Netflix questions.

[de8212]

Considering signing up for netflix. Does anyone know how quick the movie is available to watch via streaming after it is released? I'm sure it's not the same day but is it more like a week, month, etc?

Also, I know I can get a 2 week trial but I have read others mention a one month trial. Is there a way to get the one month? Just not sure 2 weeks is enough.

Edit: And I am thinking of the 2 dvd's out at a time as well as streaming on my samsung BD player. Do you set up the account, look at the available movies, order movies, make changes to your account, etc. on your pc or on the samsung BD player?

 

[SilentZero]

I never really figured out the pattern they use when putting up new movies for streaming. With about 2 years of using their service, I would say it takes quite some time (many months) before they make it available for streaming.
Also, they don't do this with all movies, and many of the movies that they do have streaming are surprisingly low quality. Just my .02 cents

 

[de8212]

Originally posted by: SilentZero
I never really figured out the pattern they use when putting up new movies for streaming. With about 2 years of using their service, I would say it takes quite some time (many months) before they make it available for streaming.
Also, they don't do this with all movies, and many of the movies that they do have streaming are surprisingly low quality. Just my .02 cents

Good point, I didn't know that. Maybe technology isn't there yet??? I would have to watch something on a 52" screen that looks like a vhs tape.

 

[Demo24]

Originally posted by: SilentZero
I never really figured out the pattern they use when putting up new movies for streaming. With about 2 years of using their service, I would say it takes quite some time (many months) before they make it available for streaming.
Also, they don't do this with all movies, and many of the movies that they do have streaming are surprisingly low quality. Just my .02 cents

Perhaps just your connection, it looks fine on my computer.

Also as mentioned not all movies make it up there. Seems to be quite random. However all of the Starz stuff is online for instant viewing and that gives you a lot of more modern movies.

 

[Arcadio]

You can get a 1-month free trial with a referral code. I got a bunch of them, but I don't know where they are...

 

[cKGunslinger]

Sent you a PM about a 1-month trial.

I only use it for DVDs (no Windows PC for streaming.)

 

[nageov3t]

streaming seems to be almost entirely old movies, indie movies, and tv shows.

don't get netflix expecting new mainstream releases to be up for streaming within weeks or even months.

 

[SilentZero]

Originally posted by: DEMO24

Originally posted by: SilentZero
I never really figured out the pattern they use when putting up new movies for streaming. With about 2 years of using their service, I would say it takes quite some time (many months) before they make it available for streaming.
Also, they don't do this with all movies, and many of the movies that they do have streaming are surprisingly low quality. Just my .02 cents

Perhaps just your connection, it looks fine on my computer.

Also as mentioned not all movies make it up there. Seems to be quite random. However all of the Starz stuff is online for instant viewing and that gives you a lot of more modern movies.

The video just seems like its copied poorly on some movies (not all), and I am using FiOS at 50mbps down/10mbps up..so doubt its my connection.

 

[Reliant]

Ive streamed to my PC and to my Xbox and when streaming to my Xbox I'm surprised at the quality. I expected it to be very bad, but it's not at all. There are even a few HD streams that pop up here and there.

 

[Cienja]

Originally posted by: Reliant
Ive streamed to my PC and to my Xbox and when streaming to my Xbox I'm surprised at the quality. I expected it to be very bad, but it's not at all. There are even a few HD streams that pop up here and there.

Regarding the Xbox streaming Netflix:is it the same situation as streaming to PC where it's primarily "older" movies/tv shows, or do the stream through Xbox differently than PC (i.e., new(er) releases, etc.)?

Thanks!

 

[Demo24]

Originally posted by: Cienja

Originally posted by: Reliant
Ive streamed to my PC and to my Xbox and when streaming to my Xbox I'm surprised at the quality. I expected it to be very bad, but it's not at all. There are even a few HD streams that pop up here and there.

Regarding the Xbox streaming Netflix:is it the same situation as streaming to PC where it's primarily "older" movies/tv shows, or do the stream through Xbox differently than PC (i.e., new(er) releases, etc.)?

Thanks!

Exact same thing. Xbox just lets you access those files and easily play them on your TV.

 

[zeruty]

A lot of things can stream HD... like seasons of Heroes, etc

 

[boomhower]

I think the streaming quality is pretty good. But, as mentioned, the selection is pretty shitty. But then again, its basically free. Yeah I know its calculated into the subscription price etc etc but its not an extra fee.

