Uproar Over Netflix's New Instant Viewer

almechist writes "Many Netflix customers are up in arms over the new instant-watch player powered by Microsoft's Silverlight. The official Netflix blog is full of complaints from users who decry not only the new player's quality but also the way it's being distributed, with many claiming they were deceived into downloading it. Once you opt for the new player, the old Windows Media based player won't function, not on any computer associated with the account. The new player is supposedly still beta, but NF members are strongly encouraged (some say tricked) by NF into the so-called 'upgrade,' which is permanent — there is no way to opt out. The marked decrease in video quality seen by those who have switched is perhaps not surprising, since the old player could utilize bit streams up to twice as fast as the new one, but this information is nowhere given out by NF. So far NF has been answering all complaints with variations on 'tough luck pal, you're stuck with it,' but many customers are so disgusted they're ready to cancel their NF membership. This could be a public relations disaster in the making for Netflix."

Comments

whatever

[Anonymous Coward]

As one of those who was "tricked" into upgrading, I have to say the new player is x100 better then the old one. It's faster to load, doesn't freeze my computer completely while windows media does some random bullshit, the UI actually works, it runs on my mac, and it will scale the quality both down and up while playing, if network issues come and go.

As for quality, the new player consistently gives me high quality streams. The old "quality detector" seemed to be completely random.

Re:so just quit

[Gizzmonic]

Where is the talent anymore? Where are the complex hard to play and sing stuff? Oh, that's right, that takes 10-15 years of training, but we don't want to look at someone older than 20....

I've got a killer idea...MILF pop bands! They have the experience to satisfy! They train for 10-15 years...to pleasure your ears (and maybe, just maybe, your other parts!)