Want to rent 'Up?' No closed captions for you!

You'll be in for a disappointment if you decide to rent Disney/Pixar's Up instead of buying it, especially if you're hard of hearing. According to the Consumerist, copies of Up distributed to rental chains like Blockbuster, Netflix, and Redbox are missing nearly all special features, including closed captioning.

Stripped rental versions of movies aren't unheard-of, but there's a pretty big difference between cutting out commentary and featurettes, and cutting out subtitles. If you're hard of hearing, this is a pretty big problem. It's bad enough to not hear the fantastic voicework of Ed Asner and Bob Peterson as Carl and Dug, but to not be able to get any of the dialogue in any form? That's a low blow.

Of course, this only applies to rental versions of Up. If you buy the movie, it'll come fully-equipped.

— Will Greenwald

PS3 finally getting official Netflix streaming

It's almost time to rejoice, Sony fanboys. Sony has officially announced that Netflix content will be coming to the PS3 later this year. Unfortunately, it looks like you're going to have to jump through a few hoops to get at big red's content. You'll need an "instant streaming Blu-ray disc," which uses BD-Live in order to enable the service. That means you'll have to put that disc in every time you want to stream something. It's not an ideal solution, but all signs point to it being done up right with the next major software overhaul. On the plus side, this method does offer a few advantages, like the ability to add content to your queue right from the interface.

If you want to get in on the program, you'll have to go to the Netflix.com/ps3 and request one of the free Blu-ray discs. We suggest doing so as soon as possible if you don't want to see the dreaded "long delay."

Press release

Xbox Netflix update lets you watch with friends

A few days ago, I mentioned the new Xbox 360 update that includes some new Netflix features, such as browsing the service's streamable library directly from the Xbox. I've had some time to play around with it, and I've grown to appreciate another addition to the service just as much as the browsing.

The Xbox 360 update lets users who have Netflix form parties, and watch movies together. Instead of watching a video with those around you, you can sync it up with your friends across the country and enjoy the experience together in a virtual home theater. Users can even chat with voice chat using an Xbox 360-compatible headset, and their Xbox Live avatars can "emote," perform little animations expressing their opinions of the content.

Xbox 360 gets a Netflix update, exclusivity

The Xbox 360 has just gotten a major software update, adding a bunch of tweaks and features to its different non-gaming functions. Most notable is the newest Netflix features, which promise to make browsing and watching streaming videos much more convenient.

Previously, when you wanted to watch a Netflix video on your Xbox 360, you had to add it manually to your "Watch Instantly" queue, through the web site. This meant shlepping to your computer, browsing the Netflix library in your web browser, and adding each video you might want to watch on your Xbox. Now you can do that all on the console itself. The Xbox update lets users browse Netflix' Watch Instantly library directly through the system's interface, so you can add videos to your queue without getting off the couch.

Big names hit Netflix's streaming video library

I have a confession to make. I don't watch Lost. I love nearly every other sci-fi show out there, but I never got into the show.

I might give it another chance, now that it's available on by Xbox 360. Netflix has just released seasons 1-4 of Lost to its streaming video service. It's not the only ABC show to hit the Netflix online library; Desperate Housewives, Grey's Anatomy, and Legend of the Seeker are also now available on the service. Better still, the fifth seasons of Lost, Grey's Anatomy, and Desperate Housewives will come to the service in September, so you can catch up on all three shows just in time for their sixth seasons to premiere.

Usually a Netflix content update would slide under our radar, but these are some big shows, and are adding a lot to a service that, while convenient, has been suffering from a lack of major movie and television releases.

Now, if you excuse me, I have a lot to watch before I can really know what's going on at Wisteria Lane. The Island. I mean the Island. Don't judge me.

— Will Greenwald

[Source: EngadgetHD]

Sony brings Netflix to Bravia HDTVs, neglects PS3

The list of devices ready to bring Netflix's decidedly awesome online streaming service into your home theater is getting longer all the time. The latest addition is Sony's Internet-connected Bravia HDTVs. Whether you have a newer set with connectivity built-in, or you're using Sony's $300 external Bravia Link module, Netflix subscribers can start streaming sometime in the fall of this year. It's good to see it popping up in more places, but it does seem a little odd that Sony would hook up their TVs and leave PS3 users wanting. But hey, I get it. Convergence is a slow process.

Netflix delivers 2 billionth disc

We weren't thrilled with the news about Netflix upping their prices for Blu-ray subscribers (though, we understand), so we're happy to see some good news coming out of their camp. Alabama resident Clay Shannon had no idea that he was going to win a free lifetime subscription to Netflix when he added the Blu-ray version of Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist to his queue. That probably makes up for the fact he had to sit through the movie. According to the announcement, it took the company about eight years to ship their first billion and a little more than two years to ship the next billion. That's some pretty impressive growth, something we like to see when a lot of other companies are having some real trouble. I'm responsible for about 600 of those shipments, so it's kind of like I won, too. Only, I didn't. Oh well, maybe I'll get to be number 3 billion.

Check out the official announcement via Facebook

Blu-ray users to pay more for Netflix

I love Netflix. I have been a subscriber forever, so I'm a little sad to hear that the price for Blu-ray subscribers is going up again on April 27th. They announced the price increases this morning through their arsenal of social media outlets (Facebook via Twitter). I was actually a little surprised by how substantial the increase actually is. The full breakdown is copied after the jump, but those of you with the standard 3 at-a-time plans can plan on shelling out an extra $4 a month for your high def fix. They justify the increase by reminding us that they stock over 1,300 titles and that their selection has grown 60% in just half a year. Those actually seem like legitimate reasons, but I'm still a little bummed. It's not so much about the extra $4 a month, but rather that this will act as another reminder to the general public that Blu-ray is still pretty expensive compared to DVDs and other media. That's not good for business when everyone is going broke.

Got XBox? Get Netflix and Win!

Do you have an XBox? Have you ever considered adding the NXE-enabled Netflix streaming feature to it? No time like the present. Right now, Netflix has an sweepstake running right now, where weekly winners will be selected to win a kick-ass home theater, complete with a 58-inch Samsung plasma TV and a 1,200-watt 5.1 home theater system.

"Gold members can enter one of the weekly drawings online by downloading the registration gamer picture and activating their Netflix account on Xbox 360. Now you can experience the convenience of Netflix movies on Xbox 360 and have a chance to win one of the great home theater systems given away every week during the Xbox LIVE Activate Netflix & Win Sweepstakes. Just download the Activate Netflix & Win gamer picture to register, and then activate Netflix instant streaming on your Xbox 360 to enter. "

What have you got to lose?  --Leslie Shapiro

Xbox

LG's Netflix HDTV

Hope you didn't buy stock in Roku, the Netflix-enabled set-top box. At the moment, new LG owners have no need for that external box - or any other type of box. At CES, LG will be showing off its new line of LCD and plasma TVs with Netflix streaming software already built in. No Roku required.

The best part? The new sets from LG will support HD Netflix content. The remote control will enable viewers to fast-forward and rewind the downloaded stream.

Keep reading for all the details available from LG. --Leslie Shapiro