Netflix will not have full 1080p HD until 2011 at the earliest

Netflix Won’t Stream 1080p in 2010, But What About Roku? [NewTeeVee]

Unlike cable programming, online video provider Netflix is still more than a year away from full 1080 high definition, according to this report from NewTeeVee. CNET reported that the company had streaming 1080p content on a 2010 roadmap, but then retracted that report when Netflix indicated that 1080 was not a 2010 goal. Right now, there are approximately 1,000 titles in the Netflix library that stream at the lower HD resolution 720.

But, even if Netflix upgraded its content to 1080, it might not make much difference for subscribers due to the fact that those using the Roku set-top to stream Netflix content have a maximum resolution of 720 - regardless of the quality of the streaming source. Roku remains one of the few ways to stream Netflix content directly to an HD television without a computer.

If viewers are looking for a full-HD experience, they won't be getting it anytime soon from Netflix's streaming library.

Comments

[Ryan]

What cable operator has FULL 1080 resolution that you speak of? I consider FULL 1080 as 1080P that the article mentions. But I am not aware of any cable co. offering it. Dish Network was the first to offer full 1080P and then Direct TV followed.

[JDF]

I'll echo the comment that no cable operator offers 1080P including Insight. In fact, compression is so bad over cable, including Insight, that I'd be more interested in getting a better 720p/1080i signal from Insight (i.e. less compression) than I would getting an even more highly compressed 1080p signal.

Also, Roku's HD streaming is both less and more unique than Mr. Willner thinks. Both major game systems (XBox360 and PS3) stream Netflix HD content to a television in addition to Roku's. However, interestingly enough, though I haven't personally tested this, it's my understanding that streaming Netflix to a PC will not get you an HD signal on the HD available programming.

[Patrick]

Actually HD streaming is available on the PC and was actually available before you could get HD content on the Xbox 360 or PS3. Keep in mind there are only select titles that are available in HD on netflix no matter what medium you use to watch it.

[Bloggy]

Wow, full 1080p HD.HD streaming is available on the PC.Dish Network was the first to offer full 1080P and then Direct TV followed.