CNET: Netflix on PS3 Hands-On - Disc-Free and Better than Ever

As of this morning, PS3 owners should notice a new icon under the video section of the menu: Netflix. The PS3 gained the ability to stream Netflix back in November of 2009, but it required using a special Netflix disc and the user interface now looks out-dated compared to newer offerings from Apple TV and Xbox 360. (The Nintendo Wii can also stream Netflix without a disc now as well.)
The new update allows Netflix streaming without a disc and CNET took took the new interface for a spin.

[jjacinto23]

I LOVE IT

[caladbolg777]

Yeah, I was surprised this morning when I turned on my PS3, popped in my Netflix disc and got the message that the disc was no longer required. The new interface looks great.

[darthv72]

what really threw me was that the wii version is nearly identical. When the ps3 version was revealed and then shortly released I had a feeling that sony must have helped in the design and development much like MS did with their 360 version. I like how the interface looks and the ease of navigation. I was watching a movie to test it this morn and then I decided to dl the wii version.

When I saw the wii I was blown away because it is so close that it now makes me understand that sony didnt do anything to help this release. If they did then it would have been move supported same day. I wasnt expecting more than the same standard disc type of UI on the wii but this was a sure surprise. So now the netflix team has released a nice upgrade to the basic layout that was present on the disc based interface.

Even the performance on the wii has been improved (which i didnt think could happen) like on the ps3. Movies start nice and quick and even look smoother. Limitations of the wii are obvious but now I can go from one room to another and pick up watching a show from where i left off.

As a side note, even the new revised 360 version is also much better. Search added and I dont know if maybe they are using a newer build of silverlight but the streaming is way faster at loading and so crisp in HD.

If you are a netflix fan (like me) then there is nothing to complain about on any platform using the service. (well maybe no HD on the wii but ...eh)

[deafwing]

After going through 50+ of the disc over the year, this is a breath of fresh air. I also like the fact that the vids play in 1080i :D. And Lampel was right, it is faster.

[duplissi]

1080p actually!

[8-bit]

Yeah it's 1080p, Lampel made a mistake

[Longrod_Von_Hugendon]

fist time trying it out and it seems good so far. nice selection of content but they can always use more. movie quality is pretty good on my 47" 1080p LED set.

[tacosRcool]

True 1080p

[Christopher]

Love how much faster it is _and_ the preview video function. Very good job to whomever made this application. This is the quality of applications we need on all future PS3 add-ons.

[0oAngeluso0]

PS3 finally has disk free Netflix. Welcome to the club!

[number47]

yeah its a shame sony wouldn't pay 40 million for months of exclusivity.

[FunAndGun]

wait, does the club you're talking about cost money to join?

...because my club is FREE.

[HDgamer]

mine is too lol

[El_Colombiano]

So much win. Can't. Handle. It.

[0oAngeluso0]

I guess if Wii costs money ? Didn't think so. 360 has No disk as well. All I said was welcome to the club. Late to the party, but better late then never right?

[Biggunz]

at least us late comers to the club don't have to pay a entrance fee to enjoy another subscription service!

[Shang-Long]

lol someone is dying to lose some bubbles huh

[8-bit]

If your XBL subscription runs up your access to netflix on your box becomes useless. And why bring up that you use netflix on your Wii, that too is "late to the party" and it is the worst version of the 3 unless you prefer standard definition.

[TANUKI]

lol, how do you guys come up with these witty comebacks? Good stuff.

[Mr Tretton]

haha, that Angelus troll got owned.

[djfullshred]

I have been streaming with the PS3 for years...through this little thing called a "browser". Funny, but you'd think a company like Microsoft would have at least a browser on their device. Oh well.

[SpitFireAce85]

Go troll somewhere else...check his comment history

http://n4g.com/user/home/0o...

[PS360PCROCKS]

Awesome! I don't like the lack of quality movies in the instant streaming category but still nice it's finally 1080P and diskless.

[duplissi]

its the tv shows that are the real draw...

BATTLESTAR GALACTICA 1080P INSTANT STREAMING!!!!! = mind blown.

So say we all.

[clintos59]

Very easy & fast download & install & it streams real well. Not a feature I would die for but it is a cool feature to have for those who love movies, tv shows etc. etc.

[Jac5al]

It's awesome, was watching previous season's of 24 with no hiccups or problems.

[El_Colombiano]

Oh God. 24. At my fingertips 24/7. There goes my life.

[unyo27]

i've had the disc-less netflix here in canada for about a month now, however, the states still has the better movie and show catalogues.

[NegativeCreepWA]

Funny every ones all hyped about 1080i, I'm hyped to finally have 5.1 on both consoles.

[Biggunz]

it's up to 1080p and 5.1 on the PS3.

[NegativeCreepWA]

Actually all the same features are in the 360 update releasing in a few weeks.

[Biggest]

So let's talk about them in a few weeks. I wonder which one will be cheaper?

[CobraKai]

I'm totally stoked for the 5.1 DD. I added more to my Instant Queue that I would normally prefer on Blu ray just for the sound.

[nevin1]

I just my turned my PS3 on and i saw the Netflix icon in the video section, my question is, how did it appear on there?

