I wrote an article on 3/27/10 entitled “Netflix and Wii: Now Streaming Movies Instantly to TV.” At that time I had just received my free disc from Netflix and had gotten my Wii set up so that I could make use of it in that way.
Two movies later, I am here to tell you that this is indeed a great feature, and that using the Wii remote for accessing and watching movies is a cinch.
I have movies in my Netflix instant viewing queue, but it is not necessary to have made such selections in order to stream movies through your Wii.
How to operate your Wii remote
Everything works by way of the +Control Pad, the A Button, and the Home Button.
From the Wii menu, select Netflix (A Button).
While Netflix is loading you will see directions for use of the +Control Pad; up and down is for categories, and left and right is for titles.
The movies that are in your queue will be displayed after Netflix is loaded. The top pick will appear first. Scroll left to right with the +Control Button, and use the A Button to make a choice.
A summary of the movie will be displayed. Use the A Button if you wish to view it, or by using the A Button, click on the back arrow in the upper right of the screen to return to the display of movies so that you can make a different selection.
When you have made your final choice, click on start by using the A Button.
At any time that you wish to pause, simply point your remote at the screen and press the A Button.
To resume play, just point your remote at the screen and press the A Button.
Whenever you click on the back arrow you will go back to the summary of the movie, from which you can make a choice from those listed.
To close out the session (even if the movie has not been watched in its entirety, press the Home Button, choose Wii menu, and yes. When you reload Netflix at a later date, you may choose that movie again and resume play or play from the beginning.
Choosing categories
The +Control Pad gives you the ability to scroll through Netflix’s library of movies available for instant play. The up and down buttons allow you to scroll through the categories, i.e., recently watched; new arrivals, movies; new arrivals, TV; comedy, and action & adventure, etc. When you have reached the category that you want, you then use the +Control Pad to scroll left and right so that you can make a selection.
In conclusion
That is how extremely easy it is to use the Wii remote control while allowing Netflix to stream live movies and TV episodes to your TV.
I’m well satisfied with the picture quality, and I haven’t experienced any buffering problem.
This is such a nice feature, and a freebie to boot. Count me in as a very satisfied user!
For more articles by this writer, click here.
Movie reviews by R.C. Johnson: March of the Penguins (Documentary Review); Scent of a Woman; The Iron Giant; Akeelah and the Bee; The Hurt Locker; Cinderella Man; Amadeus; The Incredibles; The Notebook; Slumdog Millionaire; Dr. Horrible’s Sing-along Blog; WALL-E; Gran Torino; The Man Who Would Be King, The Princess Bride; The Mission; Top Gun; Crocodile Dundee; Maid to Order; Beaches; The Indian in the Cupboard; O Brother, Where Art Thou?; Witness; The Gods Must Be Crazy; Flywheel, Facing the Giants and Fireproof.
