Netlflix Streaming Video Now Available to Mac Users

Netflix's 'Watch Instantly' functionality is on the move again, now inviting Mac users to join the video streaming party. Netflix Streaming video through Watch Instantly has been available for a while via conduits like the PC, Roku's Netflix player and LG and Samsung Blu-ray devices and Xbox 360. This newest venture into the realm of Apple though could pose a significant threat to Apple TV, which although it has an important edge over Netflix in the amount of available new and HD content, also requires payment per piece of media and the purchase of additional hardware (two versions: $229 & $329).

Mac owners are of course some of the most loyal consumers out there, but if these same consumers happen to have a Netflix unlimited account already they can stream all the content they want starting at $8.99/month. Is that going to be tempting? Uh, yeah. At the moment, this service is in open beta and requires the download of a new player, which literally takes seconds. Potential Netflix subscribers can see information on the service for Macs in the FAQ section of the Netflix's How It Works page. Existing subscribers can see more detailed information at Netflix's Silverlight Movie Player page after they sign in. The new player is designed to work with PCs as well as Macs and downloading, and word to the wise, it will negate your ability to use the older player. Specs required of Macs include:

• An Intel-based Mac with OS 10.4.8 or later
• Safari 3 or higher; or Firefox 2 or higher
• 1 GB RAM

I just downloaded the player and picked a quick movie. It took less than 30 seconds to queue the movie, and again without any additional cost to the unlimited fee of less than $20/month I'm already paying. My spider sense is tingling Apple TV.

--Tom Milnes