[strotee]

magic

[Wolf873]

the selection is not so good. Some of the most obvious titles that no collection would be complete without are missing, such as Simpsons. I hope we get better content and soon.

[testerg35]

When the 360 got this, PS3 fans thought it was useless. Glad you guys are happy to get a useless feature.

[StoneyYoshi]

well i dont recall people ever saying netflix on the 360 was useless. it is very useful. it makes it feel useless on the 360 cause you have to pay 9 bucks a month to pay for 9 bucks a month to watch a movie on your xbox, as to where i only have to pay 9 for netflix. nothing more. now i have hulu plus where i have to be a ps plus subscriber to use it. yes that makes it a useless subscription fee since i have to pay to pay for something, but honestly i use hulu plus twice as much as my netflix account.

[JJFNIGHTS80]

I try my update on my PS3 someone please tell me what I need to do so I can get my 5.1 surround sound.

[StoneyYoshi]

the movie or show needs to have it available on it. not all have the support. its just like only some videos only support HD.

[s45gr32]

no playstation plus required for discless netflix feature. So why should I pay for xbox live again.......

[Zachmo182]

lol this is the same site you guys said that hated on everything PS3 and said xbox shit is better...But wait they said this is the best netflix interface ever..Really people quit your bitching when they say something positive about something you hate.,

[StoneyYoshi]

you really didnt need to come on here with that comment. your just asking for a flame war.

[stiggs]

I noticed that some of the Netflix films that play through my PS3 lose audio sync. I played the same films through Netflix on my 360 and they played without error.
I also tried going through about 30 HD titles from my queue and I could not find one that is being delivered with 5.1 surround sound. I was under the impression that Netflix on the PS3 was suppossed to be in 5.1 surround.
Has anyone else noticed these issues?

[Cerberus2125]

The only issue I notice is people reporting issues that are not there,Don't you hate those people,can you provide a list of those tittles you're having issues,please,I'm so thankful that we have honest people like you on N4G,

[stiggs]

What's with the sarcastic tone? I asked a legitimate question and the FIRST response that I get is from some adolescent fanboy who thinks that I'm denigrating his favorite toy. Why would I take the time to post a "lie" about sound issues on my PS3? The fact that you are even suggesting that someone would do that shows that you live in a pathetic and small world. You know what we really need on N4G? A few less conspiracy theorists like yourself that attack anyone who dares to even question the complete autocratic authority of the PS3 (or 360, Wii, PC, etc.). The immaturity and lack of intelligence displayed on this site is simply astounding.

[Cerberus2125]

You make me laugh,read my comment and then yours and then tell me who is the adolescent fanboy here,do you think the a personal attack from some random John nobody on the internet is going to face me?.The reason why I posted my comment is because your post look like a Fanboy stealth trolling,and your comment and I quote " The fact that you are even suggesting that someone would do that shows that you live in a pathetic and small world." says that I was wright,anybody who has spend anytime reading an article on N4G knows,that most of the people here are Fanboys who spend all day Trolling or stealth trolling,and in your comment you claim that nobody does that.
Dude,you wish you live in my world,I say it is time you get out of your tiny one,I'm not a low life who goes on line trashing people I know nothing about.

Ps.you can read every single one of my post,and you would not found one that is immature,ignorant,or flat out Fanboyism.

[stiggs]

You don't think it's "fanboy" behavior to attack someone for posting a legitimate question on a message board? OK....The fact that you responded in a threatened and sarcatsic manner is evidence of your immaturity and fanatic devotion to a piece of plastic and silicon. Like it or not that's the definition of fanboy behavior.

I was a star athlete in college, married a beautiful and intelligent woman and I make $340,000 a year. There aren't many people on the planet that "I wish I was". You're definitely not one of them.

[NegativeCreepWA]

5.1 is like HD movies on netflix only some have it.

[stiggs]

I understand that only select films are broadcast in 5.1 surround but it's odd that none of the films that I tested fell into that category. I thought perhaps there was something wrong with my home theatre system. Do you know any films in particular that are in DD 5.1? Thanks for the response.

[Biggest]

How about you post which movies gave you the errors so that we can double check for you? It would a easier than an extra long list of movies that you may or may not care for.

[stiggs]

Sure. I'll just post one title to make it easy for you to check. "Better Off Ted" season 2 episode 2 goes out of sync by almost a full second after watching it for about 10 minutes. It starts off OK but it loses sync as time progresses.
I still hven't found one title that is in DD 5.1
Thanks

[Biggest]

Better Off Ted: Season 2, Episode 2 works fine for me using the PS3 streaming Netflix. It also happens to be in DD 5.1 surround sound. I'm not sure when Netflix plans to update their movie information and I hope they do soon. As it is you can only find out which movies/shows have DD 5.1 by playing them. The movie listing shows DVD/BR info, but nothing on streaming.

[ZILLA]

this kills comcast on demand,love it!so glad it plays in 1080p and 5.1 surround,very cool.

[kingPoS]

dual audio anime with subs is what netflix needs to do next.

I still miss the bitrate display when you push select, now it just says SD or HD, Stereo or 5.1 Co'mon netflix bring it back!!!