Netflix Splitting DVD and Streaming Subscriptions

[westcott]

This is the SECOND price increase NetFlix has produced in the last year. I was one of the people that took up Gene's challenge of dropping my unlimited service when they raised their prices last time. I am at one DVD at a time and unlimited streaming. I am convinced that NetFlix would love to do away with DVD's because of the high cost of handling,maintenance, and shipping. This policy change should give them a good idea how popular or unpopular DVDs are if customers are given the choice. I will drop the hard copy DVD's and just go to the RedBox if I need high quality video and audio.

I too refuse to let my bill get higher again. I may be a semicaptive customer but reducing service twice in one year is unexusable and in this economy will surely hit NF's bottom line.

 

[GlocksRock]

I'm sure they will lose a good bit of business by jacking up the price, but then again the increased revenue from those who keep their services should help offset the difference. For now I'll stay with streaming only, and use blockbuster online for my physical disc needs, but may just consider using redbox if I can get what I need from them since there are so many around me and they are very convenient.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Great. Fantastic.

I went from 2 at a time + Streaming down to 1 at a time + streaming.

So now the 1 at a time + streaming will also increase in cost by 60%???

Now I have to make another decision?

Those bastards!!!!

 

[markw]

It's decision time.

We've currently got a "both" plan with one DVD at a time and just started streaming. For $10/mo it's a no brainer. But for a bump of $8/mo for what I already have and, it's time to weigh things out.

I can't argue with the quality of getting a DVD in the mail. Great picture and sound , but it's a few days between movies.

As for streaming, I note that the selections there are quite limited but they do have a lot of TV programming, and that almost make it worthwhile. As for the quality, both video and audio (which is stereo), are not up to what one can get from a DVD. But, it's convenient and can break up a boring day and every so often they get a movie that interests me.

So, if one wants to save money and go for only one, that forces a choice: Convenience, with a loss of quality, or deal with waiting the mail for the good stuff one at a time.

Fortunately, we have a Blockbuster a block away that just dropped their prices to compete with Redbox, which is the same distance away in the other direction. ...and I could use the exercise.

 

[tattoo_Dan]

Ill be dropping streaming

me too,I'll just stay with the "one dvd at a time w blu-ray" for $10

 

[ptalar]

They only raised prices to make the shareholders happy. The outlook for Netflix was no growth since they essentially have no competitors anymore in the markets they compete in. So all they can do is raise prices to increase earnings. Really greedy. Especially when there streaming service is not very good, small library and the sound quality is not compatible with DTS, Digital sound, etc.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

For me, I'm going with hard copy blu-ray because nothing can touch BD in terms of PQ & SQ.

So I may just drop the streaming.

 

[markw]

With our fortuitous situation, we're considering dropping the DVD option and saving $2/mo. It's a five minute hike to Blockbuster or Redbook.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

saving $2/mo.

On second thought, I'm keeping both Netflix BD + Streaming.

 

[sholling]

PC Mag has an interesting article called "Is Netflix Doomed?"

 

[darien87]

Screw Netflix!!! I'm sounding like a broken record.

Netflix throttled me and I will never go back to them. But for the people who stream isn't this potential for a doulbe-dip? You're getting a price increase from Netflix and now that ISP's are putting data limits on their plans, won't customers get hit with higher internet bills?

Streaming is pretty pointless to me. The only TV show I have rented was True Blood and even that show jumped the shark after the 2nd season. I only rent DVD's when there's no way to get a BD version. Plus my computer is upstairs with a 19" monitor. Why would I want to watch a movie on that?

 

[BMXTRIX]

I will stick with Blockbuster Online (and stores) which have provided me with years and years of solid and reliable service.

Netflix online seems great, but I have plenty of other online services available.

 

[smurphy522]

Let's hope their streaming library is also increased; supplemented by the fee increase.

I'll be dropping the steaming service as my U-verse/cable services already cover lots of their current offering already.

 

[j_garcia]

Screw Netflix!!! I'm sounding like a broken record.

Netflix throttled me and I will never go back to them. But for the people who stream isn't this potential for a doulbe-dip? You're getting a price increase from Netflix and now that ISP's are putting data limits on their plans, won't customers get hit with higher internet bills?

