The latest step in the evolution of Windows Media Center in Windows Vista is synonymous with the integration of the Netflix service directly into the default component of Windows. According to Microsoft, Netflix membership in combination with Windows Media Center in either the Home Premium or the Ultimate SKUs of Vista will allow access to in excess of 12,000 movie titles and episodes from Netflix. Essentially users of the Home Premium and Ultimate editions of Vista will be able to see a new tile labeled Netflix under the “TV + Movies” category in Windows Media Center. Loging into the Netflix account will permit users to stream content right to their PCs.

“You will be able to search the entire Netflix library right from Windows Media Center, and manage both your Instant and DVD Queues. Windows Media Center will also take advantage of Netflix’s “recommended” categories,” explained Brandon LeBlanc, Windows communications manager on the Windows Client Communications Team. “You can also use your Windows Media Center remote to navigate the player controls and queues for Netflix in Windows Media Center too!”

The videos embedded at the bottom of the article will offer a perspective over just how Netflix integrates with Vista's Windows Media Center. Microsoft said nothing about making Netflix content available for Windows 7's Windows Media Center at this point in time, but the company emphasized that the offering was only valid for Vista so far.

“Netflix in Windows Media Center is powered by Silverlight,” LeBlanc added. “If you also have an Xbox LIVE Gold membership and have been streaming Netflix movies and TV episodes to your Xbox 360, this offering will work for you as well (same Instant and DVD queues and all!). Netflix in Windows Media Center currently will work only for Windows Vista Home Premium and Ultimate users today.”


Netflix in Windows Media Center


Getting Netflix in Windows Media Center