[Meestor_X]

I tried the free trial of NetFlix and it was terrible. All $1.99 bargain-bin movies and no current TV series. Seems pointless and yet everyone on the forums I read seems to think it's the dog's bollocks.

Just yesterday I discovered how much stuff there is for no additional charge under the Movie Central VOD! Complete seasons of TV shows, decent movies (ok, not ones that are currently in the theatres, but still good ones), all sorts of stuff.

This seems to be a well-hidden gem from Telus Optik . Previously I thought VOD was only charge by show VOD. Not true. It's an amazing value and I'm very impressed.

 

[aj55]

where did find this option? is it avaialble on telus optiktv?

 

[Meestor_X]

Go to VOD, select "TV" then "Movie Central VOD".
(I had said Showtime VOD, but fixed that).

I assume you have to have subscribed to Movie Central first.

It has HBO complete series, movies, all sorts of stuff. No extra charge!

 

[aj55]

Thanks! I found MC VOD but couldn't find Showtime(now I know why). Yes you do have to be subscribed to view these programs.

 

[Bob_Mtl]

Meestor, I much does it cost you for cable and special movie package that I can compare to my $8, all fees included, Netflix (other source beeing OTA)

 

[qual]

OTA and netflix thats my setup also, saves me 150$ U.S. a month.
plus my kids love netflix, I agree with with the Messtor though, Netflix isnt all that, but value per dollar its worth it

 

[shoota]

Netflix is so cheap it's price isn't even worth worrying about. It has a lot of movies in HD (higher quality than Optik) and a lot of documentaries. It just sucks that there's only like five movies with surround sound.

Some of the TV stuff is pretty new, they had Justified season one up long before season two started.

 

[faston]

If someone thinks that any movie more than 18 months old sucks, then they will think that Netflix sucks. There seem to be a lot of people who feel that way but I am not among them. I really like the selection on Netflix.

 

[bigscreenbob]

Netflix wasn't for me either. It would be allright for people who don't buy or collect movies but for me even at 8 bucks a month it was one more bill I did't need.
And for TV shows it was pretty much useless.
I would rather pay double that for movie central and HBO because at least their stuff is more current.

 

[j0dest3r]

Each to his own I guess. I like the budget option best. As soon as there is more OTA I will be dropping that other $150.00 /mo. bill too!! Can't wait.

 

[blueroomelectro]

OTA with DVR (Sage TV) and an Apple TV2 (Netflix, iTunes rentals, media player)

 

[ScaryBob]

I get billed $59/mo for basic satellite and TMN/HBO. That's about as cheap as it gets. Most of the viewing this time of year is network shows, which are free for those Canadians that can receive digital OTA TV. That's a lot more expensive than Netflix for just TMN and HBO. TMN has VOD over internet for satellite customers but it's pretty poor quality. For $11/mo, I also get a DVD rental service. So that's under $20 for movies fresher than TMN, TV shows a year late but without commercials and whatever Netflix can offer. OTA costs a little to set up but it's no worse than buying or renting satellite or cable receivers and PVRs. IMHO, cable and satellite have priced themselves out of the market. Part of the fault is due to poorly managed broadcasting services that keep raising their rates.

 

[thegiffer]

I had the same initial hostile reaction to Netflix. However, I'm still a subscriber for several reasons:

1. it's at a risk free price point, as many have commented. To break even, I have to watch two movies a month.

2. while the quality overall is "poor" (noting how subjective this is - to me it's like a bad Peachtree), it has just enough gems to keep me coming back. For example, Damages Season 3 was available on Netflix Canada prior to DVD release. I won't buy the DVD set. This alone provides a six month payback on the $8 a month Netflix fee. And the documentaries are an unexpected surprise.

3. the ease of use is superlative and the PQ is better than I expected

4. I enjoy participating in the destruction of the cableco business model, which should lead to increased consumer choice and an end to several of the embarassing restrictions we face in accessing video content of our choice.

Also at the outset I misunderstood the streaming business model used by Netflix in Canada. It's clearly aimed at families with kids, not a 'new release' type of service which I mistakenly thought it was by mixing it up with the DVDs through the post model.

