Netflix turns on HD indicator, queue for PC (including WMC) & Mac Watch Instantly streamers

Not that there was any doubt left, but we're getting numerous reports of users seeing the "HD" indicator appear while watching Netflix streams through the Silverlight player for PCs and Macs. Also, a special queue indicating the subset of content available for off-TV HD streaming is live now so users can see what is and isn't on the list (the HD is available boxart popup notifications are there as well, but don't appear to be entirely accurate.) Media Center streamers are in luck as well, as posters on The Green Button have noticed, although there's no indication within the client or queue itself in the WMC frontend the 3800kbps HD streams come through just fine. Unfortunately, we don't recommend anyone else watch Lost season one right now -- after last week's Across the Sea debacle it's just too painful.

[blckman Posted May 17th 2010 4:27PM]

I tried both the regular Netflix streaming through my PC last night at 11:30p.m. Pacific Standard time and through Windows Media Center 7. this wasn't there last night. I will try this again when I get home from work. The streaming I saw was below 480p. standards.

[iPaul Posted May 17th 2010 5:53PM]

I got a chance to view play with it.

It works smoothly well in full screen, unlike HULU!

It's nowhere close to HD.

HD-LITE!!

[blazesofhell Posted May 17th 2010 7:26PM]

You mean "Across the Sea" =P

[RichardLawler Posted May 17th 2010 7:52PM]

@blazesofhell Doh, been watching too much X-Files

[blckman Posted May 17th 2010 8:01PM]

I am on Netflix right now and trying the HD stream out. It's not working at all in Windows Media Center 7 or through the regular streem in the browser I'm using. The "HD" indicater is there, but it doesn't give you the option to push it from standard video to HD streaming. I've tried several movies and television shows and we just have to be patient people before the real streaming comes. It maybe working for some, but system is pretty powerful and my internet connection can handle the HD stream. Well, I will continue to try. Good luck everyone. Peace....

[LazarusDark Posted May 17th 2010 8:38PM]

checked out The Office, episode one. Not bad at all really. HD lite, sure, but totally watchable for the price of nothing. But as we all know, it's all about getting the content. It's a start though.

[jdubbs23 Posted May 17th 2010 9:12PM]

Wow this is sweet.

Takes a few seconds to kick-in, but definitely getting some HD goodness through WMC7.

Now bring on the surround sound!

[TheLoveDr Posted May 18th 2010 10:12AM]

Still not enough to get me to go back. Too many issues with Netflix streaming, I tried it for over a year and was never impressed with the movie selection, the image quality nor the fact that it locked up our Tivo HD boxes on a regular basis.

[chramo Posted May 18th 2010 1:50PM]

Netflix needs more instant HD content!

[MurfdogLa Posted May 19th 2010 11:11PM]

Richard netflix by far the best streaming product out there but keep to the reviews of the tech world not TV shows Lost is one of the best show in Tv history and it's has changed how we all watch tv and how people film tv and write it! Across the sea was great in the arc of the show and you were a true fan you wouldn't put down on the show