New Disc-Less Instant Netflix For The PS3 May Just Lead The Charge For Console Streaming

Yesterday we brought you news that may have changed the console race between PS3, XBox 360, and PS3 as it was announced that the Wii owners will no longer need a disc to stream Instant Netflix on their console. However, mere hours later, the same was announced for the PS3, with a all-new browsing and search functionality, that may just blow XBox 360 out of the water.

Coming with this new system is the ability to browse through the thousands of movies and TV shows available to stream instantly via Netflix by way of genre, category, and even suggestions. Also added is a fully functional search feature, which is new to all forms of the streaming service.

Dolby 5.1 Stereo and 1080p video are also available to help the PS3 keep the edge on video playback.

Finally, and probably the coolest feature in the system, is the new Browser feature that allows you to cycle through each movie, while a select scene plays in the background. Just in case you need extra incentive to watch that classic episode of Dexter. Check out a full video of the new features after the jump.

The downside? This new Netflix program is a bit glitchy, as it froze up the console twice in just fiddling around in the menu’s. If you have a wired internet connection, you shouldn’t see much of that.

So between this new feature, the use of Hulu Plus, and the extensive collection of films in the Playstation Store, you better believe Sony’s PS3 is taking the lead on being the number one home media device. Microsoft had better hope that the Kinect is everything fans have been dreaming of, or they may be in trouble come the holidays.