Maybe this is a result of your post

People obviously haven’t heard of bit torrent where TV is free.

Or

http://peekvid.com

Google: TVU Player

David you’d be surprised how many people havent heard of bit torrent or at least aren’t confident enough with PCs to dabble with it.

A brave move on netflix part. Though don’t imagine it’ll be heading to the UK anytime soon!

nice post, even nicer title!
And by the way, great to hear that netflix are figthing back

Nice move, Netflix!! Wish I was one of the select few.

Mike, do you know how much of the 40M is license costs?

Did you get the email I sent you about TC8 NYC on LinkedIn? Shoot me an email robatdomain and I will resend.

More competiton - this good

Hey…I told you to give the “old broom” some time…dont be so hasty next time….a marriage is about rolling good and bad times…

If only I had a PC.

what about Vongo and ClickStar? How are they doing? All TV will be like this soon. Monthly fee and you get to watch or download to DVR set top box. Apple TV is next can’t wait to see what that brings.

Netflix needs to partner with redbox in order to beat blockbuster. I just dont see many people sitting around their PCs to watch “Under the Tuscan Sun”

nathan gtfo with your mac pos

Time to buy stock in NFLX.

This sounds like a DRM based application to me….please correct me if I’m wrong. If it is, then are you saying this type of DRM is good?

Unless they can easily get it to my “cost me a month of salary” TV in our living room, this does me no good. If I could download the movie file so that I could burn a quick disc that might be worth something. Or perhaps this is the last piece of the Netflix/TiVo ondemand we’ve been waiting so long for.

I have yet to use netflix…might have to finally crack down and give it a try!

No, this is a major rip-off.

Lure people back from BlockBuster with the promise of something the majority of people won’t see until June. I expect Netflix to end up in state attorney general’s offices for these shenanigans.

I’ve been contemplating switching to Blockbuster myself (zero switch cost), just to give them a shot… in-store exchanges IS tempting.

—

Blockbuster vs Netflix:
http://snapshot.compete.com/ne.....m?int=1032

(In December, Netflix was up 42% over 2005, while BBI was pretty much flat - I like their new TV ads, but they don’t seem to be driving traffic growth)

Quality is I’m sure what would kill it for me.

I’m spoiled by DVD quality video to the point that my Directv signal looks poor. Viewing some 520×340 DivX video fullscreen on a monitor running 1280×1024 or higher isn’t going to quench my thirst for quality.

Please tell me if I’m wrong, but I doubt you’re downloading the full quality 3G+ movie.

Sarcastic remarks can be trouble on the WEB.

The hours per month model is terrible. You have to juggle movies so you can watch the ones you want in the time alloted? That’s just laughably bad. Will it cut off if you are 10 minutes shy? Does watching the same movie twice count against you twice? I really can’t imagine people want to think of their entertainment this way but they are big enough to teach people new hoops to jump through. Vo

>Apple TV is next can’t wait to see what that brings.

So far…terrible picture quality.

I wonder if there will be some synergy between NetFlix’s instant view feature and Windows / Vista Media Center? I’d like to see virtual channels nudged right up against traditional cable cannels in my guide! Or, at least, NetFlix videos assembled in some kind of ON DEMAND area.

Comcast, Microsoft, Cox… are you thinking through this?

Let’s get this straight…

People are currently subscribing to both services to watch movies and shows, for the most part, on their TV.

The rapid subscription rate of Blockbuster’s new service is very telling of what people think about Netflix and their Machiavellian tactics. Blockbuster’s service is just better.

I’m not so sure that having the added ability to stream TV to your computer (only PC at that) outweighs better service and delivery. Perhaps in the future, but not now or anytime soon.

You people whining about “quality” just don’t get it at all. You don’t see that there’s a real market for this. Most people would rather watch the show they want, when they want, then spend $200 for the season on HD-DVD.

Let’s say I want to see the latest episode of X. I could try and torrent X sure, and that usually works but if all I have to do is log into my netflix account and watch it, I’d do that in a heartbeat. I’d also be even more likely to watch shows that I wouldn’t both to rent otherwise.

Not to mention the fact that it’s adding value to netflix uses, who get more options for content delivery for the same price they’ve always paid.

People in their 20s, a major target market, don’t give a damn about quality, they already watch TV shows on google video and youtube. That’s who netflix is competing with — and they’re going to win.

