NETFLIX streaming support

[#1]

Support for instant play streaming of movies from Netflix.

[#2]

Bought one last month - Netflix streaming would be the best thing you could add to WDTV Live!

[#3]

I agree  I  love my wdtvlives I had original WDTV and upgraded  id upgrade all 3 again if they added netflix so I don't have to power on my 360 or ps3  to watch films I need a all in one device netflix, hulu  plus all my already downloaded  content    definitely another plus one in my book I've already sold  lots of my friends on wdtvlives just think hulu and netflix I guarantee u would beat out the asus   Seagate  etc and other competitors hands down personally wifi  isn't that big of a deal to me maybe sell an addon made for it but hulu and netflix are plus one u need to have it hardwired for best results anyways and also maybe full duplex gigabit Ethernet  instead of 10/100  just a thought by the way love u wdtvlive  

[#4]

Update: Unfortuantely supporting Netflix is not possible on the current WDTV Live platform. This requires additional hardward component and content protection mechanism. We understand this is a very hot idea and we will keep this in mind for the future.

[#5]

this really is a bad news , specially for the US residents

[#6]

Extremely bad news.  The Seagate FreeAgent Theater+ HD (horrible name) has the same file compatibility, better DVD menu and chapter support, Netflix HD streaming, and is $20 cheaper than the wd tv live.  Netflix support is a requirement now just to remain competitive.

[#7]

this is not music to my ears.....sigh.... popbox here i come...

[#8]

That's weak!  Even my Nintendo Wii can stream Netflix now and your box, which has streamed 8+ GB MKV videos with DTS/DD multichannel sound can't handle Netflix?  I find that incredibly hard to believe.

[#9]

^^ my thoughts exactly... at this point, i honestly thought that they'd be implementing it in the near future. It's really the only big thing i was waiting for, along with the fix on the a/v sync issues with files that play perfectly everywhere else.

Everywhere i look now, xbox 360, the wii, ps3, newer select blu-ray players, other, newer, HD media players with online streaming...have netflix streaming.....

the boxee box and popbox will be interesting to see be launched...

main expectation out of wd now is simply that they fix all those pesky playback bugs.... oh well oh well

[#10]

Netflix support needs additional hardware?  I'd be real interested in knowing what that hardware might possibly be, considering that netflix uses Silverlight for streaming and standard encryption, as far I know, for it's content protection.  It runs on a Wii, for Pete's sake.

I know that Netflix has recently signed an agreement for Irdeto's Cloakware, but I believe that technology is not yet in place, and will likely go to mobile devices first as Netflix starts to support the iPad, iPhone, and WinMo 7 devices, etc.

That being said, and because this thread has been asking the question so long, WD has been responding the same way (unplanned) with no details or additional information, I think a better explanation from WD is in order at this point, especially given that the solution is probably not technology related but licensing related (WD doesn't want to pay the money to Netflix for embedded support....).

[#11]

@psyop Hear hear!  I am in 100% agreement, I purchased the WDTV Live for the versatility, optional community enhanced (b-rad) firmware, and future hopes of Netflix support since the others are jumping on the bandwagon in droves.  I find it dissapointing and predictable that WD has taken this stance, what I find most upsetting is the lurdricous claims as to the reasoning for not including it.  I feel that it is probable that since there is an open firmware rendition b-rad's WDlxTV-Live Firmware, Netflix fears reverse engineering of the binary package that would need to be included in order to support "Watch It Now," or, the way the attorney's at Netflix draft the license precludes the possibility of using it on a system where the public has access to any source code of the variations of the firmware(s)... (and yes, I understand this would not reveal the source code to a Netflix streaming implementation, however, direct access to the binar(ies) can be quite useful/revealing...)

[#12]

I bought the WD just couple of weeks back. Glad I read this thread. Looks like I shall need to return it now. Netflix support is one of the main hopes of keeping the player. Will look into Popbox or Boxee Box now...

[#13]

They can add Netflix to the Wii and Apple iPad but not the WDTV live?  I find that hard to believe...

[#14]

First one to Netflix wins  of course any streaming source would be better but I'll settle  while I was typing this I spotted Roku. Have a great day bye forever ...

[#15]

So now there's WDTV Live Plus, which supports Netflix. Screw us WDTV Live early adopters. Why should they bother to take care of us?

Tools. I'm putting this POS on ebay & buying a real HTPC. To hell with WD.

[#16]

Yeah, I just noticed this today: http://www.wdc.com/en/products/Products.asp?DriveID=832

I think that "hardware support" excuse is a load of B.S. They need to re-introduce the product and get more people to buy the new units. If they want to curry favor with the early adopters, we should get some rebate on a "Plus" unit by turning in the ones we bought earlier. Otherwise, we're going to post negative reviews of the old units on every site offering the "Plus" as a warning to potential buyers.

This really is a slap in the face to those of us who have put up with the antics and incompetence of WD for all these months.