Silverlight strongarming?

A couple of weeks ago I last used Instant Watch to watch a movie. Today I tried again and got the following screen:

What's going on? Is Netflix strongarming its users to switch? I already have the old WMPlayer and I've used it in the past without any problems. Is there any way around this, I don't really want to install Silverlight, given the age of the computer I'm using and the horror stories others are reporting.

Tags: silverlight

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Permalink Reply by beeswax on June 4, 2009 at 9:40pm: I have Silverlight already (since I'm on a Mac I never had anything else) but they recently told me to "install" it, too. (Not an update or anything, just "install.") So I went "back to browsing" and re-entered my selection and was taken right to the program without any more nonsense. Try that?

What did customer service say?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Aces on June 4, 2009 at 10:47pm: I started getting the same message after a family member upgraded on another computer. Someone posted in here a couple of weeks ago that happened to him and customer service said all computers on the account had to have the same player. sounds like BS to me.

I have the same concerns you do - old computer and the former player worked perfectly for me so why install a worse one. Now I just use the ROKU for NF and watch HULU.com, FearNet, Joost, IMDB, PBS, ClassicMovies.org, etc on my computer.

Strongarming? I think so.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Knaldskalle on June 5, 2009 at 2:37pm: Just to give you guys an update. I just got of the phone with CS and they say there's no way around it, I have to install Silverlight if I want to use IW. So in that sense it is strongarming...

Bees: Using the "back to browsing" button doesn't work, all the buttons are "faded", probably because I haven't installed Silverlight yet.

Aces: This is the only computer used for IW in the household, and noone else has Silverlight installed. So it is simply a decision by Netflix to no longer allow use of the old WMPlayer.

Since I can no longer use IW without Silverlight, I might as well install it and see if it can run on this old clunker. If it can't, I'm no worse off than I am now... Sigh.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Maubs on June 5, 2009 at 2:59pm: I still haven't been forced to upgrade. Hope I can hold out for a while because I have an older laptop I like to use for IW. I've been using IW as recently as the end of May 2009.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Knaldskalle on June 5, 2009 at 3:18pm: Me too, I used it on May 26th, yesterday it was Silverlight or else... You should check.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Aces on June 5, 2009 at 3:25pm: I'm interested in hearing how it works for you and impacts that computer. I almost installed it last week but thought if I waited awhile the old one might come back. The Bees fix didn't work for me either.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by beeswax on June 6, 2009 at 1:42am: all the buttons are "faded"

Or use the "back" button on your browser window instead of their buttons... ?

It doesn't sound too hopeful. Sorry, guys.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by ToxicDon on June 6, 2009 at 4:07am: June 4th I watched Sukiyaki Western Django on the old player. June 5th I logged on to watch Benny and Joon on the same computer and had no choice but to go Silverlight if I wanted to watch anything.

The picture quality was better, however the video stalled while the audio kept going on several occasions. One such occasion it took nearly a full minute to "adjust" itself and get the video caught back up to the audio.

All in all, I'd rather have the old player. At least I was used to watching dark, fuzzy movies but had no other problems.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by joeoftexas on June 6, 2009 at 9:17am: After being forced to upgrade,
I experienced the same results as ToxicDon:

The picture quality was better, however the video stalled while the audio kept going on several occasions. One such occasion it took nearly a full minute to "adjust" itself and get the video caught back up to the audio.

All in all, I'd rather have the old player. At least I was used to watching dark, fuzzy movies but had no other problems.

Too bad, since I've enjoyed the NF IW feature in the past.

Oh well... Back to DVDs. :); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Knaldskalle on June 6, 2009 at 9:38am: Or use the "back" button on your browser window instead of their buttons... ?

My very first action upon seeing the screen! :-) I remembered how others had "inadvertently" installed Silverlight after encountering this screen, so I basically stuck my tail between my legs and ran back as fast as I could. Didn't do me any good.

I haven't gotten around to installing Silverlight yet, but I'll make sure to report back with the results.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by joeoftexas on June 6, 2009 at 9:45am: I wouldn't install it.

I ended up having to use "System Restore" on my old Toshiba laptop
in order to get rid of Silverlight completely.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Aces on June 6, 2009 at 2:58pm: Joe,

Did you have the old player option on NF after you got rid of Silverlight and if not and without Silverlight you can't watch NF Instant Watch I'm wondering why you removed it?

Did Silverlight cause your computer any problems when you had it installed?

Did it interfere with streaming movies on other players from sites other than NF?; ▶ Reply to This