You can find more information about vmcNetFlix, it's features, and also download the beta version at the following project page:

http://myweb.cableone.net/eluttmann04/projects/vmcNetFlix/default.htm

Feel free to use this forum to provide comments & feedback.

Major Features Currently Included

• Stream WatchNow movies directly to the Media Center player.
• Download WatchNow movies to a "Watch Later" gallery.
• Support for Vista Extenders on both x86 and x64 platforms.
• Support for NetFilx Instant Queue.
• Support for Episode listings.
• Search for movies by keyword.
• Browse DVD and WatchNow movies by genres.
• Sort Gallery by Title, Year, or Star Rating.
• View your queue, history, and recommendations.
• Add, remove, move movies in your queue.
• Supports DVD/Movie Partental Controls. 
• Dynamically switch between small, medium and large gallery listings using FastForward and Rewind buttons on your remote.
• Switch to full screen anytime video is playing by simply pressing the Play button on your remote.
• Prevents standby/sleep while downloads are still in the queue - requires Vista Media Center PC to be configured in "Away Mode". 

 

For those using the Silverlight Player

• Adding support for the Silverlight Player was just a 'quick fix' in order to <somewhat> address the issue.  These modifications do not force the use of the Silverlight Player, it really just gives you the 'option' to view the movie using the web browser versus streaming directly to Windows Media Player. 
• When using the web browser, netflix chooses which player to use.  If your setup to use the old netflix player, it should still use the old netflix player.  If your setup to use the Silverlight Player, it should use the Silverlight Player.  
• To use the web browser (instead of streaming directly to Media Player) you have to set the option in Settings->Movie Player.
• If using the Silverlight Player, it should automatically go to Full Screen once the movies plays.  "Pause" and "Play" should work.  "Stop"  will close the player an return to the vmcNetflix app. When you "stop" and then replay the movie, it should start where it left off - this is a feature implemented in the Silverlight player.
• At this point I don't know if streaming to an extender (or XBox360) will work using the Web Browser interface.  Also, I don't know if the ability to control the movie player using the remote will exist either.
• If you account is setup to use the Silverlight Player, you cannot use the download features.  Also, if your account is setup to use the Silverlight Player, you cannot go back to the older Netflix player.

 

For list of known issues, installation steps, steps to setup extender, and troubleshooting the extender setup :

See http://myweb.cableone.net/eluttmann04/projects/vmcNetFlix/default.htm

 

Version History

See http://myweb.cableone.net/eluttmann04/projects/vmcNetFlix/default.htm

Looks very good:-)

Will try when I get home.

Thanks!

P.S. One thing I've been wondering is, that it would be great to have a setting where we see only Watch Now, rather than a plethora of menu items.

At least in my case, 99.9% of the time in VMC, all care is Watch Now.

If I am actually browsing for movies to add to my que, I normally use a browser - it's simply easier and more intuitive.

There are 4 "gallerys" - One to Browse DVDs (ones you get in the mail), one to only Browse Instant (Watch Now movies), one to view your queued items (at home, reciently returned, recommended), and one to view delayed viewing items (ones that have been already downloaded and ready for viewing).

The default when entering main menu is to select the Browse Instant - I too typically only care about the Watch Now. 

 

It sounds just like what I am looking for, I'll definitely will try this tonight.

I just installed and it looks great. It installed quickly and ran with no problems at all. The WatchNow streamed very well. I like it.

Does this work on an extender?

good looking so far.  2 questions

1. For tv serieses, are you going to add the episode listings?
2. I cant get by the license acquisition page??

> Does this work on an extender?
I don't know if it works with an extender, I don't have one to test with.

Armaheadon:

I just installed and it looks great. It installed quickly and ran with no problems at all. The WatchNow streamed very well. I like it.

did it ask for license aquisition?  i cant get by this page

The stream does not work on the extender.  Testing out a download now.

> 1. For tv serieses, are you going to add the episode listings?

This is something I can add to the ToDo list.

> 2. I cant get by the license acquisition page??

Hmmm, is it that the license acquisition failed or you just can select a button to get past it?

I think I got that page once when I didn't have the "Download usage rights automatically when I play or sync a file" option selected in Windows Media player application.  I found that option in Windows MediaPlayer->Tools->Options->Privacy Tab.  After selecting that, the page never came up again.

the continue button for the license is grayed out.  I checked that checkbox, it was already checked :(

> killervette wrote the following post at 03-21-2008 8:10 PM:

got it working.  another question,  how is the quality determined for the download currently?

It's done quite simple right now ... In the registry, I default the max stream to 1500Kbps and 5000Kbps for downloads (that should be the max, because when downloading the speed is not as critical as when streaming). 

The thought was I could add some config/settings option to override this later.  Right now, you could do this manually as well.  The registry values are located at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\vmcNetFlix.

 

- EricL