Netflix and Other Home-Video Vendors [was: DVD-by-Mail]

[SZPT]

That's really all I'm asking.

Edited August 13, 2014 by SDG

[teresakayep]

Actually, the price for the three-out program is going up to $21.99, plus tax, on June 15. The url below lists the new prices:

Netflix Price Change

--Teresa

[Guest Russell Lucas]

Huh. I was about to re-enroll w/Netflix, but now I'm waffling. Greencine is still a nickel under $20, and has some things that Netflix doesn't, but the California locale would probably mean 3 or 4 fewer rentals per month for Pennsylvania me.

[Doug C]

And Greencine is just cooler--they've got perhaps the best daily film blog on the Internet (in terms of the number of links)...and they quote Filmjourney on a regular basis:

http://daily.greencine.com

Edited April 30, 2004 by Doug C

[Jason Bortz]

There's a Netflix distribution center about 15 minutes from here.

My friend John signed up--he gets his mail at 10:00 AM.

The first week, he got three titles, watched two and dropped them back in the box for the 5:45 pickup. By the next morning it showed he'd returned them and his next two titles were on their way--which he got the following morning.

He's quite happy with the situation. He's trying to figure out a way to take them back to the distribution center himself so he can get even more...

On a side note, he was able to get a film I'm in that I really hoped no one would be able to find...

--------------

Edited May 3, 2004 by Jason Bortz

[Peter T Chattaway]

I've heard that Netflix might branch into Canada someday, but I can only wonder how cost-efficient it would be here, given the inefficiency of Canada Post and the fact that they deliver less often than their American equivalent does (i.e. no mail on Saturdays -- the worst time of year, mail-wise, is Easter, when there is no mail on Good Friday, the regular Saturday, the regular Sunday, or Easter Monday -- that's four days in a row with no mail whatsoever). I know there is at least one Canadian equivalent to Netflix already, though: http://www.cineworld.ca/

Personally, I'm not sure it's worth it, for me, at the moment. I don't think I spend $25 per month on rentals as it is, anyway -- especially not with Rogers Video selling those coupon books every few months, and one of their outlets just one block away from where I live -- so at this point, I would almost feel obliged to rent and watch more videos just to justify subscribing to the service.

[SZPT]

On a side note, he was able to get a film I'm in that I really hoped no one would be able to find...

You mean one of these?

[Jason Bortz]

Er....no?

*cough*

[Andrew]

Well, I'm excited about Netflix, having signed up for their 2 week free trial. I found they have lots of films that I've been unable to get at Blockbuster or the local library, films we've been talking about here: 'In This World,' 'Not of This World,' 'The Office, Season 2,' 'Elling,' 'Lagaan,' etc. Woohoo!

[BethR]

Well, I'm excited about Netflix, having signed up for their 2 week free trial.  I found they have lots of films that I've been unable to get at Blockbuster or the local library, films we've been talking about here:  'In This World,' 'Not of This World,' 'The Office, Season 2,' 'Elling,' 'Lagaan,' etc.  Woohoo!

Yep! That's what makes it worthwhile for me--er, us 'Cos I'm never, ever going to find Lagaan or Barcelona or Le Retour de Martin Guerre in the boonies of NC...though, weirdly, we did find Elling and Scotland, PA...

The "no late fees" thing is cool, too.

[Andrew]

Ooh, thanks for mentioning 'Barcelona'; I'd forgotten to add that to my queue.

I also appreciate the availability of TV program DVD's - ones that I'll enjoy seeing once, but don't feel like shelling out the big bucks for, such as 'Freaks and Geeks' and 'The Critic.'

[Guest Russell Lucas]

Andrew, when you get hold of the second season of The Office, visit that thread in the TV forum. My wife and I watched it last week and really found a lot to talk about between us.

Edited May 5, 2004 by Russell Lucas

[Andrew]

I'll be happy to oblige, Russell! (I'm hoping to start into it tomorrow.)

Edited May 5, 2004 by Andrew

[Doug C]

My friend Rob has just written the mother of all analysis articles comparing Netflix and GreenCine:

http://www.erratamag.com/commentary/archiv...00185.html

Edited May 7, 2004 by Doug C

[SZPT]

Now THAT answers my question. Thanks.

[Ann D.]

