Netflix strikes new deals

[Chris Blount]

If you don't have Netflix online streaming, you might as well jump on the bandwagon. The service keeps getting better and better and its cheap! I've been saying it for years and I will say it again, the future is online. Hard media such as DVD's, Blu-Rays and CD's will eventually go away.

http://gizmodo.com/5646874/netflix-dances-on-b...lockbusters-grave-adding-snl-and-frakking-battlestar-galactica-to-watch-instantly

[PCampbell]

Once you get out of the city high speed internet gets harder to get. our place in northern Michigan is still dial up. I think it will be some time yet.

[Stewart Vernon]

I see Netflix as taking the rental market for sure... but not the purchase market.

I think Netflix is perfectly fine, and their streaming seems to work well (my father has signed up already for his iPad)... I just don't think they will replace hard-copy media that you can have on your shelf.

I'm not a hardcore collector... but there are still people willing (for example) to pay $37 just to get Iron Man 2 in a steelbook case when they could buy just the movie for around $15-$18... so when there are people willing to pay that much just for a case... I don't think those folk would go online-only anytime soon.

[Glen_D]

I've been saying it for years and I will say it again, the future is online. Hard media such as DVD's, Blu-Rays and CD's will eventually go away.
I guess the hard media could eventually go away, but probably not for a while.

I noticed the vast majority of Neflix's offerings consists of movies and TV series/seasons that have been previously released on commercially produced DVDs. In fact, in many cases Netflix only offers the content on hard media delivered via snail mail.

Netflix's streaming content is really lacking, IMO. Hopefully, it will improve in the future.

[davring]

Netflix's streaming content is really lacking, IMO. Hopefully, it will improve in the future.

I agree. If they would offer an expanded streaming package I would be interested.

[JACKIEGAGA]

My kids have been bugging me to get Netflix. I have to give it a try

[brant]

Netflix's streaming content is really lacking, IMO. Hopefully, it will improve in the future.

what are you looking for that's not there?


we watch netflix streaming daily, and never have a problem finding a show or movie.

[Glen_D]

Netflix's streaming content is really lacking, IMO. Hopefully, it will improve in the future.

what are you looking for that's not there?
Mostly TV series -- current, recent, or classic.

None of the TV series I watch offer current season episodes via Netflix streaming, or even on DVD. Some offer past seasons on DVD.

Here are a couple of typical examples:

Leverage -- Seasons 1 & 2 offered on DVD-only. Season 3 has not yet been released on DVD, and is not offered by Netflix.

The Mentalist -- Seasons 1 & 2 offered on DVD-only. Season 3 has not yet been released on DVD, and is not offered by Netflix.

And the list goes on and on. Of course, there are exceptions to only-what's-already-been-released-on-DVD policy, but you get the picture.

I found the streaming content was limited mostly to a few classic TV series, and some older movies. I might re-up my subscription if they were to increase their streaming offerings. Problem was, once I ran through what they had available that I liked on streaming, I kept searching for new content, but could find nothing new that I liked.

[Chris Blount]

Mostly TV series -- current, recent, or classic.

None of the TV series I watch offer current season episodes via Netflix streaming, or even on DVD. Some offer past seasons on DVD.

Here are a couple of typical examples:

Leverage -- Seasons 1 & 2 offered on DVD-only. Season 3 has not yet been released on DVD, and is not offered by Netflix.

The Mentalist -- Seasons 1 & 2 offered on DVD-only. Season 3 has not yet been released on DVD, and is not offered by Netflix.

And the list goes on and on. Of course, there are exceptions to only-what's-already-been-released-on-DVD policy, but you get the picture.

I found the streaming content was limited mostly to a few classic TV series, and some older movies. I might re-up my subscription if they were to increase their streaming offerings. Problem was, once I ran through what they had available that I liked on streaming, I kept searching for new content, but could find nothing new that I liked.There is one thing you guys are forgetting. The ROKU box is much more than just Netflix. It has many other "channels" including Amazon video on demand. Many movies and TV seasons are available through Amazon for viewing. Current episodes are also available which are usually posted the day after they air. No, they are not free but offer a great alternative to Netflix. I just purchased the entire first season of Glee for $21. The streams are in 720p HD and 5.1 surround. The quality is quite good. Heck, the Nasa channel is even available on the Roku box.

