Owners of Samsung's BD-P2500 and BD-P2550 Blu-ray disc players will soon be able to instantly stream movies and TV programmes via a deal with Netflix.

Consumers who already own one of these $400 Samsung players can upgrade their device at no additional cost to enable instant stream of content from the library of more than 12,000 movies and television episodes from Netflix. The upgrade is available at http://www.samsung.com/bluraysupport. Future Samsung BD models will have the Netflix feature built in.

Streaming is done through a wired broadband connection and a Netflix Queue-based user interface. Netflix members visit the Netflix Web site to add movies and TV episodes to their individual instant Queues. Those choices will automatically be displayed on members' TVs and available to watch instantly through the Samsung players.

Once selected, movies will begin playing in as little as 30 seconds. The function requires a minimum subscription of $8.99 per month that also includes DVD rentals delivered through the mail. It’s worth noting that the streamed video is in standard definition, not HD.

The deal could set the stage for Netflix to embed software connecting to its streaming service directly into television sets made by Samsung.

"In its new form, Samsung Blu-ray players become the ultimate content delivery box, combining on-demand access to movies and jaw-dropping Full HD viewing," said Reid Sullivan, Vice President of Marketing, Audio/Video & Imaging at Samsung Electronics America. "Samsung presents a new value proposition for Blu-ray players by positioning it as a portal to a world of engaging digital content, be it Blu-ray discs, movies from Netflix or other online content."

Netflix has already struck similar streaming deals involving LG $350 Blu-ray player earlier this month.
In related news, Netflix has announced it expects 500,000 of its total 8.7 million subscribers will rent the next-generation Blu-ray format before the end of the current quarter.

The company previously announced it will charge an additional $1 per month to all customers who rent Blu-ray movie titles through the service. The additional charge will be added to all customers, though subscribers who do not want Blu-ray can alter their account online.

Story filed 26.10.08