M+E Daily
RCDb Supplies BD-Live For Netflix’s PS3 Service
Story Highlights
Netflix is pushing the envelope of Blu-ray’s BD-Live technology with its “instant streaming” disc that brings the company’s online video renting service to PlayStation 3 owners.
The disc is the product of a technology licensing and services agreement between Netflix and Related Content Database (RCDb), which is providing Netflix with Blu-ray format consulting and BD-J software development for the PS3 implementation.
Available now for free to Netflix subscribers, the disc leverages BD-Live to access the Internet and activate the Netflix user interface on the console. Using the disc, Netflix members can choose a movie to watch from their “instant queue” or play titles directly from the site’s personalized categories. Users also can read synopses and rate movies on the Netflix site, and fast-forward and rewind the video stream.
“Netflix is dedicated to delivering a simple and elegant experience to its members,” says Netflix VP of Engineering Greg Peters in a press release. “The instant streaming disc for PS3 is the fastest and easiest way for Netflix members to enjoy instantly watching movies and TV episodes on the TV via the PS3. RCDb was integral in helping us deliver this experience.”
“We are excited about breaking new ground with Netflix,” adds RCDb CEO Zane Vella. “Blu-ray is now mainstream and BD-Live provides an important bridge between physical discs and premium digital content distribution.”
San Francisco-based RCDb says its BD-Live software is used by hundreds of Blu-ray titles as well as enterprise-class network services for both Hollywood studios and record labels.