So my initial negativity has been replaced by satisfaction. I'm a happy camper

 

[jshel101]

I love Netflix, I can always find something to watch. I cancelled my Movie Central and HBO package as I found Movie Central a complete waste of money. Another poster mentioned Movie Central free VOD, well I also found this pretty useless. Deffinately not work the cost of the Movie Central/HBO package cost. Netflix obviously does not have current stuff, and I don't think they will ever have current TV shows and movies. IMO, this does not diminish from the usefullness of this subscription service. This of course is my opinion and everyone has their own tastes in movies/TV.

 

[Shiningblade]

Actually there have been a few current shows available on Netflix.

Justified was available well before it was released on DVD (it is hard to tell if it would have been made available after airing as the season finished before Netflix came North). Also Running Wilde was released episode by episode after airing until it was virtually cancelled by Fox. Lastly, Insecurity, from CBC is being made available the day after airing.

Sure, this is not the same as the US, but at least it is a start.

As to the OP, I am able to find more than enough content to reasonably justify the cost to myself, YMMV.

Cheers

 

[audacity]

I love Netflix because you get a lot of content for the money. They have a substantial catalog of movies, and I can always find a movie that I'll enjoy, even though it probably won't be a recent movie. Netflix also introduced me to Mad Men, which a great new (to me) TV series. My girlfriend also got to watch the 4 seasons of Heroes back-to-back.

I also like how Netflix has blazed a trail as a internet-based video streaming service that is independent of traditional delivery methods (i.e. cable). Amazon and others are joining the party, but Netflix moved first and to a large extent they got the ball rolling in a very consumer-friendly way.

It would be smart for other companies (Shaw, Bell, Telus, Videotron, etc) to do what Netflix does, the way Netflix does it. Specifically, I want them to provide their video services over the internet to anyone who wants to subscribe. Especially people who are not in their traditional service area. The irony would be delicious, especially since many new TVs would now be able to support receiving a video signal from Shaw/Telus/etc without the need for a set-top-box. You know, the same way Netflix works on those TVs.

 

[MrBizi]

I just cancelled my free trial with Netflix.

I found the selection to be too limited, the titles are pretty obscure unless you're a true movie buff, it's now worth it imo.

Next time I want to watch an old movie, I'll just sign up for Blockbuster's unlimited rentals for $9.99 - less convenient than streaming, but better PQ and SQ.

I might give Netflix another try in a year's time, hopefully their selection would have expanded considerably by then.

 

[Meestor_X]

I love Netflix, I can always find something to watch. I cancelled my Movie Central and HBO package as I found Movie Central a complete waste of money. Another poster mentioned Movie Central free VOD, well I also found this pretty useless. Deffinately not work the cost of the Movie Central/HBO package cost.

All depends on what you like to watch. All of the best shows on TV (IMHO) are on MC/HBO VOD, none are on NetFlix:

Dexter
Sons of Anarchy
Shameless
Deadwood
Gravity
Californication
Real Time with Bill Maher
Weeds (Netflix has only seasons 1&2, so it's years behind)
Ricky Gervais show
Episodes

and on and on...

And now with the possibility of UBB, Netflix looks worse and worse.

I'll gladly pay for the above shows, it's still cheaper than buying the DVDs. I think the archiving of TV shows (commercial-free) in the VOD section of Optik is the greatest feature! I didn't even know that they had that until a few months after I got the service. They really need to advertise this.

-Andy.

 

[SpitsFanSec108]

I myself like Netflix business model.This is going to break the back of the cable/sat co. monopolies they now enjoy to gouge cdn's.Im already paying $64 for high speed net.Canadians are paying the most in the world for high speed.If you have all the networks OTA and then $8 for netflix, you can save big bucks.Also on the net theirs becoming alot to watch and a new sat company is coming with the free Direct broadcast sat network.If your looking to save money alot more options are out there.We should be embracing competition.I am.Im hoping Netflix can add some classic movies and tv shows also.

 

[blueroomelectro]

Just sitting through Top Gear UK (only seasons 9-12 here in Canada at the moment)