Changed my Netflix plan

[disneysteve]

Got a notice today that our Netflix plan was going up from $16.99 to $19.99. I've been meaning to change this anyway so I just went on and dropped from the 3-disc plan to the 2-disc plan. Now it will be $14.99 instead of $19.99 so a savings of $60/year plus tax. Not a lot but every little bit helps. We could probably do fine on the 1-disc $9.99 plan at this point and we may end up with that but we'll try this first.

[kork13]

Not to unnecessarily critique, but wouldn't it be better to try dropping to the 1-disk plan to see if it met your family's needs, then move upward from there?

Just out of curiosity, but what was the reasoning for the higher pricing scale? Are they offering a carrot as well, or just the stick?

[readytorock]

We dropped down from the three disc plan as well last night, to the 1-disc plan. I initially thought the waiting would be annoying, but the more I think about it... we probably go two or three days between watching the discs we get from netflix anyway. So essentially, with the unlimited streaming, it's like getting neflix at 50% off now.

@kork, they are changing the price scheme because they now offer an unlimited streaming-only option, which they did not offer int he past. It took over the lowest price disc plan, so, all of the disc plans went up a little.

[disneysteve]

Not to unnecessarily critique, but wouldn't it be better to try dropping to the 1-disk plan to see if it met your family's needs, then move upward from there?

Probably. The problem is we go through phases where we watch a lot of discs and then periods where we hardly watch any. As the streaming catalog expands, I know we will watch fewer and fewer discs but right now, the streaming offerings are still pretty limited.

[ActYourWage]

We do the 1-disc plan and love it. For us it is the right amount, it keeps us interested when we are anticipating the next disc. If you watch it and then return it promptly, Netflix is fast about getting the next one out. We too go through phases of watching movies.

[Aleta]

We started out with the one disc plan and are pleased with it. We pay $11.76 a month. I don't think that we could handle more than that. In January they are raising their prices by $1.00. We also pay $2.00 more for Blu-Ray. Streaming is good but the availability of newer movies is limited like a poster says.

Ever so often we take a time-out from NetFlix and put our account on hold. I think that the maximum that you can do that for is 3 months. Make sure if you do this, that you do it the day before they charge your credit card or you will be charged for the whole month. I like the break because I really do look forward to it when it returns.

[MonkeyMama]

I guess they changed their entire fee structure.

We decided to go down to streaming only.

We actually have BB and Netflix, both. The streaming is AWESOME. But the perks from BB are way too good to give up (we are grandfathered in an old plan - unlimited store exchanges, free game rentals, blu rays, etc.).

Though, if Netlfix would put ALL their movies as streaming, I think that's all we need. We have just been trying it out, and have been impressed with the qaulity.

[disneysteve]

if Netlfix would put ALL their movies as streaming, I think that's all we need.

I think that's where the industry is heading. Creating and packaging and mailing discs is very outdated technology. We love streaming shows - we do it through the Wii. As the selection grows, the need for discs will gradually fade away.

[elessar78]

Yeah, I used to love Netflix but started working for a cable/ISP and we get movies On Demand for pretty cheap. BUT the selection is so limited for me because I enjoy small, indie movies. Our local blockbuster was recently closed so I'm thinking firing up Netflix again with the 1 movie "package".

[wincrasher]

I got the notice too on the price increase. I have the Blu-ray plan - it's going to $23. Annoying.

I'm not a big fan of the quality on the streaming though, but if it's OK for you, they reduced the price on streaming only to $7.99/month. If you have a Roku box or some other device, it's a pretty economical choice compared to HBO/Showtime/etc.

[disneysteve]

I'm not a big fan of the quality on the streaming

Ours is crystal clear, as good as playing a DVD I think and better than watching something on TV.

[wincrasher]

If you are used to watching HD on a big flat panel, then it comes up a bit short. If you are watching SD or a 32" or smaller, it's not a big deal.

My living room setup is a 52" lcd with HD tivo, Blu-ray player, mac mini and a Boxee. Once I started watching Blu-rays, I can't even look at a DVD. I don't even watch the SD cable channels anymore.

[disneysteve]

If you are used to watching HD on a big flat panel, then it comes up a bit short.

We're not that advanced. Just a plain old 27" TV (CRT, not flat screen).

OT but we were visiting family in CT a couple of weeks ago and we watched on on-demand movie at their house (the remake of Karate Kid). They have a large flat screen HDTV. All 3 of us found the picture quality incredibly annoying. Everything was so sharp that it all looked fake, especially the lighting. You could tell that it was all stage lighting and not natural lighting even in the outdoor scenes. I felt like I was watching a video of a stage production rather than a movie.

Is that typical of HD stuff?

[MonkeyMama]

We have a large HDTV, but we also have FIOS, which seems to handle netflix streaming just fine. We only watch Blu Rays and HD programming, otherwise. Cable/DSL is probably another story.

[cypher1]

If you are used to watching HD on a big flat panel, then it comes up a bit short. If you are watching SD or a 32" or smaller, it's not a big deal.

My living room setup is a 52" lcd with HD tivo, Blu-ray player, mac mini and a Boxee. Once I started watching Blu-rays, I can't even look at a DVD. I don't even watch the SD cable channels anymore.

I was just going to say, after watching Band of Brothers on blu ray with my projector, even at 1080p at 60hz on a 96" display, its tough to go back to regular dvds. *sigh* clearly a want, but would love to splurge on a true 1080p projector.

I need to downgrade to 2disc plan on Netflix too.