Netflix streaming to Wii or just use my pc?

[JoeChalupa]

I have netflix and I was wondering if it is easy to hook up my wii for streaming from Netflix or just watch on PC and hook it up to my TV?

What say you all?

Okay, I just requested the setup disk from netflix. I assume now I have to setup the wii for internet access? I am such an idiot when it comes to these things.

[leemajors]

Depends on what kind of video card your PC has. The Wii has wireless built in, but does not output at a very good resolution.

[koriwhat]

on the wii it looked good at my friends pad on his new vizio.

[Xevious]

The Wii will not stream in HD... correct?

[koriwhat]

The Wii will not stream in HD... correct?

i have no idea... i doubt it because i don't think there is hdmi out on the wii.

[Nathan Explosion]

The Wii doesn't steam in HD. I have a tube tv that's in my kids' room. The Wii is hooked up to it and it looks better on that tv than my 720p tv. My 360 is hooked up to my 1080p tv and that's a beautiful picture when I watch. Even a decent video car should look better on the LCD than a Wii.

[MannyIsGod]

Does the 360 stream in true HD? I'm pretty sure the best my PS3 will stream Netflix at is not true HD.

[Cry Havoc]

Does the 360 stream in true HD? I'm pretty sure the best my PS3 will stream Netflix at is not true HD.

1080p true HD or 1200p true HD?

[Dr. Gonzo]

I just signed up for Netfix today and started streaming on my Wii because I was able to find a bootleg Netflix disk to download. The picture is decent but I will only use the wii until I get the PS3 disk in the mail.

[MannyIsGod]

1080p true HD or 1200p true HD?

lol

I know its not 1080p but I'm wondering if its even 720p or just 480. I'm pretty sure I don't have enough bandwidth to get 720p and I'm wondering if anyone here actually sees it. Then again most people can't tell so w/e.

[Cry Havoc]

lol

I know its not 1080p but I'm wondering if its even 720p or just 480. I'm pretty sure I don't have enough bandwidth to get 720p and I'm wondering if anyone here actually sees it. Then again most people can't tell so w/e.

The Wii is limited to 480p. It has no hi-def cables video out.

[B-Hath]

I stream netflix on my PS3 and it is 720p. I'm using HDMI cable on a Samsung LCD tv, and it looks great.

But not everything streams in HD at 720p. It seems like most tv shows do, but most movies don't. My tv is 46" and the non-HD programs can look a little rough. You might try those on the pc.

[MannyIsGod]

The Wii is limited to 480p. It has no hi-def cables video out.

Yeah, but I asked about the 360 and PS3.

[MannyIsGod]

I stream netflix on my PS3 and it is 720p. I'm using HDMI cable on a Samsung LCD tv, and it looks great.

But not everything streams in HD at 720p. It seems like most tv shows do, but most movies don't. My tv is 46" and the non-HD programs can look a little rough. You might try those on the pc.

Is there a way to tell? I've never been able to see if thats the case other than judgement by the eye.

[Nathan Explosion]

The 360 says it streams in 1080p. At least, when I check it on my TV that's what it's saying. It's probably closer to 720p but it's still a great picture. However, two things are going to affect your picture. One is whether or not the movie is in HD and the other is your available bandwidth.

[koriwhat]

why is it you have to get a disc to use netflix on a wii or ps3 when you just have to install the app on the 360? weird...

[balli]

why is it you have to get a disc to use netflix on a wii or ps3 when you just have to install the app on the 360? weird...

Because one of the corporations is headquartered in Seattle, networks well with other American corporations, goes out of the way to provide a streamlined experience to their paying customers and because of that, were the first to envision a partnership with Netflix and the only ones to write solid programming for their dashboard so they could make it possible.

The other two corporations are run by Japanese suits.

[Viva Las Espuelas]

I'd just use the wii. I'd just stream it through my blu-ray player.

[cool cat]

The 360 says it streams in 1080p. At least, when I check it on my TV that's what it's saying. It's probably closer to 720p but it's still a great picture. However, two things are going to affect your picture. One is whether or not the movie is in HD and the other is your available bandwidth.

All netflix streams are 720p. The 360 upconverts all signels to 1080p if that is what you set it on.

Now Zune player on 360 has some 1080p streams.