 

[thedarkwolf]

Most movies are shitty so of coarse the selection for instant viewing is mostly shit. Ever since they made the deal with Stars the ratio has changed a little. I can always find something worth watching instantly and I use it a lot.

 

[de8212]

Just signed up and looking around. I almost see nothing of interest. Guess I have bad taste in movies or something.

I did see a few good family/kids movies so those will be good for the kids.

 

[pontifex]

instant watch is definitely not their strong point...

 

[de8212]

OK, so I got my queue up. So, do I have to do anything else? Do they just send them out tomorrow? I got the 2 out at a time plan and they are all showing "Now" as the availability.

Also, if I get 2 in and decide to keep one longer than the other, can I return only one of them? I'm guessing no but couldn't find it on the site.

 

[Demo24]

Originally posted by: de8212
OK, so I got my queue up. So, do I have to do anything else? Do they just send them out tomorrow? I got the 2 out at a time plan and they are all showing "Now" as the availability.

Also, if I get 2 in and decide to keep one longer than the other, can I return only one of them? I'm guessing no but couldn't find it on the site.

Yes, its all automatic. Tomorrow you should get an email saying those have been mailed to you. When you get them you keep what you want as long as you want. For 2 at a time you can keep one for a year and it wouldn't matter. Send it back when you want. When the other one gets returned they will send out one to replace it.

If I do it right I can average about 2 a week with 1-at-a-time.

 

[ultimatebob]

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger
Sent you a PM about a 1-month trial.

I only use it for DVDs (no Windows PC for streaming.)

You don't need a Windows PC for streaming anymore... it works on the Mac as well with the Silverlight plug-in, and it works with the XBox 360 or a Roku box.

Anyway, to answer your other questions about Instant Watching:

1) Most movies (over 2/3rds) are not available for Instant Watching at all. Most of the ones on Starz are available, though, so it's usually about a year wait for those. Same deal for many new TV series DVD sets.

2) The quality is decent with a fast broadband connection. On a slow broadband connection, it's no better than a "High Quality" YouTube video.

Oh, and they charge an extra $2 a month for BluRay discs now... which sucks.

 

[Bignate603]

The movies that they have available for streaming depends on the companies that own the content. If Netflix can get the rights to stream it at a reasonable cost they add it to their library. If the company that owns the content won't give them the rights to stream the video it won't be available. Simple as that. There's no schedule or anything, but most companies that own the content prefer to not allow them stream new content because it cuts into normal DVD sales and traditional rentals. That's why most of the video available is older.

 

[Fox5]

Originally posted by: DEMO24

Originally posted by: SilentZero
I never really figured out the pattern they use when putting up new movies for streaming. With about 2 years of using their service, I would say it takes quite some time (many months) before they make it available for streaming.
Also, they don't do this with all movies, and many of the movies that they do have streaming are surprisingly low quality. Just my .02 cents

Perhaps just your connection, it looks fine on my computer.

Also as mentioned not all movies make it up there. Seems to be quite random. However all of the Starz stuff is online for instant viewing and that gives you a lot of more modern movies.

They automatically vary quality based on your connection, but even max quality is still a bit below dvd quality.

 

[cKGunslinger]

Originally posted by: ultimatebob

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger
Sent you a PM about a 1-month trial.

I only use it for DVDs (no Windows PC for streaming.)

You don't need a Windows PC for streaming anymore... it works on the Mac as well with the Silverlight plug-in, and it works with the XBox 360 or a Roku box.

Then let me amend my original post:

I only use it for DVDs (no Windows PC, Mac, XBox360, or Roku box for streaming.)

 

[0roo0roo]

it depends, the studios have deals with cable and such for exclusivity periods for pay per view etc.

 

[de8212]

Another quick question. I signed up for th e 2 out at a time plan for the month trial. Can I up to the 3 or 4 out at a time plan just for this month trial? I would drop back down to the 2 out plan after my free month. Any issues with doing that?

 

[robphelan]

Originally posted by: DEMO24

Originally posted by: Cienja

Originally posted by: Reliant
Ive streamed to my PC and to my Xbox and when streaming to my Xbox I'm surprised at the quality. I expected it to be very bad, but it's not at all. There are even a few HD streams that pop up here and there.

Regarding the Xbox streaming Netflix:is it the same situation as streaming to PC where it's primarily "older" movies/tv shows, or do the stream through Xbox differently than PC (i.e., new(er) releases, etc.)?

Thanks!

Exact same thing. Xbox just lets you access those files and easily play them on your TV.

xbox or 360? the modded xbox will upconvert to 1080i for you.