Netflix vs. Blockbuster

[Starscream]

I have both Netflix and Blockbuster accounts. Right now Netflix wins hands down with me. I don't have a local Blockbuster to return movies to (and neither will anyone else in the world after the end of this year according to some sources). Netflix allows me to watch movies on the computer and on my tv through the Wii (and their online viewing options have increased a lot since the last time I was a Netflix customer. Blockbuster allows some new releases to be released before Netflix, but to me Netflix is the handsdown winner. I'm getting rid of one service and as of now, the one being dropped is going to be Blockbuster. Netflix is the winner hands-down, unless anyone can sway my opinion. Thoughts?

I'm a loyal netflixer!

[icehog3]

I would get the 50 cab of Boli PCs.

[bvilchez]

Originally Posted by icehog3

I would get the 50 cab of Boli PCs.

+1....Netflix

[pnoon]

Nice review.

[kelmac07]

Netflix...hands down!!

[AlohaStyle]

I've been debating the switch from Blockbuster to Netflix for some time now but haven't pulled the trigger yet. I have a local Blockbuster so it's nice to stop by last minute to pick up a movie and not have to pay anything on the spot for it... just my monthly rate for a store pick up and a mail in movie. It's more expensive than Netflix so that's why I want to change plus I like the option of streaming online. But, I don't have a good set up to watch streaming movies. I won't sit and watch a movie on my computer and it's a pain in the butt to connect my laptop up to my tv anytime I want to watch something on the tv. I have 2 HDMI inputs/cables for my tv but they are both used... by my DirecTv box and my dvd box. So anytime I want to watch something from my laptop, I have to pull things out, etc, etc.

But if your circumstance is right and have a good set up for streaming movies, Netflix all the way.

[Starz26]

Originally Posted by AlohaStyle

by my DirecTv box and my dvd box. So anytime I want to watch something from my laptop, I have to pull things out, etc, etc.

Ryan,

If your DTV box is connected to your home network and has media share enabled, I can help you set up the PlayOn media server on you PC. Then you could connect to that through your Directv box and play movies from your netflix account. Pretty cool actually as everything is done using the remote and on screen menus.

Let me know.

[AlohaStyle]

Originally Posted by Starz26

Ryan,

If your DTV box is connected to your home network and has media share enabled, I can help you set up the PlayOn media server on you PC. Then you could connect to that through your Directv box and play movies from your netflix account. Pretty cool actually as everything is done using the remote and on screen menus.

Let me know.

PM sent Eric... thanks

[eber]

+1 for netflix, I have been using the heck out of the streaming content and its going to just get better and better as more content will be added

[smokehouse]

Have been doing the Blockbuster online since it came out. Tried Netflix last year and was not impressed. The streaming thing through my Xbox was cool but your not allowed to get newly released movies. I have a blockbuster right down from my work, so I go there every Tuesday on my lunch hour and get the new releases that just came out. With my blockbuster account I am able to get 4 movies a week and can stay on top of all the new releases so its Blockbuster for me.

[BigCat]

My local blockbuster started applying late fees again of a dollar a day after 5 days. This was a stark contrast to the no late fee policy they had when they were trying to compete with netflix. They also started charging $9 to rent a wii game, plus $1 a day for each day beyond 5. I won't go to them anymore and I think the changes signal that I'm not alone - I bet blockbuster will be going down shortly. I think netflix is great.

[PeteSB75]

I've been using Netflix for more than 7 years, mostly for DVDs to watch on the train on my way to/from work. The selection is very good, I don't do much with their streaming, mostly because I've still not connected my bluray player to my router, or set up my router for that matter...

Anyway, they offer a good product at a good price and have very good customer service to back it up. Whenever I've had scratched/unplayable DVDs, they get a replacement out that day. Had a couple lost in the mail, no issues with them about me replacing them, though that is literally like 2-3 over 7 years. Think they will starting giving you problems if you have more frequent missing disks.

Add to that the fact that the only Blockbuster near me is in a crappy area and is totally run down and my movie watching is all through Netflix and on-demand through my cable.

[elderboy02]

I love Netflix

[shilala]

I love Netflix. I can use it on six devices. Lisa uses it on a few at her house, and I use it on a few at mine. How can you beat that?
I can even watch on my iphone, ipad and xbox.
Their on demand selection is kinda thin at times, but I watch tons of movies. I'm sure it'd be more than adequate for a normal human.
I only have the one shipped movie option, and it's more than I can keep up with.
To have on demand on my cable, the upgrade is three or four times more expensive per year.
The value is incredible, and the service has been totally without flaw. Netflix really has their sh!t together.

