Netflix streams to Macs
Posted by Gordy | Filed under Geek
If there’s (only) one thing PC users have been legitimately able to argue about being better than Macs, Netflix streaming was it. Well now that’s over, and it’s about time! They have recently released this software to certain users by default, but at the same time provided an opt-in link for those who insist on testing the beta software.
Let me just say this: for something that’s apparently in beta mode, this thing is nearly flawless. I mean it. I watched Ben Stein’s “Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed” and only experienced one stream hick-up, and that only happened within 60 seconds of the credits. I was actually blown away at the whole thing. The quality isn’t the best thing I’ve ever seen, yet I still found myself forgetting about it later. The image is soft (at least at “basic” quality), but not blocky and “jpeg-y.”
The video quality of the movies and television series you watch instantly on your PC [or Mac] will vary based on your actual Internet connection speed.” - Netflix
The Watch Instantly system automatically detects your connection speed and adjusts your quality settings accordingly. However, this system seems to be a little picky because I checked once and had “basic”, then I checked again about 3 minutes later and had “high.”
The player is pretty clean, too. You can scrub the video playhead back and forth to get icon-style screen-grabs for the sake of knowing where you are in the movie. You can also view the movies in full-screen. Here are some screen captures of the documentary “Helvetica” at basic quality.
Now, their entire catalog of movies isn’t available just yet, but it’s at about 12,000 so I’m sure that number will quickly grow as the software is polished. Nevertheless, if you have a Mac and have been waiting for this type of service, now is the time to get an account with Netflix. I can assure you that this feature alone is well worth the small monthly fee.
Tags: apple, dvd, instantly, movies, netflix, os x, queue, rental, watch