Watch Instantly Doesn't Work on Vista 64-bit...why?

[mcgregor]

Is anyone else having a problem running Vista 64-bit and watching "Instantly?" I cannot express my annoyance over this; a brand new computer, a fully capable operating system, and yet no Netflix. I'm not sure what the hold-up is in supporting a very common operating system or what the reasoning is for purposefully not supporting it. I can't make sense of this.

I'm a big fan of getting movies in the mail, but this has definitely tainted my overall satisfaction.

Does anyone know of any solutions/work-arounds/fixes? I hope they remedy this soon.

[NetflixJunkie]

64-bit computing is becoming more common, but I wouldn't label it as common. There are many applications that work fine on 32-bit systems that have issues with their 64-bit counterpart.

There could easily be driver incompatibilities between 32 and 64-bit versions of operating systems.

Have you called NF support? Perhaps, they have heard of others with the same type of issue.

[Spartacus]

Definitely call the tech guys. If there's a solution, they'll have it.

[mcgregor]

Yes, I talked with Tech Support. The rep I talked to said that he thought there would be a solution, but that he didn't really have a "time line." I'm just bummed that there always seems to be a catch to the simplest things.

I do realize that 64-bit machines are not completely mainstream, but they have been around for decades and should certainly be more common as home computers evolve.

All-in-all, I wish Netflix had a "Watch Instantly" ready to go for a 64-bit system. Their mail service is top-notch in my experience so far.

Thanks for the replies.

[Robowriter]

64-bit is not a "little thing" or an off-the-shelf solution. What is yours, a corporate laptop?

[Patrick]

Vista 64 IS common and IS available off-the-shelf. My sister got a new laptop with Vista 64 and didn't even know the difference until small things like this crept up! Netflix should DEFINATELY have a 64bit client available NOW since many customers will start getting this problem and not have any idea why it doesn't work for them.

[Steve Laz]

I wouldn't be able to explain the why's and how's, but I have a 64bit system running Vista ultimate 64bit and I don't have any issues with Watch instantly, I have been able to watch videos from NF from the first day I got it running.

[mcgregor]

Very interesting... I should probably try again since it's been awhile. Thanks for the note. There's hope!

[BobMcKenzie]

I just discovered this problem, and I believe found a fix/work around.

I was defaulting to the 64-bit version of IE7.. Seeing Steve Laz's reply made me remember that Vista was launching the 32-bit version of IE to begin with..

Switched to using the 32-bit version (listed under the Program List), and wallah.. I can Watch Instantly now! :]

[The Real Uncle Bob]

Yay!

Netflix staff should edit the info here:

http://www.netflix.com/Help?action=2&jsEnabled=false&faqtrk...

to read:

Internet Explorer version 6 or higher, 32-bit version

[Taipans]

I have Windows Vista 64 on all three of my home computers. Its becoming more common everywhere. Although the instant view mostly works for me, it does lock up at random, so I am assuming its a Vista issue.

My IE was opening by default on the 32-bit version.