The Netflix conundrum

[George Bellefontaine]

So what do you think of the new Netflix changes and will you continue to use them ?

[baniels]

I had the one disc plan, but never only rarely got discs. I just use the streaming. I was happy to drop the disc and pay for streaming only.

If I did use the discs a lot I wouldn't have been happy to pay more.

[George Bellefontaine]

If I did use the discs a lot I wouldn't have been happy to pay more.

From what I've been reading about the situation, there are many who did use the discs and are not happy with the price increase.

[M.Roberts8]

I use the discs as streaming sucks! Its fine for somethings but compared to BD there really is no comparison. With anything that has fast pans or movement I get compression artifacts and it becomes pretty near painful to watch, its worse than my SD satellite feed.
I'm not sure what I will be paying now though. I have the 2 disc out at a time w/blu-ray option. I use it mainly for titles I'm not sure I would buy. But I did just get a whole bunch of titles for under 10 bucks each( thank you amazon!), so maybe my future with netflix will be for a limited time only.

[baniels]

I've been pretty happy with the streaming quality - at least for the price. Considering I have done away with the 150/mo satellite, the quantity of stuff available for so cheap is pretty vast.

That said, I don't have 1080p. The HD content matches what I was seeing with DirecTV. It think another factor may be the hardware. I have netflix on my Roku, and also on my Oppo 93.

The quality on the Roku is far superior. If the Oppo was my only source I'd be less content. I compared exact same scenes within seconds of eachother and hands down Roku was the winner. And you can see from the image below that my internet speed can take whatever bandwidth Netflix can dish out.

The real disappointment for me is the sound quality. My wife uses netflix the most and she probably wouldn't notice if I turned the speakers toward the wall.

On another note, Vudu, which has been added to Oppo's services, is amazing.

[M.Roberts8]

I've been pretty happy with the streaming quality - at least for the price. Considering I have done away with the 150/mo satellite, the quantity of stuff available for so cheap is pretty vast.

That said, I don't have 1080p. The HD content matches what I was seeing with DirecTV. It think another factor may be the hardware. I have netflix on my Roku, and also on my Oppo 93.

The quality on the Roku is far superior. If the Oppo was my only source I'd be less content. I compared exact same scenes within seconds of eachother and hands down Roku was the winner. And you can see from the image below that my internet speed can take whatever bandwidth Netflix can dish out.

The real disappointment for me is the sound quality. My wife uses netflix the most and she probably wouldn't notice if I turned the speakers toward the wall.

On another note, Vudu, which has been added to Oppo's services, is amazing.

Holy Crap!!! that is one heck of a internet connection! :jawdrop:


Who is your ISP? What kind of connection is it?

[baniels]

It's a local company called Lisco. It's fiber optic. They have it all over town. Not bad for a rural Iowa town of 10,000.

[M.Roberts8]

It's a local company called Lisco. It's fiber optic. They have it all over town. Not bad for a rural Iowa town of 10,000.

How close to IL is it??? I might move & commute Lol! Here is mine:


Look how awesome that is :rofl:

[Industrial]

How close to IL is it??? I might move & commute Lol! Here is mine:


Look how awesome that is :rofl:

OMG thats some crazy speed you have. I have the second fastest net connection my ISP provides.



But it cant compare!

As for netflix, Im in Canada and can only stream anyways. If they would of raised the price of streaming. I would either keep pausing the services until they had enough movies i actually want to see or cancel it all together. The selection kind of sucks. They get one big hit I want to see then for months the new releases don't interest me at all.

[M.Roberts8]

OMG thats some crazy speed you have. I have the second fastest net connection my ISP provides.



But it cant compare!

As for netflix, Im in Canada and can only stream anyways. If they would of raised the price of streaming. I would either keep pausing the services until they had enough movies i actually want to see or cancel it all together. The selection kind of sucks. They get one big hit I want to see then for months the new releases don't interest me at all.

I've noticed that about the streaming que I look through it for awhile then I'm like screw it and I grab a blu-ray instead. Which one has to wonder about the name Netflix I mean it has Net in it shouldn't we have a much bigger streaming library to choose from? As for their disc selection they really have quite a library & while they aren't all on blu-ray they have a pretty respectable selection of blu.

I swear everyone has better internet than me :M

[Chris D]

I'm on the ultra-cheap 1 disc at a time, 3 per month plan. Doesn't have any streaming to it. The biggest reason for me is that our "high-speed internet" here in Alaska is still limited, and has download limits. So even if I wanted to, (I really don't, due to quality) I'd have significant consequences to streaming video.

The biggest bummer I have with my plan is that I can't even get into the Netflix iPhone app, since I don't have streaming. I don't want to watch videos with it, but I like to rate movies when I watch them. It's often much less convenient to get to my computer, or use the full Netflix website in the browser.