[ChumpDumper]

The Wii is never going to display HD, so if you want that at all, use another device. The HD will be 720p for Netflix if your internet connection is a steady 6Mbps or better and your computer is decent enough. Content available in HD will be labeled as such by Netflix, but what ends up on your tv depends on your internet and network connections. I doubt there are many home internet connections that could handle a continuous 1080p stream.

[MannyIsGod]

The 360 says it streams in 1080p. At least, when I check it on my TV that's what it's saying. It's probably closer to 720p but it's still a great picture. However, two things are going to affect your picture. One is whether or not the movie is in HD and the other is your available bandwidth.

Thats just the 360 sending a 1080p signal to your TV. That doesn't mean the signal coming over netflix is 1080p.

I think most people are missing my point. Theoretically, Netflix allows you to stream at 720p max on certain items. But that takes up quite a bit of bandwidth and I'm not sure many people are actually getting 720p signals because I'm pretty sure most connections won't support it without stuttering. Because of that I think Netflix will automatically downgrade the signal.

I'm assuming a 720p signal from Netflix takes over 10mbps in bandwidth. If you're playing it over wifi then I'm positive you're not getting 720p.

[MannyIsGod]

Because one of the corporations is headquartered in Seattle, networks well with other American corporations, goes out of the way to provide a streamlined experience to their paying customers and because of that, were the first to envision a partnership with Netflix and the only ones to write solid programming for their dashboard so they could make it possible.

The other two corporations are run by Japanese suits.


Microsoft is so benevolent. :lol:lol:lol

[Wild Cobra]

I'd suggest streaming it though your Bluray player rather than game console or computer.

[CuckingFunt]

why is it you have to get a disc to use netflix on a wii or ps3 when you just have to install the app on the 360? weird...

The PS3 should be able to stream without the disc by the end of this year (according to what I've read) after a system update.

[MannyIsGod]

I'd suggest streaming it though your Bluray player rather than game console or computer.

Why?

[CuckingFunt]

I'd suggest streaming it though your Bluray player rather than game console or computer.

Because that will somehow magically affect the connection speed at which you're streaming?

[MannyIsGod]

The PS3 should be able to stream without the disc by the end of this year (according to what I've read) after a system update.

Sony announced it for the new PS3s coming out but its not clear if they're going to release a firmware update (although that would make sense).

[B-Hath]

why is it you have to get a disc to use netflix on a wii or ps3 when you just have to install the app on the 360? weird...

I don't know about the Wii, but the PS3 has a software update scheduled in October that will allow Netflix access without the disc. I'm very much looking forward to this.

[MannyIsGod]

AFAIK the functionality of the Netflix console on many Blueray devices is worse than what you get with the PS3 in terms of being able to watch something outside of your instant queue.

[balli]

Microsoft is so benevolent. :lol:lol:lol

Hardly, but at least the entertainment division makes a huge effort to communicate with their customer base. Somebody ripped me the other week, telling me to, 'go suck off Major Nelson and Aaron Greenburg' and I didn't respond then, but I will now:

At least I have a Major Nelson and an Aaron Greenburg. At least I do get to listen to a weekly, hour long podcast, hosted by the head of XBL. At least there's a way for me to consistently hear from the company I give my money to and a way for me to provide direct feedback.

And those things matter. They improve the product. And they give me confidence that the company values my interests as a consumer and a user, rather than seeing me as just an open wallet. At the very least they keep me more informed about the product.

I appreciate that.

[MannyIsGod]

Anyway, I'm not a Sony fanboy so I'm not too concerned with your stance on which is better I'm just happy with my PS3. I'm glad your happy with your Xbox.

[CuckingFunt]

The only problem I've had with streaming on my PS3 is that if you do it a lot the disc can get worn out. Quickly. I was streaming a ton this summer while unpacking and the first disc Netflix sent me was unreadable after about a month. In theory, that should be rectified with the firmware update. And Netflix is good about sending multiple discs (I'd recommend having a backup).

[balli]

Anyway, I'm not a Sony fanboy so I'm not too concerned with your stance on which is better I'm just happy with my PS3. I'm glad your happy with your Xbox.
:tu

[Drachen]

Oh, to answer the question about HD streaming, the best the wii can output is 480p. You have to buy component cables to do this as the wii only comes with composite (in which case the best it can output is 480i).

