Microsoft talks Netflix LIVE success, Sony responds
- Posted February 8th, 2009 at 15:45 EDT by Eric Blattberg
- 55 Comments
Microsoft recently announced that over one million Xbox Live Gold users have downloaded the Netflix LIVE application. Sony, as always, sent out its own press release (included below) touting the PlayStation Network video store.
Sony certainly makes a strong case for its own service, especially when the press release knocks streaming video and then advertises it as a feature right below that. Seriously though, separate paid Xbox Live and Netflix subscriptions versus a free PlayStation Network experience -- there's not much of an argument there.
* Free Access/No Double Fees: Users pay a separate monthly Netflix subscription on top of an annual service fee for Xbox LIVE to access Netflix content, PlayStation Network users have free access to the content they want.
* Video Content on the Go: One of the main value propositions of the PlayStation Network's video delivery service is the ability to transfer standard-definition content from the PS3 system to the PSP system. For one price, consumers can transfer and view certain types of content on multiple devices.
* Faster Download Speeds: In a recent experiment by MTV Multiplayer, PlayStation Network was found to be the fastest service for downloading games amongst current consoles, whether through wired or wireless connections.
* Quality HD Experiences: PlayStation Network provides HD content reliably without waiting for streaming connections that might not ever be made.
* Blu-ray and Streaming: PlayStation 3's browser and Flash 9 support allows users to easily stream content and watch videos through internet sites on their TVs. Users can also download HD blockbuster movies from the PlayStation Store or enjoy Blu-ray movies.
* New Movie Releases: The Rocker, Swing Vote, Traitor, Max Payne (Unrated), Step Brothers, Eagle Eye, Mirrors (Unrated), Pride and Glory, Dead Space, RocknRolla, Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist, Resident Evil: Degeneration
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Comments
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munu20
- 10:55am EST - February 8th, 2009
- 2
Not to mention that everytime I hear anything about the M$/Netflix app, it has been negative. Just look at any issue of GameInformer. People are bashing the extra payment, the long download times, and most importantly, the lack of blockbusters. I think one person referred to it as a "B-movie bargin bin". And that doesn't include any B-movie gold.
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LindenLocos420
- 12:11pm EST - February 8th, 2009
- 12
i think sony may be losing a couple bucks not coming to canada, they really should have this service available.
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terminator12259
- 12:24pm EST - February 8th, 2009
- 14
it is just me or is this topic already stating what we already know "the PS3 is dominate" we all know this, but it is nice to have one more thing to say to my friends when they something about 360 being better
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TheBengaliKid
- 12:39pm EST - February 8th, 2009
- 15
I'd also rather have a hard copy although I wouldn't mind renting
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Intervention
- 1:02pm EST - February 8th, 2009
- 17
The movies and shows are too expensive IMO on the Playstation Store. I would rather use Netflix or the unlimited rental VIP program at Hollywood Video. Those huge stacks of Blank DVD's aren't everywhere for looks.
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Fiddlesworth
- 1:31pm EST - February 8th, 2009
- 19
PSN is better because big multiplayer games like Warhawk, R2, Killzone 2 have dedicated servers and the service is still free.
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kingsmoke78
- 1:37pm EST - February 8th, 2009
- 20
now im not the smatest guy in the world but i would rather just download my movies to my harddrive and then stream them to either system and yes i have both and being that i just got the xbox for one game (gears of war 2) my op[nion is that the games are to short graphic are'nt as good and paying to play others sucks i mean its a real no brainer playstation better games the six asis makes you forget about the wii and for u xbox lovers by the time ms sells you all those attachments it will be to late long live playstation3
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Ocelot1987
- 2:07pm EST - February 8th, 2009
- 23
This is funny that this article came up on here because I just rented Goodfellas on the PS3 for $2.99, thats $3.24 with tax included. I think it was a bargain since that movie was amazing and long but never boring. The statement above saying that PS3's DL speed is the fastest is correct. My PS3 downloads faster than my 360 and they both use the same connection. Sony provides a good service to their customers and doesn't rip them off. That is why I perfer my PS3 over my 360.
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lordAlucard |
sympozium_666- 2:08pm EST - February 8th, 2009
- 24
Sony's Video Store will NEVAR EVAR EVAR PWN XBOX LIVE if it isn't released in EUROPE UK amirite? BUT ultra LOL AT XBOX LIVE SUSCRIBERS that get DOUBLE THE FEE ROFL Micro$oft are genius
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Alpha2
- 2:08pm EST - February 8th, 2009
- 25
When they talk about poor streaming they're talking about Netfix's version of streaming though. When they talk about their streaming they're talking about Yourtube and hulu type stuff. I'm not going to pay for netflix streaming if it's not going to come through well or not even be in HD. I'd much rather it be Free streaming if it's not going to be quality.
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InfiniteRetro
- 3:24pm EST - February 8th, 2009
- 26
actually the Live AUS online store is just as behind as say the psn AUS online store. i mean its bad enough you have to pay to even get online on a substational manner on xbotforlife live but now theres more fees? come on, are ppl that thick.
