slydog75:

Is this version going to allow remote control of the watchnow video player?  Big koodos to AP with getting this to work at all, but I would like to be able to control the playback with the remote.

slydog75,

The reason I starting writing NetflixMC was to allow for a mouseless Netflix watchnow experience. NetflixMC in fact does allow you to control the movie with the remote.

JohnnieMiami:

Gobanjoboy - any idea how close you are to a released version?  As you can tell by the popularity of the thread....we're all pretty eager to get it.

If all goes well this week I am hoping to post a Beta Test app on Sunday. I am currently trying to finish up an onscreen keybroad interface. I am also going to try to clean up session managment for the NetflixMC Agent.

tsh:

By the way, is it certain that DRM is preventing the current watch now from working on the extender?

Yes - Netflix uses a non-silent license acquisition(which extenders do not support) and also does not allow the license to be stored on the computer which means extenders can not gain access to the license.

If I was to guess they do not store the license on the computer anymore because people were using the stored license to strip the DRM from their movie's.

gobanjoboy:

tsh:

By the way, is it certain that DRM is preventing the current watch now from working on the extender?

Yes - Netflix uses a non-silent license acquisition(which extenders do not support) and also does not allow the license to be stored on the computer which means extenders can not gain access to the license.

If I was to guess they do not store the license on the computer anymore because people were using the stored license to strip the DRM from their movie's.

i actually spent this weekend moving my mce pc next to my tv and really it solves more than a few show-stoppers about extenders, namely for me HDDVD/Blu-Ray drive playback through PowerDvd 7.3, and native DVD and any-video-file-under-the-sun playback in MCE without transcoding, and of course WatchNow.  Thanks for all your efforts.

gobanjoboy:

JohnnieMiami:

Gobanjoboy - any idea how close you are to a released version?  As you can tell by the popularity of the thread....we're all pretty eager to get it.

If all goes well this week I am hoping to post a Beta Test app on Sunday. I am currently trying to finish up an onscreen keybroad interface. I am also going to try to clean up session managment for the NetflixMC Agent.

Excellent!  Good luck with that!

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There's a lot of people out there who are like slinkies...pretty much useless...but they make you smile when you push them down the stairs.

I definately want the MCE 2005 plugin for netflix! I hope it's coming soon.....Excellent work!

Flan

Netflix took away the ability to search only the watch now movies! This really hurts this project. Go to the link below and tell them how much you want the Watchnow search only feature back.

http://blog.netflix.com/2007/12/search-updated.html


*******************EDIT*******************************
Okay I took another look and I think I see another way to do this but it would still be nice if Netflix would add this search feature back.

Just so I understand the problem with MCE Netflix and extenders (I have a Linksys WMCE54AG), and please bare with my ignorance of some the technicalities, but I'm trying to get my head around not just the technical, but the strategic business models in place...

The non-silent license acquisition is something that Netflix requires to take place to use Watch Now?  But extenders, like mine, cannot handle non-silent license acquisition.  Is this something the firmware on the Extender can be upgraded to handle?  Or are extenders, by design what they are, incapable of this task?

Is the non-silent requirement something Netflix has in place because it is the only technical way to "protect" their client's (the movie industry) interests?  I mean, is it really fair to pick on Netflix in this matter, or is this the only contract they could get with the industry?  Could Netflix really turn-off the non-silent license and still be certain the DRM is protected?  What is the fear here?  That people could start streaming movies wirelessy around their neigborhoods?  Is that legit?

And back to the Extenders: since they are literally an extension of the Windows platform, is this inability to handle a non-silent acquisition purposeful on their part?  Just an oversight?  I am not into grand conspiracies here.  I think all these companies are just out to make a buck, but then why so difficult?

Netflix must do anything and everything asked of them by the movie studios.  When you look at how ridiculous HDCP is, and how the Netflix DRM doesn't allow dual-monitor desktops for example - you understand none of this is oversight.  Lawyers on either side will dream up and nonsensical scenario like neighbors sharing a single Netflix account over wifi, etc.  The lawyers have completely different rules for digital downloads vs. broadcast PPV - and you could argue the Netflix service is either one.  It's uncharted territory and everyone wants to use whatever they can as a negotiating tool.  And of course with all entertainment comes very complicated residuals for the various unions (like the WGA fiasco that just occured).  Moving from a "desktop only" delivery method to all the various ways to watch on your TV - people will take notice and demand more.

Believe me, people at Netflix have thought of any and every possible way this service can be delivered to people.  Lot's of things must be considered.  For example, Microsoft would much rather have this service available via Xbox Live (thus generating more subscribers) than to have them use it for free via MC extenders.

Also, movie studios are constantly doing deals with people.  Starz cable channel, TNT, Apple, WalMart, Netflix - you name it.  The more they give away to Netflix, the less they can squeeze out of anyone else.  These are titans we're talking about here.  Allowing a new method of delivery for an all-you-can-eat subsrcition service is like requiring an act of Congress.

I don't have any inside info.  I'm just thinking like a lawyer would and using common sense.

Hi everyone. Just joined this forum, mainly to express my excitement about this project and my gratitude to gobanjoboy for taking it on. Thanks and best wishes. Hope all goes well.

I also visited the netflix blog and posted my objection to the change in the search function.

 

PS - Add me to the list of those wanting this to work with XP MCE 2005

Seems like this thread is going to be a very long one. Everyone here that has netflix or any other online media subscription knows how imprtant this is when using and Extender. Have you thought about sending a proxy to Netflix and have that proxy try to work out a deal to get your MyNetflix working with Windows Media Center Extender? Just in case they try to squash this project.....hmmmm...That would never happen now would it?

I can't wait for a download. MCE2005 4life!

Were you able to work around the Netflix search changes?

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http://clifgriffin.com

Uh oh, nearly a week since we've heard from gobanjoboy.  Is this project dead? 

slydog75:

Uh oh, nearly a week since we've heard from gobanjoboy.  Is this project dead? 

No this project is very much alive. I am trying to wrap up the current beta test to post for everyone to try out. I am working on it as I type this message. If we are all lucky I may be able to post it tonight.