[Cry Havoc]

The Wii is limited to 480p. It has no hi-def cables video out.


Oh, to answer the question about HD streaming, the best the wii can output is 480p. You have to buy component cables to do this as the wii only comes with composite (in which case the best it can output is 480i).

:lol :toast

[Drachen]

:lol :toast

Once again CH is just trying to follow in my footsteps before me...

:lol

[Cry Havoc]

Once again CH is just trying to follow in my footsteps before me...

:lol

I believe the term is prescient mimicry. :hat

[MannyIsGod]

Drachen showing off his UTSA reading skills!

[Drachen]

Drachen showing off his UTSA reading skills!

Dis iz how we doo!

[Nathan Explosion]

Thats just the 360 sending a 1080p signal to your TV. That doesn't mean the signal coming over netflix is 1080p.

I think most people are missing my point. Theoretically, Netflix allows you to stream at 720p max on certain items. But that takes up quite a bit of bandwidth and I'm not sure many people are actually getting 720p signals because I'm pretty sure most connections won't support it without stuttering. Because of that I think Netflix will automatically downgrade the signal.

I'm assuming a 720p signal from Netflix takes over 10mbps in bandwidth. If you're playing it over wifi then I'm positive you're not getting 720p.

Which is what I said. I said my TV says it's 1080 but I'd bet it was more like 720 which is still nice. Having said that, Netflix on 360 will automatically adjust the quality based on the bandwidth available. When it goes HD it will tell you.

Seeing as how Time Warner never capped my internet, I stream in HD all the time when the movie is available in HD.

Netflix is also available on Windows Media Player. You don't have to go to the website anymore to watch on your computer, just go through Media Center, assuming you have Vista Home Premium or above.

[MannyIsGod]

You uncapped lucky bastard!

[Heath Ledger]

I stream Netflix in one room via ps3 on my 40" Samsung LCD and HD streams look awesome. I also just bought a 42" 720 Plasma (samsung for $399) and it also looks awesome streamed from my xbox 360.

Non hi-def content however looks better on my older crt tv. In fact much much better oddly.

[resistanze]

Netflix is finally coming to Canada this fall. Personally, I'm wondering how successful it will be with the shitty caps we get from our ISP.

I'm guessing streaming of HD programming takes quite a bit of bandwidth. What caps typically do you guys get?

[Nathan Explosion]

Netflix is finally coming to Canada this fall. Personally, I'm wondering how successful it will be with the shitty caps we get from our ISP.

I'm guessing streaming of HD programming takes quite a bit of bandwidth. What caps typically do you guys get?

The 140 mbs cap for me. :)

[Dr. Gonzo]

Netflix looks like shit on my PS3.

[MannyIsGod]

The best I've gotten out of netflix is probably DVD quality. I don't think I've ever gotten true 720p out of it, but I usually test anywhere from 4mbps to 10mbps and thats probably why.

Most of the time I stream x264 files from my laptop or desktop with ps3 media server for HD content anyway.

[Dr. Gonzo]

There is no way I'm keeping netflix past the one month trial. I get better quality just downloading and streaming from my desktop to my ps3. It's nice to be able to browse and watch instantly but if I can't get good quality I don't see a point.

[Nathan Explosion]

What I love about Netflix is browsing through movies and seeing some titles you hadn't seen in forever. Sure you could look them up, but the problem is, some of those titles I hadn't thought of in years, so if I didn't visually see the cover, I never would have thought to look it up.

Also, as shown by the Netflix thread, you can come across movies you'd never see under normal circumstances. But you see the title, read the description and give it a shot. Pretty soon you're finding hidden gems all over the place.

[Dr. Gonzo]

I agree. That's the great thing about it but I don't feel it's worth the $8.99 a month. I don't watch a lot of movies or television shows anyway.

[Nathan Explosion]

I can see that. However, I love the fact that Netflix had every season of Weeds on it. I caught up with the entire series (I had only seen the first season previously) in June. It was great.

My friends didn't like it because I wasn't playing online though. I have other TV series I want to watch but haven't gotten into them yet.

[Dr. Gonzo]

I also work in a library that has a nice selection of movies and television shows. I can also get other libraries to lend me what I can't check out here.

