Netflix Streaming Thread 2.0

boo urns!!!! sigh, I just got a blu ray player too! and was looking forward to getting blu ray rentals for that cheap, but 16-18 bucks a month, even though its not that much more, i dont watch enough too spend the extra :/
 
[quote name='AshesofWake']boo urns!!!! sigh, I just got a blu ray player too! and was looking forward to getting blu ray rentals for that cheap, but 16-18 bucks a month, even though its not that much more, i dont watch enough too spend the extra :/[/QUOTE]

Yeah, it sucks. I'll keep Blu Ray for sure, but probably drop the streaming since I mainly just watch new releases and just use the streaming for a documentary or foreign film here or there personally.

That will save me a $2 since that would be $9.99 a month rather than the $11.99 a month I have now. I really like streaming just to have it for things like documentaries that I wouldn't often "waste" a disc rental on as I just watch those randomly when I'm bored etc. But it's not worth $8 a month more to me to have streaming along with my discs.

May spur me to ditch Xbox Live gold as well as I'm getting pretty burned out online gaming. Only thing I'm looking forward to is some Horde in Gears 3, and I'll probably be done with that by the time my subscription is up next spring.
 
[quote name='camoor']It would be a little more impressive if you didn't have Nascar and WWE avatars.[/QUOTE]

I don't see why that has anything to do with the debate, coming from someone with no avatar at all. Also as an FYI, the nascar image is pretty much anti nascar, genius.

Now go back to the kids table and let the grown-ups talk.
 
Price rise is shitty.....come on. Seriously everything in my life apparently is raising their price.

Although an extra 5 bucks isnt too bad.
 
I am thinking about getting rid of the dvd option anyways as it seems lately that a lot of my discs are taking forever to get back to them and at the average rate with 1 disc option I can pull 2 discs a week. I usually rip them for later viewing and delete them when I am done to save space.
 
[quote name='dmaul1114']
Plan options are:

Unlimited Streaming only, no discs $7.99
1 DVD, no streaming $7.99 ($9.99 with Blu Ray)
2 DVDs, no streaming $11.99 ($14.99 with Blu Ray)
1 DVD, Unlimited streaming $15.98 ($17.98 with Blu Ray)
2 DVDs, Unlimited streaming $19.98 ($22.98 with Blu Ray)
3 DVDs, Unlimited streaming $23.98 ($27.98 with Blu Ray)
4 DVDs, Unlimited streaming $29.98 ($34.98 with Blu Ray)[/quote]

That's insane, didn't they just change pricing options 6 or so months ago?

Guess I'll be switching to streaming only, and/or Hulu Plus.
 
[quote name='ITDEFX']I am thinking about getting rid of the dvd option anyways as it seems lately that a lot of my discs are taking forever to get back to them and at the average rate with 1 disc option I can pull 2 discs a week. I usually rip them for later viewing and delete them when I am done to save space.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, thankfully I have no problems with turn around time and always get the 3 business days promised (i.e. mail out on Monday, get a new one on Wednesday).

I love the streaming for convenience, but these days I watch little more than new releases since I hardly ever see movies in the theaters any more.

Before I used the streaming more as I had more free time and was still catching most things I really wanted to see in theaters, so I was watching a lot of older movies, indie movies, documentaries etc. which streaming is great for.

Now that I have a hard time keeping up even with Hollywood new releases I don't really bother much with the older movies and docs etc. these days, so I suppose I'm not losing that much giving up streaming.

Just annoying when prices go up that much and we get nothing extra for it. It would be more tolerable if they announced they'd be adding more movies to stream in HD, or had worked out a deal to get more new releases on streaming etc.

Same with Blu-ray, they added the fee for that and there are still a lot of catalog titles that are available on Blu-ray that they don't offer, and I still often have 2-3 week waits to get major new releases on Blu-ray when I could get them right away on DVD.

But I suppose this is what happens when there's pretty much a monopoly and really no real competition for them on streaming video or disc rentals currently. That gives them free reign to raise prices without improving service.
 
