Linux and Netflix

[Joseph]

I have been a paying customer of netflix for about a year now. Within the last 2 months I have migrated from windows Vista to Ubuntu Linux. I was quite disappointed when I found out that netflix does not support linux with it's "Watch it Now" feature.

Now, what I don't understand is the fact that soon you will be able to steam netflix video on your Nokia cell phone, xbox360, and PS3... but yet linux continues to be ignored.

So it has come down to this...

If hulu and amazon can support linux users, why should I continue to bother with netflix? So, until linux is supported consider me one less paying customer to your site.

[Joseph]

I use Ubuntu 9.04 Desktop on my laptop, and I run a server in my basement with Ubuntu 9.04 Server Edition.

The main reason I run Linux is for web development. It is easier to integrate my laptop and server so I am not always having to use FTP. I can make live changes to projects I am working on.

I have to agree with Sock Puppet on his statement below though. I used windows for over 10 years. I have only had issues with any version twice. Once because a friend brought over a virus on a disk. And the other event was back in my "hacker" wanna be days. My computer was attacked because I was stupid. I deserved it. =)

I think the reason why Linux is "more secure and more stable" is because more intelligent people use it. Not to say that intelligent people do not use Windows. But windows has a much larger customer base. You need to know a little bit more about a computer to use Linux, or hell... to even know what Linux is...

Windows has treated me fine in the past. The big reason I don't use it? Well, cost. I also find the Linux more inviting and challenging.

It all comes down to this... If you don't want an STD stay out of the whore house. The same can be said about the internet. ;-)

[Pihk]

"Netflix: you once had Flash support before, just add it again."

Forgive me for interrupting your technical discussion with something that might be actually relevant, but if you are talking about the old player they used, that was back when IW had mebbe 1-2K titles, half of which were 70s and 80s movies from Troma and the like (good times for trash movie fans!)

Could the switch to Silverlight and it's associated DRM possibly, in some manner, to some degree, be related to the huge growth of the instant catalog since and the explosion of more mainstream studio films?

Maybe? Just maybe?

[progpen]

Faking a system ID is a non-issue, a distraction.

[eschersand]

netflix doesn't just send a flash stream, it does something complicated to prevent people from just ripping the movies from instant play. however, someone did find a way of downloading decoding them.

if that R&D was taken and used on linux it may be possible to create a app that watches the movies without having to use Wine.

i dunno. I just Joined tonight to watch Instant Play.
now that I see they don't support Linux, i sit here debating if I should cancel or not.

Probably just cancel until someone hacks Moonlight.

[Sock Puppet]

it does something complicated to prevent people from just ripping the movies from instant play.

Yuppers, that's what DRM (Digital Rights) is for. The stream is encoded/encrypted and unless you have the appropriate key to decode/decrypt the content, you cannot view it. Nor is it as easy to decode as you suggest.

This is the reason why Netflix chose Silverlight... Because the studios wanted their content protected, flash doesn't do that, and until the Linux users take up arms and get MS to allow DRM to be used for Moonlight, that is the only reason why you cannot use IW.

And before yous say... "BUT HULU...." that is because the networks OWN Hulu, and the can apply different rights/rules to their own content.

[Joseph]

until the Linux users take up arms and get MS to allow DRM to be used for Moonlight

Really? I think you have this a bit backwards friend. The Moonlight project is waiting for MICROSOFT to allow them to use the DRM technology. I don't know of one linux user that would take issue with it. Nice try though.

[shoeman22]

Well there are a lot of Linux folks that take issue with stuff like DRM and closed source in general, but that's not really the point here.

NVIDIA drivers are a great example of a binary blob Linux folks have come to accept and really rely on. Hell, without it, there's no way my HTPC would even be able to render the Netflix content so this whole topic would be truly pointless.

For pragmatists like I think most folks on this thread are, if Microsoft released a binary blob like NVIDIA has, it would also be embraced and appreciated.

[Sock Puppet]

The true bottom line is that Netflix will not ever be able to provide any open sourced streams, the studios do not allow it. So without some form of digital encryption that is acceptable by the studios...

You're sort of damed if you do, and damed if you don't.

[shoeman22]

While it would be absolutely awesome if we ever got to the point where open unencrypted streams were the norm and the studios were cool with it, that's not what we're asking for here.

We just want the same access windows, roku, ps3 and lots of blu-ray players enjoy today. The stream would still be encrypted and we'd use Microsoft's DRM binary to play it.

This is the exact same experience a windows or mac user has today. We just want that same functionality on the linux platform.

[Sock Puppet]

Errr how do I have it backwards? Moonlight (so linux users can use it for IW) needs MS to allow them to use DRM technology... Which if you look at what I said, (and what you quoted) is exactly what I said.

Well actually I said that Linux users (who would need Moonlight with DRM support) should put pressure on Microsoft to allow its use, but its the same...

Which is also what I have been saying quite a bit, while its OK if you all debate the issue here at Movie Lovers, we are not the people that can do anything about it, we are not even associated with Netflix, and they rarely contribute anything here as it is.

[Joseph]

Wow, sorry. I just re-read it and realized I had completely read that wrong. Sorry mate. =) I had just gotten out of work, so my mind was still a little off.

[Sock Puppet]

No worries! Surprisingly I am on your side, even though I am a windows user. I just know how businesses work, and as the Sleeper said below...

Until M$ gives it up, there really isn't anything that Netflix can do.