Netflix is great for those that don't have that kind of convenience.

[Nathan Explosion]

I also work in a library that has a nice selection of movies and television shows. I can also get other libraries to lend me what I can't check out here.

Netflix is great for those that don't have that kind of convenience.

Definitely. As I've said before, Netflix had an unintended benefit for me. My son learned how to use Netflix on the Wii so now I park him and my daughter in their room, tell my son to pick a movie and let them watch while I clean and cook for them.

It's become this single dad's best babysitting tool. To each his own though. I like not having all the discs around my house, especially considering my son likes to use them as Frisbees.

[Drachen]

I also work in a library that has a nice selection of movies and television shows. I can also get other libraries to lend me what I can't check out here.

Netflix is great for those that don't have that kind of convenience.

To me it's kind of a pain to handle/store media anymore. I don't want to have a stack of DVDs anywhere. I have a Network attached Storage which holds all of my movies and a digital media player attached to the network and my TV so its all readily accessible. You can blame it on laziness, etc. However, for me it is efficiency. Plus since I am the only one who can seem to put a Wii game back in its case at the house, I don't think that having DVDs would be a good thing anyway.

[MannyIsGod]

Having a dedicated media server is definitely the way to go. Especially now that hdd prices are so cheap. My favorite feature of my PS3 to this day is the media streaming off my other computers.

[resistanze]

The best I've gotten out of netflix is probably DVD quality. I don't think I've ever gotten true 720p out of it, but I usually test anywhere from 4mbps to 10mbps and thats probably why.

Most of the time I stream x264 files from my laptop or desktop with ps3 media server for HD content anyway.

Good to know, I'll just continue to download x264 episodes and movies. I have a shitload of movies on an 400GB external that I hook up to the PS3, but it's almost filled.

I guess you're not experiencing any lag streaming it (wirelessly I assume) so I'll probably get on that soon.

[MannyIsGod]

I have the PS3 on a wired connection. I've streamed up to 480p off my laptop on a single channel N connection but I've done all my true HD streaming off of my desktop which is also a wired LAN connection.

[Dr. Gonzo]

I use the PS3 Media Server and I don't get any lag and the quality is great. It reads almost every file format.

[resistanze]

I have the PS3 on a wired connection. I've streamed up to 480p off my laptop on a single channel N connection but I've done all my true HD streaming off of my desktop which is also a wired LAN connection.

Oh I see, thanks. I'll just end up trying it out myself when I get home tonight.


I use the PS3 Media Server and I don't get any lag and the quality is great. It reads almost every file format.

No lag for you? Is this with 480p content or HD? I was always hesitant to try it on PS3 because I remember HD-MWV files that were laggy when I used my XBOX 360 a couple of years ago. Probably doesn't help I only have a wireless G connection.

[Dr. Gonzo]

I have a wireless N and I stream HD content without lag.

[resistanze]

Might have to get on this wireless N shit. I have 1 TB of space on my desktop computer waiting to be filled with HD movies.

[Drachen]

I have my 2 TB NAS and DMA wired to the router. The DMA has a wireless option, but I have never tried it. I will probably be buying another one to put in the bedroom and unless I want to put a hole in the wall, I will be trying wireless (all N of course).

Oh, and the DMA plays every single file type known . . . . except flv. :lol

Resistanze - when you go from G to N you will absolutely notice the difference. Transferring files over my network was about twice as fast.

[MannyIsGod]

I think I could do 720p over my N connection but I'm not too sure if I can do 1080 with the single channel router that I have. The best thing about N is the ability to use more than one channel to basically double your bandwidth but my stupid router only does one channel.

[resistanze]

Damn, I just tried to stream the Wildlife 720p HD sample video from Windows to my PS3 - laggy as FUCK! :lol

I streamed an XVID episode of Damages with no issues, though (looked pretty good actually for a 55 screen ").

I hadn't even thought about this, but isn't the PS3 only wireless B/G? I'm guessing a N router would improve rates, but it couldn't be substantial, could it? My desktop is one floor above as well. I might just stream SD content, and keep HD content on an external.

[MannyIsGod]

You could put the router near the PS3 and put N cards in your desktop and/or laptop. But yeah, it doesn't have N capability which is why I keep mine wired to the router.

