a.miller Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 In a thread a couple weeks ago, we discussed Netflix was going to offer streaming content by this June. I logged into my account yesterday and to my surprise and delight, I now have a "Watch Now" option. So I checked it out and it's definately pretty cool. Not all the new releases and stuff, but definately some good stuff to watch and the quality was superb on what I watched. Anyone else check this out? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
caliber66 Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 I didn't see that - is it on a specific movie, or just on your home page? What's your level of service? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
a.miller Posted February 22, 2007 Author Share Posted February 22, 2007 It's just on one of the tabs, to the right of where it says "DVD Sale 5.99". I have the 5 movies at a time plan, split over two accounts. You just click the tab, download their player and pick movies like you would add them to your queue, but instead they say "Play". The fine print says you get an hour of streaming time for every dollar your plan is. The selection is significantly smaller than the "hard copy" library, but had some good choices. Last night, there were at least 50 fairly well known movies in the top 50. I noticed Sherrybaby and the Matrix, and also checked out a Jimi Hendrix film and The Song Remains the Same. It says the quality of video is based on your connection speed, which fortunatley, I was able to watch the best and I'm just on comcast cable. It was definately the best streaming quality video I have seen. I hope that answers your questions. Trying to keep my hands off this at work might prove difficult. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
caliber66 Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 We've got the two-at-once plan, and I don't see the "Watch now" tab. Sounds like a pretty cool idea, though - maybe they're just rolling out out to the bigger plans to start out and will open it up to the rest of us later on. I'm looking forward to it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nonlinear Nonfiction Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 NetFlix I'm currently trying to get through about 20 documentaries from Netflix that I have found are not availalable from Blockbuster online before switching over. The in-store swap feature of their rental program is the sole reason why I think Blockbuster has Netflix beat on this one. If I want to watch the movie on my comp, I'll just put the DVD in the drive...rather than stream the video online. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cryptique Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 I think Blockbuster seriously underestimates people's frustration with their shitty video stores. Yes, there will be some people who think it's great that they get to take their rent-by-mail movies back to a brick-and-mortar store to exchange for a new one, but there will be many more people like me who fucking hate video stores and enjoy Netflix precisely because it frees me from the horror of walking into one of those pits of hell. Also: Blockbuster is evil. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ction Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 In my experience, most of the people (who aren't me) who use Blockbuster also use the DVDs they rent as coasters, pizza trays, hockey pucks, urinal cakes, etc. Seriously, at least half of the stuff I'd rent had scratches significant enough that I could not get them to play correctly. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
a.miller Posted February 22, 2007 Author Share Posted February 22, 2007 My only gripe with Blockbuster is that they don't seem to have the selection of movies that Netflix does. Also, another factor on my new found "Watch Now" could be my membership length (??) -- Since June of 2005. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
yermom Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 I clicked on "My Account" and there was a link to the right that said, "How can I watch movies instantly on my PC?" Try that if it's not showing up on the main page for you.It tells me my browser is not compatible (Firefox) so I'll have to mess with it later in IE (bummer). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
caliber66 Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 There it is! I'll check it out from home later. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MrRain422 Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 I tried this the other day. DVD quality picture (although unfortunately my computer monitor is tiny). The selection is pretty small at the moment, but I assume that it will grow over time. Basically, this kicks all sorts of ass. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
a.miller Posted February 22, 2007 Author Share Posted February 22, 2007 so I'll have to mess with it later in IE (bummer)Bummer, I agree. I'm an avid firefox user and was disappointed. I did, however, come across an add-on/plugin for firefox that allows you to change a tab to some sort of IE format, eliminating the need to switch browsers when websites (like netflix) don't support firefox. I plan on checking this out when I get home. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nonlinear Nonfiction Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 Bummer, I agree. I'm an avid firefox user and was disappointed. I did, however, come across an add-on/plugin for firefox that allows you to change a tab to some sort of IE format, eliminating the need to switch browsers when websites (like netflix) don't support firefox. I plan on checking this out when I get home. Please explain more...I have the same problem. Well, plus I'm on a mac. Any ideas of how to get around this problem? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jahilia Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 Well, plus I'm on a mac. I'm on a Mac too. I can't imagine that only people on PC's would be able to watch, but according to the minimum system requirements: Computer running Windows XP with Service Pack 2 or higher, or Windows VistaInternet Explorer version 6 or higherWindows Media Player version 9 or higherAn active broadband connection to the Internet1.0 GHz processor512 MB RAM3 GB free hard disk drive space Quote Link to post Share on other sites
burns3 Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 Netflix is way behind Amazon/Tivo on the amount of on-line content available. Plus, with Amazon/Tivo you can watch it all on your TV. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
a.miller Posted February 23, 2007 Author Share Posted February 23, 2007 Please explain more...I have the same problem. Well, plus I'm on a mac. Any ideas of how to get around this problem?I googled firefox ie plugin and went to the first result. It took me to one of mozilla's pages where you install the plugin and restart firefox. Now, under my tools menu in firefox there is an "IE tab settings" option where you can select what websites you would like to be displayed based on IE. I just added netflix, plus netflix/memberhome and netflix/watchnow. So, then when you get to the watch it now page, you right click on the tab and say "switch rendering engine" and there is the little "e" logo. Works like a charm. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
burns3 Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 Netflix is way behind Amazon/Tivo on the amount of on-line content available. Plus, with Amazon/Tivo you can watch it all on your TV. The Amazon/TiVo deal went live today. If you have TiVo and register by April 30th you get $15 dollars worth of free downloads. http://www.amazon.com/gp/video/tivo Quote Link to post Share on other sites
plasticeyeball Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 i haven't been to blockbuster in years but I still have a card and bet I would still owe them late fee's for returning something a day late 2 years ago which is why they will always suck in my book. If there is any late fee attached to "in store" or "via mail" rentals, then I would never switch back to them. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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