Netflix Now Disc-less on Wii

[rlemmon]

http://wii.ign.com/articles/112/1128573p1.html

"Wii owners can finally throw away those pesky Netflix discs. Nintendo announced the Netflix application will be available for download on the Wii Shop Channel starting today free of charge.

"At this time of year, consumers have a near-insatiable demand for family entertainment," said Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime.

"And this simplified Netflix access will help bring families together more quickly, more easily and in more ways than ever before. More than 3 million Wii systems have already connected to Netflix, demonstrating how easy the service is to set up and use."

To date, over 3 million Wii owners have connected to Netflix. The service first launched on the console earlier this year."

I also heard they added a search feature. Man i love my wii. It just keeps getting better.

[Rob2600]

I also heard they added a search feature.

I really, really hope this is the case. If so, then the Netflix app on the Wii just became a million times more useful. The lack of search caused me to give up on the app after the first few weeks.

[c0ldb33r]

I only use it on the ps3, but I have a Wii disc. I only ordered it to get the club nintendo points. :)

[NayusDante]

Hey, I'm running 4.3U and my homebrew channel is fine, but it's asking me to put in another update before I can get to the shop... Has anyone run into an issue here?

Edit: Nevermind, I'm fine. I almost like the new Wii layout more than the PS3 layout. No OSD to tell me the quality or show the timestamp, which seems pointless given that the 2 button doesn't... oh wait, you have to hold it for a minute. It gives the download rate, but not the "High/SD" kind of description that the PS3 does, and there's still no timestamp without pausing. At any rate, it's just as zippy as the new PS3 channel. My Wii is in my bedroom on wifi, and my PS3 is on ethernet, but they're both about as fast. The Wii used to take a few minutes to get Netflix started.

[Rob2600]

I almost like the new Wii layout more than the PS3 layout. No OSD to tell me the quality or show the timestamp, which seems pointless given that the 2 button doesn't... oh wait, you have to hold it for a minute. It gives the download rate, but not the "High/SD" kind of description that the PS3 does, and there's still no timestamp without pausing.

I won't be able to try out the updated Wii Netflix app until this weekend. Did they in fact add a search feature?

[NayusDante]

Yes, there is a search feature. What it's lacking is the same full-browser functionality that the web interface has. You get about 20 categories to scroll through on PS3 and Wii, tailored to your tastes. This isn't really good enough for me, because it's too limiting. I get a bar for "Visually-Striking Foreign Independent Films," but I can't get a general "Anime" or "Science Fiction" listing.

At any rate, I was up until 2:00AM watching Tokko, Dilbert, Beavis and Butthead, and LEXX. Great, now I'm not going to get any sleep... >_<

[Rob2600]

Yes, there is a search feature. What it's lacking is the same full-browser functionality that the web interface has. You get about 20 categories to scroll through on PS3 and Wii, tailored to your tastes. This isn't really good enough for me, because it's too limiting. I get a bar for "Visually-Striking Foreign Independent Films," but I can't get a general "Anime" or "Science Fiction" listing.

That's what I was afraid of. The ability to browse a handful of titles from a handful of genres has been there since day one. I was hoping with this update, they'd add an actual search box, but from your description, they didn't. Damn. If they did, then the Wii Netflix app would be so much more useful and enjoyable.

Instead, now I have to turn on my computer, search for stuff to watch on the web site, add it to my instant queue, and then watch it on the Wii. Why not just let me search in the Wii app itself?

[NayusDante]

Well, you can search by text on both now, it's just the browsing that's not what I'd like it to be. You get a little on-screen keyboard to search by title, but you have to know what you're looking for. You don't get the sortable lists that you get in the web interface.

[Rob2600]

Well, you can search by text on both now, it's just the browsing that's not what I'd like it to be. You get a little on-screen keyboard to search by title, but you have to know what you're looking for. You don't get the sortable lists that you get in the web interface.

Oh...in that case, the Wii app is so much more useful now! I'm happy to be able to search by title on the Wii. No more back and forth between my Wii and computer.

Like I wrote in an earlier post, I won't be able to try it out until the weekend, so thanks for all the info.

[Rob2600]

I installed the Netfilx app on my Wii this weekend and tried it out. To me, it's great! I type what I want in the search box and watch it. No more dealing with discs and my computer. Perfect!

[c0ldb33r]

what do you mean by that? why did you have to use a pc?

keep in mind that my only experience with netflix was when it was recently launched in canada with a discless app for the ps3

[Rob2600]

what do you mean by that? why did you have to use a pc?

keep in mind that my only experience with netflix was when it was recently launched in canada with a discless app for the ps3

With the original disc version, I could browse a handful of titles from a handful of genres on the Wii, but if I wanted to watch something specific, I'd have to go to Netflix.com on my computer, search for the title, add it to my Instant Queue, and then it'd show up on the Wii version.

Now, the Wii version has a search feature, so I don't have to bother with my computer anymore.

[Tron 2.0]

I installed the Netfilx app on my Wii this weekend and tried it out. To me, it's great! I type what I want in the search box and watch it. No more dealing with discs and my computer. Perfect!
I down loaded it both for my Wii&PS3 and it works good far when streaming a movie.Though i wouldn't say it's selection is huge.I assume it depends on the rights and if netflik can convert the movie to be streamed.Still all in all it's pretty convenient to use at least.Given there are no more video rental places around here any more,so i'm glad i signed upped to netflik finally.