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supamariobrotha
- 4:50pm EST - February 8th, 2009
- 29
the 360 fanboys were pissed when they heard this news the truth must hurt
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Superblaster76
- 4:57pm EST - February 8th, 2009
- 31
I just don't get all the fanboy comments. Lucky for me I own all three systems so I don't wrap my ego up in a console. I love the 360/Netflix experience and it's only getting better with a wider selection by the week. It's just a first step but a big one.
I like the interface of the PS3 menus WAY better than the 360 and find the download times on both to be about even. Digital Downloads/Streaming are the future but blu-ray will have a run on par with that of dvd. You can bet though that blu-ray will probably be the last format you can hold and while I love my blu-ray I see the 360 getting a solid installed base in digital downloads/streaming hurting Sony in the future.
Lastly, I agree that I would rather own a hard copy of a film but the public will not see it that way in 5+ years from now. Netflix is one of the only business seeing a huge boom with the terrible economy. MOST people aren't video collectors like some of us might be.
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radgamer420
- 6:09pm EST - February 8th, 2009
- 33
I like watching my movies on bluray due to superior quality.
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Free_Agent
- 6:39pm EST - February 8th, 2009
- 36
Well, Netflix destroys PSN's offerings. I was already a netflix member, so I recieved my movies in the mail, and were also streaming them to my pc. The ability to stream it directly to my TV via my 360 was just a bonus. I tried renting a movie from the PSN once, and since it took 5 1/2 hours to download, I didn't even get to watch it that night. Needless to say it was the last time I will ever rent from them again. When I stream Netflix to my xbox, it buffers for 30 seconds, and then plays flawlessly for the entire movie. If Sony can make improvements to the speed of PSN then they will have a pretty good service on their hands, but until then, they have no choice but to keep it free. Another thing that bugs me is you can't download demos or trials of PSN titles. I really like that my xbox live account lets me download trials of any and every arcade game they have before I buy it. Why can't Sony make that happen?? Frustrating!
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michaelcorleone
- 6:42pm EST - February 8th, 2009
- 37
i just wish they'd get a move on and make the video store available in europe.
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jigglespsu
- 7:12pm EST - February 8th, 2009
- 38
EUROPE
EUROPE
EUROPE
EUROPE
EUROPE
EUROPE
Where is our PSN Video Store service?????????????????????????????????????
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a_stray_bullet10
- 7:34pm EST - February 8th, 2009
- 39
digital download sucks fullstop. i'll never download a PS3 game off PSN that i can buy retail.
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InfiniteRetro
- 8:10pm EST - February 8th, 2009
- 41
here in australia we have download limits so even if the xbox went fully digi downloads they'd hurt only themselves here. i dont know what its like with europe. i know the US have unlimited bandwidth, hence why they can have the online movies etc.
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Shadow Dancer
- 9:54pm EST - February 8th, 2009
- 42
What MS fail to realise is that Playstation owners don't need a third party application to access movies. Sony delivers it straight to the PS Store all from all the major film companies. Oh...and how many Xbox Live subscribers are going to be able to watch movies from Sony's own film company? NONE.
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Acid-Hippie2007
- 2:20am EST - February 9th, 2009
- 43
Wow, Sony really tromps all over MS this time around. :)
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ThAGRiZZ45
- 4:01am EST - February 9th, 2009
- 44
NOW HOLD ON: READ PLEASE
This sounds like a one sided story on a PS3 site and noone can back up the Xbox side. Now I use my Xbox and PS3 equally and I always fought for Sony but there great but not good in everything. Number 1 live is a great service my friends use... is it worth the price? idk it's not that bad for me so I'm good. Number 2 yes you have to pay membership for Netflix but it's a great service instead of a Blockbuster and having it work on Xbox is just a bonus. #3 You say the streaming rates are really slow but there actually amazingly fast. B movies? Maybe so but I have a list of free 232 titles in my Queue rite now and some that are the psn video service you have to pay for.
I use Netflix to rent blu-ray and watch free movies on xbox so its a perfect win. So maybe instead of acting like who on who is dominant we can agree that having both systems would be great. It is for me.
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bracomadar
- 5:47am EST - February 9th, 2009
- 46
The only thing I have to say about paying to download movies and TV show online is...
Bit-Torrent and Hulu.
If I'm going to pay to buy a movie it's gonna be on a disk.
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thebusdriver72
- 6:06am EST - February 9th, 2009
- 48
Well, I don't know if this has been posted yet or not, because I didn't want to read through all the posts, but here it is. To the 360 owners what to do when you fill up that huge(sarcasm for those who don't get it) 120 gig HHD, your going to have to delete or go drop more cash on another snap on HHD. Sorry but Sony thought about that too, can you say non proprietary HHD. For most this is a non issue. The brick and mortar rental business is alive and well, As long as there is a lack of blanket high speed access, this will be the case. I really don't think Sony is that concerned with it. As downloads become more common the need for more HHD space will be more of an issue, sorry 360 owners, that's just how it is.
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xStatiCa
- 7:42am EST - February 9th, 2009
- 50
Sony forgot the feature where you lose all your purchased Movies if your system fails and can not download them again on your new PS3 if it is different than your previous one. So if you spend $1000 on purchased movies, your system fails, and you go buy a new PS3 to replace it you are SOL. Go buy them again because you can not log in to the new PS3 with your same account and download them again.
This will permanently ban this user and delete all associated comments. This action is irreversible, are you SURE you want to do this?!


