Netflix Adds Subtitle Feature to Watch Instantly Service

While most of us relish the experience of seeing the next blockbuster on the big screen, we also eagerly anticipate its release on DVD or instant streaming options. Interestingly enough, we seem to have little trouble enjoying the experience in the theater, yet can't seem to catch every word when we watch at home.

Subtitles may seem like the little added feature to DVDs to appeal to the hearing impaired, but in truth this service appeals to a much wider audience. Rarely will a movie play or stream at my house without the subtitles on - we enjoy the entire experience and don't want to miss a think when the audio isn't coming through perfectly.

The same is true for many a customer and for those who have adapted the Netflix "Watch Instantly" service, the one thing lacking from the experience was the ability to use the subtitle feature. Now, according to a Yahoo! News report, Netflix has fixed this issue and is now rolling out subtitles on its streaming movies and TV shows. Roughly 100 titles offered by Netflix now boast closed captioning.

Netflix Chief Product Officer Neil Hunt shared in a in a blog post Thursday night that while there is only a 'limited library' of subtitled streaming videos for now - including most episodes of the first season of "Lost" - and that subtitles are only available on the PC and Mac, Blu-ray and HDTV clients will enjoy access in the fall.

Hunt noted, 'we now have released the technology, and we will be working to fill in the library over time.' The button for subtitles can be found in the bottom right corner of the streaming Netflix Web client, between volume and full-screen controls.

The company has certainly taken heat from deaf and hard-of-hearing advocates for months over this oversight in its "Watch Instantly" library. YouTube and Hulu (News - Alert) have both been offering subtitled videos for a while now and this difference certainly wouldn't help to drive business for Netflix.

According to Hunt, the tools for rendering optional subtitles in Silverlight and for consumer electronics devices were weak or nonexistent and required some technology development. He promised that subtitled Netflix videos for Silverlight would be ready sometime in 2010. It looks like he has delivered.

For users such as those living at my house will enjoy the added luxury of the subtitle feature, it is those who truly need the feature to enjoy the experience at all who will benefit from this announcement.