So I haven't received any notice from Netflix, but I don't think my rates are going up. But I'm rather disappointed that Netflix is taking this stance. Yes, they previously provided good value. But then raising prices by 60%, and the president making the statement "well, I think everybody can afford to pay us another $6 per month", I think that's rather arrogant.

[Ovation]

They should have charged it from the beginning as a value-added product (which it is--how much is, of course, up for discussion). Now, it looks like a cash-grab. However, they are the busiest site on the web (or just about) and that does have costs associated with it.

I'm in Canada, so I can only stream anyway. I don't stream to my projector, but it looks fine on my TVs and my laptop (I even, on occasion, stream onto my iPhone, though usually only with sitcoms that do not require "high tech viewing"). I agree the movie selection is spotty (far more so than in the US, owing to licensing issues) but I've found it has been worth the price for watching TV shows I never got around to watching (or old favourites like Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minister). Costs far less than buying them on DVD and I'm unlikely to re-watch them (so far). For movies that I'll watch on the projector, I prefer a disc (BD or even DVD) over streaming, but for kids' movies, Netflix has also proven cheaper and more than adequate for my 5 and 9 year olds.

[aud19]

I am jealous of your internet ;x( :drool:

[bigburner]

I might as well give up now and hide in a cave.

Nigel.

[Blindamood]

I was doing 1-at-a-time (unlimited) with blu-ray, which was $11.99 per month, and only ocassionally used streaming. I was not impressed with streaming anyway, so when the new rates came out, I was more than happy to let it go. However, when I took a look at my disc usage (not much), I decided to go with the 1-at-a-time (2 per month max) rather than unlimited. I end up saving myself $6 per month...so in my case I guess I have to thank Netflix for making me take another look...

[madmac]

I am ok with Netflix here in Canada streaming wise as it's only $7.99/ month. However, I am increasingly becoming annoyed at the limited selection and may cut it off. I stream in the highest quality and find the resolution and audio acceptable on my sound system and 60" monitor. They just need to step it up on the selection and selection updates.

[Chris D]

News now is that Netflix's CEO is apologizing for the "attitude" behind the last change, which I can appreciate. To change your pricing is one thing. To increase your rates and then say that "oh, it doesn't matter, because our clients can afford it" is quite another.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44582868?gt1=43001

Now they're splitting the DVD and streaming services, and re-naming the disc service. "Qwikster"? Really? Okay... I'm still only going to do the disc service.

[Bob]

I love Netflex, both the rental end and the streaming. If they have to raise prices to stay in business and continue to give great service I have no problem with that.

I have never had a problem with the streaming on any of my TVs or IPAD.

[Hdale85]

Well their streaming selection leaves a lot to be desired.

[Ovation]

I would agree if I relied on it as my primary source for rental material. However, at least in Canada (and our title list is much smaller than in the US, though it has roughly doubled in the past 8 months), I find enough to keep me satisfied with the price of the service (no DVD rentals in Canada, only streaming).

I look at it as one tool in the toolkit, among many, to keep me and the family entertained.

[George Bellefontaine]

I may have to sign up with Netflix if things don't improve here. The local Blockbuster whom I relied on for all my blu-ray rentals is now gone. There are still a few mom and pop stores with rentals but the blu-rays are far and few between. There's a rumor that there is a big rental shop coming but I'll have to wait and see on that as I will only believe it when I see it. Too bad if i have to go with Netflix ,though, because I don't like the way they've been doing business lately.

[Hdale85]

One of my big complaints is the ability to browse for stuff. My kids use Netflix a lot for their kids shows as we don't have cable. What I find annoying is you can't just browse all the kids titles they give you only say 40 or 50, otherwise you have to search for something specific. So they end up having to rewatch stuff over and over again and sometimes that's ok and sometimes they get tired of it.

[Chris D]

I'll tell you one thing, Dougie, I'm sure tired of my daughter watching Dora the Explorer. She can't get enough of it though. She'll even re-watch the same episode over and over.

One thing occurred to me today--when they split the website, I REALLY hope I don't lose all my movie ratings that I put into Netflix. I built up quite a ranking there, and Netflix is actually pretty darn good now at prediting how I'm going to rate each movie.

[aud19]

Have any of you guys tried Vudu? http://www.vudu.com/ From what I've read they've got pretty good selection and their quality is supposed to actually approach BD (not meet or exceed but get close to) if you've got a capable net connection anyway.

[Hdale85]

Have any of you guys tried Vudu? http://www.vudu.com/ From what I've read they've got pretty good selection and their quality is supposed to actually approach BD (not meet or exceed but get close to) if you've got a capable net connection anyway.

