Netflix and Blu-ray

[bhampton]

For me, The only thing I'm curious about now regarding this issue is when, if, and how Netflix is going to explain this to customers.

Will they just think people really won't notice, esp as more studios decide this is a "good" idea?

Will they explain to people at some point that they will have to wait a month for any new releases? I can't wait to see how and if they bother even telling people.

-Brian

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by connect42

I sent this "news" to my friends and family last night and within 24 hours Netflix has lost out. 3 of the 7 have already cancelled Netflix. 2 signed up for Blockbuster Online (with my recommendation) and the other is happy to go with our locally own Video Warehouse. I am sure one or more of the others will make a move, as well. This is not an isolated incident and these people are not forum nerds like us.

It wont be long before studios come to an "agreement" with ALL rental sources. Much to the dismay of those rental outfits. It's just the begining of the arm twisting.

[househead]

If you think this won't happen to Blockbuster online then you're crazy. Same thing is happening with Redbox too.

Either way, I won't be spending my money on big studio new releases unless I've seen them first.

I'd rather wait a month (two realistically) before laying out $20 for the latest hollywood remake or slopped together piece of junk.

[RebelJeeper]

Originally Posted by househead

If you think this won't happen to Blockbuster online then you're crazy. Same thing is happening with Redbox too.

Either way, I won't be spending my money on big studio new releases unless I've seen them first.

I'd rather wait a month (two realistically) before laying out $20 for the latest hollywood remake or slopped together piece of junk.

That's exactly right...and then add to that every brick and mortar rental shop (that hasn't already been closed). Netflix is the most popular and well-known to the masses...they're just unfortunate enough to be the first pebble to fall from the dam folks. Who gets what when is up to the studios to decide and NO ONE ELSE.

I hope the folks that go to Lackluster (I mean BlockBuster) keep their queue lists 'cause they'll need them when they see the err of their ways and go back to Netflix after they realize how pitiful the competition is.

[househead]

Originally Posted by RebelJeeper

I hope the folks that go to Lackluster (I mean BlockBuster) keep their queue lists 'cause they'll need them when they see the err of their ways and go back to Netflix after they realize how pitiful the competition is.

Exactly!

It's funny to see people write "I cancelled and now going to Blockbuster, Greencine, etc". Demand for new releases will skyrocket there. Wait times will be GREATLY increased or Blockbuster will have to shell out more $$$$ for extra discs (with the cost passed on to the customer).

It will all even out in the end.

[bhampton]

I won't go to Blockbuster, ever.

Nor to Hollywood Video (That place is scary.)

I'll just wait for reviews of stuff I think I want and then just blind buy it (I don't tend to go to the theaters because my local theater is really very bad.) Netflix has saved me from buying a few real stinkers now and then but I always check the hot deals forum here and I tend to get Blus real cheap on sale. I can get back most of my money from selling them back or trading them in for those times when I do get burned.

-Brian

[Uniquely]

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.

I agree many use it for streaming. I'm on the one disc plan, and sometimes discs might sit on my shelf for a month before I remember to watch them; but I stream at least once or twice a week.

[K_Williamson42]

Just like Redbox, hurts there profit shares with rental companies and drops sales, so I guess if you want to start watching movies day 1, you'll have to buy or rent. Its another way to help get packaged media to the consumer, and I'm not complaining, I agree with the idea!

[johnarnold101]

Originally Posted by robinandtami

I agree many use it for streaming. I'm on the one disc plan, and sometimes discs might sit on my shelf for a month before I remember to watch them; but I stream at least once or twice a week.

That's why I reduced mine to one blu at a time. I get the one new release I want each week and then I'll start streaming to the TV for older movies I want to see again or pay channel TV shows that are now on Netflix for streaming.

I'm still waiting for someone who has a Roku to give me a review or opinion. I'm looking at buying the HD one with the HDMI cable hookup capability and wifi.

[Uniquely]

Originally Posted by SilverFireshot

Yeah, the people on here think of quality, not the average movie watcher. If they did, Blu-rays would have surpassed DVD's by now.

I truly do not understand why so many people here have to be so either/or about it; like people can't legitimately enjoy blu-ray AND streaming AND dvd, AND any other formats that movies are available in. There are tons of great movies in this world that would have little or nothing to be gained in AV quality by being transferred to BD, so I just can't comprehend the attitude of "if it's not blu-ray it's not worth watching." Those types of people are not movie lovers; they are format lovers. Movie lovers will anxiously embrace any and every format that allows them to watch as many movies as possible.

This was not directed at you BTW... just a commentary on some attitudes I frequently see.

[johnarnold101]

Originally Posted by robinandtami

I truly do not understand why so many people here have to be so either/or about it; like people can't legitimately enjoy blu-ray AND streaming AND dvd, AND any other formats that movies are available in. There are tons of great movies in this world that would have little or nothing to be gained in AV quality by being transferred to BD, so I just can't comprehend the attitude of "if it's not blu-ray it's not worth watching." Those types of people are not movie lovers; they are format lovers. Movie lovers will anxiously embrace any and every format that allows them to watch as many movies as possible.

This was not directed at you BTW... just a commentary on some attitudes I frequently see.

Amen. I just watched Bottle Shock again and it was fine on DVD and if I waited for it on blu....if it ever happens I would have never seen a good movie. One of my favorite Oscar/Golden Globe winning movies is not on blu and that's "Arthur", if I waited for it on blu then some friends of mine who watched my DVD copy would probably need to wait years to see it...they loved it by the way.