[quote name='HydroX']That's insane, didn't they just change pricing options 6 or so months ago?

Guess I'll be switching to streaming only, and/or Hulu Plus.[/QUOTE]

Nah, the prices have been stable for a while I think. The last change I think was just adding the $7.99 streaming only plan. I don't think the changed the DVD play prices at that time.

Before that I think the changes were the Blu-ray fee jumping from $1 to $1 plus $1 per disc out at at time.

So in some sense they were due for a price increase. The problem is this was just a damn dramatic one going from $9.99 for 1 dvd and streaming to $15.98 for the same. I'd have less of an issue if they just raised all plans by a buck or two.
 
UGHH - price increase sucks. I just went down to 1 blu-ray out at a time and it has been perfect for us. We watch streaming sometimes at night in the bedroom on the roku. Now I guess we'll have to pick one or the other. I like the new release stuff on Blu-ray looking and sounding all pretty but I like the convenience of streaming... Netflix just keeps pissing me off with their price changes/hikes.
 
Some important info, the change doesn't go into affect until your bill on or after September 1st.

The price of your Unlimited Streaming + 1 DVD out at-a-time (Unlimited) plan will change to $17.98 (including $2.00 for Blu-ray)() (plus any applicable tax) a month starting with your next billing period on or after Sep 01, 2011. If you select a new plan in the meantime, you will only be able to return to your current plan at the new price, regardless of when you make the change.

So don't change it now as you can't get your old price back if you do. Might as well enjoy the streaming at the current price through August!
 
Well, it looks like I'm going down to streaming only by September. I was more than happy to pay the extra $2 a month in the off chance I wanted a DVD, but $8? Yeah, no. No.

I understand it, but it still sucks. Netflix discovered that they make more profit when they send out less DVDs, so this encourages people to either stop getting DVDs or pay more to cover the mailing costs. Netflix changes their pricing scheme a lot, but this is a comparatively huge jump from what they've done in the past.

You know, I'd complain more, but that copy of The Expendables that's been sitting unwatched in my mail pile since February sort of underlines that this really probably isn't too big a deal for me.
 
[quote name='HydroX']I don't see why that has anything to do with the debate, coming from someone with no avatar at all. Also as an FYI, the nascar image is pretty much anti nascar, genius.

Now go back to the kids table and let the grown-ups talk.[/QUOTE]

Just a joke, calm down.
 
[quote name='007']
I understand it, but it still sucks. Netflix discovered that they make more profit when they send out less DVDs, so this encourages people to either stop getting DVDs or pay more to cover the mailing costs. Netflix changes their pricing scheme a lot, but this is a comparatively huge jump from what they've done in the past. [/QUOTE]

Yeah, it's the level of the jump that's the problem. That and their hasn't been a postage increase thus their mailing costs didn't suddenly go up.

Anyway, it will be interesting to see how this works out for them.

For people like you who mainly use the streaming, dropping discs is the logical decision. For people like me who mainly watch new releases and want Blu-ray quality, dropping streaming is the logical decision. Will be interesting to see what the next price change is as it should be reflective of the balance of such decisions by customers.
 
[quote name='dmaul1114']Yeah, it's the level of the jump that's the problem. That and their hasn't been a postage increase thus their mailing costs didn't suddenly go up.[/QUOTE]

Yeah I'm hoping this means they won't dick around with the prices for a while.

I use the hell out of both streaming and the DVD plans so this isn't a big deal for me but I can see how a more casual user could get erked

If they put everything on streaming I won't need DVDs, but I'm not holding my breath on that one...
 
[quote name='camoor']Yeah I'm hoping this means they won't dick around with the prices for a while.

I use the hell out of both streaming and the DVD plans so this isn't a big deal for me but I can see how a more casual user could get erked

If they put everything on streaming I won't need DVDs, but I'm not holding my breath on that one...[/QUOTE]

Yeah, streaming selection won't improve anytime soon as that's up to the movie studios. And they don't like giving them things as it hurt sales when someone can watch the movie at anytime on streaming vs. having to wait for a disc rental (or go to the rental store/kiosk).