I have a few questions about Netflix, for anyone who has an account and likes the company. I've been thinking about signing up for it for awhile now, but I'm still unclear on some things.

1. What are their payment options? Do they bill through credit card, can I send an e-check, automatic withdrawal?

2. How long does it take them to stock new releases? Is it comparable to rental stores?

3. Do they stock adult films?

Thanks!

Edited June 25, 2004 by mpfan

[Guest Lucas]

I have a few questions about Netflix, for anyone who has an account and likes the company. I've been thinking about signing up for it for awhile now, but I'm still unclear on some things.

1. What are their payment options? Do they bill through credit card, can I send an e-check, automatic withdrawal?

2. How long does it take them to stock new releases? Is it comparable to rental stores?

3. Do they stock adult films?

Thanks!

1. You can use either a credit card or debit from a checking account.

2. They add new release titles they day they hit the street. Or, they claim they do/will.

3. I don't know whether they rent what you'd consider to be adult films; I don't believe they rent hardcore pornography, but they do have a category for gay and lesbian films and one for "steamy romances" (the current recommendations for which are comprised of fare such as 9 1/2 Weeks, Like Water For Chocolate, Sex and Lucia and Bound.

[Michael Huang]

This may be only limited to a niche audience, but this makes me excited:

Rent Anime

It costs the same as Netflix--$19.95 per month for 3 DVDs out at a time. For anime junkies like me on the East Coast, the turnaround time will be faster than Greencine.

Woohoo!

[SZPT]

Well, it looks like Blockbuster has stepped up to the plate and is giving Netflix a run for the money. Not only do they offer the same service for $19.99... Not only do they have pretty much the same selection (I searched for some of the films mentioned earlier in the thread, and Blockbuster has them for their online selection (Elling, Lagaan, etc.))... But they also give you 2 free in-store rentals a month. Not sure, that may be excluding new releases, but it's still 2 free rentals. Looks like Blockbuster is who I'll be signing with.

[J.R.]

I'm trying out blockbuster for a month. I like the idea of two in-store rentals. I don't think their website is a good as the Netflix site. Blockbuster does not have customer reviews, lists or trailers.

[John Drew]

This could be a huge coup for Netflix, and a blow to Blockbuster's fledgeling home service...

Netflix And TiVo in Partnership

Subscribers to the Netflix DVD rental service will soon be able to download movies onto TiVo personal digital recorders instead of receiving them by mail, Newsweek reports in its current issue. Details of how the service will function were sketchy. Newsweek suggested that it will likely employ software developed by a recently acquired company, Strangeberry, that allows a DSL or cable modem to be plugged into a TiVo recorder to receive content from the Internet. Reporting on the development, Newsweek commented that it "could shake up the media world." Both Netflix and TiVo declined to comment on the report.

Edited September 7, 2004 by Baal_T'shuvah

[John Drew]

Some extra news on the Netflix/TiVo match-up from Reuters, including a rise in stock for both companies.

[BethR]

We just received an offer to share Netflix with friends for a free one month trial, instead of the usual two weeks.

If anyone's interested, please send me a PM or e-mail, and I'll forward the offer to you. It's good through Sept. 20--which means, I believe, you must sign up by 9/20 for the trial period.

[John Drew]

And now this update...

No Video-on-Demand Service from Netflix And TiVo For Now

Spokespersons for Netflix and TiVo dismissed a Newsweek report Tuesday that the two companies were planning a joint venture that would essentially allow Netflix subscribers to download movies onto their TiVo recorders rather than receive them through the mail. Bloomberg News quoted a TiVo spokeswoman as saying that such a service would not be offered for at least a year. Nevertheless shares in both companies soared on the magazine's report, Netflix rising 7.3 percent to $15.41; TiVo, nearly 15 percent to $5.08.

[J.R.]

I'm a week into my free blockbuster trial, and I'm about ready to quit. I tried to rent Clerks (which I've already seen), and I was mistakenly sent the animated series, rather than the film. I reported the problem and requested a replacement. I received the replacement today, only to open the envelope and find they made the same mistake again!

This weeks new releases are still listed as "coming soon." Netflix always shipped new releases the day before they came out. Service has been slower than Netflix, as they only have one distribution center. The lower price and in-store rentals may be tempting, but you're better off with Neflix. I will gladly pay the few extra dollars a month for Netflix's service.