Netflix Streaming: What Am I Doing Wrong

[Mel Cooley XU'81]

In a nutshell, the content looks to me to be really thin.

No new releases; no typically popular titles.

No Dirty Harry, for example. If you want to settle down with Two Mules for Sister Sara (http://dvd.netflix.com/Movie/Two-Mules-for-Sister-Sara/60027751?strkid=1272503084_7_0&strackid=435ed0d597d2d4cf_7_srl&trkid=222336), though, you're in luck.

Am I looking in the wrong place(s)?

Those of you who swear by Netflix streaming: What do you like, where do you find it, am I losing my mind?

Or is this for TV shows, not movies.

Thoughts, media mavens?

[boozehound]

I recently got Netflix streaming and found the movie titles to be pretty lacking as well. There are some good TV shows though. I'm considering dumping it and trying Hulu Plus. I wasn't expecting a ton of new movie content, but I was expecting more than I got.

[muskiefan82]

You aren't doing anything wrong. NetFlix has maybe 1 out of 3 newer titles available for streaming (i.e they have Iron Man 2, Thor and Captain America, but not Iron Man, Avengers or the Incredible Hulk) It does have seasons of TV shows available after they are done for the season (unusual to get an episode quickly after it airs)so if you wanted to start watching 24 now, then it would work well. What I have done is this...I have Netflix streaming AND DVD. This lets me stream what they have and have them send the DVD for the stuff that isn't streaming (Yes, I know this is part of their evil plan). They have almost everythign available through their DVD service. I also have Hulu Plus which is AWESOME for TV episodes and has most shows available the next day for viewing EXCEPT FOR some CBS shows (Person of Interest is one). CBS has not bought into the HULU empire. Bastards. I have my PC hooked up to the outdoor antenna and use it as a DVR for over the air stuff anyway, so this doesn't kill me.

[XUFan09]

With movies, it really depends. There are a lot of older popular movies on there (though clearly misses too, such as the aforementioned "Dirty Harry").

You can watch "The Hunt for Red October" but you can't watch "Patriot Games."
You can watch "Psycho" but you can't watch "The Birds."
You can watch "T2: Judgement Day" but you can't watch "The Terminator."

There are many random inconsistencies like that. With TV shows, it's pretty excellent though, as I've had the opportunity to binge out some good shows, including ones currently airing (I just don't have access to the ongoing season).

[muskiefan82]

One other thing...Hulu Plus SUCKS for movies. It has movies, but they are the ones you've never heard of for a reason. It is great for TV, though.

[xu95]

has anyone tried the Amazon streaming service that comes with Amazon Prime? If it has a better selection than NetFlix it might be worth the $79 a year to get it.

[Muskie]

has anyone tried the Amazon streaming service that comes with Amazon Prime? If it has a better selection than NetFlix it might be worth the $79 a year to get it.

I have it. So far I've been concentrating on TV shows though (Sherlock, American Horror Story) so I haven't really delved into the movie side. I did have netflix and can tell you as of right now at least Prime's "TV offerings" are not as robust. Thankfully I use prime for shipping, and the streaming is a bonus.

I can jump over there right now and look though.

[Muskie]

Here the movies that Amazon prime lists as "recently added" and I could stream right now:

Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol
Crash
Terminator 2: Judgment Day-Director's Cut
The Adventures of Tin Tin
The Bodyguard

[Kahns Krazy]

I hate the netflix streaming. Every year or so I sign up for the "come back" free trial, and every year I am reminded of how much stuff they don't have. I think they will lose out ultimately in this whole business.

I have amazon prime for the free shipping and the kindle borrowing library. I rarely use the streaming, but I find it to be at least as good if not better than netflix, and it's included in a package that I would probably get anyway.

In fairness, I have a full Time Warner package, so I'm rarely at a loss for something to watch on TV with all of the on-demand options available on TWC.

[Muskie]

I hate the netflix streaming. Every year or so I sign up for the "come back" free trial, and every year I am reminded of how much stuff they don't have. I think they will lose out ultimately in this whole business.

I have amazon prime for the free shipping and the kindle borrowing library. I rarely use the streaming, but I find it to be at least as good if not better than netflix, and it's included in a package that I would probably get anyway.

In fairness, I have a full Time Warner package, so I'm rarely at a loss for something to watch on TV with all of the on-demand options available on TWC.

Agree. I guess it depends on what you want to watch exactly.

