Need advice on a new DVD renting service.

[STC]

Need some help here guys. Need opinions on DVD rental services.

Currently I use Blockbuster Online. Been using there for 4-5 yrs now. I pay $13/month for 2 DVDs (Blu Ray or DVD doesn't matter) sent to my home, I can take those DVDs back to the store and take out 2 more DVDs, then the next DVDs in my queue will be sent to me. Also I get 2 in store only rental coupons each month. Reason I want to change services is that my closest Blockbuster just closed down, and the closest one to me now is 20 mins away. I dont want to drive that far and I do not want to do RedBox.

I have researched Netflix, I know its $7.99/month for unlimited streaming + an optional $2/month for 1 physical DVD mailed to my home at a time. Here are my issues:

• I dont have a PS3 or XBox to stream Netflix content (I'm thinking of buying one though cause theres a lot of games I want to play now)
• My TV and Blu Ray player doesnt allow streaming.
• If I stream through the Wii, it wont be 1080p (I dont think).

The most important thing is that my wife likes the bonus content on DVDs.
If I do get Netflix, does the streaming content have bonus features?

Any other DVD renting services out there that you guys use and can recommend?

[jpsum]

Go with Netflix. The Wii streams at 480p I think. But not all netflix movies are streamed at 1080 anyways. I've both PS3 and Wii and I used them both to stream. The video quality on the wii does not bother me at all, even though I have the PS3 to compare it with. For the money, you can't beat Netflix.

There are no bonus features on streaming. You can't replaced DVDs completely with Netflix's streaming because the catalog is different. The streaming catalog is limited to mostly older movies and TV shows.

[infinitekidM2C]

I think i can answer some of that as i've netflix.

I'm sure you can't stream 1080 through Wii...its not equipped for it. (Get a PS3 and join the human race.)

I'm almost certain you cannot stream the bonus stuff. The only real option on a movie stream is to "play" the main movie.

Having said that i do about 50/50 stream and dvd. First, not everything is ready to be streamed, especially brand new titles or really old/foreign stuff. I don't mind waiting a couple of days for the blue ray to come in and i can stream something else while im waiting if i have to watch something.

But in the end i really like netflix.

[SteveMD]

Get a Roku box. The $79 one. It connects wirelessly to your router and will do 1080i/p.

I have Netflix on about 5 devices but find the selection to be lacking.

[MisterSkiMask]

I was just helping my mom shop for a new DVD/Blueray player and found that you can get one that is capable of streaming cheap, around $100, you may want to update your hardware unless you want a gaming console too.

I got a Mac Mini and plugged it into my tv. I use it to surf the web and run movies, music and any other computer function. It won't be long before we are looking to the internet more for tv style entertainment and this way you'll be ready.

[jpsum]

Originally Posted by SteveMD

Get a Roku box. The $79 one. It connects wirelessly to your router and will do 1080i/p.

I have Netflix on about 5 devices but find the selection to be lacking.

And the best thing is your can stream all 5 devices at the same time... NetFlix don't give a shit... which is nice!

[Maestro]

Even if your Netflix device support 1080P the streaming content is not at 1080P. It pretty good quality but not as good as coming from a DVD or Blueray. To give you an ideal, DVD are about 5GB to 6 GB of data and Blueray is closer to 20GB and streaming content from Netflix is 1GB or less.

As someone else suggest updated your Blueray player most these days support Netflix streaming. Or you can buy a dedicated device, but do not us a wii since it does not support 1080p and it not as good at steaming content as other devices.

I will tell you this about the in mail DVDs, you get them fast, if you put them in your que in the morning you will have them in your mail box the next day. Also when you mail them out to return they have some sort of deal with the USPS because DVD get back to them in less than 24 hours. I Usually get an email in the morning saying they received the DVD back which I mailed out the day before. If I have another DVD in the que I will get an email later that same day saying it shipped out.

The turn around is fast and you can easily rent 10 to 12 DVD a month if you are quick to watch and return.

[STC]

Thx guys. I'm seriously considering a PS3 because I love Marvel vs. Capcom 3 and some other recent games. I'll prob go that route!

[jpsum]

Originally Posted by STC

Thx guys. I'm seriously considering a PS3 because I love Marvel vs. Capcom 3 and some other recent games. I'll prob go that route!

PS3 FTW!

[NBRider88]

I hate playing games on the ps3. I'm so use to xbox controller, I get frustrated with the ps3 one now. Only use it for blue-ray movies and streaming netflix

[RedBarron]

netflix streaming selection is almost worthless. I wish they would let you a list of the most popular movies that are being streamed.

[iBoost]

if you want the new xbox pm me, i have a thread in the fs section, selling mine.

[PsychoSlug]

PS3 is the only Netflix-ready device that supports 1080p. Xbox, Samsung, etc. devices only support up to 720p. Not sure why. Wii, as mentioned, only supports up to 480p.

I've been with Netflix for over 4 years and love the service. I'm probably 70/30 disc/streaming. Streaming is great for older titles that you want to see, but not necessarily enough to tie up a disc in your queue.

[MisterSkiMask]

Originally Posted by NBRider88

I hate playing games on the ps3. I'm so use to xbox controller, I get frustrated with the ps3 one now. Only use it for blue-ray movies and streaming netflix

I am the exact opposite, the XBox Controller feels bulbous and weird to me. All the XBox does at my house is play Baby Einstein videos.

[number335]

netflix movie selection for streaming is extremely limited. if you like tv shows, then it may be worth getting. but if you are not gonna stream anyway, stick with blockbuster. i like blockbuster because of the blu ray and game rentals at no extra cost.

[NBRider88]

Originally Posted by MisterSkiMask

I am the exact opposite, the XBox Controller feels bulbous and weird to me. All the XBox does at my house is play Baby Einstein videos.

Back when ps2 was the shit, I loved the controller. Then xbox came into my light and i have been playing that for the last couple years. I tried to use a ps controller a few months ago when I picked up the ps3...to say the least I just can't stand how light/awkward it feels now...funny how that works.

[STC]

My buddy just told me that NetFlix has a 28 day lag for new movies. That isnt good, and may be a deal breaker. We dont go crazy watching movies, but, I like to watch new movies within 1-2 weeks of release.

[JayKay335i]

Originally Posted by STC

My buddy just told me that NetFlix has a 28 day lag for new movies. That isnt good, and may be a deal breaker. We dont go crazy watching movies, but, I like to watch new movies within 1-2 weeks of release.

Everybody has a lag.

If you only watch 1-2 movies a month than just on demand from your cable service.

[Eric@e2design]

http://www.oneddl.com

+ rapidshare.com subscription and some harddrives

[STC]

Originally Posted by JayKay335i

Everybody has a lag.

If you only watch 1-2 movies a month than just on demand from your cable service.

I watch more then 1-2 a month. Depends on what movies come out in a particular month.

[JayKay335i]

Originally Posted by STC

I watch more then 1-2 a month. Depends on what movies come out in a particular month.

I hear torrents are cheaper

[bolinp78]

Originally Posted by JayKay335i

Everybody has a lag.

If you only watch 1-2 movies a month than just on demand from your cable service.

There isn't a lag if you use DirecTV Cinema, and you can get movies in 1080p.