Netflix Subscription Service Is Tops in Survey of Home Video RentalServices

Richard Cranium wrote:

For *my* package, Blockbuster is $2 cheaper than Netflix. And, streaming
doesn't interest me in the least.

I think that streaming will be of interest when the available titles
reach the point where you can get most of what you rent today as DVDs.
It's an on-demand service that includes HD versions. What's not to
like about it?

A) The video quality SUCKS, IMO.
B) I rarely can plan on having an entire 150 minute window to watch a movie.
Quite often, I will watch 30 minutes or so, be interrupted, and not
return to the movie until the next day.
C) Download bandwidth issues still exist with many ISPs.
D) There is NO comparison with audio dynamics. It ain't even close.

Jer wrote:

For *my* package, Blockbuster is $2 cheaper than Netflix. And, streaming
doesn't interest me in the least.

I think that streaming will be of interest when the available titles
reach the point where you can get most of what you rent today as DVDs.
It's an on-demand service that includes HD versions. What's not to
like about it?

I must take significant bandwidth for an HD movie, but I suppose it's
doable for an overnight process to watch it the next day. How are the
extras presented? Download these separately? Is there a presentation
menu after it's all available?

"Extras" with streaming video? LOL!

[I can just see them try BD Live. ]

Thumper wrote:

Yup - I had Total Access. I would get 3 DVDs in the mail and exchange
them at my local store for 3 more while simultaneously releasing the
next 3 via mail. I have an invalid family member at home so movies
are an important entertainment element. I was never grandfathered
into anything but a series of price increases that eventually (when
the package hit $35) moved me to Netflix. It seems to me that
streaming is the future for content delivery and Netflix is doing it
better each day - HD too!

Mine still costs me $19.99 a month. I don't know why but I assumed it
was grand fathered.

You have "Total Access." He had "Total Access Premium." Only difference
between the two is Premium allows unlimited in-store exchanges. Your plan
allows only 5 in-store exchanges per month. Netflix allows ZERO in store
exchanges per month. So he is saving $3 per month (before Blu-ray surcharge)
and gets streaming (eh), but gets NO in-store returns.

https://www.blockbuster.com/signup/y/plan/
https://www.netflix.com/PickAProgram

On Sat, 21 Feb 2009 12:42:46 -0800, UCLAN wrote:

Thumper wrote:

Yup - I had Total Access. I would get 3 DVDs in the mail and exchange
them at my local store for 3 more while simultaneously releasing the
next 3 via mail. I have an invalid family member at home so movies
are an important entertainment element. I was never grandfathered
into anything but a series of price increases that eventually (when
the package hit $35) moved me to Netflix. It seems to me that
streaming is the future for content delivery and Netflix is doing it
better each day - HD too!

Mine still costs me $19.99 a month. I don't know why but I assumed it
was grand fathered.

You have "Total Access." He had "Total Access Premium." Only difference
between the two is Premium allows unlimited in-store exchanges. Your plan
allows only 5 in-store exchanges per month. Netflix allows ZERO in store
exchanges per month. So he is saving $3 per month (before Blu-ray surcharge)
and gets streaming (eh), but gets NO in-store returns.

https://www.blockbuster.com/signup/y/plan/
https://www.netflix.com/PickAProgram


Nope.

I just copied this from my account.

BLOCKBUSTER Total Access Premium $19.99 / month (plus taxes)
3 at-a-time, Unlimited mailings
Unlimited in-store movie exchanges
+1 FREE bonus Movie or Game Rental E-Coupon / Month
Change HoldCancelNext Billing Date:March 07,2009

On Sat, 21 Feb 2009 12:42:46 -0800, UCLAN wrote:

Thumper wrote:

Yup - I had Total Access. I would get 3 DVDs in the mail and exchange
them at my local store for 3 more while simultaneously releasing the
next 3 via mail. I have an invalid family member at home so movies
are an important entertainment element. I was never grandfathered
into anything but a series of price increases that eventually (when
the package hit $35) moved me to Netflix. It seems to me that
streaming is the future for content delivery and Netflix is doing it
better each day - HD too!

Mine still costs me $19.99 a month. I don't know why but I assumed it
was grand fathered.

You have "Total Access." He had "Total Access Premium." Only difference
between the two is Premium allows unlimited in-store exchanges. Your plan
allows only 5 in-store exchanges per month. Netflix allows ZERO in store
exchanges per month. So he is saving $3 per month (before Blu-ray surcharge)
and gets streaming (eh), but gets NO in-store returns.

https://www.blockbuster.com/signup/y/plan/
https://www.netflix.com/PickAProgram

I don't know why it's this way but I'm not complaining.
Thumper

UCLAN wrote:
Jer wrote:

For *my* package, Blockbuster is $2 cheaper than Netflix. And,
streaming
doesn't interest me in the least.

