Bonus Amenities in 2012: Netflix and Pandora

This year we added a new Internet-connected Samsung Blu-Ray DVD player in the Great Room. We've setup Netflix and Pandora accounts on this player and they are available to all guests (but only in the Great Room). This is a bit of an experiment to see if connected services like these are valued by guests. We're also interested to see if they present any additional maintenance issues (or are a hassle to use). Since connected players like these can be 'finicky' and we (obviously) won't be around to reset them if that's ever needed, we decided to offer these as an "unadvertised bonus".

With that disclaimer, know that we have attempted to configure these so they are simple and easy to use. We've created a single "Sound Racer" account for both services. This account can't be changed with the Harmony Remote, so in effect it is "hard coded" to the DVD player. On the plus side this means Netflix and Pandora should be available to everyone all summer -- but unfortunately the downside is that you won't be able to access your personal account.

The Sound Racer Netflix account is set up with a 'parental control' lock which allows only PG-13 / TV-14 and below. We've set up the Sound Racer Pandora account with about a dozen channels representing various popular (we hope) genres and bands. You can find the channels listed here, and you can even try them out! We are also happy to create a custom channel for your group -- just send us an email along with 3-5 artists to serve as the seeds for your channel.

How To Access Netflix and Pandora

1. On the Harmony Remote, Press "Watch A Movie"

2. On the Harmony Remote,  Press "Menu"

3. The main Samsung Menu should appear (see picture below). Select "Internet" -- it's on the far right in the photo below

4. The next screen will be the "Apps" screen (see picture below). From here select either Pandora or Netflix. These are the only apps we've set up at this time.

5. Within the Netflix or Pandora app, navigate to your selection using the Harmony Remote.



Please let us know if you used either Pandora or Netflix, and whether or not you found it valuable.