Netflix App on 3DS: It Really Works!
- Thread starter Greg Tito
- Start date
Streaming video over 3G? I've seen how 3G handles youtube on an Android smartphone and if that's any indication, you're going to be enjoying a very small size and lots of compression in order to get video streaming. 3G is pretty terrible compared to Wifi. Useful for browsing light websites or checking e-mail outside of a wifi signal, but otherwise pointless. (*hates the fact that mobile phone companies require data plans for smartphones*)
Though in any case, Vita will certainly have the upper hand with Netflix, in the form of much better processing speed, probably faster wifi and a much better, larger screen. I bought a 3DS on day 1 but I can't honestly argue that the Vita isn't going to easily pull off a better Netflix than the 3DS. But the same arguments against 3DS Netflix streaming (why not just use a TV, laptop or other device) apply just the same.
OT: I tried streaming on my 3DS and I must say, it's pretty nice! I don't use Netflix much and I doubt I'll use this much if at all (never touched my Wii Netflix channel either) but it's nice to know it's there if the situation arises.
Though in any case, Vita will certainly have the upper hand with Netflix, in the form of much better processing speed, probably faster wifi and a much better, larger screen. I bought a 3DS on day 1 but I can't honestly argue that the Vita isn't going to easily pull off a better Netflix than the 3DS. But the same arguments against 3DS Netflix streaming (why not just use a TV, laptop or other device) apply just the same.
OT: I tried streaming on my 3DS and I must say, it's pretty nice! I don't use Netflix much and I doubt I'll use this much if at all (never touched my Wii Netflix channel either) but it's nice to know it's there if the situation arises.
That's how YouTube handles 3G, not how '3G handles YouTube.' YouTube has a Mobile setting that has terrible compression and resolution for people with small 3G usage caps. You can still watch videos in any other setting you want.Eventidal said:
And Netflix uses Silverlight which is much better at moderating resolution and bitrate over little bandwidth.
And though you wouldn't know on Android, on iPhone Netflix is amazing on 3G or Wifi. Sorry about your processor.
I stream Netflix over 3G on my iPhone constantly at work, and I've never had any problems at all. This isn't great Big City 3G either my friend. This is bum-fuck middle of no where Louisiana 3G.Keith K said:
Maybe I missed it, but will Netflix on 3DS also stream actual 3D movies?
Like Avatar's theatrical release with the 3D fuction of the 3DS making it really appear 3D?
Like Avatar's theatrical release with the 3D fuction of the 3DS making it really appear 3D?
Wouldn't it be 3DS's "edge" on the streaming market? Being able to run 3D movies? I bet Nintendo is figuring out how to stream 2 videos at once, and making 3DS comparable to play just that... it's obvious to stream 2 "lower res" version of the movie (for small screen and all) but being able to output both in the same time and making it registering as 3D movie would have MANY 3D movie fans flooding to get their hands on a 3Ds just to watch 3D movies with out buying an expensive 3D TV... 3DS is then an obvious choice at that point. it's a wish, it's a guess, and it's a possibility that it was originally planed that way...Chibz said:
The catch here is that, with the PSP, even if you DIDN'T have a problem with the screen size, you're still required to rebuy your movies in UMD format. Or if you don't own a film, buying it in UMD format restricts it to the PSP. With a Netflix account, you still have the flexibility to watch on consoles and computers, as well as good old snail-mail delivery. It's not like Netflix is selling a 3DS only package. And even if they did, you'd still have the option to pay for other types of packages. It keeps your options open to choose what you want with what you've paid for, as opposed to the extremely limited use of the UMD.Asuka Soryu said:
Of course, what you hear people discussing is a whole other story, but overall this is much better than UMD movies. (I still probably won't be getting a 3DS though)
Actually, my problem was that the battery life sucked canal water while watching a video on the PSP. The picture itself was phenomenal. The PSP has always had a gorgeous screen.Asuka Soryu said:
The arguement for the 3DS seems to be, you can play it on other devices... but doesn't that defeat the point of the 3DS? I mean, why would you choose a 3DS screen over your TV/PC?coldfrog said:
Mobillity? Where? Can the 3DS go anywhere while connected to Netflix while you're far away from home? And it only would be good in doors, with the lousy Sun telling your screen to go dark as hell.
Then you count in the 3DS craptacular life, wich makes it even less portable, since you'll wanna keep it near a recharger if you're gone to watch movies/episodes.
The argument isn't that you can do it on other things, it's that this is a bonus. It's not saying "I'm buying the 3DS to watch Netflix on, which I can also use elsewhere", it's more a case of "I have a 3DS and happen to have Netflix, so this is a little bonus in whatever random situation that might come up". I actually completely agree that there are probably few situations where it is useful, but the fact is that if you HAVE a 3DS and Netflix, this is just a nice little bonus.Asuka Soryu said:
Additionally, the review seems to make it seem that you can watch four full-length movies which sounds like good battery life to me.
In any case, this is in no way a system seller, but the fact that it sounds so well done is pretty amazing to me.
That depends on which 3G technology you have available. HSPA+ is up to 84Mb, which is certainly enough to stream video-- it uses a rather rare antenna technology called MIMO.Kysafen said:
Even if you can find a carrier with HSPA+, it's very rare for speeds to go beyond 21Mbit. However, 21Mbit is quite enough to stream high-definition video, given that your carrier has a stable downlink.
3G technologies have a wide range of connection speeds, but it's one of those cases where "standards are beautiful, because there are so many to choose from".
As a professional working in the telecom industry, I would say stick with wifi for video until 4G is generally rolled out; it's a ways to go before that massive infrastructure is in place but while 3G is theoretically all you need for HD streaming, in practice you might find something else depending on your location and subscription-plan etc.
LTE, aka 4G, however, gives you the dedicated bandwidth you need for high-resolution streaming content-- provided your provider has put up enough boxes to handle all the traffic of course.