NETFLIX / QWIKSTER Discussion - Page 2

Guys, you may not find every single title on streaming that you want (or by disc, for that matter), but don't paint this picture that all the streaming selections are movies that weren't good enough to be disc only. There's a TON of quality films, both recent and classic, (with many in HD that don't even have BD counterparts) on streaming if you aren't so pigeonholed to be overlooking them otherwise.

 

I'm not saying that it's the end-all be-all, but the 20,000+ titles available on Netflix's streaming service are not the proverbial digital bargain bin that you guys make it out to be either.

 

 

 

Ultimately, why wouldn't the studios eventually host their own content anyway? Why would you let someone else use your properties when you can do the same operation and pocket all the profits.

 

The day is coming.....

 

Oh, it's not that. The issue is that if I'm skimming through my queue and have to decide between the Virgin Spring and Batman: Under the Red Hood, well, I've had a long day at work, I think I'll watch the one that requires nothing of me. With the discs, I'm getting the movies I know I'll ultimately enjoy more, and I have to watch them to get the next ones, which results in me seeing better movies in some ways because it's less convenient.  

 

This isn't even a problem though. It's just how I watch stuff. And as such, I'll be holding on to the mail plan.

 

Why not just watch what you want to? Why is The Virgin Spring any less of a powerful film if it's coming instantly from a mouse click or if you had to wait a day for it to arrive?

 

For me, every movie, no matter how you class it, is one that I give my full attention to. Quality issues being mostly comparable across the board, it doesn't matter the method of delivery.

 

I grew up in the pre-cable/pre-VHS days though, so movies just don't come across as disposable to me...even as we live in an age where people are watching them on their phones. 

 

My points are more of illustrating the differences between how we choose to view films....and there's nothing wrong on either side of that spectrum. As you alluded to, my original post is more to the people who claim there's a lack of quality content on Netflix Streaming when that just simply isn't the case. Their gripes seem more formed from their viewing habits than with the actual catalog available.

I took a look last night and if I cancel my service and throw in an additional $25 I can get cable/DVR and HBO.  I have been out of the cable loop for five years at least and only had a brief flirtation with On Demand through an ex.  Any consensus as to whether this would be worth my time?  I wouldn't have to watch the first two episodes of Walking Dead a day late on Amazon and I could begin keeping up with Mad Men instead of being six months behind.

 

You're right. There are plenty of great films on Netflix streaming that I haven't seen. I think the problem (and like Rudd says, it's a personal one rather than an issue with the service) is that there's also a lot of not-so-good films on Netflix that require a lot less out of you as a viewer, but they're still films you're mildly interested in seeing. So while it would be nice to say I can choose to watch a Thin Red Line or a Black Book every time, sometimes I just feel lazy as a viewer and will choose something like goddamn Megamind instead of putting in the effort (and it can be effort) to watch a genuinely interesting film.

 

But yes. Complaints about Netflix not having enough films are a little silly since I've got upwards of 100 films in the queue and it's still growing. And they have a lot of really great docs which is nice.

 

When Netflix announced their price hike, I had approximately 80 movies in my DVD queue. Know how many of them were also available via streaming? Five.

 

That's true, but I think you do sort of have to tailor your streaming queue to what they have available, and what they have available is pretty damn good even if it's not exactly what you would have chosen.

 

Right but when I go to watch a movie I kind of want to watch the ones I want to watch, that is kind of the point, im not spinning a wheel. Right now streaming is good to watch an older film that you can't get a Blu-ray but between selection and quality it just isn't there yet. And honestly neither are internet connections. If they start streaming new releases then all of this will change for your average movie crowd though. If you average person hears that they can see every new movie on the day it comes out for like 8 bucks a month or even 20 then none of our bitching will matter because people will flock to it.

 

Still the streaming selection isn't awful it's just that if you trult want to watch EVERYTHING you want then you have to use both.
 

