I get my disc today!!!!! YAY!!!!!!

@idip: Same Here :)

Does anyone else think it's bizarre that we need to get up off of our couches and insert discs to stream content off the web? I can't understand why Sony/Netflix just didn't wait for the official download release.

It reminds me of when Sony was selling DRM-free mp3s, but made you get in your car, drive to a store, and buy a physical card. You had to drive back to your house and then log on and use the card to get those mp3s.

@GMFish: Maybe Netflix wanted to release the software before the holidays to get new PS3 owners to sign up for Netflix

@Joewithay: This is a good tactic, as I have a PS3 but not Netflix, but every few weeks I wonder, "Do I need Netflix again?" and I usually conclude I don't, but now I'm thinking about it again.

It is because Netflix has s deal with Xbox whereby Xbox can be the only gaming console able to access Netflix straight from the Xbox's OS via a widget. The PS3 streaming will be done through Blu Ray Live technology, thus working around the Xbox deal. When the Xbox deal expires, then you'll see the PS3 widget.

If you have trouble streaming from Netflix via your computer, you'll probably have trouble streaming via your PS3, right? Because they both use your internet connection, the speeds are the same regardless. I'm not getting Netflix anymore (I seriously thought about rejoining a few months ago) but I have wondered about their streaming capabilities because my internet speeds are regularly craptastic and I'd hate to spend money on Netflix only to find out that I can't use the streaming anyway.

@GMFish: Speculation is that this is a clever way for Netflix to get around its timed exclusive with the 360. If Sony had made the software available on PSN, Netflix would be violating its contract with Microsoft. If, on the other hand, the streaming were to take place on a Blu-ray player (the software is BD-Java) that just happened to be the PS3, that's another thing entirely.

@Joewithay: Me too. I've got Netflix on my 360, but I'm afraid to use it all that much, lest the poor thing overheat and die. Now maybe I'll actually use it.

Well, as much as I possibly can use it before I hit the limit of Comcast's cap. :P

@PunditGuy: Forgot to mention: Needing to stick a disc in to stream from the Internet is a concept that gives me the lulz every time. I've been enjoying the heck out of Netflix streaming on the 360, and I look forward to my slightly misguided gaming brethren getting the opportunity to do the same. Maybe it'll get Netflix to stream better stuff.

PS3 FTW !!!

@PunditGuy: "If Sony had made the software available on PSN..."

Thanks for clearing that up. That makes sense.

Now can you explain the convoluted process Sony used to sell DRM-free mp3s?

I love Netflix streaming on our XBox. At first it was all crappy movies, but lately they have had some really good titles--especially TV series including British ones.

This netflix streaming option was the item that pushed me into buying a PS3. I had been looking for a deal on one of the blu ray dvd players that could streawm netflix. But this deal pretty much blows one of those devices out of the water. Now I can play blu ray discs, play ps3 games, stream netflix and browse the internet on one machine.

@idip: I have streaming on my home pc, work pc and, given that I am the bestest friend evar, I allowed my friend who doesn't have netflix to use my account. From my understanding, you can only have 3 streaming devices per account. Looks like I have a tough decision to make.

@idip: sorry, didn't mean to post my previous comment at you...teh internets confuses me

Now if I could just stream Hulu directly with my PS3. I can do it with PlayOn, but it's just so clunky.

@pecan 3.14159265: Do what I did. Get a friend or family member who has a Netflix account to sign in on your computer and let you test out the streaming from your machine. That's how I got back on Netflix after a few years with Blockbuster.

Which still leaves me to decide whether to go Xbox360 or PS3....

@idip:
mine too, i can't wait to see how it compares to the xbox version. maybe i can drop live.

@catskyfire: xbox as of now you also have to pay for xbox live gold service to stream netflix, which is $50 a year through them. There are always deals on 12 month cards for $35 - 40. so that might be something to think about.

@idip: Me too. Can't wait to try it out tonight!

@diasdiem:
I believe you can stream Hulu using Tversity which, in my experience, is much more relieable than Playon. www.tveristy.com. You can download and try the pro version for as long as you like. They would like you to pay for it if you decide to keep using it.

I *love* my netflix on my 360, except for one thing: the 360 sits in my bedroom, so it seems like there is always someone in there watching it (and I'm too lazy to move it to another room).

But the PS3 sits in the living room, and I received the email yesterday that my PS3 disc will arrive today. Since it's free (unlike having to pay for XBL Gold), I have no problems using a disk in the PS3 for the time being.

@pecan 3.14159265: Not necessarily - If you have an older/lessgood computer, the issue could be that your processor has a hard time with it.

My Macbook Pro plays it perfectly. My room mates 5 yo PC has jumps, hiccups, and skips abound! My G5 isn't supported :-(

@catskyfire: do you game? if not, ps3 is the clear winner as it doubles as a blu-ray player (it pains me to say that). if you do, the decision is much more difficult as both systems now have a variety of exclusive games that could leave you yearning one way or another.

i have a 360, but one thing i really like about the ps3 is the ability to download & play your friends' DL content. this allows you to stretch your gaming dollar by sharing games (all you have to do is have the other person log onto your ps3 & download the games they own that you want to play - voila!).

anyone know how this fits into the "4 streaming media units/account" that netflix maxes out at?

@pecan 3.14159265:

I'm so excited to get my disk today. I like to watch TV and play games on pc or surf or get work done at the same time and I can't stream netflix at the same time as I'm working on the PC. Now i can catch up on the shows and movies and multi task on my pc

@AHepburnGuy: I have RCN's lowest broadband speed of 2 Mbs and Netflix streams fine to my 360 wired (wireless, not so much). It takes a couple of minutes to buffer but once it starts playing, it is smooth.

I've tried to get the disk several times, but when I go to sign up to get one, it just has me to enter my email address so they can tell me when streaming is available for the PS3. As soon as they prove to me that I can stream via my PS3 I will sign up, but telling me I can sign up to get the disk to do so, then taking me to a page where I CAN'T get the disk that will allow me to do so is bullshit. The link supplied in this article takes me to the same email sign-up page, fyi.

Guess I finally need to run that ethernet cable downstairs into the PS3.

My disk will arrive today! Yes! Been waiting for this for a while.

@Jeangenie:
I love the British TV series they get on there. Newer Doctor Who, older Doctor Who, Fawlty Towers, The IT Crowd. I'm sure there was another one but I can't remember.

I got the disc today and tried it out. The first show I watched, an episode of "Keeping Up Appearances", had framerate and audio syncing problems, but the second show, an episode of "Dexter", worked just fine.

@mac-phisto: I enjoy games (I have a PS2), but I favor RPG games and cannot play first person games at all. (The movement tends to make me ill.)

I also received the PS3 disc today. Using a 10MB cable download speed it ran episodes "Weeds" perfectly in a HD widescreen format.

Now if we can just get Hulu added...

@pecan 3.14159265: I'd say try it out.

Netflix sucks on my Computers, the stream will become jumpy, and the video quality is terrible, and I have a cable internet connection!

However, over my Xbox, it is flawless. It's a beautiful picture on my HDTV, with none of the problems that I have on my PC when I tried to stream on it.

I ended up removing the netflix streaming from my PC, and use my Xbox to watch streaming stuff. Oh, and play games too.

@pecan 3.14159265:

There's always 1-month free trial coupons floating around. Give it a shot for a month and see.

@osiris73: When I entered my addy in that page, it said "we'll let you know when it's available", and then got a notice that it was shipping. Note though that if you have an account where you split queues with someone else, the "secondary" person can't sign up for the disc or activate it once you get it. Make sure you're logged in as the primary.