Netflix on modest HTPC w/Windows 7 Media Center

[amdhunter]

I have a modest htpc w/following specs:

Athlon II X4 620 running at 1.4GHz (1.2v) w/6GB DDR3
AMD 785G-based ASUS motherboard
Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit

I am interested in using Netflix through 7 Media Center. I have 2 questions.

1) I don't care for physical media, what is the cheapest unlimited streaming plan I can get?

2) Is 1.4GHz too slow to stream Netflix? I can play almost all 1080p videos perfectly fine with 0 dropped frames. Will Netflix need more power? (If so, I probably will not use it, my case is extremely small and the processor overheats @ stock voltages/stock clock.)

 

[alyarb]

netflix is 720p at best, so you have plenty of CPU. they had plans for 1080p but aren't doing it this year. they are, however, very serious about video streaming since they've managed to seize some serious high ground in this market. They don't have any streaming-only plans yet, but I imagine they will be around $10 per month. Otherwise you'd have to just be a regular member and pay the $14.

 

[amdhunter]

netflix is 720p at best, so you have plenty of CPU. they had plans for 1080p but aren't doing it this year. they are, however, very serious about video streaming since they've managed to seize some serious high ground in this market. They don't have any streaming-only plans yet, but I imagine they will be around $10 per month. Otherwise you'd have to just be a regular member and pay the $14.

Thanks. I am customizing the menus in media center as I type this. As soon as I get everything 100% the way I want, and activate windows, I am signing up. Hopefully it will be less than 2 hours or so.

I'll update with my results.

 

[taltamir]

its netflix, there are only 4 plans. all of them offer streaming. the lowest one is 2DVDs a month and 2 hours of streaming only. one above it is like 7 or 8 dollars and is 1DVD at a time, unlimtied DVDs per month, unlimited streaming.

As for HTPC... just do it.
Be aware that for best result a wired connection should be used. Or wireless N.

 

[Knavish]

Yeah I don't think you'll have any problems at 1.4Ghz. I've always found Netflix to be really low CPU usage on my 620. I haven't ever seen any 720p or higher video, though.

Hulu, on the other hand, might be a problem. If you're running that video card accelerated Flash it should work.

I'm pretty sure the cheapest unlimited streaming plan is the One DVD Out at A Time / Unlimited per Month plan at $8.99 / month.

 

[vshah]

i thought netflix doesn't stream in HD to computers, only standalone devices...?

 

[pukemon]

i thought netflix doesn't stream in HD to computers, only standalone devices...?

In Windows 7 Home Premium's (and higher) Windows Media Center, you can add Netflix streaming - it's a separate download within the WMC interface. Dunno if it works in Vista's Windows Media Center or not.

 

[Modelworks]

netflix uses silverlight for video and silverlight will use video acceleration if the card supports it.