[muskiefan82]

They had a special that let you try it for free for a month. You should do that. It is actually pretty good and has most of the movies that NetFlix has and more that netflix does not. PLUS, you get free shipping when you order from Amazon with your Prime membership which can be nice.

[PM Thor]

I have Netflix, then got a free month of Hulu Plus and Epix. I have come to the conclusion I'm going to dump Netflix and Epix and stick with Hulu Plus. I watch many more tv shows than movies, and add in HBO GO and I'm set.

I HATE dayton.

[xu95]

I like Netflix for the mail order portion, but I definitely think I am going to look at alternatives for the streaming.

[GuyFawkes38]

If the show/movie has a mass popular appeal and is in demand, there's a good chance it won't be netflix. But there's still a lot of great content on netflix (lots of fun, cult classic stuff....lots of underappreciated, critically acclaimed shows). I love it.

I haven't looked into Amazon Prime. Is there an Amazon app to play content on video game consoles. Do you have to connect your laptop to your TV through something like Apple TV or a comparable PC device? Is there an app for Android and Apple mobile devices?

[Muskie]

If the show/movie has a mass popular appeal and is in demand, there's a good chance it won't be netflix. But there's still a lot of great content on netflix (lots of fun, cult classic stuff....lots of underappreciated, critically acclaimed shows). I love it.

I haven't looked into Amazon Prime. Is there an Amazon app to play content on video game consoles. Do you have to connect your laptop to your TV through something like Apple TV or a comparable PC device?

I believe there is an amazon app on xbox. But I have not looked specifically.

[Muskie1000]

If you are an avid movie watcher, Netflix is not for you. I like it for the TV series that they have and because they have a lot of children's shows on there. (aka the just got Disney). I get a sick kid at home and viola, I have something for them to watch.

[BBC 08]

Netflix will have the new Arrested Development. All other arguments are invalid.

[muskiefan82]

My ROku has an Amazon Prime app that connects to the Tv.

[Cheesehead]

I like Amazon Prime so far. I watched The Dark Night Rises last weekend for $3.99 and it looked great on my Mac.

[THRILLHOUSE]

I believe there is an amazon app on xbox. But I have not looked specifically.

There is an amazon app on PS3 as well.

[LadyMuskie]

We're (and by we I mean me because I'm tired of our Directv bill going up and we're not getting anything more for it) seriously considering ditching most, if not all of Directv. So what do we need in order to be able to watch our network tv and shows that are on History (Gold Road Truckers and Swamp People of Louisiana or whatever nonsense it is that my husband watches), A&E (Duck Dynasty), USA, and of course Disney? Both the tv in our family room and the one in our bedroom are a year old or less and can connect to the internet. They both have Hulu and Netflix icons, and I think the Sony has Amazon as well, but I'm not sure about that. We also have a Wii and an Xbox in the family room, and since my husband works in IT, we have countless computers around the house. We have an Amazon Prime account already. I have to be able to convince my husband that we will save money and that he'll still get his shows and that they'll be in HD, and I have to be able to have Disney for Little LM.

Do we need Roku? Should I get Netflix and Hulu, or just one or the other? We're going to start our free month trials for both on Sunday to see how it goes. Do we need an antenna in addition to everything else for local channels? I want to have a good amount of info before I try to convince the hubby it's a good idea!

Thanks!!

[Porkopolis]

Amazon Prime through Roku is really nice. I highly recommend it as it improves your enjoyment of Prime immensely. The Roku is just really nice in general, to be honest. If you are at all interested in watching sports at home (legally) cutting the cord will be tough. Sports are the only reason we still have cable.

[muskiefan82]

We're (and by we I mean me because I'm tired of our Directv bill going up and we're not getting anything more for it) seriously considering ditching most, if not all of Directv. So what do we need in order to be able to watch our network tv and shows that are on History (Gold Road Truckers and Swamp People of Louisiana or whatever nonsense it is that my husband watches), A&E (Duck Dynasty), USA, and of course Disney? Both the tv in our family room and the one in our bedroom are a year old or less and can connect to the internet. They both have Hulu and Netflix icons, and I think the Sony has Amazon as well, but I'm not sure about that. We also have a Wii and an Xbox in the family room, and since my husband works in IT, we have countless computers around the house. We have an Amazon Prime account already. I have to be able to convince my husband that we will save money and that he'll still get his shows and that they'll be in HD, and I have to be able to have Disney for Little LM.

Do we need Roku? Should I get Netflix and Hulu, or just one or the other? We're going to start our free month trials for both on Sunday to see how it goes. Do we need an antenna in addition to everything else for local channels? I want to have a good amount of info before I try to convince the hubby it's a good idea!