We've got movies, I mostly use Netflix for TV shows and stuff for the kids and movies that I just don't feel the need to own. Vudu seems to be more a rental service. Rent just a couple things and you'd quickly be over the 15 bucks a month I spend on Netflix. Spending too much just isn't worthwhile to me. Main reason I got Netflix was because it was super cheap.

[aud19]

We've got movies, I mostly use Netflix for TV shows and stuff for the kids and movies that I just don't feel the need to own. Vudu seems to be more a rental service. Rent just a couple things and you'd quickly be over the 15 bucks a month I spend on Netflix. Spending too much just isn't worthwhile to me. Main reason I got Netflix was because it was super cheap.

Yeah fair enough, it seems like it's more similar to the rental rates of the dead B&M stores at ~$5 for a new release. That said, the quality and selection are superior to Netflix so I guess you get what you pay for....

I wish that there was a happy medium between the two. Say a ~$20 subscription but with Vudu's quality and selection.... (and be available in Canada :roll: )

[aud19]

I also find it annoying that Vudu don't appear to allow the HD/HDX stream to a PC. Only TV's etc with streaming capabilities (which I don't own).

Obviously they (more likely the studios) are worried about piracy...but really if someone was going to pirate it...wouldn't they just pirate it in the first place? It's not like it's hard to find HD BluRay rips in torrent form out there. SO why are you restricting access from users who actually WANT to pay you for your film....? :roll:

[Hdale85]

I could go for a 20-25 dollar subscription with blu-rayish quality and a large selection. Anything more then that and I'd likely just start looking at cable....

Yeah I noticed that about the HD/HDX. A PS3 will do it, and I think most of the netflix capable blu-ray players will as well.

[aud19]

I could go for a 20-25 dollar subscription with blu-rayish quality and a large selection. Anything more then that and I'd likely just start looking at cable....

Yeah I noticed that about the HD/HDX. A PS3 will do it, and I think most of the netflix capable blu-ray players will as well.

Yup and I don't own or have any need for any of them... Just strikes me as short sighted and close-minded. They're simply alienating more and more users and pushing them to piracy.

You'd think they'd wise up and try to do the opposite. Have policies in place to make your content affordable and inclusive for all and you'd all but kill piracy. It's just ignorance.

[Hdale85]

Yeah, seeing as my main TV has an HTPC attached it'd be nice to implement into that if I were going to go that route.

[audioqueso]

Yup and I don't own or have any need for any of them... Just strikes me as short sighted and close-minded. They're simply alienating more and more users and pushing them to piracy.

You'd think they'd wise up and try to do the opposite. Have policies in place to make your content affordable and inclusive for all and you'd all but kill piracy. It's just ignorance.

I don't know Netflix as I haven't used them in years.
However, though this move may suck to the customer, it can also be a move for the company to keep up with the economy in the US right now. It wouldn't surprise me if they were profitting off of it as well, but the bottom line is: if the company dies, then what? Comcast gets bigger and can charge more.

Here in Japan, we took a huge tax rise just a few months ago. A lot of the stuff that was nice and free, is no longer free. But the reason for the tax increase is because of Sendai (the place destroyed by the tsunami in March). Sure, there are people who complained. But overall, there wasn't much of a complain because it is understood that prices have to go up in order to rebuild that city.

Yes, sometimes it sucks for the customer.

[aud19]

I don't know Netflix as I haven't used them in years.
However, though this move may suck to the customer, it can also be a move for the company to keep up with the economy in the US right now. It wouldn't surprise me if they were profitting off of it as well, but the bottom line is: if the company dies, then what? Comcast gets bigger and can charge more.

Here in Japan, we took a huge tax rise just a few months ago. A lot of the stuff that was nice and free, is no longer free. But the reason for the tax increase is because of Sendai (the place destroyed by the tsunami in March). Sure, there are people who complained. But overall, there wasn't much of a complain because it is understood that prices have to go up in order to rebuild that city.

Yes, sometimes it sucks for the customer.

Ya lost me here... :unsure:

[Chris D]

... and now Netflix isn't splitting the company after all?

http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/10/tech/w...html?hpt=hp_bn

Geez... what's next?

[Kevin D]

Netflix quit's the streaming business and moves into all the vacated Blockbuster stores?

Could happen at the rate they're going.

Kevin D.

[Chris D]

Yikes... Netflix havin' some problems.

http://money.cnn.com/2011/10/25/technology/netflix_stock/?npt=NP1&hpt=hp_t2

I bet that CEO is regretting making that statement summarized as "we're going to charge what we want--we say the consumers can afford it".

