590°

Why PS3, Not Xbox Was My Netflix Machine Father's Day Gift

Forbes: This Father’s Day I had a dilemma on my hands. My dad had expressed an interest in seeing what this newfangled Netflix thing was all about, and I thought a good gift would be a box through which he could get the streaming service.

Naturally, as a gamer, my first thought turned to which console I could get him that would serve as a primary Netflix box. Yes, I could go with AppleTV, but if I’d never used it, teaching him would be a chore. Plugging in a laptop each time via HDMI would be too much of a hassle, and so I went with my original assertion, picking and choosing between which gaming console I’d get my dad. It was a present I never thought I’d give.

Emilio_Estevez4328d ago

Seems like an obvious choice if you were to pick a console to stream Netflix for a not techy person. But why not a Roku box?

Snookies124328d ago

Lol, I said the same thing right as your comment was posted.

Zuperman4328d ago

Another dumb This Vs That debate, If you have Netflix for one or the other platform, great. Enjoy it. lmfao..

darthv724328d ago (Edited 4328d ago )

I stream netflix on wii, ps3, 360 and 3ds.

When it comes to streaming netflix in general I use an LG bluray player. It is the main player for all things movies and is the easiest device for my wife to use.

As for this article, why he didnt just go with either a dedicated netflix box or a bluray player is odd. Especially if the intended party is someone who isnt to tech savvy.

There are wireless bluray players for under $100 that can do netflix, vudu, hulu and a slew of other streaming services these days.

OC_MurphysLaw4328d ago

or... he could have just bought dad a new smart TV with Netflix in it. Not sure what his dad's TV situation is but these kinds of TV's are brilliant options for those only looking to do Netflix. You can get a great 30-32 inch smart LCD TV for just about the same price as the different console bundles these days.

OC_MurphysLaw4328d ago

or even better yet...

He could have bought Dad the Sony Blu Ray Player w/ Wifi(Netflix, Pandora, Youtube, facebook & Twitter apps) for $120 via Best Buy (Model: BDPS390).

My point I think there are far better cost options for getting someone a machine for Netflix play than a 360 or a PS3.

BISHOP-BRASIL4328d ago

I agree with you guys that are better options for non tech savy people, but what if his father happens to look interested in gaming?

I know my father would randomly join me in a match of International Superstar Soccer when I was a kid and it was great fun, despite he being completelly out of his confort zone. If he was still alive I would totally give him a PS3, imagine rocking out BF3 with your old man!

Other thing to consider is if it's a trojan horse of a present... Give your father a PS3, so you can play when you are visiting! LOL

pixelsword4328d ago

...the heck is a Roku box?

Army_of_Darkness4328d ago

The HD quality does not compare. besides, I'm sure any father would want more than just a bluray player eventually.

moparful994328d ago

@Dlacy13g You cannot buy a smart tv for the same price as a console.. A 32 inch lcd hd tv costs 2-3 hundred right now.. a vizio 32 inch lcd smart tv is $369 right now..

Kurt Russell4328d ago

I bought my dad a card and a bottle of whisky.

Arnon4327d ago

If I were to do this, I'd get him a 4gb 360 with Kinect, and a membership to Netflix. Using Kinect with netflix is a godsend for browsing, and my dad is a computer radio engineer, so he'd get a kick out of using Kinect as well.

ChrisGTR14327d ago

ehh last time i checked u needed a xbox live membership to even use netflix on xbox so obviously ps3 is a better choice top that off with a bluray player.

+ Show (8) more repliesLast reply 4327d ago
nukeitall4328d ago

I was going to say the same thing, the Roku supports more apps than PS3 and cost a fraction of it, uses less power and is easier to use. You don't have to use a controller and instead use a remote like device.

Emilio_Estevez4328d ago

Yeah, but it doesn't have a Blu-Ray player, which could be another reason for it.

nukeitall4328d ago (Edited 4328d ago )

Blu-ray feature is hardly worth $150-200 extra?

If it was such an issue, here is a blu-ray player with netflix for $80 and it doesn't have that pesky controller:

http://www.amazon.com/LG-BD...

Also, Roku gets Angry Bird! XD

moparful994328d ago

@nuke Sony makes a really nice tv style remote for the ps3 that works brilliantly and also has the square, x, circle, and triangle buttons.. Buying a ps3 as a primary netflix device isn't as bad of a deal as you all are making it out to be.. The blu-ray and access to the playstation movie store makes it a great movie device...

Persistantthug4328d ago

So in his case, the PS3 makes sense.

showtimefolks4328d ago

GOOD FOR YOU PEOPLE HAVE OTHER OPTIONS SO AS LONG AS YOU HAPPY WHO CARES WHICH ONE YOU PICK

Godmars2904328d ago

You said it yourself: for some even a Roku is too technical. That or they don't advertise on TV.

Though anyone looking will just find a TV with streaming capability.

hazelamy4328d ago

because then you wouldn't be able to play games on it as well.

Hayabusa 1174328d ago (Edited 4328d ago )

I was going to say exactly the same thing everyone else was going to say: why not just buy a Roku box? Everyone else said it even though the first comment already said it, yet everyone still felt the need to say what's already been said, so I said it as well :)

mewhy324327d ago

I agree with Emilio. If you were going to buy a streaming device then they should have just bought a Roku box.

r1sh124327d ago (Edited 4327d ago )

This whole debate between and xbox or ps3 (for netflix) is mute I think.
He said it was money that made him decide for the ps3 which is a fair conclusion and I would agree with it.
But as a few people have pointed out, there are significantly cheaper devices that support netflix and do an equally good job for streaming when compared with the ps3/xbox.
A cheap blu ray player will be the first thing that comes to mind, and if he wanted all the extra features a samsung smart blu ray player would have satisfied all the needs which would have worked out cheaper. This sort of thing seems its a bit like flame bait, because there are at least another 99 devices that deliver the same content for less than a ps3/xbox...

