Roku / Netflix Box Now In HD
Netflix is slowly rolling out an update to its Netflix / Roku box, adding support for HD streams and “channels” of additional content slated to arrive in 2009. I just spent some time installing the update and checking it out.
Tip: If you try to update the software and it says there’s no update available, check again three times in thirty seconds, and it should force the player to update.
Once the update is installed, the player restarts and the new software installs painlessly. Go to player settings and set the display type to HD TV to enjoy the new capabilities.
The most obvious change is a “What’s New” screen, saying there will be “great new channels that will begin to appear on your player in early 2009″. I’m hoping this means some web video content like video podcasts or Hulu. Cover art is noticeably clearer. Content available in HD displays a small “HD” icon near the MPAA rating, and next to the line of dots indicating quality when you start up a stream. I checked out some of the Star Trek Original Series (Remastered) and a few minutes of The Life Before Her Eyes and both looked noticeably better than the non-HD streams, coming within reach of Apple’s HD movie rentals.
Netflix has a list of available HD titles at their website. Some notable offerings: Heroes, Star Trek The Original Series, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, The Orphanage, and Pan’s Labyrinth. That said, the selection is extremely paltry — but the stage is set for more content to come.
All in all, and excellent update, and an awesome present the day before Christmas. Hmmm, red and white logo — perhaps Santa has a new gig?
[…] raved endlessly about how great I find Netflix’s Watch Instantly service, and this will be one more way to enjoy it, particularly when the television is tied by someone […]