Streaming Movies-Netflix, PS3 STORE, XBOX360-ZUNE, Apple TV, Amazon.com

[DIGITALBATH]

I know bring up this very subject is almost sacrilidge, but I wanted to pick the brains of the people on this site to see what you guys think.

I have a PS3 setup wireless, and a 360 setup with an ethernet cable. My provider is Comcast-high speed broadband. Now, I don't buy a ton of movies, but I rent quite a bit. There is an awesome independent movie rental place I go to called Scarecrow Video, about a 15 minute drive. On Wednesdays they have rent 1 new release, rent an old release for the same price for a total of $4.50. Both can be blu-ray. There is also a Blockbuster close to me, and they have a similar program M-TH, but it's like ~$6 and it can be a new blu-ray, but usually has to be a non-blu-ray on the older catalogue-and they seem pretty inconsistent with this policy.

The PS3 has been fairly disappointing on this front. Despite having a larger catalogue, the price is terrible at like $6.00 + tax, and the downloading and buffering is a nightmare, and takes forever, and has killed the mood for me a couple of times.

The new "Instant 1080p-Zune HD, XBL", is better in terms of speed. I watched Outlander the other night because it was too late to rent, and I get sick of watching all of the same stuff over and over again. It was pretty impressive-picture quality was not bad. The sound was surprisingly robust. There is an opening spaceship crash scene that was loud as hell, 50-it sounded close to 65 on my receiver.

A couple of questions. Does anyone know any hard facts on bit-rates that you get on any of these methods? For audio and for video. Also, for sound-would it be a stretch to say that a blu-ray audio codec sounds more quiet than a streamed source, because it is more accurate, or has not had the decibel level screwed with, or we're just hearing more noise-so it appears louder? You would think that since they're offering an inferior product, that the rental prices would match, or there would be deals more often of some kind.

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by DIGITALBATH

The PS3 has been fairly disappointing on this front. Despite having a larger catalogue, the price is terrible at like $6.00 + tax, and the downloading and buffering is a nightmare, and takes forever, and has killed the mood for me a couple of times.
You would think that since they're offering an inferior product, that the rental prices would match, or there would be deals more often of some kind.

By "PS3", take it you mean the PSN Store, and not PS3's free streaming-Netflix adaptor disk?

(Which can be a mixed bag, given the limited selection--and most of the recognizable titles offered by StarzPlay in hideous low-bit quality--but at least some studio HD titles are available....But if you're going to get all audio-techie about it, 'fraid I can't help you with that one. )

[DIGITALBATH]

Originally Posted by EricJ

By "PS3", take it you mean the PSN Store, and not PS3's free streaming-Netflix adaptor disk?

(Which can be a mixed bag, given the limited selection--and most of the recognizable titles offered by StarzPlay in hideous low-bit quality--but at least some studio HD titles are available....But if you're going to get all audio-techie about it, 'fraid I can't help you with that one. )

I was mainly talking about the PSN store, but sure, Netflix PS3 too, I just wanted to see what people on here think about it.

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by DIGITALBATH

I was mainly talking about the PSN store, but sure, Netflix PS3 too, I just wanted to see what people on here think about it.

Again, I don't have a techie-theater setup, so can't speak for 1080 or audio quality--
But apart from the crappy Starz titles (and indies, gay and Bollywoods that need the exposure), there's been a healthy influx of full TV series lately and more "real" Sony, Warner and Paramount studio titles in broadcast-HD....Which looks pretty crisp by broadcast standards, if it's coming in on a decent respectable broadband.
And that's no extra charge assuming you already have a Netflix subscription, which can also get a month's worth of hard-copy Blu rentals on a one-time payment.

[Atreyu]

This may seem like a stupid question, but here goes. If your TV or blu-ray player has internet hook up and you want to subscribe to the Netflix internet service do you still have to purchase the box they offer for $99 and up?

[ArieS]

Originally Posted by Atreyu

This may seem like a stupid question, but here goes. If your TV or blu-ray player has internet hook up and you want to subscribe to the Netflix internet service do you still have to purchase the box they offer for $99 and up?

Depends on the BD player you have.

[DGates01]

Originally Posted by EricJ

But apart from the crappy Starz titles

It's not so much the titles, it's the awful compression on Starz Netflix selections.

But as you mentioned, the TV shows and other movies in HD are quite good. Not quite Blu-ray quality, but better than DVD for sure.

[chele519]

I've been watching Prison Break on Netflix on my blu ray and it looks pretty good in HD. I use a wired connection rather than wireless for a better picture when streaming. My blu ray player also has a VOD service called VUDU. Depending on your connection it plays in SD, HD, or HDX. The movies are the same price as Comcast On demand and I thought it looked pretty good. Only watched the Blind Side so I can't say how good action/special effects movies are.

[kingofgrills]

Originally Posted by DIGITALBATH

I was mainly talking about the PSN store, but sure, Netflix PS3 too, I just wanted to see what people on here think about it.

Personally, I don't go to video stores anymore. I use Netflix, and my monthly fee of $16.99 allows me to have 2 Blu-ray discs checked out at a time, along with unlimited streaming to my PS3 or computer. 2 discs at a time works perfectly for my family, and streaming fills any gaps in nicely. Plus, Netflix sends discs very quickly where I live, so we don't find ourselves waiting.

I use Netflix streaming on my PS3 all the time, mostly to catch up on TV shows like Heroes or Lost. All content looks good, especially HD stuff. the video quality really does depend on the download speeds you can maintain. Before switching to Comcast, I had Qwest high speed DSL, and the picture quality, using the ethernet cable, was horrible.

I would suggest hooking your PS3 via the ethernet cable. You'll achieve higher download speeds, and that will improve your video quality.

[DIGITALBATH]

Originally Posted by kingofgrills

Personally, I don't go to video stores anymore. I use Netflix, and my monthly fee of $16.99 allows me to have 2 Blu-ray discs checked out at a time, along with unlimited streaming to my PS3 or computer. 2 discs at a time works perfectly for my family, and streaming fills any gaps in nicely. Plus, Netflix sends discs very quickly where I live, so we don't find ourselves waiting.

I use Netflix streaming on my PS3 all the time, mostly to catch up on TV shows like Heroes or Lost. All content looks good, especially HD stuff. the video quality really does depend on the download speeds you can maintain. Before switching to Comcast, I had Qwest high speed DSL, and the picture quality, using the ethernet cable, was horrible.

I would suggest hooking your PS3 via the ethernet cable. You'll achieve higher download speeds, and that will improve your video quality.

I'm considering switching to Ethernet for my PS3, because wireless is all over the map and that was my biggest gripe in the first place. The 360 has ethernet and is smooth sailing, I did once try a linksys wireless gaming adaptor for the 360-an absolute nightmare-over 4 hours of technical support and still had an inconsistent connection.

[BlackLightShark009]

Does the disc from netflix for ps3 let you watch any movies in hd? Just wanted to know before i ask for a disc.