WeaKnees Blog

If you have a Series3 TiVo, a TiVo HD, or a TiVo HD XL, you can now stream instantly from Netflix!

This is a pretty amazing deal. In concept, it’s like using Amazon Unbox (now called ‘amazon video on demand‘ – yup, all lowercase). But the key here is that there is no limit to the amount of movies you can watch – all at the same monthly fee. And, this works with any of these plans from Netflix. (Note that sometimes Netflix offers a more restricted $4.99/month plan that does not offer unlimited streaming).

So, for example, you can subscribe at the $8.99/month level, get one DVD shipped to you at a time, and still have access to watch their library of streamable movies at the all-you-can-watch level.

So what’s the catch here? The shows that are available to “watch instantly” in Netflix’s parlance, are those movies and TV shows that they have on their servers and that they have permission to stream. So that makes up a library of 12,000 titles. That number is up from 10,000 a few weeks ago, but it’s still relatively small compared to the overall Netflix library of 100,000 titles.

As far as high definition programming, Netflix does support streaming HD content. But since there is no option to buffer for later viewing, you’ll need a very fast internet connection to take advantage of this. Netflix recommends 5 Mbps or above, which is not something most households have. Netflix automatically adjusts the resolution and quality to work with the current internet connection speed.

Here’s what you need to get started with this – and most of our customers have this already!

• A broadband internet connection: We can’t really help you here, but we’re guessing you’re wired.
• A Series3 TiVo or a TiVo HD: Any unit on our HD TiVo for Cable page will do the trick.
• A network connection from the TiVo: All of the TiVos that are compatible with Netflix have on-board ethernet. So if you can wire up to your router, great. If you want an easy way to run a wire through your powerlines, see the HomePlug products. If you need a wireless connection, you need the TiVo Wireless G adapter. Phone lines won’t do the trick here.
• A Netflix subscription. See the chart above – if you really just want the ability to stream, go with the $8.99/month plan. And if you click our link, you get two weeks free!

We’re all pretty impressed with this service. For as little as $8.99/month, you get more than you might get from having premium TV channels.