NXE is Getting NetFlix in HD

It’s been officially announced that the first streaming HD content from NetFlix will be on the NXE coming to the 360 in mid-November.  This is huge because HD content from NetFlix isn’t available through their PC based streaming or through the set-top Roku player that supports NetFlix streaming.

This is a huge coup for the 360 crowd, and I’m not exactly sure how we scored it.  Regardless, this makes one of the key features of the NXE even better.  So to tally it all up, if you have Xbox live and NetFlix subscriptions, you get access to all the NetFlix streaming content, some in HD, and access to StarZ programming which NetFlix recently announced they’ll be getting.  It’s been mentioned before, but this is huge, especially since you won’t have to hand over one extra red cent.

Am I the only one that cares about this? Is this a big deal to any other Xbox users out there?

NXE Fanboy Time?

Ok, so normally I don’t gush over big companies looking out for the little guy, but today is an exception.  While I haven’t looked into every single new feature coming, one particular piece of the “New Xbox Experience” (NXE) has me extremely excited.

I have a 360.  I have Xbox Live.  I have NetFlix.  I love movies.

The NXE is going to actually bring all that together for me at no extra charge or change to my current setup.  Once released, the NXE will allow NetFlix subscribers to stream their ‘Play Now’ libraries directly to their Xbox as opposed to their PC.   This is huge for me.

Granted, it’s not all charity.  NetFlix is trying to keep up w/ constantly changing media consumption preferences and distinguish itself as a bigtime player for the consistently predicted but yet to arrive on demand/download movie revolution.  Microsoft wins in that they 1) further distinguish Xbox Live as the premier online service and 2) improve on an already huge selling point for MS gaming platforms now and in the future.

And just when I thought that was all, a nice little announcement came out detailing a deal between NetFlix and Starz to allow the streaming of Starz content to NetFlix subscribers.  Grande, as this is basically handing out a pay channel for free.

Is this a big deal to anyone else or am I alone on this little wagon ride?