Well, you’re right…I don’t get it. I don’t watch YouTube videos either. Why? Because again, the quality sucks. Not to mention the same for the bulk of the content.

Also, with a 60″ television and a 19″ monitor, where do you think I want to watch tv? Hint: It ain’t the monitor.

Right now, I watch a few minutes of something on HBO and if it looks good, I rent or buy the DVD for actual viewing.

Downloading via torrent is just asking for trouble. I steer clear of that unless it’s 100% legal content like a Linux distro or something similar.

I agree with Evan Roberts (post #11). The idea on partnering with Redbox is great. Video download will be the way to go in the future, but it’s so much quicker to head out to a Redbox vs. downloading the movie. I prefer to not tie myself to a subscription and rent up to 10 movies ($10) at Redbox kiosks.

Wonder if we will see a Joost and Netflix mashup

Dudes: you guys are like Mr. Crunch and Mr. Munch. Get a old xbox. Put xbox media center on it. hook it up to your tv. problem solved for like $100. xbmc has a better ui than tivo. i know, it makes no sense since it was designed by euro open source h4×0rs it should look like a dog turd running the motif widgets, but it’s actually good.

Anything that requires downloading is a problem for fully half of all Internet users, who, like me, do not have broadband. We are not on dialup by choice, but because it is not available. (Pity moans gladly accepted - lol) Satellite Internet is not much better than dialup, and exorbitantly expensive. We switched to Blockbuster Total Access from Netflix because we were still going to Blockbuster when the desire to rent a movie “on a whim” struck. And with such a massive investment, I’m not sure Netflix is a good stock buy or will be good for investors long-term.

Let me guess, it will be available as a download for Windows/Mac only.

I just divorced Netflix and went to bed with Blockbuster. It looks like I should have signed a prenup….. good post and great title!

Time to sell my Netflix stock!!

Netflix pulled a good one; I just need to see a mass implementation of getting your laptop to the (common) TV set.

- The setup would include a Piece for connection of laptop to TV SET; a remote for that piece.. and adequate software for viewing - all things, on your pc … Also on the piece would be - Wireless keyboard with built in mouse. (roller ball)

- Basically Use your WI-FI , and laptop to surf the net from your couch. Also now use your netflix to watch a downloaded movie on your SET, or Your fav youTube vid. -

Basically build this unit, it comes free with a 1yr commitment to netflix 18$ account; get customers hooked…. Think (cellphones) -

- Richard Bowles

Netflix’s move to offer movies on your PC is great for those who actually do that. The majority of Netflix users are not so technologically advanced and this benefit isn’t as appealing as you might think. However the idea of returning your movies to a blockbuster store down the street hits right at home for us lazy Americans - nothing beats convenience.

I wonder if AppleTV (Mac & PC compatible) has just become Pallet Jack’s all-in-one device…. rolled into a cool iPhone shortly!

Welcome to the future. Apple just announced it last week.

@Bill:

“Also, with a 60″ television and a 19″ monitor, where do you think I want to watch tv? Hint: It ain’t the monitor. Right now, I watch a few minutes of something on HBO and if it looks good, I rent or buy the DVD for actual viewing.”

A bit off topic, but I’m confused…unless you mean HD-DVD, I’m not sure why you would choose to skip watching something on HBO (they do have HD, you know) to watch it on a lo-res old-school DVD…especially if you have a 60″ TV?

I find HBO-HD to be of excellent quality and obviously much improved over normal DVD. Now their delay in airing movie titles is a whole other story, of course.

That being said, I am intrigued and happy to hear this from Netflix, but put me in the ‘more resolution please’ camp. I’ll gladly view them via Win Media Center on my 42″ LCD once they reach actual HD resolutions.

hi…

until netflix/blockbuster, etc… can actually download/blow a full cd/dvd that i can then use to create a dvd/cd that i can watch on any of my displays, then who really cares…

the service that actually implements this strategy, and then makes the distribution platform/payment platform available to anyone who needs it, will displace a portion of akamai, and seriously threaten the netflix/blockbuster model for customers with high-speed connectivity.

peace..

Mac users are neglected again?

Everyone wants to make money on the internet - everyone is trying so hard they’re losing the plot, game and their mind. I’m one of them, I lost two of those mentioned, but before lose my mind I’m giving up with the internet. However before I disconnect and go of line for good I want to show you a site that is not in the game to make money - http://www.stepuptoamillion.com does not profit and will raise roughly $4 Million in just 21 steps.

