151w ago - Recently we reported that Netflix will be going discless on the PS3 by October, but today JoyStiq (linked above) revealed that Netflix also offers PlayStation 3 users the ability to search through their entire video library.

To quote: "Netflix just became a lot easier to use on the PS3. No, you still need a disc (for now), but the application has been stealthily upgraded with the ability to search for and watch videos from the entire Instant library.

For example, typing the letter "A" quickly revealed Avatar: The Last Airbender.

Unfortunately, the Xbox Live and Wii versions of Netflix don't appear to have been updated with this feature yet. Xbox owners will have to wait until November."

152w ago - According to IGN (linked above), CEO Reed Hastings has confirmed previous reports that Netflix streaming will be going discless by October, 2010.

What this means is simply that the Netflix Instant Streaming Disc for PlayStation 3 will no longer be necessary to use the service for watching TV episodes and movies via the PS3.

To quote: "PlayStation 3 Netflix users will soon be able to use the service without having to insert a disc into their console each and every time.

Before our next call in October, we expect to be launching a major new version of our Sony PS3 user interface which doesn't require a disc and is dynamically updated continuously with the latest Netflix UI improvements, he said."

188w ago - Over the last week we reported that the Netflix PS3 Instant Streaming Disc has begun shipping (over 100,000 according to the Netflix Blog) and saw some videos of it in action on Sony's PlayStation 3 console.

Today, Netflix VP of Corporate Communications Steve Swasey has shared another brief promotional video (below) on the PlayStation Blog as follows:

Great news for everyone who wants to instantly watch movies and TV episodes via your PS3: it's available now! If you've requested a Netflix instant streaming disc for PS3, it's on its way to you. If you haven't, go to Netflix.com/PS3 today to get your disc.

Instantly watch movies and TV episodes streamed from Netflix via your PS3. Enjoy!

189w ago - Recently many users have received their Netflix Instant Streaming Disc that began shipping a few days ago.

As mentioned previously, the disc is required to use the Netflix steaming service on the PlayStation 3 until 2010, when a Firmware update will take its place.

Below are several videos of it in action, the first is courtesy of otimus via YouTube with the other being from JoyStiq.

To quote from the video's caption: "If there's any stuttering in the video, it's not netflix or the PS3, but my Junky TV Tuner I'm using to record. I don't think I got any stuttering, however. We'll see!

Connection speed: 3Mbps
Connection type: Wired Ethernet

Sorry for the lack of sound. I connect my PS3 via optical, and I was too lazy to go get an audio splitter to put it in the audio in on my PC to record audio from my tuner card. I have some real big issues with the PS3 netflix disc:

1) It renders video in 480p. The UI is whatever the res of your PS3 is, but video is downscaled regardless. It does NOT upscale.
2) Also, video ratio does not scale, like, for example, I have to set my screen to stretch for widescreen, and 4:3 for 4:3 content, else things...

189w ago - Today Netflix has begun shipping the PS3 Instant Streaming Disc required to use its steaming service on the PlayStation 3 until 2010, when a Firmware update will take its place.

Those who signed up for it just over a week ago should be checking your mail boxes sometime next week for it.

If you have a Netflix account, going to this 'Instant Streaming Disc' page (linked above) now lists the long-awaited PS3 Netflix disc as pending and has a field for Estimated Arrival... much like the queue list does. It also has an Activation Number field for those who receive their disc.

Check out some images below for those who don't yet have an account!