Hacking NetFlix

Test Driving the New Netflix-Ready Apple TV

The new  $99 Apple TV arrived, and it's much smaller than the old and new Roku players.  

The Apple TV and remote are incredibly small, and I worry about losing the slim Apple remote in the family room. Apple has updated the Apple Remote app for the iPhone and iPad to support the new Apple TV, so I'm wondering which remote will be more convenient.

The main screen on the Apple TV is divided into Movies, TV Shows, Internet (Netlix, YouTube, Podcasts, MobileMe, Flickr and Internet Radio), Computers (for Home Sharing), and Settings. I was unable to get Home Sharing or AirPlay working, but I think I have to update everything to the latest software for them to work together.

Setup was quick and easy, and once it connected to the Internet I just had to enter my Netflix username and password to access my account. 

The Netflix app for the Apple TV was simple and fast, but because everything is being accessed over the Internet some images took a few seconds to load (like on the Roku Player).

The Apple TV includes search, a unique feature for a first-generation Netflix-ready device.

So, what streaming device should you select? We're still waiting on the Boxee Box and Google TV, but it's hard to pick between the Roku Player and the Apple TV. Roku has an advantage in the number of channels, including the recently announced Hulu Plus, but if you're an Apple customer the AirPlay streaming and Home Sharing might be a deciding factor. 

Roku & TiVo Getting Hulu Plus This Fall

It's official: Roku and TiVo will be getting Hulu Plus ($9.99 per month subscription) this fall. From the Roku announcement:

Through Hulu Plus on Roku, TV lovers can watch every episode of more than 45 current hit programs from ABC, FOX and NBC like Modern Family, Grey’s Anatomy, Glee, Family Guy, The Office and 30 Rock. In addition, TV lovers will be able to enjoy full series runs and numerous back seasons of dozens of classic shows like The X-Files, Law and Order: SVU, Arrested Development, Saturday Night Live, Miami Vice, Ugly Betty, Quantum Leap, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Roswell and Ally McBeal. 

My biggest concern with Hulu Plus (I'm a subscriber) is that the studios are limited to the TV shows to a confusing mix of Web, TV, or mobile devices (see image at right).

Are you interested in Hulu Plus in addition to your Netflix subscription or as a replacement?

Netflix Advertising 28-Day Delay DVDs on Netflix Envelopes

I'm not sure that advertising DVDs for sale that are delayed 28 days like Robin Hood and Get Him to the Greek is good idea. Here's the Netflix mailer that arrived today: 

What do you think? Should Netflix advertise movies that are available on DVD but not from Netflix?

NY Times: Netflix Now Facing New Set of Competitors

Netflix beat major competitors like Blockbuster and Wal-Mart, but the NY Times notes that Netflix is now facing a whole new set of adversaries including Google, Apple, Hulu, Redbox and Amazon.

Netflix’s competition with Blockbuster is an artifact of another age — the DVD era. The main battlefront has shifted online, where consumers are streaming movies and television. Netflix faces a number of well-financed and innovative companies like Apple, Amazon and Google, as well as the cable TV providers. This time the war will not be won by the company that perfects the logistics of moving DVDs, but by whoever can best negotiate with Hollywood studios.

“They are fighting a much different battle than Blockbuster,” said Jim Lanzone, the chief executive of Clicker, an online television guide. “Today’s war is for Internet television, and Blockbuster was never really relevant to Internet television.”

It'll be interesting to watch the coming streaming battle. It's too early to predict a winner, but Netflix has big lead with dozens of Netflix-ready devices and more than 15 million subscribers quickly transitioning from DVDs to streaming.

Tidbit: the story also includes another confirmation of Android support, "Software for Android smartphones is coming."

Netflix Streaming Works on Chrome Browser

Reader Mark discovered that Netflix streaming works on the Chrome browser (without any hacks):

I'm not sure when Netflix streaming started working on Chrome (I mainly use Firefox), but the Netflix website says streaming requires IE or Firefox.

More Confirmation of Netflix on Android

I know many readers are waiting for Netflix streaming on Andriod phones, and Netflix provided another confirmation that they're working on Android in a recent job posting for Manager - Instant Streaming on Mobile.

"Experience with Android and/or iOS is a big plus."

Hulu Coming to Roku Player; What Shows Will Be Available?

Dan Rayburn at Business of Video has confirmed that a Hulu channel will be available for the Roku Player, but will the $9.99 per month Hulu Plus subscription will be required for the Roku Player?

Last week I got sent a photo of a Hulu channel on the Roku home screen and have confirmed that Hulu will be coming to Roku devices shortly. While both Roku and Hulu said "no comment" when I asked them about it, I was able to confirm with two of Hulu's content partners that Roku owners will soon be able to get Hulu content. While I don't know for sure whether the Hulu content will be free, my initial thought is that it will probably only be Hulu's paid service, Hulu Plus.

It'll be interesting to see what shows they allow on the Roku Player. Here's two recent shows from my Hulu queue, and Fringe won't be available on TV, but The Event will:

 

I like Hulu Plus for some shows, but it's getting confusing as to where I can watch each show (iPad? iPhone? TV?).

Update: NewTeeVee has confirmed Hulu Plus on the Roku Player as well.

New Apple TV with Netflix Streaming Shipping

I received a shipping confirmation from Apple that the new Apple TV will arrive on Thursday. I ordered one for review the day it was announced, and it'll be interesting to see how Apple designers have integrated Netflix streaming. I'm also interested in testing the Netflix app and other videos with the new AirPlay technology that enables streaming from an iPhone or iPad to the Apple TV. 

   

Netflix New Releases for September 28th, 2010

Click here for the full list of new releases this week.

Interesting titles include Iron Man 2, Babies, Marmaduke, The Killer Inside Me, Frozen, Chasing 3000, Good, Suck, Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations: Collection 5: Part 1, The Oath, Scrubs: Season 9, and Soundtrack for a Revolution. 

New episodes of Legend of the Seeker: Season 2 will be added weekly.

Netflix & NBC Universal Announce Expanded Streaming Partnership

Netflix has signed yet another deal for streaming content, and this time it's with NBC Universal. The deal expands the existing partnership for NBC shows, and also adds content from NBC Universal's cable channels, USA Network and Syfy.

"We are very pleased to continue our successful relationship with Netflix," said Frances Manfredi, executive vice president and general sales manager of cable and non-theatrical sales for NBC Universal Domestic TV Distribution, who forged the deal.  "We applaud Netflix for recognizing the value of content like 'SNL,' 'Friday Night Lights,' 'Monk,' and 'Battlestar Galactica' to their subscribers."

So what shows does this deal include?

• Past episodes of Saturday Night Live, plus new shows a day after they air through 2012.
• Past seasons of 30 Rock, The Office, and Law & Order: SVU.
• All past seasons of Friday Night Lights, Psych, In Plain Sight, and Monk.
• More than 75 episodes of Battlestar Galactica, plus Destination Truth and Eureka.