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GlocksRock
Audioholic Spartan
But if the device had a hard drive, you could start the movie after the download was about halfway done so there would be a buffer. I don't think residential internet can really handle streaming HD yet.
I have been using the Watch Now feature since beta. I have the MyNetFlix plug in for Vista MCE.What kind of picture quality are we talking about with their downloads? How do they compare with DVDs?
From looking at:
http://www.roku.com/netflixplayer/frequently-asked-questions/
They seem to claim that I could have DVD quality, but they are a bit vague about what exactly will get you that. They say:
Exactly. I have the 3 movie at a time plan from netflix and we always get the new stuff on BD but sometimes we feel like watching older movies which are only out on DVD and this is where the Watch Now feature really shines. If this box ends up being nearly as good as it sounds I will definitely be buying another one for the bedroom.I have been using the Watch Now feature since beta. I have the MyNetFlix plug in for Vista MCE.
Far as quality goes: It varies. I have seen DVD quality and then I have seen some close to crummy output. It depends on the connection stream (either what your down stream is or if NetFlix is controlling the streaming rate).
For $8.99 I really don't want to hear all the whiners about HD/DD etc. It's $9/month for petes sake. If you can find better then go for it.
I have been using the Watch Now feature since beta. I have the MyNetFlix plug in for Vista MCE.
Far as quality goes: It varies. I have seen DVD quality and then I have seen some close to crummy output. It depends on the connection stream (either what your down stream is or if NetFlix is controlling the streaming rate).
For $8.99 I really don't want to hear all the whiners about HD/DD etc. It's $9/month for petes sake. If you can find better then go for it.
Absolutely agreed - and I want to hear feedback from everyone who uses it or similar technology.I think there is a place for commenting on quality, regardless of price.
I understand, but when I pay $1.00 for a burger my expectations aren't that high. It's called being realistic. It's easy to discuss quality at any price range including free.Absolutely agreed - and I want to hear feedback from everyone who uses it or similar technology.
No doubt - my expectations aren't for HD at that price, but at what price do they offer HD and what's their solution for my HDTV? If I do want maximum quality, is there a way that I can not stream the movie, but let it buffer to memory at maximum quality so I can enjoy at least DVD level quality every time I view?I understand, but when I pay $1.00 for a burger my expectations aren't that high. It's called being realistic. It's easy to discuss quality at any price range including free.
I am talking more about expectations, that's all.
That's a whole different ball game there. And I totally agree. The biggest limiting factor is simple: Bandwidth. Always has been, always will be.No doubt - my expectations aren't for HD at that price, but at what price do they offer HD and what's their solution for my HDTV? If I do want maximum quality, is there a way that I can not stream the movie, but let it buffer to memory at maximum quality so I can enjoy at least DVD level quality every time I view?
Really, we are 10+ years beyond VHS, and I don't even have a composite video feed to my plasma displays. I think the service is nifty and is definitely headed the right direction, but if it allowed for HD downloads and had a compatible box for a couple hundred bucks or something, I likely would switch to their service instead of Blockbuster Online immediately.
Does this particular player have any sort of a hard drive? I can't find any real specs beyond the general marketing website. That would certainly be valuable.But if the device had a hard drive, you could start the movie after the download was about halfway done so there would be a buffer. I don't think residential internet can really handle streaming HD yet.
If it's Netflix, why not have it as part of your rental agreement? Why not make all the downloads full DVD quality, make them download to the drive overnight? Have the FULL DVD library available to view? Only one or two, or whatever are available at a time and then when you 'return' it, at your choosing (not automatically!) a new movie from your queue loads the next night?Does this particular player have any sort of a hard drive? I can't find any real specs beyond the general marketing website. That would certainly be valuable.
For me, the most valuable device would be one that could "save" up to X number of movies at any one time (2 or 3) so I could download several overnight and not have to worry about my internet connection for streaming purposes. The movies could even auto-delete after 24 or 48 hours.
That's a great question. Why does Netflix limit the downloads to only 10% of their total catalog. I understand from a server point of view why they don't want all users accessing the entire catalog, but 10% seems quite low.If it's Netflix, why not have it as part of your rental agreement? Why not make all the downloads full DVD quality, make them download to the drive overnight? Have the FULL DVD library available to view? Only one or two, or whatever are available at a time and then when you 'return' it, at your choosing (not automatically!) a new movie from your queue loads the next night?
Netflix has stated that licensing costs is the biggest determinate in getting content for the watch now feature.That's a great question. Why does Netflix limit the downloads to only 10% of their total catalog. I understand from a server point of view why they don't want all users accessing the entire catalog, but 10% seems quite low.
I understand, but when I pay $1.00 for a burger my expectations aren't that high. It's called being realistic. It's easy to discuss quality at any price range including free.
I am talking more about expectations, that's all.
I do agree with your point about Blockbuster. They're going to have to offer something similar to be competitive.I wrote an editorial about the box (which I ordered) over at AV Rant. To be honest, I cannot believe some of the push-back on this product. This is a HUGE development in the industry.
Netflix has around 8.25 million subscribers. That number is either going to double in two years, or Blockbuster will offer something similar and both subscriber numbers will grow. I'm happy either way so long as they continue to improve and innovate.
The Editorial: http://www.avrant.com/?p=295