In just 21 steps and before 7th July 2007 this website will roughly make $4 Million (£2 Million) and it’s all going. $1.9 Million (£1 Million) of the total will go to one of the 21 advertisers/sponsors involved on live TV and the other $1.9 Million (£1 Million) goes to help with the fight against Extreme Poverty.

Starting at just £1 for the first space, the prices get crazy as they double up each time a space sells - And since the site does not profit it’s already halfway to the top of the 21 step ladder. The price of some of the space is so crazy it’s going to generate a lot of media/public interest for the 21 involved with the site and I predict - It will be the website of 2007.

@Steve

I don’t have HD HBO from DTV, primarily because my modded DTivos are standard def. That’s why I typically will find something I like on there, then rent/buy the DVD for actual viewing if I really like it.

Now granted, I’m not the only tv viewer in my household. The wife and kids watch more than I do for sure. They also aren’t as picky about the quality as I am.

I’m really ready for all tv content to be in HD quality, but that’s still going to be a while.

For my choice of content - DVD (720×480) and DTV (don’t remember resolution, but it’s much lower than DVD) DVD looks by far the best. When I see less attractive (for me anyway) options such as viewable only on a PC, requiring yet another 3rd party app to be installed, and quality that’s approximately equal to my DTV signal (or worse) I question why I’d ever want/use it.

Ah! It probably was because of the earlier article to some degree. That’s really great though - I went to an event last year at Netflix, on video, that they held and they talked about things like this - very cool to see them kicking it up and staying competitive.

they’re probably very glad to have you back

Mike you said the other day that The Venice Project (Joost) wont fly because it needs a download …

http://www.techcrunch.com/2007.....n-mozilla/

Netflix requires you to use IE ,WMP ,WM-DRM and a you have to DOWNLOAD a plugin to acess the svideo treams ,this service is even more locked down than Joost.

Will this fly with you ????

Minor gripes: doesnt’ work on Mac yet, and the allotted time per month is a little skimpy. Better would be, for every movie you rent in a month you get two hours.

But this is totally a step in the right direction. And you can’t beat free. I personally don’t care if the quality isn’t that great if you’re watching a free movie and one that is a rental. It seriously doesn’t matter if “White Chicks” is in DVD quality.

It’s a bit amazing (and disconcerting) to see such brands willing to completely subsidize the viewing of online content. It’s such an expensive proposition, I wonder how they are justifying it in business terms.

How long will the magic last, though?

Sure, you’ve had a good relationship over the years. Maybe she’s wearing makeup again, putting on something nice, and putting in some effort.

But like you said yourself, there’s a lot of other fish in the sea. Maybe they don’t have the same history, or already know all the things you like….

Together with their online ‘free tv’ offering, Netflix may have to add some kind of an advertising-based business model in addition to the existing subscription based model . Some of their subscribers might be even willing to share their interests for more targeted marketing.

With as low margin as business is, with BlockBuster having their forces backed by stores, and with availability of free tv without any pay subscription, it is a tough call for Netflix to keep sustaining just based on subscriptions.

Most of those who wanted to have movies delivered to their homes probably have already subscribed. It does not appear realistic to expect millions new (paying) subscribers to join ‘because of free tv online’. Consistent stable broadband connection is still an issue in many parts of the country and streaming movies still can be very cumbersome.

So far, Netflix has been a very smart appealing company, good luck to them in their fight.

@David

Some of us like to do things legally. Also for some reason people have a hard time with Bit Torrent. I don’t know why, I try to explain it nice and slow but they get lost.

Blockbuster had a great idea with the free in-store rentals. Too bad they are closing all of the Blockbusters in NYC.

This should be a huge success! Long term, it’s not about watching from your PC or laptop (although you can do that too) it’s about streaming to your HDTV. PC’s are becoming standard components of the home entertainment system and digital links now connect them direct to your TV.

For me, I still like the brick Blockbuster model because I’m all about convenience and the randomness of picking up a movie as a second or third choice. With all these “ranking” and “you may also like this” systems serving as navigational guides, those unique ‘discovery’ events, like finding a new film are something that’s missing in our entertainment programming.

-Stan

this is cool; I have the $18 a month plan; I guess I can watch movies I’d normally avoid…so, this also makes it ok to watch on the TV. Good job.