks!

[Anonymous Luddite]

I hope they are planning to release a Motorola 68000 version. My main media computer is a Macintosh 128K. If they aren't supporting Motorola, they aren't really supporting Mac.