[Chris Blount]

Today I received the new Roku XD/S. It's quite a bit smaller than the original Roku box I purchased last year. Setup was easy as usual. The interface is the same as on the older Roku boxes.

I was able to set the box to 1080p and view some Vimeo content. It looks very, very good and not too compressed. On my Samsung 60" DLP, I didn't notice any artifacts. The big test is when I blow it up on my 106" projection system.

As I said before, I purchased the first season of Glee through Amazon VOD. It's in 720p and 5.1 Dolby Digital. The PQ is fantastic. Not as good as Blu-Ray of course but damn good. No complaints.

[JACKIEGAGA]

Today I received the new Roku XD/S. It's quite a bit smaller than the original Roku box I purchased last year. Setup was easy as usual. The interface is the same as on the older Roku boxes.

I was able to set the box to 1080p and view some Vimeo content. It looks very, very good and not too compressed. On my Samsung 60" DLP, I didn't notice any artifacts. The big test is when I blow it up on my 106" projection system.

As I said before, I purchased the first season of Glee through Amazon VOD. It's in 720p and 5.1 Dolby Digital. The PQ is fantastic. Not as good as Blu-Ray of course but damn good. No complaints.

Are you wired or wireless?

[Chris Blount]

Are you wired or wireless?Wireless N at 5 GHz.

[lee635]

We love the netflix streaming and have found that they added quite a few titles recently, more family guys just added to streaming. With an entry level subscription price of $9/month, netflix beats a movie channel easily. There are a couple of apps and websites that piggyback on netflix to help make your searches easier.

But yeah, if you are looking for some items that aren't even available on DVD yet, then well, yeah, the mainstream video stores, including netflix, may not be able to accomodate such a niche market. You can probably find those items at one of the more boutique streaming suppliers, but expect to pay dearly for a proprietary box and then pay dearly on a pay-per-view basis at a rate that's closer to a pay per view prize fight fee....Me I am very happy with netflix streaming... :)

Mostly TV series -- current, recent, or classic.

None of the TV series I watch offer current season episodes via Netflix streaming, or even on DVD. Some offer past seasons on DVD.

Here are a couple of typical examples:

Leverage -- Seasons 1 & 2 offered on DVD-only. Season 3 has not yet been released on DVD, and is not offered by Netflix.

The Mentalist -- Seasons 1 & 2 offered on DVD-only. Season 3 has not yet been released on DVD, and is not offered by Netflix.

And the list goes on and on. Of course, there are exceptions to only-what's-already-been-released-on-DVD policy, but you get the picture.

I found the streaming content was limited mostly to a few classic TV series, and some older movies. I might re-up my subscription if they were to increase their streaming offerings. Problem was, once I ran through what they had available that I liked on streaming, I kept searching for new content, but could find nothing new that I liked.

[Santana]

Once you get out of the city high speed internet gets harder to get. our place in northern Michigan is still dial up. I think it will be some time yet.

I'm better than dial-up but still in the same boat. I currently have DSL, but it's not fast enough to get a very good picture; definitely not DVD quality. I've used the streaming some, but until they upgrade my area with faster DSL I won't be using it often.

I think Netflix is perfectly fine, and their streaming seems to work well (my father has signed up already for his iPad)... I just don't think they will replace hard-copy media that you can have on your shelf.

I quit purchasing hard-copy media when I realized I never watched any of my old DVDs and they were just taking up space. Sold all of my DVDs and just rent Blu-Ray now. In the rare case I want to see a movie again, I can always put it back in my queue.

[jayman9207]

Today I received the new Roku XD/S. It's quite a bit smaller than the original Roku box I purchased last year. Setup was easy as usual. The interface is the same as on the older Roku boxes.

I was able to set the box to 1080p and view some Vimeo content. It looks very, very good and not too compressed. On my Samsung 60" DLP, I didn't notice any artifacts. The big test is when I blow it up on my 106" projection system.

