Movies and TV Sony dropping a bomb on Xbox's Netflix service? - Page 7

**007** · 11-18-2008, 10:45 PM

Interesting

http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/18/nx...ddenly-gimped/

Our Netflix streaming queues just got considerably shorter on the eve of the NXE launch. Acting on a tip, we popped into our Netflix account and sure enough, our "Instant Queue" had a new "Notes" column with an oft-repeated, red (nobody likes red!) notice: "Not available on Xbox." Logging onto Xbox Live (with an NXE account) confirmed that these titles were no longer available for streaming on Xbox 360.

We've reached out to Microsoft for a full explanation -- so keep your fingers crossed that this is just a launch period mishap (like someone flipped the wrong switch ... or something). We're betting on licensing issues, though, which could further cripple the service. Currently, there's no way to tell if a title is excluded from Xbox streaming until it's added to the Queue (reminder: this can only be done from a separate computer). We're not much for statistics, but we can tell you that 13 of 110 items in our Instant Queue are now unavailable, all of which are feature films. The blackout seems to have hit a range of flicks, from: Superbad to Bad Boys; Drunken Master to the entire Karate Kid trilogy (that's right -- the entire trilogy! We don't count that Next Karate Kid noise). We'll update when we learn more.

Update: We've found a common thread! All of the affected titles from our Queue are distributed by Columbia Pictures. Columbia Pictures, of course, is owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment, a subsidiary of Microsoft rival Sony. Case closed?

Oddly enough, Sony Picture Entertainment movies (listed here) are still Xbox-enabled.

Update 2: It appears that the sudden yoinking of Columbia Pictures films from NXE Instant Queue access is a licensing issue with Sony after all. MTV Multiplayer pinged us with word that, on the rental service's official blog, Netflix corp. communications VP Steve Swasey writes:

"As watching instantly becomes a more prominent part of the Netflix service, our goal is to have all of our streaming content licensed for all of our partner devices. We're doing well in this area, but it will take some time before we fully achieve that goal. Today, titles regularly come in and out of license and there is a natural ebb and flow to what we have on license at any given point in time. In the case of Xbox 360, a few hundred titles are temporarily unavailable to be streamed via the Xbox game console. Those titles are still available to be watched on subscribers' computers and on TVs via other partner devices, and we hope they'll be licensed for Xbox 360 shortly."

Skyy God · 11-21-2008, 12:21 PM

So, is there a similar program to PlayOn for music? Specifically, for playing songs from iTunes?

Edit - It looks like you can stream by using Zune.

**007** · 11-21-2008, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pittsie

So, is there a similar program to PlayOn for music? Specifically, for playing songs from iTunes?

Edit - It looks like you can stream by using Zune.

I stream all music directly from my computer. I don't use iTunes but didn't xbox have a recent update allowing playback of protected AAC content?

Skyy God · 11-21-2008, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guru

I stream all music directly from my computer. I don't use iTunes but didn't xbox have a recent update allowing playback of protected AAC content?

Not sure but that sounds right. Virtually none of my library is protected AAC, however.

**007** · 11-21-2008, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pittsie

Not sure but that sounds right. Virtually none of my library is protected AAC, however.

Then I would imagine the xbox will play it for you then.

Hootie · 11-21-2008, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guru

I stream all music directly from my computer. I don't use iTunes but didn't xbox have a recent update allowing playback of protected AAC content?

everytime I try to get music to play from my library on my xbox, it doesn't work...what am I doing wrong?

**TinyEvel** · 11-21-2008, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hootie

everytime I try to get music to play from my library on my xbox, it doesn't work...what am I doing wrong?

You're using an XBox instead of a PS3.

**Buck** · 11-21-2008, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TinyEvel

You're using an XBox instead of a PS3.

LOL

If I wasn't out of Rep, I would have repped you right there.

**007** · 11-21-2008, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hootie

everytime I try to get music to play from my library on my xbox, it doesn't work...what am I doing wrong?

Well, first of all, when you say from your library do you mean from your computer? You need to make sure your computer is set up to allow sharing to your Xbox first.

Hootie · 11-22-2008, 08:26 AM

I'm pretty sure we should all kiss.

Mr. Plow · 11-22-2008, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hootie

I'm pretty sure we should all kiss.

Well.....just once. And in the interest of inter-game system unity.

