Is there any pattern to whats available for streaming on netflix and 5.1?

[yoda313]

So what is the pattern for what Netflix does and does not offer for streaming?

I just signed up for a trial period to test the online streaming. I had it a few years ago before the streaming emerged but dropped it.

I have a xbox 360 and a ps3 and I have my xbox 360 activated and can watch movies and tv on it without a problem (hardwired via lan and router).

My first few attempts have not yielded any 5.1 audio yet. I tried the first xfiles movie and the first episode of Lost. Neither have 5.1.

Can you do 5.1 streaming via netflix? I am not sure if I am going to sign up beyond my trial period.

It seems odd that things like the James Bond collection are not available for streaming. Also none of the Star Trek tv shows are available for streaming. I checked and all but one season of Farscape are available for streaming. And the odd one is Seaquest dsv has all 3 seasons available for streaming but you can only get seasons 1 and 2 on dvd.

This seems really strange on the distribution of what is available for streaming.

Is it related to what movie studios let them? I can't imagine netflix would have any problems getting cooperation from the studios.

Also can you do 5.1 streaming on the ps3 with netflix? If so I'll activate my ps3 and deactivate my 360 (they're in the same room and both are hardwired via lan).

Edit - this sucks - I can't test the ps3 until I get the ps3 streaming disc. I am surprised the xbox is easier in that regard. In the video marketplace tab on the 360 all I had to do was select the netflix window and got an activation code to enter on netflix.com. Now I have to wait to test my ps3.

Also is the 360 still restricted on what movies it can show on netflix? I remember a big battle awhile back about sony restricting what movies netflix could show on the 360. Would I get a larger selection on the ps3?

Another thing I've tried some major hollywood movies and in hd and still no 5.1 on the 360. What gives??

[Tearren]

So what is the pattern for what Netflix does and does not offer for streaming?

I am really curious about this as well.

Does Netflix rotate their inventory, for instance is their a limited time frame available for streaming or once a movie / show becomes available is it always available?

Is there any consistent time frame for when a movie / show becomes available for streaming? (After so many months of a DVD release, i expect...)

[yoda313]

Even without surround sound I think I'll sign up for a few months at least. I like having the tv shows at my fingertips without waiting for the discs.

For movies that I want surround sound for I guess I'll wait for a disc delivery.

I activated my ps3 after I got my streaming disc today. That sucks to have to have that in everytime to watch streaming. And the layout is kinda blah. I like the blade system for the 360. Its a little sharper visually. Performance seems to be the same on both the 360 and ps3. But I don't have to have a freakin disc in the 360 to do it.

I got one for the WII but since its not high def I think I'll just activate it for the heck of it to try it out. Plus my WII is wireless only but its only a foot away from my wifi router.