Topic: Netflix Impressions

[MegaByte]

This will be the definitive version.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/impressions/30686

Hidden in a VIP section of Nintendo's booth was an early demo of the Netflix movie streaming service. The familiar interface is a perfect match for Wii U. Movies can be quickly searched for and scrolled through on the tablet and touch controls as well as button controls are also used to control playback. No more fumbling with remotes.

One of the unique features of this version of Netflix is the ability to play back movies on either the TV or on the Wii U GamePad, freeing the TV for other use. Title information and the actual video seamlessly switch between the two screens. You can browse on one screen while the video plays on the other. Newer features, such as Netflix's "Just for Kids" interface will also be a part of the Wii U edition.

The slick touch interface and the ability to stream movies directly to the GamePad make the Wii U version of Netflix the most versatile, and those who subscribe to the service will find a compelling movie-browsing and watching experience.

[Enner]

Nice to hear such glowing impressions. Aside from the video quality (limited due to the Wii's power) and the poor responsiveness of the interface (which is a rather large negative, now that I think about it), I enjoy using Netflix instant streaming for the Wii. Glad to see that it is being improved on the Wii U.


I have never used Netflix on Xbox 360 or Playstation 3 and have only used the PC version sparingly, so I don't know how the versions compare and contrast.

[NWR_insanolord]

In my experience, the Wii version isn't quite as good as the PS3 one, but both are way better than the 360 one, at least if you don't have Kinect. I've got an iPad, so this doesn't really offer me much in the way of functionality I can't already achieve, but it does seem like they did this very well.

[famicomplicated]

Nice bit of surprise good news from Nintendo's booth there.
I'd have preferred to have seen this demoed for 2 mins and the Luigi demo shortened by the same amount  :

[KeyBilly]

This would have made a nice quick demo for their press conference.  It is more impressive than the Kinect demo, in my opinion.

[MegaByte]

In my experience, the Wii version isn't quite as good as the PS3 one, but both are way better than the 360 one, at least if you don't have Kinect.

Really? I haven't used the PS3 one, but I have used one on a Sony Blu-ray player (with XMB), which was far, far inferior to the Wii version (except HD). I wonder why that is.

[Ceric]

I've used Netflix on the PC, PS3, Windows Phone 7, 3DS, and Panasonic Smart TV.

The only version that really works any different that supports the full range of features is the Windows Phone 7 one so I'll include on of the better videos I've seen demoing.  I really like that particular one from  UI point of view.

I really wouldn't mind the WiiU one working similar but it looks to conform to the PS3 one which is the standard look and feel.

What would definetly get me to switch from using my PS3 for Netflix would be:
1. Parity with all the PS3 features (5.1  sound, HD Video, the new little go to next episode skipping the credits and title they just implemented.)
2. Hard button controls as well as touch controls.
3. Video Queueing (This one is something I've wanted for a while.)
4. 3D Video

Be nice to have the ability to search and browse while watching something on the big screen so you can be ready for what you want to watch next.  I really would love for the ability to search for the Categories they make to discover different things then what they want to show you.  Say I want to watch show for "kids age 3-6" it let me look in that category (naming one that is odd I know they have),  Cartoons from the 80's, Things that have Jaguars, etc.

It looks nice and the showing off of the Controller makes me wonder where the article is talking about the new controller and how it feel compared to last E3.

[leahsdad]

The PC, especially the ridiculously cool update that they did to it a week or two ago, is the best right now, imo.   Anyone check it out lately?  Amazing.  Looks completely different.   One thing I'm enjoying, which is completely cosmetic, of course, is they it displays information when you've got a title paused, hazing everything out.   Very nifty.

Looking at Win 7 video above, looks a lot nicer (UI wise) than the Iphone one, which is impossible to use.

The weird thing is, despite having an Apple TV, we use the Wii for Netflix a helluva lot.  At first, it was because the "Just For Kids" interface was exclusive to the Wii for a while, but then they put that in the PC and AppleTV versions  6 months ago.   But sporadically, Apple TV can't connect to Netflix, at least not very well.   It either takes forever to load a movie, drops us out of a movie in the middle, or fails to load at all.  And this isn't HD video we're streaming here.  We're talking Barney the Purple Dinosaur.

And when that fails, you know what we do?  We have to load up the Wii, which connects and streams just fine.   So that proves it's not our internet connection (which is 20m down, 1 m up, btw). 

Hopefully, if the Wii U works as dependably as our Wii, only prettier, then the AppleTV is going up on ebay.

[Adrock]

I've tried Netflix on my 3DS, Wii, PS3 and MacBook Pro. I typically only use my PS3. It gets the job done. If the Wii U had the option for DVD/Blu Ray playback, I would probably use that for movie watching instead if only for the GamePad's Netflix support.

[NWR_Neal]

After the Wii U Netflix comes out, there might be a point where Netflix is on twice in my house, with my wife and I watching different things.

[BranDonk Kong]

PS3 has the best version if you ask me (and best video quality), but it looks like that will change with Wii U. Here is a question though - can you watch the video on *both* screens at the same time? That would be fantastic.

[Ceric]

PS3 has the best version if you ask me (and best video quality), but it looks like that will change with Wii U. Here is a question though - can you watch the video on *both* screens at the same time? That would be fantastic.

I would like that too.  Where my computer sits its sometime hard to see the full screen while waiting for someone to click the Ready Check or even better allowing me to watch with subtitles while the mainscreen doesn't.

Also want to note that the PS3 has the Just for Kids stuff a while now.  I honestly have thought about trying the Wii version but my PS3 is wired in and I remember the Wii Shop and Browser...

[MegaByte]

There didn't seem to be a way to do that, but it was an early mock-up (running from disc) and a lot of the functionality didn't work yet.

[Kairon]

After the Wii U Netflix comes out, there might be a point where Netflix is on twice in my house, with my wife and I watching different things.

*mind blown*

[LudicrousDa3ve]

It's about to get nutty with Netflix. There are six in my family, including my four kids. It's already pretty common to stream using two devices (usually Wii and 3DS/iPhone). Adding the secondary screen option is incredible. Whether its for a third movie (it does work, and we've got an average connection), or allowing someone to play on the gamepad while other people are watching their shows, it'll be great.

[ed]

The PS3 to has great HD quality with good connection, but my only gripes is the interface is kinda slow. The Wii U seems more seamless and so much more smoother than the PS3 hopefully the HD looks good as well.

[NWR_Neal]

I don't know if any of you saw, but Engadget has exclusive pictures leaking Netflix on Wii U up today. That's funny. We have video from last week. So do like 10 other sites.


And that is why we attempt to fact check and check the internet.

[Fatty The Hutt]

After the Wii U Netflix comes out, there might be a point where Netflix is on twice in my house, with my wife and I watching different things.

*mind blown*

This happens regularly at my house today! Kids'll be watching something upstairs on the PC, I'll be watching another thing downstairs thru the PS3.
 
Sometimes, there are 3 different streams going at once, if my wife is watching a third thing in our bedroom or the tub. (She likes shlocky horror, I don't.)
So all that WiiU marketing crap about "alone, together"? That stuff really does happen. Not a lot, but sometimes.