One of the big problems with web, and web video in particular, is locating content. Google has done a great job of indexing web pages, but a fairly new startup called Clicker has set its sights on web video. Clicker bills itself as “one part directory, one part search engine, one part wiki, one part entertainment guide, and one part DVR.” The Clicker database contains more than 450,000 episodes, from over 6,000 shows, from over 1,200 networks, tens of thousands of movies, and 50,000 music videos from 20,000 artists. There’s even support for Netflix and Amazon VOD content! And now the service will be a part of Boxee’s core applications located in the App Box. MORE »

If you’re curious what the interface and experience is like with Netflix Instant Streaming on a PS3, have a look at the attached user created video. It takes a few seconds for the required disc to initiate, but the UI appears similar to other Netflix enabled products and doesn’t suffer from any noticable lag (other than when initially loading cover art or buffering a movie). [via] MORE »

Netflix members with Sony PlayStation 3 game consoles are going to be ecstatic to learn (it was previously thought that Netflix was exclusive to the Xbox 360 game console) that in the next month or so Netflix will begin shipping free, instant streaming Blu-ray discs to all members upon request. The disc, which leverages Blu-ray’s BD-Live functionality and PS3’s XMB interface, allows members to access their Netflix Queue and select movies or TV shows for instant viewing. Users can also rate movies, read synopses, and manage the whole experience using PS3’s Wireless Controller. However, there’s a catch: PS3 owners must insert the Netflix Blu-ray disc each time they wish to use the service. MORE »

It’s been a long time in coming, but Netflix has finally provided Microsoft a Silverlight powered add-in to roll out to Windows Vista (Home Premium, Ultimate) Media Center users that gives subscribers access to its 12,000 “Watch it now” movie and TV collection. Users of the new service (located under the “TV+Movies” heading) will be able to manage both their Instant and DVD queues, filter searches, and even take advantage of Netflix recommendations. If you’d like to see a demo of the new Netflix service for Windows Media Center, jump over to The Windows Experience Blog where they’ve posted a couple of short videos.

I just got wind of the news. It looks like on April 8th a Netflix plugin for Plex was rolled out that allows people to navigate and play content from Netflix’s “Watch Instantly” service. The Netflix plugin for Plex requires the latest version of Silverlight to be installed on your Mac for it to work. Aside: It appears this plugin is only available on Plex at this time and has not yet been ported to XBMC (see: thread 1, thread 2). However, Boxee has its own Netflix plugin already in place for Windows and Mac OS X.

If you’re running MediaMall’s PlayOn server application ($39.99 – 14 day free trial available) on your Windows Vista PC, you’re gonna be ecstatic to learn that a freeware add-in called vmcPlayIt has been released that will display available Netflix, Amazon VOD, Hulu, YouTube, CBS, CNN, ESPN content directly through the Windows Vista Media Center and Media Center Extender interface. Overall, the integration looks pretty solid from the screenshots available. Give it a spin and let us know how well it works for you. [via]

Big news today for both Roku and Amazon. Previously, the Roku Digital Video Player only supported Netflix “Watch Instantly” content. Today Roku is announcing that their product is receiving an update that will allow the device to tap into Amazon’s Video On Demand 40,000 title offering to rent, own, and watch. According to the press release (attached below), video will be streamed in the H.264 format and dynamically adjust its delivery bitrate (300 / 600 / 900 / 1200 Kbps) depending on a user’s connection for optimal performance. FYI: any title that you pick up from Amazon On Demand will also be available in your online Video Library that can be accessed from any PC or other compatible device. Lastly, new release movies will be offered the same day and date the DVDs are made available. MORE »

For those looking for a way to tap into Netflix and Hulu content on their Mac via Front Row, Understudy might offer just what you’re looking for. While Understudy is not as slick and full featured as the stand-alone Boxee app, Understudy offers the ability for Front Row users to tap into premium content via various RSS feeds provided by the respective services. However, there’s one caveat. Jeremy Jones at Multimedia-PCs found that in order to view Netflix’s protected video streams “you have to be logged in from Safari before you launch Front Row.” While the solution is not perfect, it sounds like something fun to experiment with. You can download Understudy here.

Image credit: 123macmini.com

Wow. In a matter of the 3 months, one million Xbox LIVE Gold members have viewed 1.5 billion minutes of movies and TV episodes on their game console via Netflix. While I can’t confirm it at this point, my guess is that the Xbox 360 is blowing away any stats the dedicated Netflix Player by Roku is producing. Obviously, there’s power in numbers. Microsoft launched the Xbox 360 back in 2005 and has sold 28 million units worldwide as of January 5, 2009. Moreover, Microsoft prepped Xbox 360 users in advanced for such a service by providing LIVE members access to movie and trailer content through their own service early on. MORE »

Hacking Netflix has posted a screenshot of a survey Netflix is displaying to members inquiring what their interest level would be on paying $9.99 extra a month to be able to instantly view HBO content on their PC or Netflix streaming capable device like the Netflix Player by Roku, Xbox 360, TiVo, etc. The premium service, Netflix states, will include both original HBO TV series content, as well as movies that HBO has had a hand in. What do you folks think? Should they begin offering à la carte premium service offerings or (my idea) just charge an all inclusive additional account fee for premium content from any and all providers they sign on? MORE »