Yesterday, Netflix updated their iPad app to version 1.1.0 which added iPhone and iPod touch support. Netflix.com has been crashing Safari on my iPhone 4 (maybe just an iOS 4 issue?), so I was eager for official native app to manage my DVD queue on mobile.

We also wanted to test movie streaming, so we ventured out and got an Apple Composite AV Cable. These are my impressions:

• The “Netflix on iPad” app allows you to manage your DVD queue as well as your Instant queue.
• The interface of “Netflix on iPhone”, while native, only gives access to titles available for streaming. So, you can only manage your Instant Queue using Netflix for iPhone. (There are other iPhone apps of varying quality that will do actual DVD queue management.)
• Removing a film from your Instant Queue on iPhone is not immediately obvious. You must be in the info screen for that title, then tap the “In instant Q” button, which then brings up a confirmation prompt asking “Remove from instant Queue?”. And then, nothing happens – the movie info remains on screen until you go back to the Queue. It’s minor, but it would feel more iPhoney to have a Swipe-to-Delete action or an “Edit” toggle on the main Instant Queue list screen.
• Play quality on the iPhone screen seems nice enough, but I’ve read reports that it is a huge battery drain.
• Luckily the AV cable includes a USB cable for supplying power to your device thru the dock connector. As a bonus, our Sony Bravia has a USB-style port labeled “DMe^x/Service” which happens to supply enough power to kick my iPhone 4 into charge mode.
• Not surprisingly, the “DMe^x/Service” USB port does not have enough power to charge an iPad. You’ll need to use battery power or be close enough to an outlet to use a power adapter.
• The iPhone 4 bumper case prevents the AV cable from fully connecting due to the larger older-style dock connector. It doesn’t actually matter (yet), because…
• “Netflix for iPhone” doesn’t support video out via the dock connector (yet, as of v1.1.0). iPad does already – and the dock connector is universal – so we watched this fine Chris Pine vehicle using “Netflix for iPad” instead.
• Video quality out the iPad via the Composite cable was fine but not great. Being streaming video, I doubt it would make a different, but another option is the Apple Component AV Cable if your TV supports that input.

The best thing about the AV cable is that it is long. Second, the video cable is separate from the R/L audio pair. I can think of many circumstances out in the field where this would be really handy. I also do agree with the criticism that the outside of the RCA connectors themselves are too smooth and difficult to disconnect, but I expect they’ll mostly remain attached to the back of our TV so that’s not a deal-breaker. If it is for you, there are other brands of compatible connectors. Maybe even one that fits thru the iPhone 4 bumper.

In any case, this system is workable. The streaming inventory isn’t too huge on Netflix yet anyway. But other apps like YouTube and iPod support video out, so the cable isn’t going to go to waste. Also, Apple may surprise us at their upcoming Sept. 1 event – maybe these iTV rumors will finally materialize. If not, the boxee box is right around the corner!