Netflix Set-top Box to Allow for Legal Movie Downloads Off Your Computer

Read Content Producer Jason Cangialosi's preview of the Netflix Set-top Box.

Now, is it really fair that Blockbuster is having so many problems competing with Netflix? Technically speaking, their online DVD rental services cost about the same amount, movies are delivered in about the same amount of time, and Blockbuster actually rents games online in addition to their DVD’s which Netflix does not. Going down the line comparing Netflix vs. Blockbuster, it seems like Blockbuster should be doing extremely well. 

Fair or not, Netflix has a serious advantage over Blockbuster. Their member base is at more than 3 million subscribers, and they’re about to one-up the competition in a fantastic way: movies delivered overnight directly to a box attached to your television.

VP of original programming, Eric Besner revealed the plan, noting that the business model is still being ironed out but some things are pretty sure. One of the “pretty sure” things is the way that the Netflix movie set-top box will work (reportedly – it’s not been released yet). 

Members will continue to pay a flat fee for their subscription service in return for movies that are downloaded to their home television. The fee for current services starts at $5.99, and goes up depending on the plan you choose – the most premium plan allows you to take out an unlimited number of movies every single month.

Instead of waiting the 3-5 days on a DVD to come in the mail, though, Netflix users have even more ease. The movies in your queue (up to the number allowed by your subscription plan) are downloaded overnight to the Netflix box and all you have to do is choose which movie you want to watch from the list plugged right into your TV. 

No more walking to the mailbox to pick up and return your DVDs – which is really cool in itself – you will now be able to plop right down on your couch and bask in all the movie goodness. When you’re done with a movie, you just add a new one to the online queue at the Netflix website like you do right now. 

Netflix could be streaming videos right to your television via a set top box by the end of the year.

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