Netflix

[squid]

Blockbuster in receivership! I recently read an article saying that streaming of videos is the number one use of data surpassing surfing. Netflix is supposed to be the new wave but when I checked their website there did not seem to be any recent releases. Most of the stuff wasn't what I would classify as a New Release. There was also no mention of the movies being in Tru Hi-def. ( 1080p ).

Are there any members who can verify the quality of the movies Netflix offers ? Also, if the movies are in hi-def wouldn't the video be interrupted by your download speeds ?

Can someone get me up to speed on this ? Thanks

 

[badbadboy]

My local Blockbuster has a sign up in front saying that they are still going strong and won't be closing soon etc. Not sure how long that will last if the American parent goes down.

I searched Netflix last year and from what I see you need either a PS3 or one of their approved other devices. I was thinking of going with an AppleTV box. After looking at the content on Netflix in Canada, I stopped looking at it. Old content but the price is low $9/month.

 

[Mr Blonde]

netflix canada is getting screwed by the big three cable providers. naturally they would rather you be watching your new releases via their video on demand service (at 8 bucks a pop i think?)

their high def content leaves much to be deisred, in quality and selection. but if you're a true movie buff you can find something watchable, and for the price you need only watch 3 or 4 movies a month to get you money's worth.

ive been using it for about a month and i'm leaning towards keeping it, only because i'll pretty much watch anything. the video quality is pretty much the same as watching a movie on TV.

one thing i'll mention though is if you're going to use their free trial don't give them your credit card. ive heard its a pain in the ass to cancel, and they automatically bill month to month. that being said i picked up a prepaid visa card from vancity (the only one that seems to work with the service so far) to use their 1 month free trial. if you dont like their content, you dont have to worry about jumping through their hoops to cancel their service.

the pre paid thing is kinda long and involved, if you need more detail just shoot me a PM

 

[novemberrain]

I'm on Netflix and I like it, then again I don't really watch much TV anyways. It's true, the selection is lacking but I still end up finding something to watch and I kept it since its only $8 a month. It's true it's not 1080p, I'm not sure exactly what the resolution is. I think that was the first impression I got when I saw on my TV, it's not exactly the same as regular TV, it seems a little less quality but barely noticable after a while. On a PC monitor though, it looks great.

I stream it onto my TV through my PS3, which is free. If you have an Xbox, though, you'll need to be a Xbox gold member to stream netflix, I know, lame. They recently added quality settings to help people who have to manage bandwidth so I guess if you're having problems streaming with the highest quality, try reducing it. I'm on the lowest setting right now.

 

[storm rider]

I have had Netflix for a while and for the most part I like it....the quality is good for steaming and the picture is good.My only complaint is the content,I dont expect new releases as fast as a viseo store but I do expect/want the same content that Netflix users in the USA get and Canada does not get that....and there is a HUGE gap in that content...pisses me of that a Netflix subscriber in the USA can watch "The Sting" but I cannot if I live in Canada....my tastes are for older classic movies from the 70's/80's and early 90's and the selection between the USA and Canada is very different.

SR

 

[squid]

Thanks for the input. Kinda confirms what I was thinking. The Blockbuster near my place is staying open but I wonder if the restructuring is going to hurt availability and selection. I hope not because IMO once you've watched a Hi-Def movie on a big , flat screen you can't watch a regular movie.

 

[not2old]

Have you seen the new announcement by Shaw late last week?

They are going to be providing what everyone is asking for. More Bandwidth, and in a big way.

They are eliminating all of the analog TV channels and moving everyone to digital. You can fit a ton of digital channels in a 6 MHz analogue TV channel window. They will take all the bandwidth gained by the elimination of the analog channels and dedicate it to Internet bandwidth.

The result: They will be offering Internet packages with up to 250 Mbps download speeds (and 15 Mbps upload speeds).

They are also more download limits on basic packages. For example, Shaw High Speed goes from 60 Gb limit to 125 Gb limit. also, they won't have overage charges. Instead, they will offer people who repeatedly go over their allotment the opportunity to upgrade to a package the better suits their requirements.

Read about it here: http://shaw.ca/newpackages/

As for TV, Shaw will be offering their own Netflix type package soon. They will have a new "Gateway" device that allows you to record/watch up to 6 cahnnels at once. the gateway allows for up to 6 portals (a portal is a TV connection) allowing you to have up to 6 TV's watching 6 different channels of palyback of previously recorded shows (I think there is a limit of 3 playback channels at once).

Here is info on the Gateway: http://www.shaw.ca/gateway/

 

[Big Dog Striker]

Netflix was a great idea that gave its founder an unimagined ROI. We don't live in a perfect environment but we're still blessed to live in a place where creativity is renumerated BIGTIME. :thumb:

 

[Big Dog Striker]

The volatile shares of Netflix is presently at an all-time high thanks to being one of the darlings of Wall Street fund managers. Might give some investors sleepless nights but seems to be following the trend of another momentum stock Priceline.com.

 

[Oldfart]

I understand that if I want to watch Netflix movies on my TV set (as opposed to my computer) I have to purchase some other kind of interface.
I do currently own any kind of video game machine except for the Pong table in my basement.
What is the most economical option, please?

 

[storm rider]

I understand that if I want to watch Netflix movies on my TV set (as opposed to my computer) I have to purchase some other kind of interface.
I do currently own any kind of video game machine except for the Pong table in my basement.
What is the most economical option, please?

You do what I did....buy a graphics card for your computer that has an HDMI port and then hook it up to your TV via an HDMI cable.

SR

 

[not2old]

Here are a few options of boxes and game controllers that you can use to watch NetFlix on your TV (if you prefer not go go through the TV like Stormy suggested)

http://www.roku.com/netflixplayer/

XBox 360 http://ca.netflix.com/NRD/Xbox

Wii http://ca.netflix.com/NRD/Wii

PS3 http://ca.netflix.com/NRD/PS3

 

[freebird]

I understand that if I want to watch Netflix movies on my TV set (as opposed to my computer) I have to purchase some other kind of interface.
I do currently own any kind of video game machine except for the Pong table in my basement.
What is the most economical option, please?

Apple TV is about 100.00 which is pretty reasonable.