As I said before, I purchased the first season of Glee through Amazon VOD. It's in 720p and 5.1 Dolby Digital. The PQ is fantastic. Not as good as Blu-Ray of course but damn good. No complaints.

Just curious but did you look at the Boxee box made by DLink before getting this? I am torn between getting the Boxee box, the Roku XDS player, or just doing the small HT PC. I am leaning more towards a simpler solution so I will probably get one of the two boxes. I want true HD access to everything else (including my local LAN stuff if possible) besides Netflix. I have had an LG DB390 BR Player for a long time and love it for access to Netflix, Vudu, and some of my local LAN files. I wan Hulu (not just plus) and others.

On topic........we absolutely love Netflix. We have been a member for almost 11 years. We are actually grandfathered into a plan that no longer exists.

[Dave]

The problem with the Boxee box is that it is not even available yet. Also they do not have any kind of agreements with the content providers yet. So you may stand a chance of having all or part of the content to you turned off at any time. I like many others on here like and prefer my Roku box. It is small and simple to use. I can use my Harmony control to run it. The content is excellent from Roku. With a lot of providers available for content. Even the google/logitec box is coming out before the Boxee box.

[cebbigh]

Roku is adding Hulu-Plus this fall.

[brant]

Mostly TV series -- current, recent, or classic.

None of the TV series I watch offer current season episodes via Netflix streaming, or even on DVD. Some offer past seasons on DVD.



The Mentalist -- Seasons 1 & 2 offered on DVD-only. Season 3 has not yet been released on DVD, and is not offered by Netflix.




I purchased the first season of Glee through Amazon VOD. It's in 720p and 5.1 Dolby Digital. The PQ is fantastic. Not as good as Blu-Ray of course but damn good. No complaints.


If its network shows you guys are interested in, consider windows media center w/ an outdoor antenna.

I have both these shows recorded in full HD with 5.1 digital surround. It has commercials, but it was all free with windows media center.

[Chris Blount]

If its network shows you guys are interested in, consider windows media center w/ an outdoor antenna.

I have both these shows recorded in full HD with 5.1 digital surround. It has commercials, but it was all free with windows media center.Not the same. The audio on the network feeds are slightly compressed. The downloaded versions are better quality in both audio and video. I ran that test already. :)

[machavez00]

I don't know about upcoming PS3 app, but with the DVD version there is no DD-5.1

[sdirv]

I don't know about upcoming PS3 app, but with the DVD version there is no DD-5.1

Netflix streaming via the PS3 is suppose to move from having to use the disc to load Netflix to having it built in sometime this month (October).

We've been promised DD5.1 before the end of the year. I'm hoping for closed captioning too.....CC is currently available through Netflix on some titles when viewed with a PC.

[sdirv]

what are you looking for that's not there?

This is a great question. I've seen people talk about title selection, picture quality, and a variety of things with Netflix.

I've been a subscriber for a year. When I signed up they touted about 16,000 titles available via streaming. Due to MANY new deals/contracts signed with studios Netflix now claims to have nearly 40,000 titles available.

So....if "you" were a subscriber a year ago or more, "you" may want to check Netflix again, more than doubled the number of titles available for streaming in the past year.

Picture quality is another issue people talk about often. Netflix top end quality on many/most of it's streamed programming is 720p, which qualifies as HD.

But "your" ability to get that 720p stream depends on your internet speed. A provider may tell you that you have "high speed" internet. Which doesn't mean your speed is high enough to be able to receive a 720p stream.

You need internet service with at least 3mbps sustainable speeds to stream without pauses for rebuffering, For an HD stream you probably need closer to 6mbps service.

I had 12mbps service and was using DirecTV's VOD service with great results. I could start an HD download in an a few minutes could start watching without ever getting a rebuffering pause.

When I added Netflix I upgraded to 20mbps service (I live in PHX so the higher speeds are available and don't seem to be outlandishly priced when things like bundled discounts are considered). Probably don't "need" 20mbps to stream Netflix, but I've got mulitple Netflix capable devices in my home so have the ability to stream to more than one at a time and even still use the internet without screwing things up for myself or the family.

