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  • NodNarb012
  • Member Since Jan 2nd, 2008
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This is my comment to enter this contest, but how do I activate this comment???
You're just a few letters off. It's iPhoto, not iPhone.
Someone on here mentioned that the MS/Netflix deal was only for a year and that year is now up. Not sure if that's true since all of the articles I found about the exclusive deal were dated August 11, 2009. However, I found a few articles indicating that Netflix streaming first came to the Xbox about a year ago. So MS has had Netflix streaming for about a year, but didn't announce that it was exclusive until August 11th 2009?

Anyways, I don't think the disc is a method of circumventing the terms of the deal; I think it's just a way to get streaming to PS3 owners ASAP while they work on integrating it into a future firmware update.
"The free instant streaming disc leverages Blu-ray's BD-Live™ technology to access the Internet and activate the Netflix user interface on the PS3 system..."

If it's using BD-Live, I wonder, what's stopping this disc from being used on a standalone BD-Live enabled player???
Goodbye Blockbuster!
Notice how they used the word initially when talking about using the disc: "Initially, watching movies instantly streamed from Netflix via the PS3 system will be enabled by a free, instant streaming Blu-ray disc that is being made available to all Netflix members."

I think the disc is just a temporary solution while they work with Sony to integrate it into the XMB. I imagine there will be a firmware update down the road that will eliminate the need to put the disc in all the time.
You should try out the new WDTV Live (aka WDTV2). It will play Blu-ray ISO's (main movie only, no menus though) and bitstream DD+, TrueHD, and DTS-HD MA. It doesn't have room for a hard drive in it like this Patriot device, but it has two USB ports for plugging in local drives.

You can pick one up at Best Buy for $119.99 right now. You might have to price match their online price since it's $139.99 in-store for some reason. http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9539591&st=wdtv&type=product&id=1218121172453

There's a pretty big thread about the device at AVS Forum: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=17031392

The Popcorn Hour A-110 and C-200 should be able to do what you're looking for as well, but those are a bit more expensive.
This device will bitstream Dolby TrueHD over HDMI to a compatible receiver. I remuxed an EVO file (Bourne Ultimatum HD-DVD rip) containing VC-1 video and TrueHD audio into a M2TS file using TsRemux and it played great over my 100Mbps wired network. Finally got to see that TrueHD light up on my Onkyo 705 receiver. I didn't have anything with DTS-HD MA available to test.
I was planning to use this for mainly SD content; I'm connecting it to a spare flat-panel computer monitor that I have mounted in front of my treadmill so I can watch DVD-ripped TV shows while I run. I'll try to test out some HD audio stuff on my main setup before I mount it though.
This couldn't come at a more perfect time for me. I was considering ordering a Popcorn Hour A-110, but didn't want to wait for it to ship through their pre-order system. I'll be picking one of these WD TV Live's today to see how it stacks up.
Let the hive mind of Engadget get that for you.
"I'm looking for a pair of quality headphones that aren't seemingly made of glass. I'm an avid BMXer which causes me to frequently bash on any type of technology that joins me for my daily riding. I've been through the higher quality headsets in the Skullcandy line as these are supposed to be built for "abuse," which is laughable. I cant wear earbuds or canal buds, as my large ears seem to have a repelling property upon anything that sits in them. Wired or Bluetooth doesn't really matter, but I need something that can hold up to taking a few hits every now and again. I'm trying to keep 'em under $150. Thanks!"

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