[Starscream]

I'm still getting rid of the Blockbuster account. Netflix it is! (and maybe a 50 cab of Boli PCs sometime down the road)

[mithrilG60]

Originally Posted by andysutherland

I have both Netflix and Blockbuster accounts. Right now Netflix wins hands down with me. I don't have a local Blockbuster to return movies to (and neither will anyone else in the world after the end of this year according to some sources).

My understanding of the situation Blockbusters' in is that it's only the US parent that's in trouble, and that trouble is a direct result of not being competitive against services like NetFlix and RedBox combined with the punishing billion dollar debt they incurred under the terms of the spin-off agreement that was signed when they left the Viacomm parent. In many places in the world, including Canada, Blockbuster is still a very profitable company. In fact it's the revenues being clawed back from the Canadian division that's currently keeping Blockbuster alive in the US.

Blockbuster's problem is that they've never had a particularly dynamic vision or good future trend predictions. I worked at a Blockbuster location during university in the mid to late 90's and I can remember a MASSIVE corporate resistance to adopting DVD. They were convinced that it was a "fad" that would never catch on because players were too expensive and all releases were already available on VHS and everyone had a VCR. It wasn't until fully 2 years later, after which every other major rental chain in Canada had already replaced almost half their inventory with DVD, that Blockbuster decided maybe in it might be an idea to start embracing DVD's. The same process is now being repeated with BluRay, although to be fair (from the outside), it doesn't look like they're fighting the switch to DVD as much.

In Canada we don't have access to streaming services like NetFlix or Hulu, which partially explains the company's continued success, but Blockbuster needs to find a new business model. I can't remember the last time I wanted to actually drive to a physical location and pay an inflated fee for something I just need to drive back to the physical location when I'm done with it. A high speed internet connection is a standard basic service just like a phone line and physical media is basically dead (it just doesn't know it yet)... company's like Blockbuster need to find a method of renting electronic copies that allow customers to play them back on a variety of devices. Learn from the iTunes model, charging small(er) amounts for digital copies is FAR more profitable than trying to sell or rent conventional physical media.

[replicant_argent]

Originally Posted by mithrilG60

My understanding of the situation Blockbusters' in is that it's only the US parent that's in trouble, and that trouble is a direct result of not being competitive against services like NetFlix and RedBox combined with the punishing billion dollar debt they incurred under the terms of the spin-off agreement that was signed when they left the Viacomm parent. ......
Learn from the iTunes model, charging small(er) amounts for digital copies is FAR more profitable than trying to sell or rent conventional physical media.

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to mithrilG60 again.

[Starscream]

Originally Posted by mithrilG60

My understanding of the situation Blockbusters' in is that it's only the US parent that's in trouble, and that trouble is a direct result of not being competitive against services like NetFlix and RedBox combined with the punishing billion dollar debt they incurred under the terms of the spin-off agreement that was signed when they left the Viacomm parent. In many places in the world, including Canada, Blockbuster is still a very profitable company. In fact it's the revenues being clawed back from the Canadian division that's currently keeping Blockbuster alive in the US.

Blockbuster's problem is that they've never had a particularly dynamic vision or good future trend predictions. I worked at a Blockbuster location during university in the mid to late 90's and I can remember a MASSIVE corporate resistance to adopting DVD. They were convinced that it was a "fad" that would never catch on because players were too expensive and all releases were already available on VHS and everyone had a VCR. It wasn't until fully 2 years later, after which every other major rental chain in Canada had already replaced almost half their inventory with DVD, that Blockbuster decided maybe in it might be an idea to start embracing DVD's. The same process is now being repeated with BluRay, although to be fair (from the outside), it doesn't look like they're fighting the switch to DVD as much.

In Canada we don't have access to streaming services like NetFlix or Hulu, which partially explains the company's continued success, but Blockbuster needs to find a new business model. I can't remember the last time I wanted to actually drive to a physical location and pay an inflated fee for something I just need to drive back to the physical location when I'm done with it. A high speed internet connection is a standard basic service just like a phone line and physical media is basically dead (it just doesn't know it yet)... company's like Blockbuster need to find a method of renting electronic copies that allow customers to play them back on a variety of devices. Learn from the iTunes model, charging small(er) amounts for digital copies is FAR more profitable than trying to sell or rent conventional physical media.

Redbox and Netflix (and On Demand) have put all of the video rental stores in my town out of business. At one point we had 5 video stores in my small town. Now we have two Redboxes in a grocery store.

[Neuromancer]

Netflix is a winner...