Earlier this week, the Nielsen media research company posted a breakdown of Netflix and Hulu devices by usage. Though the PC is far and away the most common Hulu platform, the Netflix numbers are a tad more surprising.
While 42% of all Netflix customers use the PC, 12% use the Xbox 360, 13% use the PS3, and 25% use the Wii. Yes, you heard that correctly. The gaming console that lacks high definition and surround sound output is the most popular non-PC way to stream Netflix.
I know a few people who would shake their head at this statistic, but I personally don't see it as some poor misfortune. I offered my positive impressions of the Wii's service when it launched last spring, and since then, it has only improved. Obviously, the greater number of households that own a Wii over a PS3 or 360 means that the Wii would be used more, but at least these people aren't getting some half-assed, crippled service like some would have you believe.
Also, I'd like to point out a report from earlier this year stating that the PS3 leads bandwidth usage as the Wii trails. This doesn't contradict the new information when you realize that HD vs. SD streaming would be the primary culprit behind bandwidth consumption.
What Netflix and Hulu Users are Watching… and How [Nielsen Wire]
Contest:
1:00 PM on 07.30.2011 | 
*gasp*
But hey, of course people watch their netflix in SD, it seems like everybody who isn't into technology can't see HD. I've seen an amazing number of TVs in people home with a 16:9 program in SD (so, letterboxed to 4:3) on their HDTV, and on top of that stretched to fit the 16:9 ratio of the TV (a real mess). The punch line being that they have the same channel in HD, but they don't mind, they can't see the difference.
So yeah, people just prefer convenience over picture quality or integrity.
I have quite a few gamer friends with their 360 or PS3 connected to an HDTV in their bedrooms, while the living room has an older SD TV connected to their Wii where family or friends will Netflix movies or shows.
@Tony: I'm always looking for good new anime. Would you recommend Casshern Sins?
You can't go back!
I actually have not started Casshern Sins yet. However, I would totally recommend Golgo 13. That show will put hair on your chest.
On my home connection, HD programs load up in about 5 seconds on my 360 and PS3 - sometimes it takes even longer on the Wii, with it's wonky wireless only connection (even directly near the router).
I'm still confused as to why Nintendo didn't want to place a cheap Ethernet port on the console. I used to make CAT-5 myself - the raw materials for the jack are literally pennies.
I've heard of it, but haven't tried. It sounds really weird.
@Magnalon
I've got my Wii connected via Ethernet, and videos load up super fast. However, even my cousin's Wii, which is in the adjacent room and uses the wireless connection, connects at roughly the same speed. Both are faster that the Samsung Blu-ray player in the other room that also connects to Netflix.
Play games.
So the Wii Ethernet adapter thingamajig works? That's nice to know! I might have to buy it.
If 3-D TV gets big, it'll be like all these people skipped the HD generation because it has gone so unused...
Plus, the picture is going to be in SD regardless of the quality of the TV if the connection is bad.
It also makes a great secondary outlet for other house members to use Netflix on a secondary TV while 360/PS3 are used to play games (you know, their primary function).
Oh, and you don't have to make an(other) account to use it on your Wii, unlike the PS3 or 360 (the latter of which also demands money). (And yes, that's extra - not everyone games online via XBL.)
Makes sense to me.
The answer was that one person could watch movies while another gamed. He said something about the login requirement for the 360 version meant that they couldn't play some PC games at the same time, or something like that? Or maybe it was something with downloading. I can't remember exactly. That, and their Wii pretty much sits dormant otherwise.
I figure the latter is a pretty good reason all around. People who haven't played a Nintendo game for the last year can still get use out of the system by using it for Netflix (and can conveniently keep any systems that have actual games to play free for use by others on a separate TV.
You do realize, that only 10% of the content on NetFlix, is actually in HD. So its not that people are dumb, they probably just use it on the Wii in a bedroom, or in a den. You know, the rooms where they wouldn't have the big HDTV, that's in their house.