netflix

[Goldy1]

I've never been a big tv watcher. I am a real hands on mom and didn't let my kid watch any til he was three(kinda backfired bc now he doesn't like it much and I can't catch a break lol)
Recently parenting got a lil easier bc he stopped napping and will sleep like 9 until 7 or 8. So I can watch a lil tv at night.

I got netflix. I really like it. The thing I don't like is that I have basic internet speed from WOW and it causes many many delays. I will try to stream a movie and it keep shutting off and that red line comes on an dmakes me wait.

I found out I will need to up my internet speed and have to pay 10 bucks more a month. Too bad, but I don't spend anything else on entertainment really. Nice restaurant meals are long gone until who knows when

I don't get the dvds in the mail. I like the stream bc if I don't like a movie I can just say neexxttt and move on.

How do you guys like the selection? so far ok with me but could be better. lots of indie movies but I like some of those.

[disneysteve]

I'm not crazy about their streaming movie selection but I do really like their TV show inventory. My daughter watches Japanese anime series all the time and those are hard to find. I watch shows while I'm on the treadmill and they are things I didn't watch when they first aired so it's all new to me. And we do watch movies now and then but we aren't big movie watchers to begin with.

[Goldy1]

My streaming is terrible;constantly making me wait.
I had netflix about 4 years ago and canceled bc no time to watch with a baby;seems they have lots of the same old as before. Seems you need super high internet speed. I like my current speed fine but now I have to pay more to up it to get netflix.

[snafu]

If you particularly like movies your library is a good source plus they have terrific programs for tykes. Check with your nearest branch for details on summer offerings and what's upcoming in the fall.

[disneysteve]

If you particularly like movies your library is a good source

I read this advice all the time. Just keep in mind that not all libraries lend DVDs for free. Ours doesn't. It is cheaper to use Redbox than to rent from the library.

Also, this works great if you live close to your library or if you pass it on your way to work. Ours isn't particularly convenient for either of us which means making a special trip to get a disc and again to return the disc which is more trouble than it's worth even if it was free.

[scubatim84]

Netflix, Blockbuster, etc. are only good for the DVD service in my opinion. I have tried streaming with every single one...Netflix, Blockbuster, Amazon Prime and Hulu. They all suck. They're all slow. They all make you feel like you got ripped off when you paid for it. Streaming is still in its infancy, but until it gets to the point where I can watch a movie the whole way through without any pauses (without a T1 line), I'm not paying $6-7/month to stare at a load screen.

However, for small clips like short TV shows, Hulu isn't too bad and there's a lot of free content on there. You can always just use Hulu Plus when you need it to see an episode, and cancel it in between, so you're not paying for it unless you're using it.

[JoeP]

I don't know, we use netflix streaming and never have a problem. Very rarely it will switch resolutions to accommodate changes in bandwidth, but it didn't affect viewing quality enough to be a problem.

Their online selections leave a lot to be desired.

[disneysteve]

I have tried streaming with every single one...Netflix, Blockbuster, Amazon Prime and Hulu. They all suck. They're all slow. They all make you feel like you got ripped off when you paid for it. Streaming is still in its infancy, but until it gets to the point where I can watch a movie the whole way through without any pauses (without a T1 line), I'm not paying $6-7/month to stare at a load screen.

We have Comcast cable at home and at work and I stream stuff all the time without any problem. Quality is fine. Content plays straight through without pauses or buffering delays except for the rare break in the action. I stream 30 minutes of content from Netflix every day when I'm on the treadmill and have no issues at all. It never stops at all. We also stream Netflix through our Wii and no problems there either.

[Goldy1]

I'm a mom of one and he's three. Parenting is just getting a bit easier now he stopped napping most days bc it means he goes to bed earlier.
After a long day of playing and caring for him(not letting him watch more than a show)I've sat down to cut coupons and fold laundry waiting to enjoy a netflix stream and I am just staring at a red line trying to stream and got nothing in but 15 mins after an hour.(three nights in a row)
I have the slowest internet speed, but my internet seems really really fast online to me.
We are trying different things out. My husband is a computer techie guy so he's working on it.

I kinda figure I"ll blow thru thier selection that interests me in a few months and cancel anyway.

[Goldy1]

to be fair to netflix it might be wow's issue. I should be getting a 2 or something(not sure what that is) and they are giving me a .5(not sure the term. So i'm not getting the internet speed I am paying for. we called netflix and they have records of my viewing and my speed it cam ein at.

[Like2Plan]

to be fair to netflix it might be wow's issue. I should be getting a 2 or something(not sure what that is) and they are giving me a .5(not sure the term. So i'm not getting the internet speed I am paying for. we called netflix and they have records of my viewing and my speed it cam ein at.

Goldy,
I had the same problem until March when I upgraded to FIOS. It was so bad, I could download files quicker on my cell phone! I bought a Roku device, but it was so slow the movies were always buffering. I would have to download my iPhone updates overnight, it was so sloooow! Still, I resisted upgrading because the best deals were the packages and I just wasn't sure what the bottom line was going to be (taxes and so on). I talked with a customer rep for about an hour (I think) trying to get it figured out.
I finally signed up for an Internet/Phone/long distance/TV package. We didn't have cable before, so we are paying about $20.00 a month more than what we had been paying.
Now, my speeds are so much faster and it is a lot less frustrating. (I just did a check: 43.20 Mb/s download and 34.11 Mb/s upload.) You can go to Speedtest.net - The Global Broadband Speed Test to test your speeds and then compare your results. Before, I had an F- score and now I have an A+ I don't regret doing the upgrade.

[chrisburke21]

I would say go for the upgrade. I have fast Internet and never have had any of the speed issues with Netflix, Hulu, or other streaming services online. First, I would call the provider and see how they can help you get the most out of your current connection.

[breathemusic]

I have Comcast and Netflix (both the streaming and the 1-at-a-time DVD service, left over from when it was combined). I rarely have issues with streaming, but I've run into the issue of crappy movie selection for streaming. Since I've had the account for years, I've actually watched most of the shows I want to watch and have actually debated canceling my streaming and just sticking to DVDs.

[seen]

I have tried streaming with every single one...Netflix, Blockbuster, Amazon Prime and Hulu. They all suck. They're all slow. They all make you feel like you got ripped off when you paid for it. Streaming is still in its infancy, but until it gets to the point where I can watch a movie the whole way through without any pauses (without a T1 line), I'm not paying $6-7/month to stare at a load screen.

Go to this website and run this test:

Speedtest.net - The Global Broadband Speed Test

Once the flash loads, click on "Begin Test", and please post your results.