 

We did something similar a while back--we turned off all our Netflix stuff and blew open our Dish to have every channel.  Recently in an effort to cut back on costs, we got rid of all the premium content and opened back up the minimum Netflix account.  Now we may pull back on that.  Can you get blu-rays from those Red Box/Blockbuster machines?  That's the thing that I miss with Blockbuster gone--if the feeling takes me to go rent something, I can't do that with streaming for most new releases.

Has anyone tried Vudu for streaming new releases? I just cut out the DVD part of Netflix since there seems to be plenty on streaming to keep me occupied for now. The only thing that sucks is if I want to see something like X-Men: First Class, but don't want to buy it. Redbox is convenient enough, but if I'm just lounging and want to pop on something I haven't seen that extra trip isn't ideal. And I don't really want to have a Redbox movie sitting around for multiple days collecting charges.

My internet connection sucks too much to get the HD version of Vudu movies.  I mentioned it earlier--I'm giving AT&T until the end of 2011 and if there's no U-Verse update, I may start a cable fund to get cable installed.

REDBOX is proud to graciously offer Blu Ray discs to their loyal customers, conveniently making available in the format most major newly released films. And at just 1.49$ a night? You never have to worry about late fees

REDBOX is a remarkable service run by friendly, caring human beings who are deeply concerned about customer satisfaction. Have a problem? A quick call or email to the people of the Crimson Kiosk is all it takes to make things right. REDBOX knows that the best weapon in their war against NETFLIX, BLOCKBUSTER and their ilk is the invincible power to command the love of their consumers, and so they will never hesitate to toss free rental codes and delightful goodies your way if you've encountered a spot of trouble

And the best part is the sense of community that binds the REDBOX customer experience together. Phone lines are staffed by hard working people who understand the value of empathy in customer service. You'll never be made to feel like a winger if you've a legitimate grievance that needs airing

Oh, and for every roustabout taking up time in the REDBOX line flipping through films trying to decide what to rent*, there is a kind soul who has affixed a free code sticky note to the machine, paying it forward to the next REDBOXER. I can't tell you how many times I've gone up to the RB, credit card in hand, fully pepared to pay for a movie, only to discover that hey, I'm getting tonight's rental for free!

Give it a try sometime, and join the millions of Americans who have already made RB their new release rental service of choice

Whether you're at the store or reserve online from REDBOX.com, you'll never miss a step

PS Be on the lookout for the separate return slot. REDBOX saw the need, and set their engineering team to address it. New RETURN SLOT equipped kiosks are already rolling out in select cities nation wide!

* IMHO REDBOX etiquette demands you know what films you want before you step up to the touch screen, and to set about checking for them with all possible haste if there are others waiting. Those who stand there reading through film descriptions while others are simply trying to pick up a reserved disc or return a rental are the worst sorts of people. If I could give any advice to a new REDBOXER, it would be to not be that guy

Jesus christ, did you spend time as an ad copy writer for the company?

 

Yeah, you may not have to worry about them, but you're still going to incur/pay for them all the same.

That post was fairly creepy, I must admit. And that's coming from ME.

What I find odd is that keeping both delivery systems on one site makes it very easy to market streaming upgrades to DVD-only customers. I realize that they could all have both now, and clearly many don't (or dropped it, like me), but the next time there's some major coup in streaming programming content, you'd probably have more DVD renters willing to give streaming a shot if it was a one-click add to their existing service, rather than a separate site.

 

 

Anyway, my gut tells me that despite all the controversy, this is a smart movie by Netflix and it will pay off in the long run. They know discs are going the way of the dinosaur and rather than damage their great brand by association, they create a disposable second brand to help bridge the gap between streaming and disc in the next few years, while building their main brand up for future media. Pretty smart, IMO. 

I'm guessing it was time spent copying and pasting, but I could be wrong.

Yes, it makes no sense to separate and alienate the Netflix family. If Netflix truly believes that streaming is not only the "future" but also the "today", why not just prove it to their dvd-only subscribers on the same site? For the customer to be able to see both options grow or recede respectively, side by side, on the same site, is the best advertising and marketing for the eventual winner.

