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Netflix Finally Gets Download Option (netflix.com)
For years, people asked Netflix to give them the ability to download movies and TV episodes. Though this might not seem like that big of a deal in many regions where internet connectivity is cheap and omnipresent, same is not the case everywhere, especially in developing regions. Netflix is finally addressing this need: the on-demand media streaming service said Wednesday that people can now download shows on their Android and iOS devices . From the company's blog post: Just click the download button on the details page for a film or TV series and you can watch it later without an internet connection. Many of your favorite streaming series and movies are already available for download, with more on the way, so there is plenty of content available for those times when you are offline.It's worth pointing out that the offline playback -- or the ability to download videos isn't available on desktop platforms. Also, it appears that a heck lot of shows currently don't have this feature -- as of today.
This is a game changer for air travel, I've had to depend on rentals from Google or Amazon, now I can cache Netflix? Nice.
Yes, THIS.
It's a shame because most streaming devices like the Apple TV and Roku and such have several gigabytes of local flash memory they could use for caching, but apps like Netflix and HBO Now don't make much use of it.
When you hit "play" it should start downloading video as fast as your connection can carry, and cache as much of it as there is available free space. If properly implemented, with a fast connection you should be able to unplug the network 15 minutes into your show and be able to watch the rest of the episode without issue.
Not only will performance improve, but keeping the episode cached will greatly improve the performance of seeking around in the video, and avoid redownloading video if you want to go back and watch a scene again because you missed what was said.
If it only lets you download in a format that only plays on their proprietary player, then it's not an improvement at all. Give users the ability to download actual video.
How is it not an improvement? You already have to use their player. There isn't a chance in hell of any studio (including the ones that actually make the "Netflix Originals") allowing unencrypted downloads that play outside the player so that will never happen. At least this way you can take the content offline, which you could not before. That is, by definition, an improvement.
I browse on +1 so AC's need not respond, I won't see it.
Increase the streaming catalog to include everything they have in their mailing only DVD catalog.
And you will be OK with paying $100 per month for the subscription then, right? It's not like that content is free. They can't just rip the DVDs they have and put it online for you to watch.
I browse on +1 so AC's need not respond, I won't see it.