[aud19]

Yikes... Netflix havin' some problems.

http://money.cnn.com/2011/10/25/technology/netflix_stock/?npt=NP1&hpt=hp_t2

I bet that CEO is regretting making that statement summarized as "we're going to charge what we want--we say the consumers can afford it".

That sort of all too typical corporate arrogance likely went over even less well than usual given the current political/economic climate...

[Alaric]

While I've never been a Netflix user , and they are still making money , it may be time to dump upper management in a "good faith" effort to woo back some customers. It seems that a good many of those who "...can afford it" decided to spend it elsewhere.

[Ovation]

I have Netflix streaming (they don't do discs in Canada) and it's been okay. I've been with Zip.ca for three years (they have discs but, as of yet, no streaming) but they've announced a policy change that has me seriously reconsidering my membership.

They haven't been as hamhanded about it as Netflix USA and I understand that price raises are not necessarily unreasonable, but their new policy stinks in one respect. I currently have the 1 disc unlimited per month plan. They've announced a 2$/mth price increase on my plan. I can live with that. They've announced a 1$ surcharge for Blu-ray (I'm a lot less happy with that, but I might have been willing to live with it). The serious PITA for me, though, is there is no Blu-ray service unless I go to the 2 disc unlimited plan. That doubles my monthly price AND I still have to pay the surcharge per disc. I moved from 3 to 1 disc per month over a year ago because I don't have time to keep up with that many films (and won't for a while longer) and I'm quite peeved that I have to go to 2 discs per month just to access Blu-ray.

When I joined Zip.ca, my local video store had no hi-def discs. They have since expanded into new, bigger quarters and they have an extensive BD collection (and no surcharge vs DVD).

end of rant

[Alaric]

I understand cororate revenues being down in a bad (horrendous) economy , but corporate greed never ceases to amaze me. It's an entitlement mentality as bad as any other.

[Chris D]

Totally agree with your last part there, Lee. Companies can charge what they like, and if they choose to raise prices, well, that's their decision. But consumers always have a choice whether to pay it or not. The thing that pissed me off was the CEO saying, "well, we're going to raise prices, because I think our customers can afford it." That sense of entitlement to customers' money ticks me off.

Ovation, I hear ya. I'm on Netflix's one-at-a-time disc plan with Blu Ray, 2 per month, I think. No streaming. Seems to be enough for me, and I think I'm still getting charged like $8 a month.

[aud19]

I have Netflix streaming (they don't do discs in Canada) and it's been okay. I've been with Zip.ca for three years (they have discs but, as of yet, no streaming) but they've announced a policy change that has me seriously reconsidering my membership.

They haven't been as hamhanded about it as Netflix USA and I understand that price raises are not necessarily unreasonable, but their new policy stinks in one respect. I currently have the 1 disc unlimited per month plan. They've announced a 2$/mth price increase on my plan. I can live with that. They've announced a 1$ surcharge for Blu-ray (I'm a lot less happy with that, but I might have been willing to live with it). The serious PITA for me, though, is there is no Blu-ray service unless I go to the 2 disc unlimited plan. That doubles my monthly price AND I still have to pay the surcharge per disc. I moved from 3 to 1 disc per month over a year ago because I don't have time to keep up with that many films (and won't for a while longer) and I'm quite peeved that I have to go to 2 discs per month just to access Blu-ray.

When I joined Zip.ca, my local video store had no hi-def discs. They have since expanded into new, bigger quarters and they have an extensive BD collection (and no surcharge vs DVD).

end of rant

Yeah I'm about ready to cancel my zip account as well. At $11/month 1 disc unlimited made sense...more than that, not so much.

[Alaric]

More bad news for Netflix...

http://movies.yahoo.com/blogs/movie-talk/no-bottom-netflix-193434768.html

[madmac]

Netflix is what it is in regards to home entertainment. I mean, you don't know how many times we decide TV sucks and go on netflix to find something suitable to watch. It will NEVER replace a good New release Blu ray on a Saturday night but for $7.99 a month, It's kinda' nice to have a commercial free TV show or documentary to watch now and then.

It's just the internet bandwidth consumption that kills me. We're capped mostly here in Canada so we have to be careful!!

[Chris D]

Me too. Here in Alaska, my ISP only lets me have a certain download limit every month. Even WITHOUT streaming ANY content, I usually go over my limit, just with surfing and file downloads.

[madmac]

Me too. Here in Alaska, my ISP only lets me have a certain download limit every month. Even WITHOUT streaming ANY content, I usually go over my limit, just with surfing and file downloads.

I have a 60" monitor so I have my Netflix set for maximum resolution that consumes about a gig an hour. I keep my eye out on my consumption on line and have to cut off the service many times when we get close to our limit!!