+ Show (6) more repliesLast reply 4327d ago
Snookies124328d ago

A Roku player would have worked as well. XD

Christopher4328d ago

Yeah, don't get why you'd get a console in the first place. I get his choice of one with a 'friendlier' user interface, but I'd rather show my dad how to navigate to the Netflix icon on the PS3 and give him a Blu-ray player as well as the other video streaming options out there without any annual costs.

nukeitall4328d ago (Edited 4328d ago )

They have that too, and it's not a PS3 and cost far less at $80 (one third):

http://www.amazon.com/LG-BD...

I don't see it either. Maybe dad will play some games once he figures out the interface?

TekoIie4328d ago

I just cant get over how this can be made into an article. Yeh for just Netflix then the PS3 is the one to go for but really?

How much further can gaming journalism fall?

Condemnedman4328d ago

This is the type of lame articles that make it to the front page of this site it's posted by some right sad losers trying to push the notion that every one should buy a PS3 over an Xbox :-#,

iceman28854328d ago

The other obvious advantage for PS3 over 360 as one's "Netflix Machine" (if your not gonna go for the cheaper Roku or AppleTV) is that it plays Blu-Ray.

darthv724328d ago

options on the market that play bluray as well as the various streaming services.

moparful994328d ago

But with a ps3 you also have access to the playstation movie store and you can rent or buy and save them to your hard drive..

Soldierone4328d ago

If he is a gamer I can see getting him a console. However I wanted to get my girlfriend's parents something to watch Netflix on, so I got them a Blu-ray player....only 80 dollars, watches Blu-rays, and an easy keyboard style peripheral to type on Netflix, all through wi-fi too.

The only reason I'd get my (or her) parents a PS3 was for free chat on it. However we live within a good radius and see them all the time, so no need for it.

Moncole4328d ago

The reason you would get your parents a PS3 is stupid, you have free chat on everything. You can use Facebook, email and texts.

Soldierone4328d ago

The point is keeping it away from the computer, and something on the TV.....

I don't see how MY viewpoint is stupid just because its different than yours though. I'm on my PS3 a lot, it would make for communication to be a lot easier, and can have video on the TV.

moparful994328d ago

Soldier he's just a sony hater and any reasonable opinion in favor of the ps3 obviously angers him so let him fume in his own little world... Just a troll..

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220°

Microsoft Seemingly Closes Bethesda France

As part of its plans to cut 1,900 jobs, Microsoft has reportedly shut down operations at Bethesda France, letting go roughly 15 people

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insider-gaming.com
Hereandthere6h ago

Microsoft should have left them stay 3rd party

GamerRN4h ago

If they are let go, they can be whatever they want. They ARE 3rd party now... 🤦

Barlos1h ago

Yeah, they're also jobless.

PassNextquestion6h ago(Edited 6h ago)

Bethesda France was made up of roughly 15 people... they couldn't of being doing much

Bethesda France mainly did publishing and marketing within the region

blacktiger4h ago

that's a shame for you to say that, i'm sure Elite loves hearing what you just said.

Profchaos6h ago(Edited 6h ago)

Bethesda France focused on publishing and marketing in the region. And 15 people lost their jobs as part of the closure.

I wonder if this is part of Microsoft's strategy to abandoned physical media or possibly gamepass advertising makes their roles redundant you don't need to market a game as hard when the majority of players get the game as part of a sub which already promoted upcoming games

Tacoboto6h ago

It's France too, there's a high likelihood only 1-2 people on the team even had an Xbox.

Profchaos5h ago

Possibly guven all the leaks we know the Xbox brand is really struggling in the region.

Yi-Long2h ago

Well, if your consoles and games are barely found in any stores any more, of course you're gonna struggle finding consumers ...

XiNatsuDragnel5h ago

Tbh Microsoft I think Bethesda being 3rd party same with Activision would probably more competitive than thus scenario imo

Profchaos3h ago(Edited 3h ago)

I think it would have been better for all parties really especially gamers

TheColbertinator4h ago

The recently purchased Activision French offices might take over all the licensing and marketing for Microsoft in France from now on.

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70°

I’m Glad Atlus & SE Changed Dates To Avoid Competing With Shadow Of The Erdtree

Saad from eXputer: "I'm glad I don't have to choose between Square Enix, Atlus, and FromSoftware due to bad release windows and Shadow of the Erdtree."

H91d ago

More intelligent than guerilla games

raWfodog6h ago(Edited 6h ago)

Atlus is releasing their game one week before Erdtree, SE is releasing theirs one week after.

HZD released four days before Zelda, HFW released one week before Elden Ring.

It seems to me like they are still releasing their games too close to Erdtree.

110°

Sony Could Increase Your Game's Difficulty If It Sees You Complain About It

Sony has recently published a new patent that wants to dynamically handle the games' difficulty and gameplay based on the player's emotions.

jznrpg7h ago

This is something I might use. Sometimes I play some good games but they don’t have difficulty option and are a little too easy.

Profchaos7h ago

Souls games will be like that players struggling make it harder

PassNextquestion6h ago(Edited 6h ago)

I think if used correctly it could work well

jambola2h ago

cool idea
cool idea for horror games especially
the way it's explained here sounds like it could never be forced hopefully, so that's ok with me

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