Netflix are not going to release a Linux client, and according to Netflix it is because their partners claim Linux is a piracy-platform.
Frankly I think that's a load of BS, but opinions are as I understand
However, the developer Eric Hoover has created a port of the Windows Netflix app as a standalone Wine program for Linux, specifically Debian (which includes Ubuntu amongst others).
The best part of it? It's got 1080p playback, something Windows 7 does not have.
I assume it also supports surround, but I only have a stereo system and wouldn't know.
sudo apt-add-repository ppa:ehoover/compholioWhen you've finished installing Netflix is available for you to enjoy.
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install netflix-desktop
I'm sure Eric would love donations for his work, you can by him a beer with this link:
Want to make sure you're getting Full-HD? Or do you simply don't want to wait for the buffer?
Ctrl+Alt+Shift+S will bring up a small screen where you can manually select stream quality, the higher the better.
You'll be presented with a fullscreen window, that can be exited with F11, as it's using Firefox.
On a somewhat unrelated note:
Netflix is pretty bland for anyone outside the US, and most annoyingly the company from what I've understood receives their material from their partners hardcoded.
This means any texting done on their shows and films are at the mercy of the publisher, and as a Norwegian this is extremely annoying as 99% of all content has hardcoded subtitles.
The solution for me was using unblock-us' service, I've got a 25Mbit line that can pull FullHD across the atlantic anyway, and coupled with the fact subscription in the US is dirt cheap compared to the Norwegian it all worked out nicely.
'Till next year.
-K
