Netflix Extends "Watch Instantly" To Mac Users

CNet is reporting that Netflix has opened up its "Watch Instantly" feature to Mac users (here is Netflix's blog entry). They accomplished this by using Microsoft's Silverlight technology on both platforms, abandoning the Windows Media Player solution that had been employed in the first, Windows-only, version. Silverlight's DRM capabilities meet Netflix's needs, apparently. Netflix warns that this is beta software. Mac users can opt in here, then watch instantly with Safari or Firefox 2+, with the Silverlight plugin in place. Movie selection is somewhat limited.

Re:Firefox FTW

[dotancohen]

I'm doing it on Firefox 3 right now.

You've got me beat. I've done it on the kitchen table once or twice, and once _almost_ did it on a bus.

goddamnit.

[Anonymous Coward]

As if I wasn't ADD already. Now they just h

Re:Awesome

[powerspike]

ya it'll be great when they port all the codec's over to run in javascript realtime....

Re:Awesome

[trawg]

Yep. This is why i'm hanging out for HTML's video tag and the Theora/Ogg online revolution!

Re:DRM pushes Silverlight

[Anonymous Coward]

All these problems could be solved with .mkv

Fixed that for you.

Re:Fail.

[Anonymous Coward]

1. Selection is horrid.

Now that Mac users are onboard, Brokeback Mountain is being made available ASAP.

Re:hilarious

[infaustus]

That's because Linux users commit more serious crimes. [wikipedia.org]

Re:People will pay Netflix for the convenience

[jcuervo]

When you come home from the pub at night after a few beers you don't want to wait for BitTorrent, you want it NOW!

After a few beers, I'm streaming a whole different kind of torrent.

Re:DRM pushes Silverlight

[Gewalt]

i'd prefer theora.

That's unique. No, really, I mean it. You're the only one in the world. Literally.

Re:hilarious

[calmofthestorm]

Hitler?