I think that streaming will be of interest when the available titles
reach the point where you can get most of what you rent today as DVDs.
It's an on-demand service that includes HD versions. What's not to
like about it?

I must take significant bandwidth for an HD movie, but I suppose it's
doable for an overnight process to watch it the next day. How are the
extras presented? Download these separately? Is there a presentation
menu after it's all available?

"Extras" with streaming video? LOL!

[I can just see them try BD Live. ]


Uh, okay, I'm just trying to wrap a brain cell around this. So, the
term 'streaming' must imply it's a live feed, more or less, right? If
so, then one would have to presume there's a buffer involved to account
for momentary packet loss somewhere along the food chain. (I hope it's
big enough) So, this is getting interesting... for the feed rate of a
1080 stream, one must have a healthy internet pipe. And by your
comment, there aren't any extras?

--
jer
email reply - I am not a 'ten'

Thumper wrote:

You have "Total Access." He had "Total Access Premium." Only difference
between the two is Premium allows unlimited in-store exchanges. Your plan
allows only 5 in-store exchanges per month. Netflix allows ZERO in store
exchanges per month. So he is saving $3 per month (before Blu-ray
surcharge) and gets streaming (eh), but gets NO in-store returns.

https://www.blockbuster.com/signup/y/plan/
https://www.netflix.com/PickAProgram

Nope.

I just copied this from my account.

BLOCKBUSTER Total Access Premium $19.99 / month (plus taxes) 3 at-a-time,
Unlimited mailings Unlimited in-store movie exchanges +1 FREE bonus Movie
or Game Rental E-Coupon / Month Change HoldCancelNext Billing Date:March
07,2009

Hmmm...dunno why you are paying $15/month less than what their website says.

I'M TELLING!

On Sat, 21 Feb 2009 21:32:13 -0800, UCLAN wrote:

Thumper wrote:

You have "Total Access." He had "Total Access Premium." Only difference
between the two is Premium allows unlimited in-store exchanges. Your plan
allows only 5 in-store exchanges per month. Netflix allows ZERO in store
exchanges per month. So he is saving $3 per month (before Blu-ray
surcharge) and gets streaming (eh), but gets NO in-store returns.

https://www.blockbuster.com/signup/y/plan/
https://www.netflix.com/PickAProgram

Nope.

I just copied this from my account.

BLOCKBUSTER Total Access Premium $19.99 / month (plus taxes) 3 at-a-time,
Unlimited mailings Unlimited in-store movie exchanges +1 FREE bonus Movie
or Game Rental E-Coupon / Month Change HoldCancelNext Billing Date:March
07,2009

Hmmm...dunno why you are paying $15/month less than what their website says.

I'M TELLING!


Oops.
Thumper

"Richard Cranium" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 20 Feb 2009 11:35:29 -0800, UCLAN
wrote:

KHudson wrote:

Despite the ever-increasing number of channels offered by
cable,
satellite, and phone company TV providers, video rental
services
continue to be a popular source of entertainment for many
people.
http://www.infozine.com/news/stories...iew/sid/34147/

Keith
http://www.******.com

Blockbuster's policy of not charging extra for Blu-ray makes
them better
in this HD lover's opinion. Add the ability to exchange mailed
discs at
a store three blocks away, and it's a slam dunk.


But Netflix's pricing and streaming make them a far better
choice
IMHO. I was a pro-Blockbuster subscriber until their
3-at-a-time
pricing went from under $20 to $35. Netflix at $18 is a
better deal -
and the $1 premium per month for BluRay access is
insignificant. If I
want to run to the Post Office each time, I can actually get
three
deliveries per week as my local Netflix drop location is at my
local
post office.

I've never before checked BB prices and can't find a reference
now to $35 for 3-at-a-time, can you provide a link?

I was surprised to find NetFlix now working on Saturdays. That
surely amounts to an extra delivery per week for those of us in
the one-day USPO service areas.

Here, in this retirement community, the USPO carriers provide
door-to-door delivery and pick up, so it's truly effortless to
cycle a NetFlix disc every delivery day, if there's anything of
interest. Though a short golf-cart drive to the on-site
satellite post office is a refreshing, wind-blown way to return
NetFlix discs too;-)

CLicker wrote:

I've never before checked BB prices and can't find a reference
now to $35 for 3-at-a-time, can you provide a link?

https://www.blockbuster.com/signup/y/plan/

Click on "See All Available Plans."