[NASpurs]

Damn, I just tried to stream the Wildlife 720p HD sample video from Windows to my PS3 - laggy as FUCK! :lol

I streamed an XVID episode of Damages with no issues, though (looked pretty good actually for a 55 screen ").

I hadn't even thought about this, but isn't the PS3 only wireless B/G? I'm guessing a N router would improve rates, but it couldn't be substantial, could it? My desktop is one floor above as well. I might just stream SD content, and keep HD content on an external.

Are you using PS3MediaServer?

I recommend keeping the PS3 wired. For some reason, the wireless adapter for the PS3 sucks. I can't download at full speed from the internet or stream my HD content at a reasonable speed even though I'm not an idiot on setting up my router. Anyway I really recommend keeping that PS3 wired if you want to stream HD content.

[Nathan Explosion]

I keep my 360 wired no problems. That and my desktop. Everything else runs wireless.

I wouldn't mind getting an N router. It would certainly make things easier for me when streaming off of WiFi. Plus, my iPhone can link to an N router as well. Pretty fucking cool.

[resistanze]

Yeah, I'm basically not in a position for a wired connection, with the exception of my laptops. But if I were to stream HD content, it would be from my desktop, which has tons of space.

I have a 1 TB external hard drive I bought for my HDPVR, basically to record the World Cup. But now that I think about it, I can just download the games in HD from the net and use that drive for all my other HD content as well for the PS3. I'll hold off on wireless N until I'm feeling less cheap.

[Drachen]

Yeah, I'm basically not in a position for a wired connection, with the exception of my laptops. But if I were to stream HD content, it would be from my desktop, which has tons of space.

I have a 1 TB external hard drive I bought for my HDPVR, basically to record the World Cup. But now that I think about it, I can just download the games in HD from the net and use that drive for all my other HD content as well for the PS3. I'll hold off on wireless N until I'm feeling less cheap.

Dude, a VERY quick search that I just did came up with Wireless N routers that had 4 out of 5 stars for customer reviews and were from $30 up new.

[NASpurs]

PS3 only supports B/G signals so a wireless N router doesn't make a difference for the PS3.

[resistanze]

Dude, a VERY quick search that I just did came up with Wireless N routers that had 4 out of 5 stars for customer reviews and were from $30 up new.

As NASpurs said, my primary need is for the PS3, which doesn't support N (dumb, especially for slim PS3s). I'd also have to buy a wireless N PCI card for my desktop, as it has a B/G card at the moment. Nothing else except my curiosity for streaming HD movies off my PS3 is driving my decision, which is why I'm holding back.

[resistanze]

On an unrelated note, I tried to raid my 100 MBPS internet connection in my office as it's my last day. They banned my ass within 30 minutes :lol (I was able to get 25 GB of movies, though).

[MannyIsGod]

:lmao

Awesome.

[Drachen]

As NASpurs said, my primary need is for the PS3, which doesn't support N (dumb, especially for slim PS3s). I'd also have to buy a wireless N PCI card for my desktop, as it has a B/G card at the moment. Nothing else except my curiosity for streaming HD movies off my PS3 is driving my decision, which is why I'm holding back.

Out of curiosity, does the ps3 offer support for any wireless n usb dongles?

Also manny, do you know of a way to install a media server on a nas? My dma doesn't have hulu support but I can get it through a network share using playon on my laptop. I wanted to duplicate this, but use my nas as the host instead of the laptop.

[Nathan Explosion]

As NASpurs said, my primary need is for the PS3, which doesn't support N (dumb, especially for slim PS3s). I'd also have to buy a wireless N PCI card for my desktop, as it has a B/G card at the moment. Nothing else except my curiosity for streaming HD movies off my PS3 is driving my decision, which is why I'm holding back.

Surprised the PS3 slim doesn't support N. The new 360s do, which is a huge bonus for gamers who want to go wireless.

[resistanze]

Surprised the PS3 slim doesn't support N. The new 360s do, which is a huge bonus for gamers who want to go wireless.
I also really wish they had kept USB ports at the back of the PS3 slim.

There was NO need to reduce USB ports from 4 to 2.

[Heath Ledger]

Nothing sucks worse than having a 1TB drive almsot full of Data and it failing. Just happened to me. About 700 gigs of shit.
Im bummed.