Microsoft has updated its Windows Media Center software for Vista PCs to incorporate Netflix's Internet streaming-video feature, which offers some 12,000 movies and TV episodes on-demand.
The Netflix feature is already available to computers users, via a standard Web browser. The advantage of accessing the feature through Windows Media Center application, according to Microsoft, is that "consumers no longer need to jump from Web site to Web site to find the TV shows, movies, sports and news they want to watch."
In addition, Netflix in Windows Media Center is designed to work with any WMC-compatible remote control. The Netflix instant watching in Windows Media Center is powered by Microsoft's Silverlight media-playback platform.
"We're continuing to work with the top content providers today to make watching TV on the PC a mainstream experience for the future," said Craig Eisler, corporate vice president of entertainment client software for Microsoft's TV, Video and Music Business Group.
Microsoft also provides access to the Netflix Internet-streaming service through Xbox 360 game consoles to customers with an Xbox Live Gold account.
Other Netflix-enabled devices include TiVo DVRs, LG Electronics HDTVs and the Roku Internet-video player.