But yeah, I've became a more casual user since I don't watch nearly as much as I used to, so it does erk me.

Shitty timing as well as my 1st year promo with DirecTV just ran out so that bill jumped up $30 or so as well. Need to call and complain and see if I can get it knocked down, but I'm not optimistic since I signed a 2 year contract. Probably won't have much luck getting a discount until the 2nd year is up and I can threaten to leave without owing them a cancellation fee.
 
[quote name='dmaul1114']Yeah, streaming selection won't improve anytime soon as that's up to the movie studios. And they don't like giving them things as it hurt sales when someone can watch the movie at anytime on streaming vs. having to wait for a disc rental (or go to the rental store/kiosk).

But yeah, I've became a more casual user since I don't watch nearly as much as I used to, so it does erk me.

Shitty timing as well as my 1st year promo with DirecTV just ran out so that bill jumped up $30 or so as well. Need to call and complain and see if I can get it knocked down, but I'm not optimistic since I signed a 2 year contract. Probably won't have much luck getting a discount until the 2nd year is up and I can threaten to leave without owing them a cancellation fee.[/QUOTE]

Don't worry I have the worst cable deal of all time. Because I bought high-speed internet they force me to get limited cable for 18 bucks. If I don't they' just jack up my cable internet price for the difference. I'm paying 65 bones a month to the cable company. I don't even have the cable box because I don't want to watch their shitty stations, I just want the internet.

Compared to my dishonest and monopolistic cable company, Netflix is still a good deal.
 
[quote name='camoor']Don't worry I have the worst cable deal of all time. Because I bought high-speed internet they force me to get limited cable for 18 bucks. If I don't they' just jack up my cable internet price for the difference. I'm paying 65 bones a month to the cable company. I don't even have the cable box because I don't want to watch their shitty stations, I just want the internet.

Compared to my dishonest and monopolistic cable company, Netflix is still a good deal.[/QUOTE]


Yeah, most cable companies are like that. Either pay for cable TV with your internet, or pay more for internet anyway.

Comcast was always like that when I had them. I didn't mind so much as the only places I had their internet were places where they were my only TV option as well (places I couldn't have satellite) and I have to have cable or satellite for sports personally anyway.
 
Considering they didn't even wait a year to spring yet another pricing structure and increase on us Netflix users I'll be canceling my subscription of DVD and streaming. Back in November the increase was more of an annoyance and wasn't really that big of a deal, but this rate increase just doesn't justify it, even more so since I don't really get new releases right away and their instant streaming has been meh.

My sister loves streaming for her children so I'll just share her account on my PS3 and I'll just have to deal with seeing iCarly, and Hanna Montana in my recommendations. So Netflix will lose $10 a month from me starting in September.
 
[quote name='007']Well, it looks like I'm going down to streaming only by September. I was more than happy to pay the extra $2 a month in the off chance I wanted a DVD, but $8? Yeah, no. No.

I understand it, but it still sucks. Netflix discovered that they make more profit when they send out less DVDs, so this encourages people to either stop getting DVDs or pay more to cover the mailing costs. Netflix changes their pricing scheme a lot, but this is a comparatively huge jump from what they've done in the past.

You know, I'd complain more, but that copy of The Expendables that's been sitting unwatched in my mail pile since February sort of underlines that this really probably isn't too big a deal for me.[/QUOTE]

This is exactly my situation...we've had one dvd out for months and just never got around to watching it. So, streaming only it is. Might look at Hulu Plus more seriously now.
 
I usually don't complain when there is a price hike on services like this because 95% of the time they come with some type of added feature, or the price hike is a minimal one like a dollar or 2 a month. In this case it's damn near doubling your cost for the same shit.... There is no way to justify this. I like being able to get new to fairly new movies on dvd and my daughter streams shit like mad, but I can not justify spending this much for this service now. I guess I will have to do the same as what alot of people are doing and cut the dvd's out and just go with redbox or something like that. Right about now I wish Blockbuster's service had streaming because then that would be the perfect service due to also having games......
 
