Here we go again! Netflix and Microsoft?!

[stratman]

MSNBC which ironically is a joint venture between NBC and Microsoft has an interesting story. It seems that two heavyweights (Netflix and MS) might be getting together for a romp across your TV screen.


SAN FRANCISCO - Will Microsoft offer Netflix movies over Xbox Live?

Bloggers and reporters have been buzzing about the possibility of a partnership for almost a year, ever since Netflix CEO Reed Hastings joined Microsoft’s board of directors last March. But there have been other hints that the two were inching toward a more formal marriage.

The announcement, if it happens, will likely take place during the keynote address at the Game Developer’s Conference in San Francisco on Wednesday. The show, which is now 21 years old, is expected to draw over 16,000 game-makers from all over the world. People usually line up hours ahead of time for the keynote, delivered this year by Xbox Live exec John Schappert.

Microsoft has a history of making big announcements at the GDC. In 2000, Bill Gates took the stage to announce the original Xbox. And in 2005, J Allard (yes, just J) dropped major hints about the second Xbox, which would become Xbox 360.

[SNIP]

Read the rest: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23214808/

 

[3db]

MSNBC which ironically is a joint venture between NBC and Microsoft has an interesting story. It seems that two heavyweights (Netflix and MS) might be getting together for a romp across your TV screen.


SAN FRANCISCO - Will Microsoft offer Netflix movies over Xbox Live?

Bloggers and reporters have been buzzing about the possibility of a partnership for almost a year, ever since Netflix CEO Reed Hastings joined Microsoft’s board of directors last March. But there have been other hints that the two were inching toward a more formal marriage.

The announcement, if it happens, will likely take place during the keynote address at the Game Developer’s Conference in San Francisco on Wednesday. The show, which is now 21 years old, is expected to draw over 16,000 game-makers from all over the world. People usually line up hours ahead of time for the keynote, delivered this year by Xbox Live exec John Schappert.

[SNIP]

I hate mircosoft. I hate any company whose soul goal is to exclsuively dominate a market.

 

[fmw]

What is it about modern Americans that causes them to hate success?

 

[jinjuku]

I have been maintaining for a while now that NetFlixs' watch now feature needs to be integrated into MCE.

 

[3db]

What is it about modern Americans that causes them to hate success?

Its not so much the success but the implied control that comes with it. Do you really want microsoft to control how people choose to access their media? I sure as hell don't and I'm Canadian.

 

[stratman]

I don't have a problem with dominating the market as long it's done lawfully, I found the story ironic given the fact that Netflix dumped HD DVD (MS) and now they're holding hands!

 

[ivseenbetter]

I don't think MS really cared about HD DVD. They just didn't want to side with Sony. Working their way into HD DL is what they are really interested in. This is the first step on that road. HD DVD is so yesterday!

 

[aberkowitz]

I see this being a draw for existing XBox owners, but I don't really think that at this time you're going to convince the general public to go out and spend $300-400 on a gaming device which they will use to stream movies (if they even have appropriate broadband speeds). I think its a great way for MSFT to find another revenue source for the XBox instead of going out and having to create a niche product (e.g. Apple TV), but I just don't see this being the final solution for direct downloads of movies.

 

[Highbar]

I couldn't care less if this happens honestly. When it comes down to it I'd rather have a disk in my hand then have to worry about having the bandwidth to DL a movie and then somewhere to store it. You know when we get to the point of DLing HD content (which to have HD audio is going to be a huge file, not including the extras you get now) they aren't going to let us keep the files forever, and or we're just not going to have the storage space for it (hard drives still crash and die). It's going to turn into a situation where you no longer own anything you just rent it each time you want to watch it. Not my idea of "nextgen"

T

 

[Buckeye_Nut]

What is it about modern Americans that causes them to hate success?

I guess some people prefer to live in a technological stone age....... and.......or they prefer the government to own & control everything. The latter is common sentiment among those with a certain lefty political tilt.

 

[stratman]

I guess some people prefer to live in a technological stone age....... and.......or they prefer the government to own & control everything. The latter is common sentiment among those with a certain lefty political tilt.

