A few weeks ago, I gave in to the marketing for a two week trial subscription to Netflix.  I’d heard about Netflix integration with Windows Media Center and XBOX 360.  We watch TV through a Windows Media Center PC and connect to that from other rooms in our house with two XBOX 360 Media Extenders.

The Netflix setup on the Media Center PC was a bit tricky.  It’s necessary to switch from the Media Center TV console to the PC desktop and a Web browser to get things going. The Media Center TV console got a bit confused, showing two Netflix selections.  After putting some movies and TV shows in the Netflix Instant Queue, the shows started up OK.  Our experience was also OK, the audio was good but the video jumped a little.  I don’t fault the Netflix player, since our Media Center PC is about four years old, powered by a single core AMD 3200.  The playback would probably be very good with a more current PC.  It is important to mention that our Internet connection is broadband through cable modem (Comcast).

Encouraged by the initial tests, I sprung for a XBOX Live Gold membership, which provides access to the Netflix player on our XBOX 360s.  After a very easy setup, we were ready to go.  After watching a movie and some TV shows, I am still astounded at the apparent HD quality of the widescreen display.  Video is very smooth and the audio is great.

I would totally recommend Netflix on XBOX360. Netflix has a good selection of movies and TV shows for the Instant Queue.  You also get access to their full DVD selection by mail.  If you haven’t used the Netflix service by mail, that is also very good.  The value for the money is fantastic.  We get access to a lot of shows produced on premium cable channels without paying cable’s high fees.  If we see two movies a month, it is far cheaper than going to two movies at the theater (and we don’t have to put up with chattering and cell phone calls and sticky floors).

-- Walter Lounsbery, 6-30-2009