Valiant · 11-22-2008, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guru

It's a nice service for what it does. I think $50 bucks is overpriced considering all it really grants you is the ability to play online. I love how they are starting to withhold demos for a couple weeks from the Silver members as a way to get them to upgrade to Gold.

With PS3 and even the crappy Wii online service being free, MS will eventually have to at least consider lowering the price.

Well until PS3 or sony online becomes a threat of taking customers away it won't happen..

**007** · 11-22-2008, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valiant

Well until PS3 or sony online becomes a threat of taking customers away it won't happen..

don't you mean Wii online? heh

I don't see them ever lowering the price because then there would be an outcry of all the members that already dropped their $50 and would want the refund of the difference. I just don't think it is worth what they charge.

Mr. Plow · 11-23-2008, 12:40 PM

Eventually, when their online service becomes comparable to Xbox, Sony & Wii will start charging for their service as well. It's just a matter of time. To compete, they had to give their online service away for free.

**007** · 11-23-2008, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Plow

Eventually, when their online service becomes comparable to Xbox, Sony & Wii will start charging for their service as well. It's just a matter of time. To compete, they had to give their online service away for free.

They'll lose me then.

11-18-2008, 10:45 PM
007 Shaken. Not stirred. Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: London Casino cash: $13920126 VARSITY	Sony dropping a bomb on Xbox's Netflix service? Interesting http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/18/nx...ddenly-gimped/ Our Netflix streaming queues just got considerably shorter on the eve of the NXE launch. Acting on a tip, we popped into our Netflix account and sure enough, our "Instant Queue" had a new "Notes" column with an oft-repeated, red (nobody likes red!) notice: "Not available on Xbox." Logging onto Xbox Live (with an NXE account) confirmed that these titles were no longer available for streaming on Xbox 360. We've reached out to Microsoft for a full explanation -- so keep your fingers crossed that this is just a launch period mishap (like someone flipped the wrong switch ... or something). We're betting on licensing issues, though, which could further cripple the service. Currently, there's no way to tell if a title is excluded from Xbox streaming until it's added to the Queue (reminder: this can only be done from a separate computer). We're not much for statistics, but we can tell you that 13 of 110 items in our Instant Queue are now unavailable, all of which are feature films. The blackout seems to have hit a range of flicks, from: Superbad to Bad Boys; Drunken Master to the entire Karate Kid trilogy (that's right -- the entire trilogy! We don't count that Next Karate Kid noise). We'll update when we learn more. Update: We've found a common thread! All of the affected titles from our Queue are distributed by Columbia Pictures. Columbia Pictures, of course, is owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment, a subsidiary of Microsoft rival Sony. Case closed? Oddly enough, Sony Picture Entertainment movies (listed here) are still Xbox-enabled. Update 2: It appears that the sudden yoinking of Columbia Pictures films from NXE Instant Queue access is a licensing issue with Sony after all. MTV Multiplayer pinged us with word that, on the rental service's official blog, Netflix corp. communications VP Steve Swasey writes: "As watching instantly becomes a more prominent part of the Netflix service, our goal is to have all of our streaming content licensed for all of our partner devices. We're doing well in this area, but it will take some time before we fully achieve that goal. Today, titles regularly come in and out of license and there is a natural ebb and flow to what we have on license at any given point in time. In the case of Xbox 360, a few hundred titles are temporarily unavailable to be streamed via the Xbox game console. Those titles are still available to be watched on subscribers' computers and on TVs via other partner devices, and we hope they'll be licensed for Xbox 360 shortly."
Posts: 65,558

11-21-2008, 12:21 PM	#91
Skyy God 11-5, baby Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Livin the dream Casino cash: $2191557	So, is there a similar program to PlayOn for music? Specifically, for playing songs from iTunes? Edit - It looks like you can stream by using Zune. Last edited by Skyy God; 11-21-2008 at 12:54 PM..
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11-22-2008, 08:26 AM	#99
Hootie Banned Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Casino cash: $10004900	I'm pretty sure we should all kiss.
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11-23-2008, 12:40 PM	#103
Mr. Plow In Search of a Life Join Date: Dec 2005 Casino cash: $1657391	Eventually, when their online service becomes comparable to Xbox, Sony & Wii will start charging for their service as well. It's just a matter of time. To compete, they had to give their online service away for free.
Posts: 30,855