Netflix Streaming Does 5.1 Surround Sound with Dolby Digital Plus on PS3!

We've been waiting for this news and we're happy to finally report that Netflix is working with Dolby Digital to finally bring 5.1 digital audio to its movie and television streaming content - as early as the 18th of October! Just today, Netflix, Inc. (Nasdaq: NFLX) and Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: DLB) announced that the companies will use Dolby Digital Plus to deliver 5.1-channel surround sound for TV shows and movies streamed instantly over the Internet. Beginning October 18, the PlayStation 3 (PS3) computer entertainment system from Sony will be the first consumer electronics device to support 5.1-channel surround sound on movies streamed from Netflix. I guess I may have to dust off my Netflix DVD for the PS3! Netflix said more devices would be added over time to support streaming digital surround sound. We'd have to assume that the Xbox 360 will be next, followed by any existing hardware that can support a firmware or software upgrade to affect the required changes (Roku, Blu-ray players, etc). Hopefully, the most recent models of BD players on the market with Netflix will be able to upgrade and transmit streaming content n 5.1. The other interesting notion is whether or not content will be able to support 7.1 in the future, assuming more titles are encoding with that support. For now, 5.1 seems to be the released format - and a smart move considering 1) most users only support 5.1 at best, and 2) 7.1 can be achieved very well from software DSP like Dolby Prologic IIx.

"Netflix is committed to delivering an unparalleled experience to its members who watch TV shows and movies streamed instantly over the Internet. Netflix required an audio solution that could efficiently deliver an outstanding surround sound experience for a wide range of consumer devices.  Dolby Digital Plus proved to be the best solution to meet our needs and the needs of our device partners."

- Greg Peters, Netflix vice president of product development

Dolby Digital Plus supports up to 7.1 channels of premium-quality surround sound and allows consumers to enjoy high-definition audio from broadcasts, streaming and downloaded media, and Blu-ray Disc.  To date, tens of millions of TVs, set-top boxes, Blu-ray Disc players, Audio/Video receivers, and mobile phones have shipped with Dolby Digital Plus.

Dolby Digital Plus is a sophisticated audio system based on Dolby Digital that has been adopted by many of the world's leading broadcasters, TV and set-top-box manufacturers, and device makers to provide consumers with full digital surround sound.  It is designed to adapt to the changing demands of entertainment delivery while retaining compatibility with existing Dolby Digital 5.1-channel home theater systems.

For more information, visit www.netflix.com.

About Netflix, Inc.
With more than 15 million members in the United States and Canada, Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX) is the world's leading Internet subscription service for enjoying movies and TV shows.  For $8.99 a month, Netflix members in the U.S. can instantly watch unlimited movies and TV episodes streaming right to their TVs and computers and can receive unlimited DVDs delivered quickly to their homes.  In Canada, streaming unlimited movies and TV shows from Netflix is available for $7.99 a month.  There are never any due dates or late fees with Netflix.  Among the large and expanding base of supported devices streaming from Netflix are the Microsoft® Xbox 360®, Nintendo® Wii™, and Sony Computer Entertainment's PS3 consoles; Blu-ray Disc players from the Best Buy(SM) Insignia brand, LG®, and Samsung; Internet TVs from LG, Samsung, Sony, and Vizio®; the Roku® digital video player and TiVo(SM) digital video recorders; and the Apple® iPhone®, iPad™, and iPod® touch.  All of these devices are available for purchase in the United States.  A growing number of supported devices are available for purchase in Canada.