I've recently signed back up with Blockbuster Online and was wondering for those who do subscribe to online retailers who you chose and why?

Online rentals single choice
	Blockbuster Online
	NetFlix
Votes accepted starting: 03/11/07 03:49 AM You must vote before you can view the results of this poll.

I signed back up using the 1-per-month for $9.99 option. I was a subscriber for about 17 months but had to cease due to my final year of graduate school (it's FINALLY catching up with me) However on Friday I signed up again for the option listed above and also for allowance to the Blockbuster Total Access program. As a fellow Blockbuster employee (this is another reason why I chose Blockbuster over NetFlix), I receive 5 free rentals a week. Now if anyone has ventured over to the Movies Discussion thread, you can see I watch at least 1 movie per night. With the Blockbuster Total Access, I can continue to get rentals through work without having to worry about paying for them. When I get more time this summer and am making more money, I'm sure I'll bump myself up to the 2 out at a time plan or even 3 out at a time. Finally, I have A LOT of Japanese movies that I've been meaning to see that I can only find in one video store in Austin (Vulcan Video for those interested). It's a lot easier to get it through Blockbuster than through them so that's another reason for my resigning.

Hey Irish. On a SOPRANOS rerun the other night, A.J. got fired from Blockbuster.

Tony's reaction ? How the f**k you get fired from there ? They got trained monkeys working as managers !

I immediately thought of you

Sorry kid, couldn't resist.

Thanks man. It's all good. When I first saw the episode aired with a buddy of mine (I go to his house to watch it), anytime Blockbuster was named I slap him on the arm and we'd laugh. But yes, when he got fired we both cracked up (especially with Tony's remake). And the way his was cursing and ignoring customers. GENIUS!

We personally signed up for Netflix a while ago, and are very happy with the service. Originally, we signed up for it before Blockbuster's even existed. When Blockbuster came up with their "no more late fees" thing, and was rather scummy about it (my understanding is that they would charge your credit card for the replacement cost of the movie and allegedly credit it back when you returned the movie, but very few people ever received it voluntarily), we stuck with Netflix, and have been very thrilled with the service. Rarely any glitches at all.

That's either a typo or major ripoff!

I've been w/ Netflix since 12/03... $17.99 ($19.25 w/ tax)/month for 3 at a time, and I watch about 4-6/week. That's about a buck per rental. Shipping is very fast for me: one day each way. Plus you can purchase fully-packaged used DVDs for $5.99-9.99. (And, anyone who signs up using this link donates to the JG Fund )

Blockbuster is the same price, but has 10,000 fewer titles according to their site. The only positive for them is they give you a free instore rental each month, and you can return/pickup your online rentals at the store. I haven't missed that yet, despite nothing ever being on cable's On-Demand service.

I had blockbuster last year, now I have none. I am planning to get netflix after I graduate. Two reasons why blockbuster is bad. The turn around time is bad and it has lesser number of movies. OK, one more reason, for some stupid reason blockbuster wants to be a family oriented business, so it won't stock nc-17 rated movies Some good movies are nc-17, what to do!

I can't even remember when I rented a movie.

I seldom rent movies anymore either. I use to rent them all the time. Now, I usually see the very few of interest to me when they hit the theater, or on pay-for-view.

I went last month to rent Season 2 and then 3 of "24", but that was the first time rented a video for me in a long long time.

TIS

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You and me both. I still have a Blockbuster gift card somewhere from Christmas, 2002. It's probably not any good. But the last movie I rented? Who knows.

Yeah it's probably no good. I think after 24 months of nonuse, the giftcard losses $2-per-month until it's depleted.

I use my local library system. They get new releases usually 2-3 months after the DVD is released in stores. And the entire county library system has a very deep and thorough catalog (surprisingly for a library...) and allows you to request materials throughout the system to be delivered to your local branch for a nominal fee.

Good times! No cost! Unless of course you count taxes, but hey, I'm more than willing to do that rather than pay a monthly fee.

That's a pretty sweet deal DJ. I didn't know my school's library had DVD's until my senior year. They were free of charge of course and had a pretty wide selection as well. Not very many titles but it was the first time I got to see The Seven Samurai.

Since I've only recently regained my library status, I wasn't able to get movies from them. Unfortunately, their selection is not the best, and when they do get a new one, the competition is fierce. Usually, there's a wait time. And somehow, there's just something wrong with getting movies from a library. I've just always thought that libraries were a place that should encourage a person to READ, so I guess it could just be psychological with me.

