Netflix announces $100 set top box

by billso on Tuesday, 20 May 2008

I predicted this in my 29 April 2008 billso.com article: Netflix is unveiling a $100 set-top box today. The device is a 5-inch square box that hooks into a broadband Internet connection and streams movies from Netflix. A 1 mbps connection seems adequate, although HD movies may require more pipe.

Customers won’t need a computer to manage their Netflix account or view movies, as the box also connects to TVs and home theater components via component TV cables and HDMI.

Roku is one manufacturer that was already been revealed in the AP article. We already knew about LG. Others are coming. Read the AP story for more details. Reviews from Wired and Cnet, along with pictures of this rather ordinary looking black box, are available from this brief Engadget article.

Related posts and pages on billso.com

Netflix
29 April 2008: Netflix to deliver movies with set-top boxes
16 February 2008: Blu-ray beats HD DVD
17 January 2008: Netflix lifts limits as Apple enters online movie rental market
12 November 2007: I want a better television - but it’s not ready yet
8 June 2007: Amazon may buy Netflix

Tagged as: broadband, Internet, netlfix, television, video

Daniel Peters

Netflix seems to have a huge user base, so I wouldn't be surprised if this thing actually takes off. I was immediately put off by the fact that this wont do hi-def but then I realized I'm probably not in the target demographic for this sort of thing.

Netflix already has some direct streaming available online, this simply removes the need for a computer in the equation and will do well with people that don't have a computer already hooked up to their tv. Again, I'm not part of that demographic.

I wonder if they'll really have the bandwidth to pump this stuff out. My friend uses the online streaming the offer and performance is far from steller, albeit somewhat adequate overall.

An interesting aspect of this streaming video service is the Netflix Media Center extender mentioned in a link on the engadget article. This could remove the need for Xbox360 (and media center computer users) to purchase the box altogether. Bad news for Roku, but good news for Netflix if a country full of xbox users suddenly want easily streamed full length movies for a low monthly price.

I'm almost tempted to think that piracy is still easy enough to contend with this, but streaming video is such a swift delivery method and perfect in a society that craves instant gratification. If Netflix finds a way to get Youtube and maybe some internet radio on this set top box but doesn't fall into the trap of trying to make a "TV Computer," this streaming content delivery service thing could really catch on.

billso

A media-centric Netflix box makes lots of sense. Adding 'features' like web browing and email would only cause support problems. The Roku box sounds like a lean, mean media server that is bonded to Netflix services.

billso

Kevin Kelly sent out a review of the Roku netflix box for his newsletter subscribers. There's a long excerpt in this article called Roku: $100 gadget for watching Netflix movies on your TV.