[quote name='dmaul1114']Nah, the prices have been stable for a while I think. The last change I think was just adding the $7.99 streaming only plan. I don't think the changed the DVD play prices at that time.

Before that I think the changes were the Blu-ray fee jumping from $1 to $1 plus $1 per disc out at at time.

So in some sense they were due for a price increase. The problem is this was just a damn dramatic one going from $9.99 for 1 dvd and streaming to $15.98 for the same. I'd have less of an issue if they just raised all plans by a buck or two.[/QUOTE]
Prices raised around December 2010 as my 2-at-a-time went up $1 Dec 6th.
 
Un-fucking-believable. Netflix can suck my cock, I'm cancelling all together. I like having both services, I usually watch at least one DVD from them a week and I also stream movies and tv shows online a lot. But no way am I doing that at a $6 increase in price. I'll just torrent everything, fuck it.
 
Man, this really blows. I get my parents a Netflix subscription every year for Christmas (3 DVDs + unlimited streaming + blu-ray upgrade) and this is really going to add to the cost for something they really like but only use in spurts. Of course I leech off of the streaming and use it all the time and I don't want to give that up.
 
Well, I had been contemplating switching back to a discs plan after being streaming only for about 6 months now but that'll cost effectively an additional $8 for just one disc at a time. fuck that.
 
[quote name='guardian_owl']Prices raised around December 2010 as my 2-at-a-time went up $1 Dec 6th.[/QUOTE]

Ah, that's right, they did raise things $1 last fall/winter. I member the one at at time jumping from $8.99 to $9.99 now.


As for switching to Redbox--for me it's just not worth the hassle of having to drive to pick it up and go back the next day to return it (or get charged for another day). If I had one closer to my condo or work place (or along the way inbetween) I'd consider it. But the closest one is a mile or two away at a grocery store a shop at, and it's opposite direction of work and I only go that way once a week or so when I buy groceries.

Oh well, I still think $9.99 plus tax to get through a disc or two a week without leaving the house is a good deal. I just hate having to give up the streaming as I do really like having that option available--but not enough to pay an extra $8 a month for it.
 
This is ridiculous. I watch Netflix streaming fairly often --- mainly for its TV offerings and some offbeat movies that I didn't even know about. But there's no justification for this big of a hike. They should at least be offering current subscribers some sort of discount for their loyalty.

IF I decide to stay at all, it'll be for streaming because the majority of new releases still have a 28-day window before they even get to Netflix, which is another reason this split is an insane idea. I'll rent DVDs/Blu-Rays elsewhere.
 
This is dumb on their part, I just got my renew notice for Amazon Student now I get Amazon Prime for 50% off for a year. From what I understand they offer the same stuff on their streaming that Netflix does. Looks like I'm going to be dropping Netflix now. Congrats Netflix after you kept raising prices you finally found one I'm not going to bite on.
 
This is dumb on their part, I just got my renew notice for Amazon Student now I get Amazon Prime for 50% off for a year. From what I understand they offer the same stuff on their streaming that Netflix does. Looks like I'm going to be dropping Netflix now. Congrats Netflix after you kept raising prices you finally found one I'm not going to bite on.
 
[quote name='silentevil']This is dumb on their part, I just got my renew notice for Amazon Student now I get Amazon Prime for 50% off for a year. From what I understand they offer the same stuff on their streaming that Netflix does.[/QUOTE]

Unless it's changed, or I'm remembering wrong, I don't think student Amazon prime accounts get the streaming.

But maybe that's changing now that they're charging a discounted rate rather than having it free.
 
I am just going to stick with just streaming but with more and more streaming services popping up I may jump ship when something better comes along but for now $7.99 is fine with me.
 