Still cheaper than cable. You don't pay more for going over AFAIK; it isn't a cell plan. ISPs throttle you once you hit the limit.

Streaming is pretty pointless to me. The only TV show I have rented was True Blood and even that show jumped the shark after the 2nd season. I only rent DVD's when there's no way to get a BD version. Plus my computer is upstairs with a 19" monitor. Why would I want to watch a movie on that?

Not sure where you are going with any of that because Netflix has had Blu-ray for over a year and the PS3 has Netflix also, right there in your main system

Let's hope their streaming library is also increased; supplemented by the fee increase.

Their library has incresed exponentially in the last few months, presumably in preparation for this. It still isn't as massive as the disc based, but I haven't had a problem finding something to watch when I wanted to.

 

[smurphy522]

I will be cancelling my Netflix account and going w/Redbox for my HiDef fix for rentals. Will use my current cable provider for the streaming.

 

[darien87]

Not sure where you are going with any of that because Netflix has had Blu-ray for over a year and the PS3 has Netflix also, right there in your main system

Yeah but to take advantage of that I'd have to go back to Netflix. Sorry, but as long as BB is still around Netflix won't get a dime of my money. The fact that they are raising prices only affirms that I don't want to do business with them.

I would only stream something that I didn't really care about. And if I don't care about it why am I watching it? The TV shows that I do watch, I just DVR so why do I need to stream them? Maybe if I tried streaming I might like it, but I'm not going to give Netflix my money to see. Oh well.

 

[markw]

Plus my computer is upstairs with a 19" monitor. Why would I want to watch a movie on that?

Many newer DVD/Blu-ray players have inernet capability built-in. I access Netflix through my Panny BD-85 and some game machines can access it as well. Mainline streaming ain't just for the computer geeks anymore.

FWIW, my BD-85 also access Pandora, Hulu, Youtube, and a few other sites as well.

Click here for more info.

 

[j_garcia]

Yeah but to take advantage of that I'd have to go back to Netflix. Sorry, but as long as BB is still around Netflix won't get a dime of my money. The fact that they are raising prices only affirms that I don't want to do business with them.

I would only stream something that I didn't really care about. And if I don't care about it why am I watching it? The TV shows that I do watch, I just DVR so why do I need to stream them? Maybe if I tried streaming I might like it, but I'm not going to give Netflix my money to see. Oh well.

I stream a lot of stuff that I haven't seen. Previous seasons of shows, shows I didn't originally have access to, etc... The main thing I have been streaming lately are TONS of anime, and they have some very good ones; complete seasons. Series that I've wanted to see for a while but wasn't willing to buy or wait to rent 5 discs, they now have instantly. That way I can try out a series or anime and if I don't like it, move on to the next.

LOL. As long as there is Netflix, Blockbuster won't get another dime from me I detest them about as much as you don't like Netflix.

Many newer DVD/Blu-ray players have inernet capability built-in. I access Netflix through my Panny BD-85 and some game machines can access it as well. Mainline streaming ain't just for the computer geeks anymore.

FWIW, my BD-85 also access Pandora, Hulu, Youtube, and a few other sites as well.

I stream on my BD-65 at my other house also, but it lacks the ability to browse and add to your queue via the player. Not a big deal, but you can search, browse and add on the PS3. I do use it for Pandora also though.

 

[j_garcia]

http://gizmodo.com/5820815/dear-netflix-its-time-to-get-your-****-together

 

[Jason626]

I used to recemend netflix to people as being a great deal. Now its just going to be another service similiar to others. Streaming was a nice draw you into netflix be a customer. Thats why I have NF for over a year. Once you stream for awhile you realize picture and audio isn't great at all for most everything if your doing it on your HT gear. It's not bad on small computer screen. Streaming content is older movies/shows seasons or shows that aren't popular you'll likely rate 1-3 stars. Most of us saved our disc que for movies we would have liked to have seen at theatres.

I'll be looking to see how blockbuster or red box is to. Blockbuster could redeem itself as being nearly same value now. Plus isn't blockbuster under DISH ownership now? They could end up doing well.