Netflix and Blu-ray

[bhampton]

Hey,

I can't find the thread about how stupid Netflix is to agree to delay WB on Blu for a month after release.

Anyway... I cancelled my Blu Ray part of Netflix. They recently raised the price for Blu Ray access twice saying Blus cost more which is simply bull. Blus do not cost much more than DVDs (sometimes they actually cost less) and they are much more durable.

I hope everyone lets them know we don't appreciate the way they treat people who prefer Blu.

-Brian

[Beast]

It's a smart decision. It'll boost sales numbers at the very least.

I'm surprised they didn't start doing it a long time ago.

[bhampton]

Think so?

I'll be renting DVDs now, meaning I'm much less likely to buy the title.

But ,... that's just me.

-Brian

[Beast]

Originally Posted by bhampton

Think so?

I'll be renting DVDs now, meaning I'm much less likely to buy the title.

But ,... that's just me.

-Brian

You realize the agreement covers DVD also.

So regardless of which format you rent, WB titles won't be available for 4 weeks.

[bhampton]

I guess I didn't realize when I first read it that DVD was affected too.

Still...All it does is make renting less desirable so I'm glad to reduce my plan in response.

I often buy what I want so the Netflix gets ignored. So... I cut back from 3 at a time to 2 at a time and now I've cut out the Blu access.

I'll consider cutting it down more or just forgetting it and canceling outright. They should consider people have other options.

-Brian

[Peakr]

How is Blockbusters online renting scheme? Much better? I have to wait forever to get the latest blu's from netflix. Kind of negates the point of having it.

[RebelJeeper]

Don't kid yourself into thinking this won't happen to Blockbuster either...if they are even still around in a few months...

[bhampton]

I guess the point is the movie rental concept is simply going to go away.

I'm ok with that I guess. I like to buy movies.

Now, If they suggest everyone needs to subscribe to some crappy streaming model then I'll have issue with that. I like to buy movies.

-Brian

[ShelbyGT500]

This don't really bother me to much. I like to buy and rent and all this means is that I will have to wait a little longer to see a movie that I didn't see in the theaters. Most of the movies I rent I wouldn't buy anyways. So if I like the movie enough to buy it I wont need to rent it.

[bhampton]

I guess I object to the "hey, lets just degrade our product and keep prices the same" notion that they think is going to work.

I'm not the only one who uses Netflix in my home so I can't cancel it outright (yet) but if they want to de-value the service then my response is to reduce my plan.

-Brian

[Blove23]

Originally Posted by Beast

It's a smart decision. It'll boost sales numbers at the very least.

I'm surprised they didn't start doing it a long time ago.

Let's see how smart Netflix is when people stop using them or asking for refunds. This is a service we pay for and if I'm paying and not receiving what I want, then that next best this is to suspend my membership and cancel. If we stand up then those studios would back down. I'm not buying a movie if it isn't good or didn't see in theater.

May be a smart movie for the studio, but dumb over all. It going to make people go to the theaters now! Maybe Netflix can delay my bill 4 weeks when I rent a WB movie or any other studios that follow..

Oh by the way, I was going to buy "Terminator Salvation". I rented it first because I didn't see it the theater, but since they want to pull this stunt I just will not buy it.

[SilverFireshot]

In return, Warner is expanding their library on streaming. Most of the people I know who have Netflix, just have it for the streaming. This won't hurt Netflix at all.

[Jeff Kleist]

Anyway... I cancelled my Blu Ray part of Netflix. They recently raised the price for Blu Ray access twice saying Blus cost more which is simply bull. Blus do not cost much more than DVDs (sometimes they actually cost less) and they are much more durable.

They're not more durable when it comes to Netflix. The hardcoat makes them more likely to crack and shatter in unprotected mailing. And they definately do cost them more upfront per disc

[FlipperWasIrish]

I usually buy my movies. I rent maybe once or twice a year, and only of if I have not seen a particular movie in the theater and do not know the directors prior work.

Either way, beyond a few exceptions (the Star Trek franchise and a couple of classics) it is not life or death if I get a movie on the day of release.

So waiting four weeks isn't that big a deal to me.

I think this may help the studios and while some people will complain and whine it will not hurt Netflix greatly. Other providers will probably follow this plan sooner rather than later. People will get used to it and find it isn't an actual problem.

[akadkins]

Originally Posted by RebelJeeper

Don't kid yourself into thinking this won't happen to Blockbuster either...if they are even still around in a few months...

You said it...everyone is jumping on Netflix like they are the main culprit here. I'm pretty sure this wasn't their idea since they don't make any money off selling new titles. In fact, I can't see how this does them any good at all Where is the benefit for them?

Anyway, the UK PSN video store already does this. I had to wait for Public Enemies to be a rental rather than just a buy. For a few other titles, I think this is just killing rental revenue because after 4 weeks, you can wait 2-3 weeks more and see it for free on a cable movie channel.

[jdc115]

Not to defend Netflix (I can't use them) but I think part of the issue is not that Blu-rays cost so much more then DVD's, but that the demand for the disks is probably higher given the ratio of subscribers. All the DVD titles are all released and out there. But if a catalog title comes out on Blu, many will go rent to watch again probably in higher demand then the DVD.

Just my theory, but I would guess that they have to buy more BD per subscriber then they do for the same DVD because their is higher demands for the disks within a smaller customer base.

Though the individual disk cost may or may not be that significant, the overall cost per user for the BD subscribers is probably more then the non-BD subscribers.

But again, I am just thinking about the economics of it and that is my theory.

[bhampton]

Originally Posted by SilverFireshot

In return, Warner is expanding their library on streaming. Most of the people I know who have Netflix, just have it for the streaming. This won't hurt Netflix at all.

Well,... the effect of this is I reduced my Netflix and may reduce it again. It may go to the lowest possible plan with the streaming. That seems to be what they want.

The problem with putting all your eggs into the internet streaming basket is netflix isn't the only site on the internet and some stream movies much cheaper if not free.

Also,.. When my kids are watching something on the streaming thing and I start surfing the net their movie stops to down-grade the quality to maintain the streaming....It's really not the best way to watch movies.

-Brian

[dogger114]

This makes it even worse becuase I never can get the new releases when they come out anyway. I usually have to wait 4 weeks to even get one now it will push it back to like 8 weeks. I have been waiting for Night at the Museum 2 since it came out and I have still not got it yet.

[Blove23]

Originally Posted by SilverFireshot

In return, Warner is expanding their library on streaming. Most of the people I know who have Netflix, just have it for the streaming. This won't hurt Netflix at all.

Well that is nice, but maybe you may want to give me the money I invested in my 7.1 surround sound system. Remember if you stream movies they are not at full 1080p, second they do not stream the same AQ as blu-ray disc.

If you streamed "Terminator Salvation" then you would have missed home theater experience PQ and AQ. Like I said, you can pay me for my system, plus I'm not buying a movie I did not see in the theater...

Maybe you can stream TrueHD and DTS-MA or maybe you can buy it for me when its released.

[bhampton]

I have a friend that only has the most basic Netflix and loves the streaming.

This seems to be what they want and it's working because my own subscription is getting there... though I don't love the streaming.

The streaming is fine for some TV shows but movies look pretty bad. I would rather watch the DVD of a movie than the "HD" stream that I get from them. (That may be because of my bandwidth.)

Also,.. when anyone in my house uses the streaming,.. everyone else's internet feels like a crawling dial up connection... not fun in the least.

Netflix was too good for their own good and I guess they figured that out. I hope they lose big.

-Brian