[quote name='dmaul1114']Unless it's changed, or I'm remembering wrong, I don't think student Amazon prime accounts get the streaming.

But maybe that's changing now that they're charging a discounted rate rather than having it free.[/QUOTE]

The discounted rate for those coming off of the free year does indeed include free streaming. I paid for a year of Prime.

Man, Redbox's stock is going to soar in the next few days.
 
Actually, they're doing it BECAUSE they're no longer a monopoly. They have to compete with Amazon, Hulu, Google, and Apple for content. There's an article out there about it, including how little they actually make right now, meaning they don't have much money to pay for licensing rights.

On an article yesterday, their licensing costs for 2010 was only $180 million. Their profit last year was $161 million in the same time, on sales of $2.2 billion. You can easily see why they have to raise prices.

If you want to blame someone, blame the content providers for jacking up licensing fees.

Edit: did some quick searches. If they need to pay $100 mil for Miramax films only, just think how much their other licenses are going to cost them. They'll be deep in the red if they don't raise prices.

Seriously, it's still way cheaper than cable.
 
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[quote name='dmaul1114']Unless it's changed, or I'm remembering wrong, I don't think student Amazon prime accounts get the streaming.

But maybe that's changing now that they're charging a discounted rate rather than having it free.[/QUOTE]
They don't renew Amazon Student, they sent me an offer for 50% off a year of Amazon Prime.

Does anyone know how much Hulu Plus is?
 
Well if you think about:
Let's say you can rent and watch 8 movies per month from netflix. $8
If you rented 8 movies from redbox it would still cost $8.
At blockbuster it costs like $8 for one rental.
If you realize that netflix has the best selection that the price increase is actually justified.
That being said they should have atleast given current members some kind of deal like $15 a month instead of $18.
 
[quote name='elessar123']Actually, they're doing it BECAUSE they're no longer a monopoly. They have to compete with Amazon, Hulu, Google, and Apple for content. There's an article out there about it, including how little they actually make right now, meaning they don't have much money to pay for licensing rights.

On an article yesterday, their licensing costs for 2010 was only $180 million. Their profit last year was $161 million in the same time, on sales of $2.2 billion. You can easily see why they have to raise prices.

If you want to blame someone, blame the content providers for jacking up licensing fees.[/QUOTE]

Very true.

I've more or less gotten over it now after looking at my count and seeing I only streamed 10 movies thus far in 2011, and most of those were in the spring when I was laid up recovering from surgery.

So disc only will be fine for me and save me $2 from what I'm paying for currently, with just some added in convenience of not having streaming available for the older movie, documentary or tv show here or there.
 
[quote name='gbpackers94']Well if you think about:
Let's say you can rent and watch 8 movies per month from netflix. $8
If you rented 8 movies from redbox it would still cost $8.
At blockbuster it costs like $8 for one rental.
If you realize that netflix has the best selection that the price increase is actually justified.
That being said they should have atleast given current members some kind of deal like $15 a month instead of $18.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, it's still a good deal for heavy users. Myself I'm more in the 4-6 movies watched a month pace across discs and streaming so it's not worth $16 plus tax for me IMO. But, as I said above, I'm mostly ok with just dropping streaming and paying $10+ tax and watching 4-6 discs a month since I'm not willing to hassle with Redbox.
 
Here is the thing. Netflix is such a great set up that its hard to just drop them.

Redbox has no backlog of movies so if the dvd release date is older then a month they are not going to have it.

Blockbuster has a back catalog, but they do not have instant streaming with consoles which i think most of us have. So instead of watching it on a nice 50" screen on my couch i get a 19" monitor and computer chair.

Same thing with Amazon.

Either way we as the consumers get screwed.

Just my $.02 which netflix wants to raise to $20
 
For new releases, if you have a Hastings nearby, Blu's are $3.99. If you bring it back the next day, you get an "early return credit", and your next new release rental will be about $2. Good alternative for Redbox for me. Hastings also offers old (anything over 8 months old or so) TV shows for $1/disc.

