Netflix or Blockbuster?

[HeathQuad]

I hardly ever watch movies but have enjoyed this weekend of being able to watch various movies. Really helped pass the time away while I am here by myself. Since my sister lives next door we are seriously considering subscribing to one of the mail order movie rental services and splitting the cost.

Netflix or Blockbuster, which one seems to be better? What has been your experience with these services good or bad? Are they reliable about getting new releases out pretty quick?

[anty]

I been using netflix for 2 years now never had a problem with them. :)

[Josh A]

they are both excellent. with blockbuster your mailed envelope you return in the store counts as a free movie coupon or just put in the mail. both places take 2 days to get there n 1 or 2 days to get your new one. sweet deal to pass time. i didnt watch many movies either but i like blockbuster's option.

[araitn]

No experience with Blockbuster, but I've been using Netflix for a couple of months now. Selection is pretty good and since I live a couple of hours away from the closest distribution center, it takes one day both ways to receive and send the movie. If you sign up for the two or three movies at a time plan, especially since you'll be splitting the costs with your sister, then you could have a movie at all times.

[SCI-Nurse]

I have used Netflix for at least 6 years and have had nothing but good service. Never get scratched or defective DVDs as I have had from Blockbuster in the past. I use the 3 movies at once Netflix service and usually get a 2-3 day turnaround from putting it in the male to getting one back. You can also use their on-line "watch it now" service. I also give my mother the gift of a Netflix subscription that I pay for (she lives too far away for us to share) and it is easy to do this for anyone.

I am often looking for fairly obscure and foreign films, and rarely am disappointed in Netflix catalog. Learn to use a site like this one to see what is coming as far as DVD releases as well. I often consult it before going to Netflix to add to my queue: http://www.onvideo.org/calendar/cal_dvd.htm

(KLD)

[Uncle Peter]

I use the 3 at a time from Netflix in the winter and cut back to one at a time during the summer. Some of their DVDs malfunction because of dust or oil from people's hands, but usually return to normalcy after washing with liquid soap and water. I have only sent one back as unusable in two years. Their Web site is easy to use, too.
Try it and I guarantee you'll be hooked.

[conrad]

I've used Netflix for about four years now and have never had a problem, if you have highspeed (dsl, sattelite, etc.) and unlimited plan subscription you can buy a Roku device for $100 and watch anything in the watch instantly queue on your TV. I have no cable, so this is what I do.

[Scorpion]

I started with Netflix back in 2001 before I even had a DVD player; I watched DVDs on my PC. I briefly tried Blockbuster because they had the thing where you could return your DVD to a store and get a new one right away, but I quickly realized that their selection is no where near as expansive as that of Netflix, particularly in documentaries or foreign films. I play a lot of docs as I work and can't get enough, and I like to find cool foreign flicks, even with subtitles. :p I actually prefer subtitles over dubbing if it's in a foreign language... but I digress.

Netflix all the way. And with their growing Watch Instantly library, you can watch on your PC or Intel Mac or, like nerdy me, on your Roku Player on your TV. X-Box360 streams Netflix as do a few new Blu-Ray players, too.

ETA: I see I repeated some of what was in other posts. Oops.
ETA2: I usually get my DVDs within 2 days, meaning, if I put a DVD in the mail on Monday, I'll have a new DVD in my mailbox on Wednesday.

[kkmay]

Go for Netflix.

[2jazzyjeff]

I used Netflix for a while and was very pleased. Blockbuster started a new program whereas you could exchange every movie into the store for a free in-store movie. This is great if you have a BB store near you. I actually had one 5 miles down the road so this was great for me. This program went on for a year or two and they have since changed. Now, I get 3 at a time with 5 in-store returns/month for $19.99. Very happy with BB..

[gurly2356]

I use Netflix <3 I usually only get new releases so haven't had any problems with defects on the discs. My boyfriend has a xbox360 and we are able to watch movies instantly through that.

I only get 1 disc at a time...cheap & they are fast getting me the movies!!

[rybread]

I use Blockbuster and exchange all my movies at the store for new ones. I have a queue full of old movies that I want to watch and I get the new ones at the store, plus you can exchange it for partial rental of games also. I tried Netflix with its watch it now thing to run it through my home theater computer click to enlarge it to a high definition resolution was a little bit too much for even a high-speed computer

[cathi]

We have been using Netflix since they first came out in 1997. I have never had a problem with them and they have gotten faster at delivery over the years. I send movies back on Saturdays and get new releases on day they are released. I highly suggest them.

