Netflix Will Not Be Streaming 1080p This Year

The prices of HDTVs have fallen significantly over the past few years. So much so that mainstream shoppers have been purchasing HDTVs in record numbers. Due to the rapid adoption of High Definition Television's and the death of analog HD broadcasting -- media companies like Netflix are pumping out (digital) HD content. Today, 1080p is the most sought after resolution for broadcasting as it is considered "full high definition."

Nearly two-thirds of U.S. households now have an HDTV, and another 12 percent are looking to purchase one in the next two years. If the numbers are accurate and the forecast bears out, that means that in 2013 about three out of four American households will have upgraded to HDTV

-Geoff Duncan, Digital Trends

Netflix intimately understands the financial benefits of distributing HD content. For the 2010 development road map -- Netflix explained that the company would be pushing out 1080p for its Watch Instantly streaming service. This was very exciting news -- especially for Xbox owners who have the benefit of Netflix and the Zune Market Place. Microsoft launched 1080p streaming content in March of 2009.

Unfortunately, the good news was short lived and Netflix recanted its initial remarks about 1080p for the Watch Instantly service.

Netflix now claims that it incorrectly acknowledged 1080p streaming in the company's 2010 development road map.

-Josh Lowensohn, CNET News

It's unclear why Netflix is withdrawing the statement but perhaps it has something to do their requirements for streaming video. These are not official numbers but 720p streaming will require 5Mbps (or higher) and 1080p streaming will require 10Mbps (or higher). At present, the Netflix Watch Instantly service is 720p.

With exception of Netflix recanting the roll out of 1080p -- the company is still on track to push out 5.1 channel surround sound and closed captioning, this year.

 

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Comments

[NHBill]

09:47 AM on 02/10/2010

First of all Broadcaste­rs max out at 1080I not 1080P. Most are broadcasti­ng in 720P. BluRay is really the only true way to enjoy 1080P video. But here is the dirty little secret about HD video. You need a massive screen to tell the difference­. Most normal humans cannot discern any difference between 720P and 1080P on a screen size of 50" or less. So unless you are using an extremely high quality video projector or a 60" plus flat screen you probably won't care.

[DRaymond]

08:45 PM on 02/09/2010

I think the one-two punch was the quantity of bandwidth that Netflix would have to purchase and the fact that so few places have the bandwidth to reliably accept 1080p streaming.

Meanwhile I am quite happy with my blu-ray disk subscripti­on with Netflix, but I guess I am a more patient person.

[Wickywoo]

02:48 PM on 02/09/2010

Considerin­g that virtually no homes can actually sustain a real 1080p signal streaming over the net (2MB/sec would be a bare minimum sustained transfer, virtually no one can break 1MB/sec, and I've never seen anyone sustain that in the US), does this really matter? Why is a pixelly dynamic range crushed 1080p signal desireable at all? If you want 1080p, quality, buy Blu-ray. If you want something disposible to watch, then an already highly compressed and super-soft 720p signal which is what most people are capable of sustaining certainly is adequate

[Matthew Therault]

03:14 PM on 03/01/2010

I sustain over 2MB/Sec easily. Uverse, and Fios have no issue with this. Fios Mainly, but I use Uverse. I normally get 2.01 MB/Sec. I regularly use Zune marketplac­e for 1080p content, and there are no issues. There isn't any pixelation­, and sound is great. Please site your sources for this pixilated video. Blu-ray is not going to be the future. Digital distrobuti­on will. This is why it does matter.

[ZoharLaor]

02:38 PM on 02/09/2010

"the company is still on track to push out 5.1 channel surround sound and closed captioning­, this year"

I think this is huge, especially the CC.

[Ramon Nuez]

03:11 PM on 02/09/2010

Yes, these are two great features. I am a fan of the 5.1 surround sound. I am still bummed about not having 1080p streaming.