So... Netflix.

[Ecrofirt]

Who uses it?

how is it?

How's the streaming selection? What's the quality like? Is it HD? How does it work? Can I use it on a PC, or do I have to get one of those specific Netflix approved boxes?
Also:
I wanted to get it specifically because of my 360, but then I just found out I have to get XBL Gold. FUCK. The only thing I use the 360 for is playing movies. Now I've got to pay another $60 a year just to stream movies legally?

[The Fake Shemp]

You can get a Gold 12 month membership for under $50.

Streaming is solid depending on your ISP and network configuration, but the selection is shaky at best.  The HD selection is smaller.  You can use on it a PC.  I really like it 'till they started throttling my snail mail movies - the process where they artificially slow down the rate of processing and sending out your rentals to pad their bottom line.

You really can't beat the service for the price, though.

[Ecrofirt]

You can get a Gold 12 month membership for under $50.

Streaming is solid depending on your ISP and network configuration, but the selection is shaky at best.  The HD selection is smaller.  You can use on it a PC.  I really like it 'till they started throttling my snail mail movies - the process where they artificially slow down the rate of processing and sending out your rentals to pad their bottom line.

You really can't beat the service for the price, though.

Can you stream HD stuff to a PC?

I'm interested in signing up, but I wish they'd show more of their available stuff before you actually became a member. Seems like shady biz to me, like it wants me to pay before it shows me the goods.

[duckman2000]

It's pretty irritating how it stops the movie to rebuffer and adjusts video playback quality based on network conditions, but that's streaming for you. HD will give you higher resolution, but the image quality is anything but crisp. The kid is using it a lot more than me, since image quality is less important for Inspector Gadget than for your typical movie.

Tried watching Wall-E simply because it felt more convenient the running the PS3, but it stuttered too much, and there was seemingly nothing wrong with my connection. Worst experience so far.

[The Fake Shemp]

Can you stream HD stuff to a PC?

I do not know for sure, but since they have their own media player for streaming to the PC - I am going to bet that it can stream HD.

I'm interested in signing up, but I wish they'd show more of their available stuff before you actually became a member. Seems like shady biz to me, like it wants me to pay before it shows me the goods.

Dude, you can sign up for free.  I know people who never pay for Netflix and just constantly do the free trial thing over and over again.

[Ecrofirt]

Willco, do you recall how much the XBL Gold memberships used to cost Gamestop when you worked there? I have a friend who works at BB, and I may see what his discount can do for me.

Friggin XBL Gold requirements.

[The Fake Shemp]

12 Month cards are always $49.99, but usually Microsoft tosses in an extra month.  You can go online and get 'em for cheaper, of if your friend can hook you up with a discount - do that.

[Ecrofirt]

12 Month cards are always $49.99, but usually Microsoft tosses in an extra month.  You can go online and get 'em for cheaper, of if your friend can hook you up with a discount - do that.

Yea, Willco, that's what I meant. Do you happen to know what it would cost the store to get one of those cards? Was it like $40 with a retail markup or some such jazz?

[archie4208]

http://tinyurl.com/nwet66

13 month card for $30

[demi]

Stopped using it after a month. Movies are boooooring. Play a game instead if you are using a gaming console

[Brehvolution]

The "Watch Now" section is extremely lacking imo. It's like walking into a movie rental shop. All those movies you walked past to get to the new releases in the back of the store are the ones that are available to stream. Until all the new releases are available to stream, I'll just keep my munee.

[archie4208]

The "Watch Now" section is extremely lacking imo. It's like walking into a movie rental shop. All those movies you walked past to get to the new releases in the back of the store are the ones that are available to stream. Until all the new releases are available to stream, I'll just keep my munee.

You probably won't ever get new releases with the streaming service, especially with VoD being able to charge for individual titles.

[GilloD]

"Watch it Now" is a hilarious mish-mash of B grade horror movies, shit you remember from when you were younger and maybe like 1 or 2 movies you actually wanted to see. That said, if you're not sure what else to watch and you got a 6 pack and a few friends, it's like have carte blanche at that shitty dollar-per-day movie rental place that no longer exists. It fuckin' rules.

I don't get too many NEW releases from NetFlix, so I've never had a problem. I've been a member for like 4 or 5 years now.

[Brehvolution]

I'd pay more to stream new releases. They'd ship the DVD to you for the same price under the current system. Are they implying that shipping you the new release is cheaper than streaming it?

[archie4208]

I'd pay more to stream new releases. They'd ship the DVD to you for the same price under the current system. Are they implying that shipping you the new release is cheaper than streaming it?

No.  I'm just saying that more money is to be had selling newer movies on VoD servies that charge per title.  They could make streaming tiers where you pay more to get the newer stuff though.

[tehjaybo]

12 months of XBL just dropped to 39.99 at my GameStop.  Just FYI.

[Rman]

Great value and beats renting at brick and mortars because of wider selection and convenience. 

[Diunx]

If you want to use it on a pc might as well download pirated movies.