136w ago - Several months ago we reported that search and discless functionality were being added by Netflix, and today Netflix VP of Product Development Greg Peters has confirmed that the online video service will be going disc-free on Sony's PS3 entertainment system next week.

Download: Netflix PS3 .PKG for 3.55 CFW by SakaiYuuji

To quote: If you instantly watch movies and TV shows from Netflix on your PS3, here is the news you've been waiting for: starting Monday, October 18 you'll be able to instantly watch movies and TV shows without inserting an instant streaming disc into your console.

In addition to eliminating the disc, there is a new user interface that brings a much richer and faster browsing experience, content search directly on the device, and dramatic improvements in how fast playback starts.





There is even more good news for PS3 owners: starting on Monday you'll be able to instantly watch some movies and TV shows in 1080i...

185w 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...

185w 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!

187w ago - Today JoyStiq (linked above) has expanded on the initial announcement from earlier today that Netflix is officially hitting Sony's PS3 console.

According to Netflix, in order to use its steaming service on the PlayStation 3 the application disc will have to be in the PS3 until 2010.

Apparently Netflix won't have an integrated XMB solution until then, however, it is coming in a PS3 Firmware update.

To quote from the interview: "Joystiq: Was the PS3 application developed internally by Netflix?

Netflix: Yes, with the help of the Sony team.

Can the Netflix application be installed to the PS3 hard dive from the disc? Or must the disc be inserted every time a user wants to access Netflix?

Yes, the Netflix disc has to be inserted every time to access the Netflix service.

Why a disc-based application and not streaming access through the PS3 browser?

Netflix members and PS3 owners have really wanted a way to instantly watch movies and TV episodes streamed from Netflix via the PS3 system. The instant streaming disc represented the fastest and easiest way to let them do this.

Why not...