Woooh now! Watch that stone age thingy there.

 

[fmw]

Its not so much the success but the implied control that comes with it. Do you really want microsoft to control how people choose to access their media? I sure as hell don't and I'm Canadian.

Why not? They control how people access their computers. As far as I know even the majority of Apple users use Windows.

They have a technology that is dying on the vine thanks to Toshiba and the movie factories. They're trying to make something more useful out of it. Knowing them, they'll probably be successful.

 

[ivseenbetter]

I just recently started using my Xbox 360 to stream television shows I have on my computer to my HD TV in the bedroom. To tell you the truth it doesn't look half bad. It isn't the holy grail of HD quality, but it is really super convenient...which is what DL content is all about right now. Give it time and it will eventually improve to the point where it will be able to provide a real quality HD picture but first they need to get in there and prove how convenient and easy it is. This is where the Netflix and MS partnership will work. People are going to see how easy it is and feel like they are doing something pretty cool. Then later on down the road they will already be THE familiar service for doing this kind of DL when the infrastructure can truly support HD. It really just makes sense.

In the meantime I don't think MS really cares about the HD DVD loss because this DL niche is where they really want to insert themselves.

Right now it is like MP3 for TV...it's neat, it's easy, and to most people the video quality looks good enough to compete with regular television. Throw in the fact that there is a large customer base that is already using both services and it is a no-brainer that people are going to take advantage of it.

 

[mtrycrafts]

...I found the story ironic given the fact that Netflix dumped HD DVD (MS) and now they're holding hands!

Yes, indeed. Or was that in the game plan?

 

[stratman]

Yes, indeed. Or was that in the game plan?

You know it wouldn't surprise me one bit if it was in the works. Toshiba and Sony! just announced a joint venture to produce chips for PS 3 consoles and Toshiba digital consumer products. Cna this be for Toshiba's Blu-ray player???????

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?p=378754#post378754

 

[emorphien]

Could be interesting. Currently I use Netflix instant viewer on my old desktop which is hooked up via DVI -> HDMI to the HDTV and works quite well. If they could up that to HD quality, add surround, or do something like that through the 360 I might use it from time to time.

 

[3db]

Why not? They control how people access their computers. As far as I know even the majority of Apple users use Windows.

They have a technology that is dying on the vine thanks to Toshiba and the movie factories. They're trying to make something more useful out of it. Knowing them, they'll probably be successful.

Like I said before, as long as it doesn't become a monoply and people are left with choices. Mirosoft has had a history of unfair business practises to try and beat out their compeition. As a result of this, I'm very leary of them.

 

[3db]

I guess some people prefer to live in a technological stone age....... and.......or they prefer the government to own & control everything. The latter is common sentiment among those with a certain lefty political tilt.

I don't advocate that all, but then again applying the same logic as you did, people would sell their grandmothers off just to make a fast buck.

 

[abboudc]

MSNBC which ironically is a joint venture between NBC and Microsoft has an interesting story. It seems that two heavyweights (Netflix and MS) might be getting together for a romp across your TV screen.


SAN FRANCISCO - Will Microsoft offer Netflix movies over Xbox Live?

Bloggers and reporters have been buzzing about the possibility of a partnership for almost a year, ever since Netflix CEO Reed Hastings joined Microsoft’s board of directors last March. But there have been other hints that the two were inching toward a more formal marriage.

The announcement, if it happens, will likely take place during the keynote address at the Game Developer’s Conference in San Francisco on Wednesday. The show, which is now 21 years old, is expected to draw over 16,000 game-makers from all over the world. People usually line up hours ahead of time for the keynote, delivered this year by Xbox Live exec John Schappert.

Microsoft has a history of making big announcements at the GDC. In 2000, Bill Gates took the stage to announce the original Xbox. And in 2005, J Allard (yes, just J) dropped major hints about the second Xbox, which would become Xbox 360.

[SNIP]

Read the rest: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23214808/

I don't want Microsoft on my computer, let alone anywhere near my TV.

 

[mtrycrafts]

...or they prefer the government to own & control everything. The latter is common sentiment among those with a certain lefty political tilt.

You really think this? That is unfortunate.