Netflix Comes To Windows Media Center
By: Mike Sachoff
Microsoft has announced that more than 12,000 movies and TV episodes from Netflix are now available for viewing using Windows Media Center on PCs with Windows Vista Home Premium or Ultimate.
Windows Vista users who are also Netflix members can start Windows Media Center on their PC and then select the new Netflix tile under TV+ Movies to begin streaming movies and TV episodes.
Users can search the Netflix library, manage both their instant and DVD queues, and filter searches by titles that are available to watch instantly. Windows Media Center uses the Netflix recommended category lists to make it easier to find the movies and TV shows that users want to watch.
The Netflix instant watching in Windows Media Center is powered by Microsoft Silverlight. The use of Silverlight allows users to have more accessible, discoverable and secure experiences.
“We’re continuing to work with the top content providers today to make watching TV on the PC a mainstream experience for the future,” said Craig Eisler corporate vice president of entertainment client software for the TV, Video and Music Business Group at Microsoft.
“Consumers understand that content is the driving force when it comes to experiences, and with Netflix, we’re underscoring our broader commitment to deliver a rich experience with Windows Media Center.”
The availability of Netflix in Windows Media Center is the second recent content deal for Windows, following the March launch of the Sports Channel, which offers a variety of interactive sports content from CBSSports.com, Fox Sports and MSNBC.com