[PN]

I started with Blockbuster but their pricing structure just about doubled so I canceled my account. For awhile Blockbuster was beating up on Netflix with their low rentals. I still get emails from Blockbuster trying to woo me back, but I am satisfied with Netflix. I like the vision of the Roku box in being able to watch movies from the Internet on your TV.

[Scorpion]

I like the vision of the Roku box in being able to watch movies from the Internet on your TV.

I love my Roku, and it now streams movies in HD if you want (720p). Soon it'll work with Amazon's On Demand service as well, and "more to come." Netflix's partnership with Starz really improved their choices of movies to watch instantly, too.

[PN]

I love my Roku, and it now streams movies in HD if you want (720p). Soon it'll work with Amazon's On Demand service as well, and "more to come." Netflix's partnership with Starz really improved their choices of movies to watch instantly, too.
I did not know about the partnership with Starz, and this will make the Roku Player even more appealing. It looks like we will have to pay to watch content from Amazon On Demand service. I have heard good reports and some that are not so good when it comes to streaming from your router to the Roku Player. The issue may be buffering. If you are hardwired, then all should be good.

[Scorpion]

I have heard good reports and some that are not so good when it comes to streaming from your router to the Roku Player. The issue may be buffering. If you are hardwired, then all should be good.

I'm not sure, but I connect to my router wirelessly and rarely have problems. The quality and speed are better/more consistent with my Roku player compared to using my computer. But connecting wirelessly on my Mac may be why I have trouble getting a "High" quality download speed despite my generally 10k dload speed I get. The Starz movies can be seen on your computer as well, btw.

[darkeyed_daisy]

I thought about getting the box. I just started my Netflix subscription this week.

Do you have to have a landline to use the box? I only have my cell phone and my broadband card through Verizon.

I watched a couple of the on demand ones this weekend through my laptop and I love that feature.

Heath I am upping mine to three movies at a time. I am really pleased with Netflix.

[ChesBay]

very satisfied w/netflix for about three years. Besides good service they stay innovative w/ their site and continuously offering more features. Good reviews, movie suggestions based on how you rated movies viewed, tastes & preferences.

[SCI-Nurse]

Current issue of Consumers Reports (just out) gave Netflix a "Best Buy" over Blockbuster by a pretty wide margin.

(KLD)

[Scorpion]

Do you have to have a landline to use the box? I only have my cell phone and my broadband card through Verizon.

You need to have broadband cable or dsl and a router (wired or wireless). I don't think your broadband card will work with the Roku player since the card is inserted into your laptop.

[sjean423]

I just started using Netflix last week, due to the discussions here. I kept getting free trial offers, but always set them aside to look at later.

So far it seems great, the movies seem to take a day in the mail each way, and it is easy to pick movies to come next. I like way it offers suggestions and ratings based on the ratings you give movies. We have also watch a couple instantly on the computer, the quality was great.

Now I wonder why we didn;t do this before! The monthly fee is certainly less than we were paying in rental fees over a month.

[dan_nc]

I haven't tried netflix, but been following this thread over the past few weeks. The Roku player sounds really intriguing. What titles are available via Roku? Is it the same titles as netflix online?

How does the selection compared to Apple TV or cable PPV / VOD offerings?

[fuentejps]

my fam uses blockbuster, love it.

[HeathQuad]

I think I have decided to go with Netflix and try it out. My sister will not come to a conclusion so I think I am going with the cheapest unlimited package and see how the ole budget handles it. We will see how it goes.

[Scorpion]

I haven't tried netflix, but been following this thread over the past few weeks. The Roku player sounds really intriguing. What titles are available via Roku? Is it the same titles as netflix online?

How does the selection compared to Apple TV or cable PPV / VOD offerings?
The same as the "Watch Instantly" selection online. You add movies to your Intant Queue on the Netflix website and the Roku player displays your Instant Queue so you can choose what to watch. It's a better selection than the free on-demand movies available on Comcast, especially in the documentaries and TV shows.

[PN]

I have been using the Roku player for the past two weeks. The player is about the size of an external hard drive and it sits on top of my TV. It is a straightforward setup but if you have any problems they do offer free technical support.