 

I want to get back to that "Netflix family" angle for a second. Little by little, Netflix is cutting its community apart. Taking away the Friends List and the Top Ten Lists are little cuts here and there that show disregard for the customers' collective communal experience. Now, making two separate sites creates even more distance. There was appeal and vitality to the Netflix experience outside of just getting some discs in the mail or a stream on your television.

 

Netflix seems to be listening more to its shareholders than to its own family. That's a shame.

 

Edited by Agent Z - 9/21/11 at 2:52pm

Pretty sure Jeb is right about Kate copy and pasting aside from the IMHO portion at the end.  But still, Kate...

A million times this. My movie-watching pals and I all used Netflix's Friends feature -- mostly just to make fun of what each other was watching -- and it was fantastic. Then it all went away, and now more than half of the guys I used to share little reviews and stuff with don't even subscribe anymore.

If you're going to shill, you could at least filter out the COMPLETE BULLSHIT.

 

Thanks.

Doubtful

 

because REDBOX doesn't capitalize their name on their site in their FAQs and they also know how to use proper punctuation.  Kate is just being Kate.

Hahahahah.  Oh, Kate...

Haha, no, but I'm flattered you'd mistake my comment for professional work! For the record, I have no formal association with REDBOX AUTOMATED RETAIL LLC, and was posting purely in my capacity as a private citizen. Speaking as a former NETFLIX enthusiast, the recent news out of the company most definitely stings, and I figured how better to repay the slight than by turning my boundless energy and enthusiasm to promoting my favorite rival service?

True, there are fees, but as someone who used to rack up hundreds of dollars in bogus charges at MOVIE GALLERY, IMHO the fees at REDBOX are nothing to fret over

 

(Movie Gallery would charge you full rental price in fees if your items were even a day late - and at MG that often meant 8$ game rental charges for a single extra day's play time)
 

PS Blacky Shim Sham, your image cracks me up!

I dunno about the "family" thing, but I do get the sense that Hastings and company are thinking something like this: "We've had streaming for a couple years now. We gave all those DVD types plenty of opportunity to use it-- hell, we threw it in free for a while. If they're just too old-fashioned or stupid to get on board with the future, then let's just set them aside where the rest of us won't have to interact with them."

 

 

I agree but I don't think liking better quality and selection over streaming makes you stupid or old fashioned. Im all for streaming if it would look like my blu-rays. However that is a LONG way off.

That is what continues to bother me to the point of anger, the way the pro streaming crowd attempt to make DVD service out as something only that would appeal to technological dinosaurs clinging to a dead technology

 

I would seriously hope Jeb was merely trying to write from the point of view of Hastings, and wasn't suggesting that image quality and  film selection are things that "stupid" people care about. On CHUD of all places, that makes no sense to me

Nor do I. But I'm not the one running the business.

Have you tried Amazon HD streaming or iTunes? Because in some cases they offer quality that is pretty close to Blue Ray level. Netflix is a distant 3rd in terms of quality, unless you include their Starz content, in which case they are even further down the line.

No I haven't and perhaps I should. I just like the idea of getting all my shit in one place with low monthly payments.

 

Netflix split to set up Amazon streaming merger?

 

 

 

Ignoring the whole kerfuffle for a minute.  This information was probably already given but was lost in the shuffle:

 

Does anyone know when the Quickter/Netflix split is happening?  I'm wondering how this is going to affect people (esp. college students) who need to reroute their DVD deliveries in the next month or two.

If true I hope they just retain the licensing deals and use their (Amazon's) infrastructure. But if they go that way, why not just make deals with the content providers themselves?
 

 

Hey what happened to saved section on instant queue? 

Probably the beginning of the end.

 

A NETFLIX feature both useful and beloved? No doubt deliberately targeted for elimination. In all seriousness though, I mean, why get rid of SAVED? I loved SAVED, because that way when films went off INSTANT, they'd be added to SAVED, and when they returned to the service, they'd reenter my queue

Wait, so they're removing features from their Streaming side? The side they're supposed to be growing?!

