DVD by mail service Netflix will finally live up to its name as it debuts a streaming video service this week. The feature will allow subscribers to watch about 1,000 movies and tv shows over the internet for no additional charge.

Its instant viewing feature, available only on computers that run the Windows XP and Vista operating systems, plays back DVD-quality digital files almost instantly after subscribers install special software from the Netflix site, a process that takes about 20 seconds.

The movie streams, so users will have to stay connected to the internet while watching. Netflix plans to roll out the service across these glorious United States of America portions at a time, to ensure its servers have enough capacity. —MEGHANN MARCO

Netflix launches 1,000-title online movie feature [ABC News]
Notes to Netflix [Flickr]

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