Project Website - http://www.geekitsolutions.com/project/NetflixMC/

A lot of people have been asking if it is possible to provide Netflix WatchNow support for the extenders. Well, until now the answer has been NO. I now have to change that answer to YES. Last night I was able to successfully get the NetflixMC client to play a movie on a V1 Media Center extender.

I don’t know when I’ll be able to release this feature in NetflixMC because it did not work “out of the box”. I am not even sure one can automate the process because the Extender’s account is locked down. I will keep you posted though. See the video below.

Note that this functionality is NOT in the current Beta build.

Click Image for Video



Project Status :
3/29/2008 - Posted a new Test Beta Build for both MCE 2005 and Vista MC users.
3/27/2008 - Looking to release a new beta this weekend... For both Vista and MCE 2005.
03/08/2008 - Cooked up a cheap and fast website for NetflixMC
02/27/2008 - Posted early Beta Test build for Vista. Still to many bugs in the MCE 2005 build.
02/14/2008 - First WPF test Build complete. Runs on MCE2005 and VMC
01/31/2008 - Tested early prototype WPF code and it runs on MCE2005 , VMC and ExMCE.. not sure about Vista Extenders though I don't have one. I am sure it will run though.
01/23/2008 - Interface Design underway. Version 1.0 will be in WPF.
01/20/2008 - Concept Testing complete. Trying to choose technology for the MCE interface

Features to implement :

• Browser and mouse free MCE interface to Netflix
• Login to your Netflix account
• Multiple Movie Listing Views
• Browse WatchNow by Genre
• Search WatchNow
• Bookmark WatchNow Movies
• View Rental with in MCE
  
• Browse normal Netflix rentals and add them to your Queue
• Manage your Netflix Queue

Would it matter to anyone if I only supported VMC? Im looking at using Windows Media Center Presentation Layer for the interface.

Wow! You rock!

The lack of Netfix plug (and the lack of some other plugs) drove me to abandon VMC for Media Portal, but... I still lurk here, don't I...:-)

Dont's know if it helps with coding ideas, but here is a long thread on the Media Portal Netflix plugin, which does Watch Now: http://forum.team-mediaportal.com/netflix_manager_updated_02_10_07-t10149.html

gobanjoboy:

Would it matter to anyone if I only supported VMC? Im looking at using Windows Media Center Presentation Layer for the interface.

I'd vote yes for Vista only.

Chris - Moderator:

gobanjoboy:

Would it matter to anyone if I only supported VMC? Im looking at using Windows Media Center Presentation Layer for the interface.

I'd vote yes for Vista only.

Why?

The UI advantages are amazing using the Windows Media Center Presentation Layer, you can't do nice looking plug-ins with MCE 2005/Vista HTML.  HTML plug-ins take you out of the whole integrated experience, but I guess that's the trade off for working in both platforms.

if you can do a MCE 2005 version I'd be thrilled as I haven't been able to upgrade to Vista yet (nor wanted to).

Thanks!

JohnnieMiami:

if you can do a MCE 2005 version I'd be thrilled as I haven't been able to upgrade to Vista yet (nor wanted to).

Thanks!

I hear you. I have been holding off till I could afford to buy a VMC box with cable cards. I am still running MCE 2005 in my living room.

I'm ok with Vista only.  Cross platform development is a pain.

I whole-heatredly agree that Vista-only is the way to go.

However much I hate the actual Vista PC interface (I'm a Mac guy), its superiority over MCE 2005 for media center functionality is undeniable.

I'm anxiously awaiting the release of this plugin. And news yet if it will work over extenders, specifically an Xbox 360?

mjar81:

I whole-heatredly agree that Vista-only is the way to go.

However much I hate the actual Vista PC interface (I'm a Mac guy), its superiority over MCE 2005 for media center functionality is undeniable.

As someone still with MCE 2005 (and relatively happy with it) could you elaborate on what makes vista mce so superior?

Thanks!

"As someone still with MCE 2005 (and relatively happy with it) could you elaborate on what makes vista mce so superior?"

MCPL allows plugins to use the Media Center interface, this means that plugins have the exact same look and feel as the rest of Media Center.  Plugins that use the MCPL also do not have the lag/sluggishness inherent in HTML plugins.

With Vista plugins you really can't tell what is a plugin, and what is origional Media Center.

Mashman:

"As someone still with MCE 2005 (and relatively happy with it) could you elaborate on what makes vista mce so superior?"

MCPL allows plugins to use the Media Center interface, this means that plugins have the exact same look and feel as the rest of Media Center.  Plugins that use the MCPL also do not have the lag/sluggishness inherent in HTML plugins.

With Vista plugins you really can't tell what is a plugin, and what is origional Media Center.

Mashman hit the nail on the head, but there are other things I like a lot more about it. I don't particurlarly try to hawk Misrosoft products (see my previous post and you'll see why) but in this case, Vista media center is a lot more responsive than MCE2005 in my case.

I can only speak for a user with a 360 as an extender... I never touch the computer itself and when I do, it's through VNC since the computer is upstairs in the office in a corner without a monitor.

The interface upgrade it much more functional and "snappy". There are preview icons for all recorded shows that the media center generates for you. It's a visual and preformance upgrade (granted, I've disabled all non-essential windows services since I use this machine as a dedicated TV-recording device). There's also a lot of upgraded functionality when it comes to searching, sorting, and filtering the guide (in terms of sports, movies, etc.). I love the feature that allows you to see movies on "next" (not sure, but I don't think that functionality is in MCE2005).

I don't think this is the right forum to discuss benefits/detrements of either system, but there needs to be a decision about Vista-only or cross-platform development. I guess it comes down to whatever is the easiest for the developer to implement.

I'm all for Vista only. Since you really have a development advantage with the new framework, it doesn't make sense to code something that could potentially hinder forward progress. To make those people with 2005 happy, I suggest making sure that the plugin is opensource so that someone can carry the torch for them.

By the way, great work.

Count me as Vista Only!

If you could setup a paypal donate link I would be willing to donate some money to the cause.

I would love to see an interface that incorporated DVD covers as part of browsing of movies.

Thanks and great plugin idea!