Netflix to stream movies to Macs using Silverlight
updated 01:25 am EDT, Mon October 27, 2008
Netflix streaming to Macs
Netflix, the online movie rental service, is launching Mac support for internet streaming movies utilizing Microsoft's Silverlight, a web-browser plug-in that features animation and audio-video capabilities similar to Adobe's Flash software. The deployment of the capabilities will start with a small number of subscribers, expanding to all subscribers by year's end. Silverlight features cross-platform and cross-browser support, as well as Play Ready DRM, a pivotal factor in Netflix being able to stream copy-write-protected content to subscribers on both Macs and PCs.
Mac-based customers and Firefox users on both platforms were key to Netflix adopting Silverlight. Netflix Chief Product Officer Neil Hunt said, "Members who enjoy watching movies and TV episodes... that can be instantly streamed at Netflix will be thrilled with this next generation improvement of access and quality, on a broader range of platforms, including Intel Macs and Firefox." Netflix streaming via Silverlight will require Intel-based Macs, and work with Safari and Firefox.
Mmf. Microsoft.
10/27, 02:26am reply
Least it's something. Be interesting to see how well it runs for me.
Leighgion
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Dec 2005
Too Bad
10/27, 02:30am reply
Everyone is using Flash to stream video except Netflex. It's must be the upcoming XBOX/Netflex deal thing. I am just out of luck for my G5.
coffeetime
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 2006
haha
10/27, 02:34am reply
Mac-based customers and Firefox users on both platforms were key to Netflix adopting Silverlight.
Yeah, we all know Mac users looooove SilverLight...
FireWire
Grizzled Veteran
Joined: Oct 1999
SilverLight
10/27, 09:03am reply
My prediction, Microsoft will use this to gain users, then once it catches up to Flash they will start to leave features out of the Mac version.
Guest
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 1999
Re: Too Bad
10/27, 09:14am (2 replies) reply
Yeah, but I thought everyone hates flash. That's what you read when people talk about it missing from the iPhone. So at least they didn't pick flash...
But, besides that, who uses flash for video?
testudo
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
no way
10/27, 10:58am reply
geesh, sick of these companies that have ms so far up their a$$ they can see no other route.
there are alternatives but netflix says that mac users wanted ms new kid on the block. uh huh. what a croc.
nat
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Re: Too bad
10/27, 11:00am reply
Who uses Flash for video? Umm...YouTube? Flickr? et al...
Yeah, but who uses Flash for video where DRM is a requirement, not just "Let's post videos of squirrels riding water skis!"
testudo
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
Which is why...
10/27, 02:40pm reply
they are using silverlight. Personally, I do not know why everyone hate$ Microsoft. I am a Mac user (and love it) but Microsoft does some things well (Visual Studio, SQL Server). Jury is still out on Silverlight, but it seems okay.
Personally, I had to run Watch Now on Vista/VMware Fusion and it was less than perfect. Sound halting, video sputters. This is on a Mac Pro with 6GB memory (3.5 GB for virtual guest, as well as 2 procs).
Hopefully, this will be better.
dynsight
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: May 2005
Netflix can get fluxed
10/27, 05:16pm reply
Netflix just lost me as a customer. I'm not sure how many Mac users are willing to install Macrohard crapware just to watch a flick from the. They can piss off as far as I'm concerned. I will NOT install any more Macrohard software onto my machine unless there's not other option. Watching Netflix is NOT one of those cases.
Guest
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 1999
No PPC support either
10/27, 05:22pm (1 reply) reply
I guess all those PPC people out there can just eat s*** and die as far as MS and Netflix is concerned. And I'm SURE that Mac people were clamoring for Silverlight to watch streaming Netflix. Who are they trying to kid. Loosers.
Guest
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 1999