Pfft, the sad fact is that most of my "rentals" are educational...so PBS, American Experience, and History Channel documentaries for me!

Here's something new I heard the other day and kind of made me chuckle. As a way for Netflix to compete with Blockbuster they are now offering movies on your PC based on your subscription:

How can I watch movies instantly on my PC?

With Netflix, you will be able to watch movies instantly on your PC at no additional cost. You will get one hour of instant viewing included in your membership for each dollar of monthly plan cost. For example, if you select the 3 at-a-time unlimited plan for $17.99 a month, you will also get access to 18 hours of instant watching - all in addition to your regular "by mail" selections! Once you become a member, click the "Watch Now" tab for more information.

Source: Netflix

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Personally I don't think it'll work and it might become confusing for some subscribers. I'll give them credit that they're at least trying something as now the power in the online rental market has shifted Blockbuster's way. But I still think Blockbuster holds the advantage. Any Netflix subscribers try this yet or even heard about it?

Are all the movies available for online viewing?

Interesting. As a Netflix member since '03, it's the first I've heard of (noticed) it - but you're right, I now see a "Watch Now" tab I never noticed. Cool. BUT, uncool that Firefox isn't supported... and, uncool that I gotta sit at my desk to watch it, rather than my couch.

BUT - I read long ago that Netflix' future plan was to have everything on-demand anyway (no more discs mailed). I guess they're finally testing that out...

Cool.

But as far as "to compete with Blockbuster" crap - Netflix invented this model and Blocksucker stole it. Blockbuster is the one trying to compete.

Geoff - if you had a "Slingbox," you could watch it from your couch, now? I've heard good things about that little box.

As for it "working" or not, I think the media age is growing more digital by the second. I'm old school - I want hard copies of all my LP's, my movies, etc. But the upcoming generation (and the tail end of mine) want instant gratification with the music downloads, movie downloads, etc.

Personally, the quality on a PC is, for a vast majority of people, not as good as on a standalone DVD. However, I suspect it isn't film buff's who would subscribe to it, but rather, people who just use their PC's a lot to watch movies, or have a Slingbox.

I think its a great idea - why not cash in?

I'm not sure about that. I'm not sure if its select titles or every title. I believe it's certain titles but I couldn't tell you for sure nor how titles get selected.

I think that's gonna be a major problem people are going to run into. With Blockbuster Total Access, you simply return the movies in-store and go on your way with more movies. With Netflix, you have to do it all on your computer. What if the Internet goes down? I think some subscribers older in age are already computer illiterate enough as it is without having to add this to their list of problems. As I said, I commend Netflix for trying something new, however I think their idea is more difficult for consumers because so many things could go wrong with the computer, Internet, etc. Also, does a customer have to download the movie first or can they view it without downloading it? That'd be a concern with me because I wouldn't want to continually add big movie files to my computer.

However, I also don't like watching movies on a computer screen. As DJ said, the quality isn't as good, and I enjoy watching as many movies on a HDTV as I can. Plus, as you pointed out Geoff, the couch is more comfortable than my a$$ torture computer chair.

I hadn't heard about that. Then I guess this is almost a trial run for them to see what they need to improve on. That's a good idea to go on demand because then they'd look back at Blockbuster and say, "your move"



Correction, they took Netflix's idea and made it better

Please, I12, don't ask don't tell 'round here, 'k?

That was free of charge. Seriously, my folks need to get a new one. My a$$ and back die a daily death in this thing (and what's worse is I have to use it so much because I have one final paper due for my MBA degree, which I'm working on now and it's due on the 29th. Then after that I get to write my 40+ page thesis).

What's your topic?

"The Yankees Numbers Game"

I had to chose a problem in the business world, research it and offer recommendations. The local baseball in Austin (the Round Rock Express, Triple-A affiliate to the Houston Astros), had a problem with online advertising. This season they are going to begin offering advertising on their web page. They get a certain amount of visitors to their website every season. But what do those numbers mean? Also, how can they advertise that they are now accepting advertisements on their website? Who should they cater to? How much should they charge? Etc.

I've had the 2 discs I rented for over a month now, without watching them. Probably time that I stopped my membership. I go through Odeon Direct, which is basically owned by LOVEFiLM.

Is that the same as Netflix and Blockbuster here in the States?