Netflix Computer Streaming Arriving for Mac

by

While the screenshot above depicts a Windows-based laptop, you’ll soon likely see a Macbook in Netflix’s ads. For quite a while Windows users have had Netflix Watch Instantly Now video streaming – Mac users have had to sit by and wait or attempt virtualization. Well with Microsoft’s Silverlight, Netflix video streaming is finally arriving for most OS X users. I say most because it will only work on Intel-based Macs. Note, that as now, there’s no official word on the Netflix site, but my guess is we’ll see more info today given the press release EngadgetHD has posted.

The deployment, which will initially touch a small percentage of new Netflix subscribers, is the first step in an anticipated roll-out of the new platform to all Netflix subscribers by the end of the year. It is expected that Netflix members who watch movies and TV episodes instantly on their computers will enjoy a faster, easier connection and a more robust viewing experience with Silverlight, due to the quality built directly into the player. Among the viewing enhancements with the new player is a breakthrough in timeline navigation that vastly improves the use of fast-forwarding and rewinding.

Check out more of Brent’s reflections on tech, gadgets, software and media at Brent Evans Geek Tonic.

7 thoughts on “Netflix Computer Streaming Arriving for Mac”

  1. I don’t see anything yet… And I didn’t care for the initial Windows Watch Instantly roll out, which they’re replicating for OS X, in that some customers get advance access and others must wait. Are we all not paying the same monthly fees? If they called it a beta, I’d feel differently. I wonder if they’ll move the Windows presentation into Silverlight as well? Though that’d probably kill coat-tail riders like PlayOn and independent VMC plugins.

  3. all i know is i will check watch now site on my mac everyday until the end of the year. it kind of stinks that there is no power-pc support…

  5. I hear that you shouldn’t sign up for the beta if you want to use the Xbox 360 Netflix Watch Now. Once you switch to silverlight Netflix – there’s no going back?

  6. i dont have a 360 so i took the plunge. so far so good, both browsers. hopefully this won’t affect the upcoming tivo upgrades…

Comments are closed.