I added a wireless BR player upstairs and quickly saw that I was getting rebuffering pauses on HD programming, so upgraded my older G router to a newer N router. Problem solved.

I've seen people ask about Netflix streaming programming in 1080p. Unless the internet "pipe" that most people have somehow/sometime becomes significantly larger, I don't (personally) see this happening.

[Stewart Vernon]

Just a random check...

They didn't have episodes of Chuck or NCIS available for streaming.

They also didn't have the movie Sunshine (the sci-fi one).

My father joined and I was trying to search for things to recommend to him to try... and I kept trying stuff that didn't turn up. There were more, but I forgot them all.

I'm not knocking Netflix here, just pointing out that it is valid to say there is a lot of stuff that they do not yet offer for streaming.

[sdirv]

Just a random check...

They didn't have episodes of Chuck or NCIS available for streaming.

They also didn't have the movie Sunshine (the sci-fi one).

My father joined and I was trying to search for things to recommend to him to try... and I kept trying stuff that didn't turn up. There were more, but I forgot them all.

I'm not knocking Netflix here, just pointing out that it is valid to say there is a lot of stuff that they do not yet offer for streaming.

Would you have better luck finding things to watch if you were perusing their database instead of searching for specific titles you want to see??

With @40K titles available for streaming currently, I tend to use the streaming service more than their DVD rental....

[Davenlr]

Just a random check...

They didn't have episodes of Chuck or NCIS available for streaming.


NCIS and NCIS: Los Angeles are available via PlayOn streamed to a PS3 or SageTv
CHUCK is available on HULU streamed the same way.

You can stream Netflix and the above with a PLAYON background server on your PC, to a PS3 or other media extender (even MediaShare on your DVR) on the same network.

[Stewart Vernon]

Would you have better luck finding things to watch if you were perusing their database instead of searching for specific titles you want to see??

With @40K titles available for streaming currently, I tend to use the streaming service more than their DVD rental....

My father has been using it and finding things to watch. He has been happy with it on his iPad.

I haven't decided yet... so I've been randomly searching for shows I know I like to see if they have them... and that's how I discovered a bunch of things that they don't have.

Like I said, I wasn't meaning to bash them... as they do have a lot... But it is also true that they are still missing a lot, and depending on what your tastes are, some people will have a harder time finding things to watch than others.

[Stewart Vernon]

Looks like Netflix is in the process of updating their Web site for a new pricing plan.

Unless I'm misreading something... it looks like it will be $7.99 for a streaming-only plan and $9.99 for streaming + unlimited DVDs.

[sdirv]

Looks like Netflix is in the process of updating their Web site for a new pricing plan.

Unless I'm misreading something... it looks like it will be $7.99 for a streaming-only plan and $9.99 for streaming + unlimited DVDs.

http://www.hackingnetflix.com/2010/10/is-netflix-testing-a-us-799-per-month-streaming-only-plan.html

[Stewart Vernon]

I visited that link... but it seems to be just talking about a rumor of Netflix offering this in the US.

Some parts of the Netflix FAQ still refer to the $9.99 pricing model, while others refer to a $7.99 streaming-only package... so I was wondering if anyone with a Netflix account knew anything for sure.

[lee635]

I would guess that a streaming only option might be good for someone who likes to go to the video store or kiosk to get movies, but also wants access to the big online library. Also, maybe a family that is getting streaming, so little Billy can watch reruns of nick and disney cartoons. Also, I think that there are some people who do not like the idea of sending discs through the mail -- If the disc gets lost, they might make me pay for it -- and that sort of thing.

The problem is that the pricing model for streaming with mail delivery is so close to streaming only that streaming only may be a small niche audience.

[sdirv]

I visited that link... but it seems to be just talking about a rumor of Netflix offering this in the US.

Some parts of the Netflix FAQ still refer to the $9.99 pricing model, while others refer to a $7.99 streaming-only package... so I was wondering if anyone with a Netflix account knew anything for sure.

