Buzz Out Loud Lounge: Netflix subscribers - opinion of streaming library?
Netflix subscribers - opinion of streaming library?
by GotoDengo - 10/25/08 5:06 PMI'm considering getting my wife Netflix for Christmas. She watches TV and movies primarily on her PC -- we have a pc-based "Tivo", and she buys a lot of iTunes stuff. Thus she'll probably be more interested in the streaming Netflix content, moreso than DVDs.
For Netflix customers, how good/bad is the streaming content? It's not possible to see the streaming library without signing up. That seems to not bode well. I know Netflix is only able to offer the all-you-can-eat rate after a movie has exhausted all other avenues - DVD, on-demand, hotels, airplanes, etc. I'm just wondering what that ends up translating as.
I know it's subjective, but "Becoming Jane" and "Meet Bill" are being headlined on the Netflix site -- is it that bad?
Any thought are appreciated.
Check out their Starz Play Library...
by sunnyvalesmostwanted - 10/25/08 7:32 PM In reply to: Netflix subscribers - opinion of streaming library? by GotoDengoI love it. They've just added National Treasure 2, and have many other Disney films such as Enchanted, Pirates: At World's End and Ratatouille. I have nearly 200 films in my queue, just waiting for me to watch. We stream from a HTPC to a 46 Sony Bravia, and most are no worse looking than a DVD.
not all encompasing, but better with stars
by robstak - 10/26/08 4:55 PM In reply to: Netflix subscribers - opinion of streaming library? by GotoDengoquality isnt great but starts almost instantly. the real drawback is the available movies... you can go to netflix and see which are available...
Netflix not worth it just for streaming
by Zarakand - 10/26/08 7:06 PM In reply to: not all encompasing, but better with stars by robstakThe thing I love most about it is watching tv series such as 30 Rock and The Office. The selection of streaming movies isn't great but it is an excellent supplement to their basic service at no extra charge.
At the moment it is not worth it if you are not also going to watch DVDS and actively return them. As their streaming library grows they might offer a monthly service that allows only streaming movies and no physical media.
Unfortunately you can't see the streaming titles
by GotoDengo - 10/30/08 9:28 PM In reply to: not all encompasing, but better with stars by robstakYou can only see a dozen or so streamable headlined titles, as far as I can tell. You can browse the full library, but when you click the "Click here for smaller streaming library", you you only get a few examples. If you DO know how to browse (not search) the streaming library, please let me know.
I can browse streaming titles
by beelissa - 11/1/08 6:27 AM In reply to: Unfortunately you can't see the streaming titles by GotoDengoIf you go to the "watch instantly" tab you can find lots of ways to browse the streaming titles. They have TV shows and movies. Also, if you look at your regular queue, if you happen to have a movie on there that's available to watch instantly, it will have a button telling you it's available to watch instantly.
This all works for me, even though, in Firefox, I still can't watch them. We've watched a few, switching to IE just to watch them. But it lets us browse for them in Firefox.
Pretty good so far
by The_Noid - 10/27/08 4:12 AM In reply to: Netflix subscribers - opinion of streaming library? by GotoDengoI got netflix for the dvds but have been using the streaming now for about a month. In fact, we have a 32" LCD in the bedroom hooked up to nothing but a laptop - we watch hulu and netflix mostly.
As with all things, it depends on what your wife is into watching. They have a pretty good selection of TV like 30 rock, all the CSI series, Law and Order, etc. They also have things like Dexter and Weeds and Dead Like Me, etc.
The movies just got a huge shot in the arm with Starz which apparantly allowed disney movies because now there are a fair amount of pretty recent good movies - the stuff you'd find on a cable movie channel.
They also offer HEROES episodes a day after they air on TV - very convenient.
You can actually browse the content without signing up for the service if you want.
The quality is great if you have a wired connection or a very very good wireless connection - the movie starts almost instantly (except for a few OK boxes you have to click - and is damn near DVD quality. I have not experienced any slowdowns or skips or things like that.
One nice thing is that if you stop the movie - it remembers where you were the next time you play it.
Pros and Cons
by Renegade Knight - 10/27/08 7:18 AM In reply to: Netflix subscribers - opinion of streaming library? by GotoDengoThe library is small compared to the DVDs.
The streaming works well when it works but if your connection slows down it pauses the movie and waits for things to catch up. Nothing like a 10 min pause at the movies climax.
Blurry
by TotalKonfuzion - 10/27/08 1:39 PM In reply to: Pros and Cons by Renegade KnightI've noticed that the new Starz library is completely out of focus and blurry..it's quite odd. Most movies are fine but some are blurry. Anyone else find this? I have my pc hooked up via RGB to a Vizio 42 inch LCD and all my Xvid movies are fine, just some netflix titles are problematic.
Thanks for the replies everyone.
by GotoDengo - 10/30/08 9:29 PM In reply to: Netflix subscribers - opinion of streaming library? by GotoDengoI'll probably still do it, as is much less picky than I am about what she watches, so she'll probably enjoy some of the old stuff. Just wondering if it was total crap. Sounds like not. Thanks again.
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