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Netflix to Soon Let Users Download Videos, Says Report (dslreports.com)

Posted by msmash on from the convenience-vs-necessity dept.

Karl Bode, writing for DSLReport:Netflix will soon let users download and store videos locally, according to Penthera (a Pittsburgh-based firm that focuses on delivery of HD media to mobile devices by storing content on the recipient device) COO Dan Taitz and a report over at Light Reading. Taitz told the outlet that it shouldn't be long before the feature arrives. Netflix has been working harder to help consumers manage broadband caps, and being able to download a video on Wi-Fi for later viewing would go a long way in helping users (especially on wireless networks) that consistently find themselves hamstrung by their monthly usage allotments. "We know from our sources within the industry that Netflix is going to launch this product," Taitz tells the outlet. "My expectation is that by the end of the year Netflix will be launching download-to-go as an option for their customers."Bold move, if it does happen.

13 of 83 comments (clear)

  1. Over the MPAA's dead body by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    The tantrums will be a wonder to behold.

    1. Re:Over the MPAA's dead body by swb · · Score: 4, Interesting

      They're afraid of it, but Netflix and Amazon are becoming forces of their own in content creation. The MPAA will make the anti-piracy aspect of it horribly complex, but it will reach the point where it's something they either allow or streaming services won't buy their content and they become irrelevant.

      The direction content seems to be heading isn't towards standalone 2 hour movies, but serial shows which when binge watched are kind of indistinguishable from 8-10 hour movies. A big budget movie is $100 million dollars and so is a Game of Thrones season, yet it delivers 10 hours versus 2 hours for a movie.

    2. Re:Over the MPAA's dead body by beanpoppa · · Score: 2

      ...which I have no problem with on a subscription service. I am paying a low fee for the temporary ability to view a large catalog on-demand. I don't have an issue with DRM in this case, except when it interferes with my ability to watch such as with data caps, or when I'm on a poor/no network area (airplane). This addresses those issues. Where I don't accept the DRM is when I 'buy' a digital copy of a movie. If I am dependent on the distributor to affirm my privilege to watch the movie in a month, year, 20 years, etc, then I don't own it.

  2. hmmm by robux_for_roblox · · Score: 2

    I dont see how this would enable them to keep making a profit

    1. Re:hmmm by Githaron · · Score: 3, Informative

      The same way Spotify does.

    2. Re:hmmm by Darinbob · · Score: 3, Interesting

      The question from me is, what happens when Netflix loses the rights to the movie, which happens every few months when a lot of existing selections vanish and new ones show up? Are the downloaded movies no longer playable?

  3. They already did by xxxJonBoyxxx · · Score: 5, Informative

    They already did:
    https://yro.slashdot.org/story/16/06/24/1551210/chrome-bug-makes-it-easy-to-download-movies-from-netflix-and-amazon-prime

    1. Re:They already did by Flavianoep · · Score: 2

      The bug you can't fix will soon become a feature.

      --
      Linux is for people who don't mind RTFM.
  4. Probably the Amazon Video model by Jim+Hall · · Score: 5, Interesting

    The article doesn't say, but here's my thought:

    I expect this will use a model similar to Amazon Video, where you can download Amazon Prime videos for offline viewing using the Amazon Video app (such as iPad) and they automatically expire in a few weeks. For movies and shows you've purchased via Amazon Video, you can also download for later viewing and those don't go away. But I think the "Amazon Prime" model applies to Netflix here.

    So I wouldn't expect you to be able to download a movie to your home media server and watch it for free forever. You're likely going to be stuck watching it from whatever device you downloaded it on, using the Netflix app.

    This seems to be a trend in the industry. I was part of a focus group from HBO where they asked a bunch of questions about "What if we allowed you to download 'n' movies and shows using the HBO Now app on your phone or iPad, and gave you 'x' amount of time to watch them? How long should 'x' be? How many should 'n' be?" I got the impression from the interviews that HBO is thinking about doing this too. HBO even cited the Amazon model, and asked if I used this feature {I do, on iPad} and how many shows and movies I usually download at a time {about 4 shows} and if I can watch them in two weeks {yes}.

    It's not a bad compromise.

  5. Re:Not Surprised by Voyager529 · · Score: 2

    Got to keep those bandwidth costs down!

    Well, think about it. ISPs cite peak hour congestion because everyone is streaming during primetime. If I could set my iPad to kick off a download at 3AM that I could watch the next day, that helps stagger the network usage so it levels out better...and if you've ever attempted to use Wi-Fi at an airport, this would be an amazing thing on both ends - fewer people needing the Wi-Fi relieves congestion for those who do.

    I've been a fan of Netflix making a "Magical Netflix Box" that allowed queuing and off-peak downloading, as well as transfers between MNBs, rather than hitting up the Netflix servers for content where possible. If it's kept encrypted and unreachable by traditional network means (trail blazed by the AT&T and Verizon microcells), it'd be entirely possible to make everyone happy by distributing the load.

  6. don't expect a usable format by Gravis+Zero · · Score: 2

    Having dealt with the head netflix guy pushing the EME, I can tell you for a certainty that if it's downloadable then it will require need to phone home periodically for the duration of the video which means that you will not be able to view the video offline. The reason for this bullshit is simple, it's in the contracts they made to license the content.

    --
    Anons need not reply. Questions end with a question mark.
  7. Re:But... by psyclone · · Score: 2

    I think Windows is your problem, and maybe your ISP.

    Netflix on Android or Roku is smooth. At worst when a video starts (nearly instantly) it will be in low resolution then eventually (never more than the introduction) switch to higher res once their fancy algorithms figure out the best quality for your available bandwidth.

    Offline viewing like Google Play would be amazing for traveling - pre-download the content then watch while you are in the car/bus/train/plane or where there is none or costly internet access.

  8. Limited by markdavis · · Score: 2

    >"Netflix will soon let users download and store videos locally"

    Maybe by using some proprietary, DRM-laden, MS-Windows-Only binary. Or perhaps just for the clients on which they feel the client OS is under their full control. So don't hold your breath for Linux support.

    Interestingly, this is not a new concept. TiVo has been doing this for a while now with anything it records (allowing you to upload it to an Android/iOS device for off-line viewing). And the even older concept was Amazon Video with TiVo- the TiVo would download the video in the background, you could watch it later or immediately. All the advantages of streaming but also with all the advantages of having it local (play over and over, super-fast cue/review and jumping, never any stuttering, controlled bandwidth, etc).