The stuff I read indicated that from time to time Netflix is/has been trying a variety of plans and pricing. Nothing that they advertise, but subscribers would see the plans/pricing when they go to the screen allowing them to make changes to their plan.

[olguy]

Looks like Netflix is in the process of updating their Web site for a new pricing plan.

Unless I'm misreading something... it looks like it will be $7.99 for a streaming-only plan and $9.99 for streaming + unlimited DVDs.I just checked my plan and it's Unlimited (1 out at a time) with streaming included for $8.99. The only change I could make was to add more DVDs out at a time.

[Stewart Vernon]

I just checked my plan and it's Unlimited (1 out at a time) with streaming included for $8.99. The only change I could make was to add more DVDs out at a time.

Do you currently have a DVD in your possession?

I'm wondering if they won't let you drop to a streaming-only plan while you are in possession of a movie.

My father didn't see that option either but he has a DVD he just received... so I was wondering if he cleared out his queue and sent that one back, if it would give the $7.99 option they are advertising on the main page before you login.

[olguy]

Do you currently have a DVD in your possession?

I'm wondering if they won't let you drop to a streaming-only plan while you are in possession of a movie.

My father didn't see that option either but he has a DVD he just received... so I was wondering if he cleared out his queue and sent that one back, if it would give the $7.99 option they are advertising on the main page before you login.No I don't have one. But just ordered a bunch:). All the Inspector Lewis. He's about my favorite English detective.

[Drewg5]

At this time I doubt Netflix is going to offer a streaming only option as the currant 1 disk out at a time is currently very cheap with the online streaming option running as well. IPTV is the future like it or not. There will always be the few that desire a psychical copy though it will become increasingly harder for them to get one. IPTV has a few DRM advantages as well, like it wont be as easy to copy with any good quality.

[Stewart Vernon]

At this time I doubt Netflix is going to offer a streaming only option as the currant 1 disk out at a time is currently very cheap with the online streaming option running as well. IPTV is the future like it or not. There will always be the few that desire a psychical copy though it will become increasingly harder for them to get one. IPTV has a few DRM advantages as well, like it wont be as easy to copy with any good quality.

But they are offering one... It's right there on their main page when you go to it. Very clearly says $7.99 for streaming only.

My only questions was if this was something for new subscribers only, or if existing customers were presented with an option to switch over to this.

[dpeters11]

But they are offering one... It's right there on their main page when you go to it. Very clearly says $7.99 for streaming only.

My only questions was if this was something for new subscribers only, or if existing customers were presented with an option to switch over to this.

I don't have the option of switching. The one thing I can think of, it is an option in Canada, and www.netflix.ca redirects to .com. But they also have a smaller selection, many US TV shows that are available for streaming here are not available there.

[Dave]

The streaming only option is in the test phase right now. They ran the test phase in Canada first and then started the test phase in the US. Also, important update. Netflix is going to the 1080P streaming. I believe it will hit the PS3's first. This is probably one of the reasons Roku is getting ready to hit some of there boxes with the update firmware for 1080P that don't have it yet. There are some first generation Roku players that only received 720P.

[olguy]

Just went into my account and clicked on Change Plans out of curiosity. The streaming only for $7.99 was a choice. And my plan of 1 out + streaming is no longer offered. I had added Blu-ray a couple of weeks ago and did not see the streaming only at that time.

[coolman302003]

A new plan for watching instantly, plus price changes to existing unlimited plans: http://blog.netflix.com/2010/11/new-plan-for-watching-instantly-plus.html

If your in "Your Account" and you click on "See membership terms & details" it will give you the new information about what your new monthly price will be. They are unfornately NOT grandfathering in current customers with there old pricing. :(

[sigma1914]

A new plan for watching instantly, plus price changes to existing unlimited plans: http://blog.netflix.com/2010/11/new-plan-for-watching-instantly-plus.html

If your in "Your Account" and you click on "See membership terms & details" it will give you the new information about what your new monthly price will be. They are unfornately NOT grandfathering in current customers with there old pricing. :(

It's a $1 increase...I'll manage. :lol: