Netflix box?

[cruisnfamily]

DH is very interested in this and I know nothing about it.

We currently have blockbuster but are thinking of switching ot Netflix and getting the box(costs $99) to allow the unlimited movie downloads. Can anybody share some pros and cons? Give me the full scoop on this box and the download thing.

Thanks!

 

[pittsburghmarc]

If your family has an HD tv and watch DVDs, I would recommend spending the extra money to get a blu ray player with built in Netflix download ability.

 

[3boymthr]

We have netflix and truly love it, but we don't have the box, instead currently do the watch instantly on our computer. Truthfully, while there are a lot of choices I don't think it's worth paying $100 for the box; the selection is actually somewhat limited. Most first run DVDs are not available in this method, for example Transformers, Coraline, Twilight, Valkyrie. A lot of the content tends to be second rate stuff, indie films or stuff everyone has already watched. Current new release play instantly include Seven Pounds been out since 2008, Miracle at St Anna again out since 2008, Bottle Shock (never heard of it), Wendy & Lucy (again never heard of it), Man on a Wire a documentary.

 

[N.Bailey]

I don't have the Roku, but am able to steam the movies via our Xbox 360 or the computer (which is where I mostly watch from, family watches more from the TV though).

I'm not quite sure what type of information you're looking for, but here is a site that lists all the movies that are available on instant watch. It's not operated by Netflix, but it's a good site.
http://instantwatcher.com/

Again, not run by Netflix, but here is a site that keeps up with films that are soon to be released on instant watch.
http://www.streamingsoon.com/

I would recommend Netflix to anyone. I have been very satisfied with them after starting a membership a few years ago. They also make it easy to report lost, or damaged videos (to replace if they are at fault, or for you to buy if you are and they take you at your word). Their billing dept. is top notch and all the info for canceling your membership is easy to access. That's not so with many other online companies.

My daughter has a classic film class in high school. She had to leave school today and returned later on, but missed out on the film, "Rebel Without a Cause." Well, she was able to go online tonight and watch it, so no staying over to catch up. It just really worked out quite nicely.

I have a 30 day free trial code if you're interested in giving it a shot. You can watch it online for 30 days, then decide if you want to keep it and buy the Roku (or other device). Cancel it before the 30 days is up and you won't be billed further. If you're interested, drop me a PM. Netflix is constantly trying to get you to get family/friends signed up, but gives nothing to the current customer if someone joins because of references. So, if you want a code, I have it, but I won't get anything from it (which is why I mention it because I wouldn't want anyone feeling any sense of obligation whatsoever).

 

[N.Bailey]

We have netflix and truly love it, but we don't have the box, instead currently do the watch instantly on our computer. Truthfully, while there are a lot of choices I don't think it's worth paying $100 for the box; the selection is actually somewhat limited. Most first run DVDs are not available in this method, for example Transformers, Coraline, Twilight, Valkyrie. A lot of the content tends to be second rate stuff, indie films or stuff everyone has already watched. Current new release play instantly include Seven Pounds been out since 2008, Miracle at St Anna again out since 2008, Bottle Shock (never heard of it), Wendy & Lucy (again never heard of it), Man on a Wire a documentary.

I never found Netflix to be the best bet for new releases anyway. The Red Box is a better bet and all those movies are $0.99 on just about every corner anymore. If you want the newer release from Netflix though, you can always use them for your hard DVD shipments.

I don't think most people who love Netflix are there for newer films. There are tv shows, documentaries, and old movies that you just wouldn't watch without the subscription. Chances are, if you love movies (and that means all types of movies, not only new ones), you will love Netflix, and more importantly, instant watch.

 

[FireDancer]

I would recommend the Roku player for this. It not only plays both Netflix and Amazon Unbox (which I find the better of the two) but is positioned to get a lot of other content that is currently web only onto the television.

Leo Laporte is working with a company called Mediafly to get all of his video content onto the Roku player and Adam Curry has already said he is going to port Mevio content over there. It is only a matter of time before more web content is available on the television and the Roku player is primed to be the machine to do it.

 

[HM]

We have a BluRay player. We use it for watching Netflix instant downloads. There is also a setting for Blockbuster online on it (as well as YouTube and Pandora radio). Since you already use Blockbuster, it seems to me you could keep their service if you get a BluRay player and attach it to your online provider.

In any case, we do recommend Netflix online. We watch both older and semi-recent movies as well as TV series.

 

[Tiggerlover91]

I don't have the player, but I've had Netflix for almost 2 years and I really love it! Just this week I reported a damaged disk and the next was shipped the following day. MUCH better quality! I wouldn't say they are too bad on new releases. The longest wait I had was about 2 weeks after a movie came out. Hubby just eventually surprised me and went to Hollywood Video to pick it up. I like Netflix for all their serial tv flicks. I'm currently doing Star Trek: TNG, Voyager, and DS9, CSI: Miami and New York, The Shield, Law & Order: The original and SVU, and Leverage. Hubby is watching Law & Order: CI and Heroes Season 4 on Instant Watch.

 

[Golf4food]

If your family has an HD tv and watch DVDs, I would recommend spending the extra money to get a blu ray player with built in Netflix download ability.

What they said.

Blu-ray players with all the bells and whistles are down to the $199-$249 range now, and on sale or coming up on Black Friday will likely be had for under $150.

Why spend $100 on a box that ONLY does Netflix when you can get Blu-ray, Netflix, Pandora, etc. all in one nice package for not much more money?

Once you go Blu-ray you never go back.

 

[cruisnfamily]

If your family has an HD tv and watch DVDs, I would recommend spending the extra money to get a blu ray player with built in Netflix download ability.

We don't have an HD TV and quite honestly the I don't have the extra money to spend right now.

We have a BluRay player. We use it for watching Netflix instant downloads. There is also a setting for Blockbuster online on it (as well as YouTube and Pandora radio). Since you already use Blockbuster, it seems to me you could keep their service if you get a BluRay player and attach it to your online provider.

In any case, we do recommend Netflix online. We watch both older and semi-recent movies as well as TV series.

But blockbuster charges for their service whereas with netflix it is free

 

[allieoop]

For those of you with a blu-ray - how is the picture quality when watching Netflix instant downloads? We are debating buying a blu-ray as our Christmas present this year and are looking at one with Netflix instant play. Does the blu-ray need to be connected to the internet?

 

[cruisnfamily]

I would recommend the Roku player for this. It not only plays both Netflix and Amazon Unbox (which I find the better of the two) but is positioned to get a lot of other content that is currently web only onto the television.

Leo Laporte is working with a company called Mediafly to get all of his video content onto the Roku player and Adam Curry has already said he is going to port Mevio content over there. It is only a matter of time before more web content is available on the television and the Roku player is primed to be the machine to do it.

The Roku player is what we're looking at

Tell me about the Amazon Unbox. I googled it and came up with an Amazon Video on demand thing where you pay per download. Is that what you were talking about? We were looking to get an unlimited thing as opposed to a pay per download.

 

[BillSears]

I have the Roku player and I love it. Having a wireless connection to the internet was what made me choose the Roku over a Blue Ray player. My internet isn't anywhere close to my TV and I didn't want to have to run a set of wires up the wall, through the attic and down to the TV. The Roku can be either wired or wireless and I get a great connection just using my wireless router.

 

[Papa Deuce]

I use my XBOX 360 to stream Netflix wirelessly. Now that I understand hot to add movies to my XBOX watch instantly queue, I absolutely love it!

 

[Golf4food]

Does the blu-ray need to be connected to the internet?

Yes, either directly by ethernet cable or wirelessly using any number of adapters.

 

[FireDancer]

The Roku player is what we're looking at

Tell me about the Amazon Unbox. I googled it and came up with an Amazon Video on demand thing where you pay per download. Is that what you were talking about? We were looking to get an unlimited thing as opposed to a pay per download.

Sorry about that Unbox is now called Amazon Video on Demand. You are correct, it is an a la carte service as opposed to subscription but there are free downloads available. I wouldn't look at is as a replacement for Netflix as much as a compliment. Since there is no monthly fee for VOD you can register your Roku player and then if Netflix doesn't have something that Amazon VOB does you can purchase that movie to watch. It may be for you and it might not but it is nice to have the option.

As I eluded to in the original post there is going to be a lot more content coming to the Roku player in the next few months. There is speculation that hulu will be available and I'm pretty sure there is a hack available to get it there now. Other currently web only content will be available over there soon, like video podcasts. The web and television are converging more and more every month and I think you will see, along with the mobile space, that that convergence will be a common theme in products this holiday season.

 

[Muushka]

We just got hooked up/on Netflix. We bought an LG bluray that has the the wireless built in (otherwise if you buy one that is Netflix ready, it may not have the adapter and will cost an additional $75 or so).

We are very impressed with the streaming videos. We are watching it on a 46" HD, so the picture quality is not the best, but certainly adequate. We never watched Lost when it was on, so it is great getting to watch them for free, commercial free.

 

[cruisnfamily]

We just got hooked up/on Netflix. We bought an LG bluray that has the the wireless built in (otherwise if you buy one that is Netflix ready, it may not have the adapter and will cost an additional $75 or so).

We are very impressed with the streaming videos. We are watching it on a 46" HD, so the picture quality is not the best, but certainly adequate. We never watched Lost when it was on, so it is great getting to watch them for free, commercial free.

How much was the lg blu ray with the wirless?....I would have thought one that is netflix ready would have an adapter, guess not.

 

[Muushka]

How much was the lg blu ray with the wirless?....I would have thought one that is netflix ready would have an adapter, guess not.

Nope, no adapter on the ones in the $225 or less category. I paid $305 on Amazon for ours.

 

[JCJRSmith]

What they said.

Blu-ray players with all the bells and whistles are down to the $199-$249 range now, and on sale or coming up on Black Friday will likely be had for under $150.

Why spend $100 on a box that ONLY does Netflix when you can get Blu-ray, Netflix, Pandora, etc. all in one nice package for not much more money?

Once you go Blu-ray you never go back.

The Roku doesn't just do Netflix - it also has Amazon Unbox and MLB. They will be adding other services soon.

Other options for Netflix: if you have Windows Media Center it now does Netflix and Internet TV.

Most Blu-ray players have the Netflix capability built in now, as do a lot of Plasma and LCD TV's.

If you put any type of streaming device on your network, and if there may be more than one person on that network when you are using the streaming device, I would recommend against using the wireless and run a network cable to the streaming device if you can. I went so far as to upgrade the network at home to gigabit, but, then again our home network has three desktop computers, an HP MediaSmart server, another desktop I use occasionially as a test server, one wireless printer, one Roku, an XBox 360, a PS3, a Wii, and a Windows 7 Laptop.

Why, yes, we are computer geeks - thanks for asking.