Harry Potter
Movies from the Netflix website are streamed from the PC to the set-top box

Netflix box streams video to the TV

Wi-Fi antenna and Ethernet connection link set-top box to the PC

Shaun Nichols in California

Online movie service Netflix has released a new set-top box that allows users to watch streaming videos on a standard television.

The company developed the device with streaming media hardware vendor Roku, giving it the name The Netflix Player by Roku.

Advertisement

The box features a Wi-Fi antenna and Ethernet connection which links the box to the PC. Movies from Netflix are then streamed from the PC to the set-top box.

The device also sports RCA, HDMI and component outputs, as well as S-video and optical audio jacks.

Users will not be able to stream the movies directly from the service, but will have to download the movies to their PCs and then access them locally from the box.

The box extends the online service which Netflix launched in early 2007 to complement its hugely successful mail-order service.

The key breakthroughs of The Netflix Player by Roku are simplicity and cost

Reed Hastings Netflix

The company promised in January to work with vendors on a new generation of devices to allow users to watch streaming videos on TV rather than wait for DVDs to be delivered in the mail.

"The key breakthroughs of The Netflix Player by Roku are simplicity and cost, " said Netflix chairman and chief executive Reed Hastings.

"It allows consumers to use the full power of the Netflix site to choose movies for their instant queue, and then automatically displays only those choices on the TV screen.

"That is a major improvement compared with the clutter of trying to choose from 10,000 films on the TV."

The Netflix Player box costs $99.99 and requires a standard $8.99 monthly Netflix subscription.

  • Have your say
  • Send to a friend
  • Print
  • Digg
  • Reddit
  • Share

Do you agree?

Further reading

DVD

Netflix sides with Blu-ray

Another nail in the HD-DVD coffin

Networked video coming to a TV near you

Vertical integration key to internet/TV convergence, says analyst

Netflix and LG unveil video-on-demand service

Upcoming set-top box to stream web content straight to TV

Netflix lifts curtain on streaming movies

Company claims 1,000 movies and TV programmes available to watch 'instantly'

Related whitepapers

Related jobs

Most watched

Social networking

Summit: How businesses should manage their brands online

In part one of V3.co.uk's interview with Dirk Singer, he dicusses social media monitoring strategies

RIM discusses new developer tools

Blackberry exec on the latest offerings for programmers

Analysis and Reports

Remote access - Three steps to getting connected

3.4 million UK professionals now work from home – is your company equipped?

Cost benefits of a global collaboration network

This white paper is a must read for organisations looking for evidence of the bottom-line benefits of high-definition video and voice communications

Poll

Impact of Information Overload poll

Impact of Information Overload poll

What is the biggest problem your firm faces as a result of the data explosion?

View poll results

Advertisement

White paper library

Keep up to date with the latest products, services and technologies from the world's leading IT companies; IThound.com brings you over 6,000 white papers, case studies and analyst reports.

Advertisement

Newsletter signup

Sign up for our range of FREE newsletters:

Existing User

Newsletter user login:

Enter email address to edit your newsletter preferences

Job of the week

Search thousands of IT jobs :

Search thousands of IT jobs:

Advanced search

Hiring now on ComputingCareers:

Related IT jobs

Search thousands of IT jobs :

Search thousands of IT jobs:

Advanced search

Advertisement

Spotlight

Alcatel-Lucent logo

Summit: Networks swamped by information overload

Alcatel-Lucent's Neal Tilley talks about how enterprises and carriers can...

EU flag

Breach notification laws get green light

Privacy rights strengthened in Europe

Richard Thomas

Summit: Richard Thomas advises on handling the data deluge

Former Information Commissioner speaks out on government databases and data...

oracle sun

War of words escalates between EU and Oracle

Commission comes out fighting after criticism from Oracle and Washington

Primary Navigation