 

This fucking company ...

I don't know. My Saved section was almost a hundred strong. Untidy!

Well I have just discovered that they increased the number of movies you can have on your main disc queue. It was 500 and now I have 587 on there. Not sure what the limit is, im guessing 600.

Jesus christ, really?

 

...

 

Yep, looks like it's gone. Unless it's somehow, I dunno, maintenance or something, they just can't stop fucking up. But hey, this means I can add more stuff to my instant queue... it was maxed out with the saved section (but I'd still rather have the saved section)

 

However if they also increased the queue size, at least for discs, that's cool.

Yeah and on the disc queue the limit is still 500 but they don't count the saved section. I thought they increased it but they just stopped counting the saved section which is cool because I was able to add a bunch of stuff that I had written down somewhere else while still adding upcoming movies and movies where the disc is gone and im waiting for streaming because god forbid they order more discs.

 

Heh, yeah I did the same thing. Had started a list in the notes app on my phone, of movies on Instant that I'd like to watch eventually but which wouldn't fit on my queue. Last night I went through and added them all. Also found an article in which someone from Netflix addressed the change, and apparently your save selections are still stored somewhere, so when one of them becomes available it will go back into your queue. So I'll recant my knee-jerk reaction and admit this is actually a pretty cool change, although it would still be nice to be able to see what's in your saved section.

Netflix Secures Streaming Deal With Dreamworks

 

Netlfix, you go up and down, up and down, it's like watching the Sox all over again. Dreamworks skips past TV deal, a Hollywood first, and goes straight for web broadcasting. Lose Starz, get direct access to all of DW's films, not too shabby. This may set a tone for things to come, where content creators go directly to web, phasing out regular tv. Maybe, I dunno.

Yeah, too bad it's only Dreamworks Animation, but hopefully Dreamworks proper follows their lead.

Well, I signed up to be notified of the "Blockbuster" deal that Dish Network is offering on October 1st.  It's "exclusively" for Dish Network subscribers and has DVD rentals and streaming available.  No other details, like if it's an extra cost and if so how much that is, etc.  Should find that out on Oct. 1st.  If it's free (good luck with that) or a slight nudge like $5 a month, I'll probably quit Netflix and switch.

 

EDIT: Heard more about it today on a tech podcast--apparently because of the level of service I have, I should be able to get the service for free, which also includes blu-rays and games.  Fuck yeah.  And the streaming will be part of the Dish receiver.  Sounds pretty good.  Bye bye Netflix (for now).

Edited by Martianman - 9/26/11 at 6:32am

I appreciate they're trying to do their subscribers a solid with this DREAMWORKS ANIMATION deal, but since I've already seen HTTYD, and my feelings towards the rest of the studio's back catalog could reasonably be described as "loathing"... this doesn't do much for me

 

I read an article on HUFFPO a few weeks back saying that if NETFLIX wanted to survive, they needed a BIG announcement. The only announcement big and bold enough would have been, according to the articles author, for them to agree to whatever fees HBO wants and get them signed with INSTANT. A coup of that sort would, in the author's opinion, be the kind of news that would be big enough to change public perception of the service

 

I pretty much agree, though I'll state that if they're going after small fish like DAS (DREAMWORKS ANIMATION STUDIOS) perhaps HBO was never going to happen in the first place

I'm sure they're not just going after small fish, but they can only go with who's willing to play ball and who they can afford. And why would HBO but their stuff on Netflix now when they have their own streaming service?

Well I don't know, but here is the article I referenced:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/02/netflix-hbo_n_946598.html

PS: I don't understand how the deal NETFLIX made with Discovery is big news. An article I read bragged about them getting MAN VS WILD, but up until a few months ago, there were like 45 episodes of M v. W already on INSTANT. If I am not mistaken, it just seems like they're reupping a content lincense, not getting new stuff