Also, if you have a Family Video store nearby, check them out. Most of their store is $1/5 nights, and the majority of the $1/5 night rentals are R1G1F.

So between Hastings, Family Video, and Redbox, I think that I'll be okay without Netflix.
 
[quote name='FriskyTanuki']I only have an instant streaming sub, so this doesn't seem to affect me at all.[/QUOTE]

Yep, it only effects those who have and use both.

Streaming only is staying $7.99, and those who only use discs rentals can save a couple bucks on the new disc only plans.

Anyone who uses both and wants to keep them is getting a $7.99 plan increase though.
 
[quote name='Slappybob']Blockbuster has a back catalog, but they do not have instant streaming with consoles which i think most of us have. So instead of watching it on a nice 50" screen on my couch i get a 19" monitor and computer chair.

Same thing with Amazon.

Either way we as the consumers get screwed.

Just my $.02 which netflix wants to raise to $20[/QUOTE]

My 55" TV streams Amazon... So no =P
 
[quote name='dmaul1114']Yeah, it's still a good deal for heavy users. Myself I'm more in the 4-6 movies watched a month pace across discs and streaming so it's not worth $16 plus tax for me IMO. But, as I said above, I'm mostly ok with just dropping streaming and paying $10+ tax and watching 4-6 discs a month since I'm not willing to hassle with Redbox.[/QUOTE]

I've had s1d2 of the wire since May 3rd and I still think $18 a month is reasonable.
 
[quote name='elessar123']My 55" TV streams Amazon... So no =P[/QUOTE]

Sure, but not everyone has that. The only device I have that can stream anything to my TV is my X-box as my BR player is old.

I can't even easily hook up a PC to my TV since it's older and lacks a computer video input (and my laptop doesn't have HDMI).

So for now, I don't have any interest in streaming that can't be done through the Xbox.

[quote name='gbpackers94']I've had s1d2 of the wire since May 3rd and I still think $18 a month is reasonable.[/QUOTE]

Fair enough. Everyone has different budgets and different options on what various products and services are worth.
 
[quote name='camoor']Don't worry I have the worst cable deal of all time. Because I bought high-speed internet they force me to get limited cable for 18 bucks. If I don't they' just jack up my cable internet price for the difference. I'm paying 65 bones a month to the cable company. I don't even have the cable box because I don't want to watch their shitty stations, I just want the internet.

Compared to my dishonest and monopolistic cable company, Netflix is still a good deal.[/QUOTE]

I'm in the same boat. I'm going to assume you have Cox?

Netflix is still a good deal, but the huge price increase is nucking futs.
 
Well, I'm about to take advantage on a 50% discount on Amazon prime, so that could possibly take care of my streaming needs. I'll have to take a close look and see if Netflix is worth keeping.

If there's a way to ruin something, content owners will find a way to do it.
 
[quote name='dmaul1114']Sure, but not everyone has that. The only device I have that can stream anything to my TV is my X-box as my BR player is old.

I can't even easily hook up a PC to my TV since it's older and lacks a computer video input (and my laptop doesn't have HDMI).

So for now, I don't have any interest in streaming that can't be done through the Xbox.



Fair enough. Everyone has different budgets and different options on what various products and services are worth.[/QUOTE]


Yea netflix is telling us to eat a dirty dick sandwich and like it basically.
 
[quote name='dmaul1114']Sure, but not everyone has that. The only device I have that can stream anything to my TV is my X-box as my BR player is old.

I can't even easily hook up a PC to my TV since it's older and lacks a computer video input (and my laptop doesn't have HDMI).

So for now, I don't have any interest in streaming that can't be done through the Xbox.[/QUOTE]

What does your computer have? I've been hooking up computers to tvs for 13+ years, so no way it's too old.

You can get adaptors for s-video to component, s-video to composite, vga to dvi, vga to hdmi (horrible choice, but doable), dvi to hdmi...

360 can also stream Amazon videos downloaded to your pc.
 
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