Glitch Exposes "Netflix Player"

A technical glitch briefly exposed what could be the new Netflix download service. Tom writes:

I just noticed in my account info page, there is a section for "Netflix Player" with a link to "Register Player". If I follow the link, there is a form to "Add a Netflix Player", and it asks for "Registration ID" and "Name your box". I haven't noticed this before. I wonder if this is a new service that they are rolling out. Could this be something to do with movies-on-demand? Or do they have a netflix-branded movie player of some kind? Interesting....

Here's the screen he captured:

Ian noticed a new genre: "I can't seem to find any information about it, but Netflix now has a "Downloadable" genre (with subgenres of Foreign and Drama)."

Looks like we got an early look and possibly a name for the new Netflix movie download service. I'm wondering if the "Netflix Player" is a TiVo or possibly a new device.

Anyone else see something interesting on the Netflix site recently?

Comments

[Aron]

Good work detectives, but someone should have clicked on "Terms of Use".

Seems to me like the key devices to make Netflix compatible will be the new Xbox and Playstation considering they will both be internet-enabled and reach more households then TiVo.

For that matter, what might distinguish VOD from DVDs could be the potential to deliver HDTV quality video, though I don't know if the software/hardware generally available (WM 10), can do that. I know this couldn't be streamed real-time, but might still beat the mail and would provide a desirable product for many.

[Alex]

"though I don't know if the software/hardware generally available (WM 10), can do that"

WM10 can do better than HD qaulity actually. If you have a system than can handle it and a worthy display, check out:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/content_provider/film/HDVideo.aspx

And the DVD-ROMs especially.

[Aron]

Thanks. I tried Batman returns at 1080i. My CPU\GFX card couldn't render the full framerate.

I'm intrigued also in the niche mentioned in the recent Businessweek article for a 'pay-for-view' service that delivers movies simultaneous with theatre releases for 30$. This is clearly for the people that take pride in having tremendous home systems and don't mind throwing a movie night on occasion (a much better proposition then the real theatre for many especially if you get 4 or more ppl together).

[CashForFlow]

Alex,

Nice find! Thanks.

[KenW]

Netflix is hiring:
Director, Product Management
The Role:

The Electronic Delivery Service (EDS) will augment Netflix's current DVD delivery model with high quality movies delivered to consumers' home TVs through the Internet, on a subscription basis.

Reporting to the Chief Product Officer, the EDS Product Management Director will manage the development and shipment of the first generation EDS product, and will set the strategy and direction for future electronic products and services. The scope of responsibilities is broad and involves coordination of internal design and development teams, outside vendors, manufacturers, and partners all with an eye towards building a simple focused product to deliver an exceptional consumer experience.

Qualifications:

The successful candidate will possess 10+ years of product management experience, with a minimum of 5 of those years focused on consumer products. He/She will have a strong background in managing external partners and vendors, and have a demonstrated history of crafting, and executing against, competitive strategies. Given EDS objectives, of particular interest is significant experience building consumer media systems integrating software and hardware elements to make a seamless consumer experience. Other relevant background experience would include the design and manufacture of PCs or computers, other appliances with disc-drives, and/or other consumer audio or video equipment.

Professional discipline in the following areas will be key to success in this role: understanding the importance of design, robust engineering, customer service; a high level of organization; excellent communication skills with internal and external staff as well as with vendors.

[RevRagnarok]

The "set up your TiVo online" page is very similar - you give it a nickname and enter the S/N just like that.

[Aron]

Congratulations Mike/HN on the reference in Red Herring.

http://www.redherring.com/Article.aspx?a=12709&hed=Fans+Spy+Netflix+Media+Player&sector=Industries&subsector=InternetAndServices

Along with BusinessWeek and the PR mag, you are building quite a pedigree from the "traditional" media.

[MikeB]

Too funny. Was this an accident, or an intentional blunder to generate buzz? Very interesting development, though.

Can I apply for the Product Manager position through HackingNetflix? ;)

- MikeB

[Willynnnt]

Praise jeebus!

http://www.fotodaze.com/view.php?view=1434

(yes i'm a dork)

[PlungeBob]

Hey Mike,

You got a plug on /.

Coolio!

[scim]

Mike-

Great bit. It made Good Morning Silicon Valley, congrats!

http://blogs.siliconvalley.com/gmsv/2005/07/netfl.html

Scim

[A. Dixon]

This is cool news. I just hope I can use my existing Tivo Series 2 player when this officially gets released.

[Jonathan Dean]

I have confirmed with my sources inside NetFlix that they are indeed working on a new device that will allow you to download and watch movies from home. It will be a box that attaches to your TV and works in a similar way to a TiVO. Details on how the service will work are still not for sure but right now it is planned to be subscription-based rather than Pay-Per-View. We can only hope they have figured out a way to keep people from copying the movies from their box to DVDs and such.

This thread was mentioned on 'attack of the show'on G4

[cjv]

i think the key part of the job description is the term "high quality." what this suggests is a tartget of an service to download WMV-HD flles for playing on computers.

[download alben]

download alben

[download alben]

download alben

[iman]

hi
Please give my password my ID is iman_tnt2004@yahoo.com

your hot

[kaka]

hi

i like boats

[Betsy Markum]

I can't believe it, my co-worker just bought a car for $56420. Isn't that crazy!

[Robert Martin]

Some scoop! It only took 3 years for the Netflix Player to actually appear!

[webmaster@diretmoviedownloads.net]

Hmm...looks like netflix has got some work to do!

[Abhinav Karnawat - Innovation Loves Constraints]

In the current time computer and internet helps to everyone in their daily routine. Thousand of people take help from search engine for getting knowledge from internet per day.

Mostly people use Google one of the biggest search engine in the internet. As a Google user, you must aware about the speed and accuracy of Google Search.

A search engine is an information retrieval system designed to help find information stored on a computer system, such as on the World Wide Web, inside a corporate or proprietary network, or in a personal computer.

Google Truths is the term used when a hacker tries to find vulnerable targets and sensitive data by using search engines. It is the art of using Google's ability to find secrets of the web and even attain personal, revealing or illegal information.

Google offers many powerful features and advanced search capabilities that make it very helpful for finding certain kinds of information but this group (www.googletruths.com) aim is to educate web administrators, security community and Internet users.

[AmeliaRE]

Different people that are looking for some knowledge related to write my custom paper in the essay writing service will read through your professional topic about this good post. Other way, it’s available to utilize the assistance of the writing service.

[Krista25]

With your aid all people know about dissertation service! Moreover they order the smashing student dissertation referring to this good post at the thesis service.

[Mp33ELLIE]

I do not think that every student in the world has a passion of analytical essay performing! Nevertheless, persons ,which don't like writing have to use help of professional custom media essays service and be satisfied with a result.

[MCKENZIEPhyllis]

I took my first home loans when I was 20 and that supported my business a lot. Nevertheless, I need the secured loan again.

[YatesStacie35]

That is great that we can take the credit loans and it opens new chances.

[AidaSchneider19]

According to my monitoring, millions of persons all over the world receive the home loans at well known creditors. Thus, there is a good possibility to receive a sba loan in all countries.