By Hector Cortez Oct 26, 2009, 8:11 GMT
Sony and Netflix today announced that the PlayStation 3 will gain the ability to stream movies and TV shows via Netflix's Watch Instantly service beginning next month at no additional cost to Netflix members in the United States who have a PlayStation 3.
PlayStation 3 will gain the ability to stream movies and TV shows via Netflix's Watch Instantly service beginning next month.
For $8.99 a month, Netflix members can instantly watch unlimited movies and TV episodes streamed to their TVs and computers via Netflix ready devices such as the PS3 and can receive unlimited DVDs delivered to their homes.
"As instantly watching movies and TV episodes streamed from Netflix becomes an increasingly popular way to enjoy the Netflix service, our goal is to rapidly expand the devices that stream to our members," said Netflix CEO and co-founder Reed Hastings. "As a leading game console and Blu-ray disc player, bringing Netflix to the PS3 system is a real win for both Netflix members and PS3 system owners."
Initially, watching movies instantly streamed from Netflix via the PS3 system will be enabled by a free, instant streaming Blu-ray disc that is being made available to all Netflix members. The free instant streaming disc uses Blu-ray's BD-Live technology to access the Internet and activate the Netflix user interface on the PS3 system, which must be online via Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
Simply insert the disc into the PS3 to reveal movies and TV episodes that can be watched instantly. These titles are organized into a variety of categories based on members' personal preferences, popular genres, new arrivals and members' individual instant Queues. Members can use the Netflix Web site or navigate directly on their PS3 to add movies and TV shows to their Queues. They also have the ability to read synopses and rate movies. In addition, they have the option of fast-forwarding and rewinding the video stream.
Netflix members and PS3 system owners can now reserve a free instant streaming disc by going to www.netflix.com/ps3. Upon availability, the instant streaming disc will be delivered for free by first-class mail, generally one business day after members request it.
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