Thoughts on Netflix?

[3kidsandahorse]

We had Blockbuster but dropped it. The kids just weren't interested. So now we're talking about cutting cable either back or off (my vote's off but I don't count apparently :sad: ) and getting a cheap Netflix.

How is the online streaming? I can only see the listing on a few of those titles. Are they the ones that no one wants or are they actual movies? I assume I have to sign up to get the 7K titles that they currently have.

If anyone has other thoughts on Netflix, I would appreciate hearing them... Thanks.

[linz_710_msu]

I have done both Netflix and Blockbuster. I found Blockbuster to be much much better, we never got any movies that were broken and rarely ones that were scratched, and if we did we just took it the store and got a new copy.

We used to get Netflix movies that were broken all the time, on occasion it would be a long time before we would get another one. This was over a year ago, so I dont know if things have changed since then.

[roadpony]

Here's a prior discussion on NetFlix from the old board. http://www.saddlebredtalk.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8677

I've had NetFlix for over two years and love it. I'm on the 2-at-a-time plan for less than $15/mo. Have only had three unplayable DVDs the entire time. I get 2 day turnaround... mail a DVD on Monday, ,they get it on Tuesday and send out next one on the same day, I get it on Wednesday. However, I DO live only 20-25 miles from one of their distribution centers.

Have never used Blockbuster's mail service. Got so sick of the "cheery" "how are you" every time I walked in the door at their stores, it made me even grumpier than I might have been at the time, so I decided to "boycott" Blockbuster.

[Thunderstruck]

I have Netflix now and we have had several unplayables lately, but got the replacements quickly. I have streamed one movie (Casablanca) and it worked without a hitch. I "share" the movies with my Mom and Dad so we all get something good to watch at once.

[3kidsandahorse]

Susan, I wish we could search the old board. There's so much information there!

Thanks, Thunderstruck. I can't imagine my tweens wanting to watch "Casablanca" but we are ready if they do.

Can anyone say if the streaming movies are relatively recent releases?

[ldenenholz11]

I know that they have the Italian Job and multiple seasons of Law and Order SVU online (Maybe not what you want to show your kids but I've watched them). I've also watched Rat Race and Look Whose Talking online.
I've had Netflix since October and I love it! I've only gotten one broken DVD and they sent me another right away.
I think you can always sign up for a 1 month trial and then decide whether or not you want to continue. The turn around time is very fast and is only delayed for me because the mail room at school isn't always the best about actually putting the DVDs in my box!

[Thunderstruck]

There are some fairly recent things in the streaming movies (you can probably search them without joining I don't know...it's under the "View Instant" tab). I streamed the entire Dexter first season rather than waiting for it on TV (and dealing with the stuff they cut out from when it was on Showtime).

I joined Netflix mainly because they offered both HD DVD & Blu-Ray (I have a player in both formats so it didn't matter to me which one won) so I could get them in HD no matter which format they came out in. At the time Blockbuster only offered Blu-Ray, but now that that is no longer an issue I may switch just for the ability to exchange movies at the store.

[lshiely]

We have had Netflix for at least 2 years, perhaps longer, and have never had a broken or unplayable DVD. We have always gotten our movies very quickly, and we do not live in the city. The only complaint I have is when we have a 2 part movie, they don't sent "part two" unless you specifically pick it. I would think their system could be improved to send both parts together.

I do not know anything about streaming video, I have never used it but I should really look into it. What do you need as far as computer, internet connection, etc? I am buying a new laptop and this is one thing I would like as an option.

[3kidsandahorse]

From the site:

What are the system requirements to watch movies instantly on my PC?
You must have a computer running Windows XP with Service Pack 2 or higher, or Windows Vista; Internet Explorer version 6 or higher; Windows Media Player version 11 or higher; an active broadband connection to the Internet; 1.0 GHz processor; 512 MB RAM; 3 GB free hard disk drive space.

Selections mentioned at being streamable (is that a word?)

Watch Instantly

King of California
The Contract
La Vie en Rose
2 Days in Paris
Trade



Conspiracy
Maxed Out
Letters from Iwo Jima
This Is England
Pan's Labyrinth



The King of Kong
A Man for All Seasons
Dexter: Season 1 (4-Disc Series)
Superman Doomsday
No End in Sight



The Business of Being Born
Outpost
Suburban Girl
Right at Your Door
The Good German





Back to DVD selection



Starring:
Director:
Genre:

Length:

[roadpony]

Susan, I wish we could search the old board. There's so much information there!

:offtopic: (I wish this icon didn't have such an angry face)

You can search the old board; the only thing is that you can't post on it. And you don't have to sign in to search.

http://www.saddlebredtalk.com/

Back to talking about NetFlix and Blockbuster... :)

[eqcutie19]

We've had Netflix for over a year now and have only had issues with 1 disc. We do not have television at all so we have the highest Netflix package. The streaming is great -- we spent a few weeks watching every episode of The Office.

There are a lot of new releases as well as tv series on the streaming, and depending on your package you have the ability to stream unlimited.

Netflix has been great thus far, I even lost a DVD, reported it as lost to them and they just sent me a new movie and didn't charge me for the lost disc.

The only thing I haven't liked about it is the fact that it HAS to be linked to a CC/debit card. I've been switching all my recuring bills to pay out of my savings account automatically and I can not set this one up to do that.

[3kidsandahorse]

can[/B] search the old board; the only thing is that you can't post on it. And you don't have to sign in to search.

http://www.saddlebredtalk.com/

Back to talking about NetFlix and Blockbuster... :)

The last time I tried to search it gave me some strange error message. I don't remember what it was! Maybe a timeout type of thing.

Anyway, it's working, although slowly, now.