Capped Users Rejoice: Netflix to Soon Let Users Download Videos Netflix will soon let users download and store videos locally, according to Penthera COO Dan Taitz and a report over at Light Reading. Taitz told the outlet that it shouldn't be long before the feature arrives. Netflix has been working harder to help consumers manage broadband caps, and being able to download a video on Wi-Fi for later viewing would go a long way in helping users (especially on wireless networks) that consistently find themselves hamstrung by their monthly usage allotments.

"We know from our sources within the industry that Netflix is going to launch this product," Taitz tells the outlet. "My expectation is that by the end of the year Netflix will be launching download-to-go as an option for their customers." Taitz's statement appears to be supported by Dan Rayburn, an analyst that focuses on the streaming video sector. "It's a natural progression for Netflix to want to have some of their content available for consumers to watch offline, and we've been hearing for months now that they are in fact going to roll something out soon," Rayburn says. Netflix, for its part, remains coy about confirming or denying the feature. "While our focus remains on delivering a great streaming experience, we are always exploring ways to make the service better," says Netflix spokesperson Anne Marie Squeo. But she adds, "We don't have anything to add at this time." "While our focus remains on delivering a great streaming experience, we are always exploring ways to make the service better," says Netflix spokesperson Anne Marie Squeo. But she adds, "We don't have anything to add at this time."







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Most recommended from 51 comments

coryw

join:2013-12-22

Flagstaff, AZ 5 recommendations coryw Member Could be a big advantage I wrote about wanting something like this years ago. This is how many music streaming services work. The ability to download some content you want to watch on your laptop or tablet before a trip or when you're in town or at work to then take home would be great.



This won't just help with capped connections. It'll help with poorly peered ones and generally slow ones. If you can have your computer or a settop box cache 1080p or 4k versions of shows you want to watch tonight, during the day when you're at work, then it will matter less that you can't download those things quickly during prime time.



Heck, if enough people switch to fetching at night or during the work day, the congestion in the evenings might ease up.



I've been waiting for somebody else to introduce something like this as a competitive advantage against Netflix, but if Netflix comes out with it first, then that at least sets it as the standard.

SuperSpy

join:2012-06-15

Coldwater, MI 5 recommendations SuperSpy Member Good for low-bandwidth connection I can see myself using this to force download the 1080p show on my 3 MBit DSL that normally can only stream at 480p/720p. JJV

Premium Member

join:2001-04-25

Seattle, WA 4 recommendations JJV Premium Member Amazon I download Amazon videos to my tablet for when I am out of network range.

Its time Netflix caught up. IluvMoney (banned)

join:2015-05-04

MiddleClass 3 recommendations IluvMoney (banned) Member Nice feature This would be a good feature for Netflix. Comcast has something similar. I download over WiFi a couple 1/2 HR shows and watch them at car dealer while car is serviced.