Thanks!!

Take some time and search the channel sites your shows are on and see if they stream them directly from their site. If not, check with Hulu, Netflix, and Amazon and see if they carry those shows. MANY, not all, but MANY of these shows are available if you don't care to watch them the same night they air. I gave up Sat/Cable and have an antenna and streaming and I haven't missed a thing really. I use the PC as my DVR for over the air stuff and stream almost everything else. IT is great.

[GuyFawkes38]

Amazon Prime through Roku is really nice. I highly recommend it as it improves your enjoyment of Prime immensely. The Roku is just really nice in general, to be honest. If you are at all interested in watching sports at home (legally) cutting the cord will be tough. Sports are the only reason we still have cable.

It's going to be interesting to see how this all works out. Dash has written on this board that it's very possible for the sports content producers to tell ESPN and the broadcasters to screw off. Maybe they will also tell the cable companies and then many of us will live in a world without cable. We can only dream.

[XUglow]

I am a bit tired of Netflix in general. When you live with Danes, Euro TV is essential, but we have nearly exhausted their stock Trying to find anything good these days is exhausting.

if you don't mind subtitles, I recommend the following: The Protectors - about Danish secret service agents, Spiral - French crime and court show, Wallander - Swedish original of the English show that plays on PBS. These are adult shows, btw. There are several seasons of each, so if you can get into them, there is a fair amount of content. I mix watching these shows with studying French or Danish or Swedish. Useless, I know, but it keeps my mind active.

[Muskie]

We're (and by we I mean me because I'm tired of our Directv bill going up and we're not getting anything more for it) seriously considering ditching most, if not all of Directv. So what do we need in order to be able to watch our network tv and shows that are on History (Gold Road Truckers and Swamp People of Louisiana or whatever nonsense it is that my husband watches), A&E (Duck Dynasty), USA, and of course Disney? Both the tv in our family room and the one in our bedroom are a year old or less and can connect to the internet. They both have Hulu and Netflix icons, and I think the Sony has Amazon as well, but I'm not sure about that. We also have a Wii and an Xbox in the family room, and since my husband works in IT, we have countless computers around the house. We have an Amazon Prime account already. I have to be able to convince my husband that we will save money and that he'll still get his shows and that they'll be in HD, and I have to be able to have Disney for Little LM.

Do we need Roku? Should I get Netflix and Hulu, or just one or the other? We're going to start our free month trials for both on Sunday to see how it goes. Do we need an antenna in addition to everything else for local channels? I want to have a good amount of info before I try to convince the hubby it's a good idea!

Thanks!!

Lady i have a good article somewhere addressing most of your questions. Ill link it when i get home.

Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk 2

[paulxu]

Wallander - Swedish original of the English show that plays on PBS.

This is an outstanding set of shows (the ones that played on PBS with Kenneth Branagh [sp?]).
Some of the best mystery stuff I've ever seen on TV.

[xu95]

Dropped the streaming portion of Netflix today in favor of Prime. I will give everyone a full report later.

[nuts4xu]

I want to have a good amount of info before I try to convince the hubby it's a good idea!

Thanks!!

Does the hubby like watching Reds games? If so, check into the MLB baseball package on line. Hulu won't help with the Reds. I have a friend that ditched his cable about a year ago, and he was over our house any time he wanted to see the home team. I don't know how it works or if you get blacked out of home Reds games, but you can stream them. But that too costs extra.

For those that have gone strictly the Netflix/Hulu route, if you have to subscribe to all these services, do you really save that much money? After all is said and done, and you give $12 a month (or whatever it is) to a few different companies, it seems to add up to a basic cable or satellite package.

[GoMuskies]

The Reds games would be blacked out for Lady at mlb.tv. Since I don't live in the Reds viewing area, mlb.tv is a godsend for me, though.

[Muskie]

Does the hubby like watching Reds games? If so, check into the MLB baseball package on line. Hulu won't help with the Reds. I have a friend that ditched his cable about a year ago, and he was over our house any time he wanted to see the home team. I don't know how it works or if you get blacked out of home Reds games, but you can stream them. But that too costs extra.

For those that have gone strictly the Netflix/Hulu route, if you have to subscribe to all these services, do you really save that much money? After all is said and done, and you give $12 a month (or whatever it is) to a few different companies, it seems to add up to a basic cable or satellite package.
It is definitely something you have to put pen to paper and figure out. I think it is a solution for some but not all.