[RebelJeeper]

Originally Posted by bhampton

I won't go to Blockbuster, ever.

Nor to Hollywood Video (That place is scary.)

I'll just wait for reviews of stuff I think I want and then just blind buy it (I don't tend to go to the theaters because my local theater is really very bad.) Netflix has saved me from buying a few real stinkers now and then but I always check the hot deals forum here and I tend to get Blus real cheap on sale. I can get back most of my money from selling them back or trading them in for those times when I do get burned.

-Brian

+100000

Originally Posted by robinandtami

I truly do not understand why so many people here have to be so either/or about it; like people can't legitimately enjoy blu-ray AND streaming AND dvd, AND any other formats that movies are available in. There are tons of great movies in this world that would have little or nothing to be gained in AV quality by being transferred to BD, so I just can't comprehend the attitude of "if it's not blu-ray it's not worth watching." Those types of people are not movie lovers; they are format lovers. Movie lovers will anxiously embrace any and every format that allows them to watch as many movies as possible.

+100000 here also...it's almost to the point of being laughable sometimes. My personal favs are the ones who say they don't own any DVDs and don't know anyone else who does. That makes me

[connect42]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

It wont be long before studios come to an "agreement" with ALL rental sources. Much to the dismay of those rental outfits. It's just the begining of the arm twisting.

2 things:

1) They won't ever come to any agreement with smaller, locally owned shops.

2) It does not matter to me if they do or not, because if I really wanted to see it then I did so in the theater and if I loved it I pre-ordered it. I can wait 4 more weeks to rent it if it is a movie I didn't bother to see in the theater or didn't love enough to purchase.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by connect42

2 things:

1) They won't ever come to any agreement with smaller, locally owned shops.

2) It does not matter to me if they do or not, because if I really wanted to see it then I did so in the theater and if I loved it I pre-ordered it. I can wait 4 more weeks to rent it if it is a movie I didn't bother to see in the theater or didn't love enough to purchase.

1. Then if the local shop doesnt agree to the studios terms, guess what happens to them? The studios own the titles and can/will inflict their will. Just like "Street dates" for selling discs. Of course the small Mom & Pop stores could always take the studios to court, right?

2. Sometimes a movie doesnt get to a theater near me. I am then eager to rent it ASAP.

[Beast]

All this is, is basically a reversal of the old rental window back in the day.

Where movies were only available for purchase to the video stores, unless you wanted to pay $100 or so for them. That was when the video store held a lot of power over the studio. Now the balance of power has shifted, as fewer and fewer people choose to rent over buying. Now it's the people who buy who get the perks.

[kevinbr100]

Originally Posted by Beast

All this is, is basically a reversal of the old rental window back in the day.

Where movies were only available for purchase to the video stores, unless you wanted to pay $100 or so for them. That was when the video store held a lot of power over the studio. Now the balance of power has shifted, as fewer and fewer people choose to rent over buying. Now it's the people who buy who get the perks.

exactly if this doesnt work, or a lot of smaller rental outfits (if any exist) dont comply, they could go back to the rental pricing model. where it cost $100 for a movie, i bet a lot of people dont remember, or wernt buying movies back then. and that was the early 80s, so $100 was even more than it is today.

im not a big renter, i buy. usually films i have seen before.

[bhampton]

This could bring back local video rental places if all the studios enforce this for all the big rental places.

I could for example rent movies out of my garage and new releases would be available the day they hit the stores. In fact,... the stores wouldn't have enough copies after I went shopping which would also make people want to rent from me.

Ha! Maybe I've got a plan.

Edit- I remember in the 80's a guy used to drive a van around town as a mobile movie rental service, haven't seen that since way back then.

-Brian

[RebelJeeper]

Originally Posted by bhampton

This could bring back local video rental places if all the studios enforce this for all the big rental places.

I could for example rent movies out of my garage and new releases would be available the day they hit the stores. In fact,... the stores wouldn't have enough copies after I went shopping which would also make people want to rent from me.

Ha! Maybe I've got a plan.

Edit- I remember in the 80's a guy used to drive a van around town as a mobile movie rental service, haven't seen that since way back then.

-Brian

If you do go into this venture, you might wanna try to keep it on the DL...if the studios find out you're making money on their movies, waiting 28 days for new release rental will be the least of your worries

[jakeacc]

While some may be upset about this, I think most customers won't mind or even notice.

Movies that people really want to see, they will have already seen it in the theater. Movies that they really love, they would have already purchased. I think a lot of people's Netflix queues are filled with movies they are interested in, but not interested enough to see in theaters or buy. So, no one will be heartbroken to wait a few more weeks.

[Deke Rivers]

Originally Posted by robinandtami

I truly do not understand why so many people here have to be so either/or about it; like people can't legitimately enjoy blu-ray AND streaming AND dvd, AND any other formats that movies are available in. There are tons of great movies in this world that would have little or nothing to be gained in AV quality by being transferred to BD, so I just can't comprehend the attitude of "if it's not blu-ray it's not worth watching." Those types of people are not movie lovers; they are format lovers. Movie lovers will anxiously embrace any and every format that allows them to watch as many movies as possible.

This was not directed at you BTW... just a commentary on some attitudes I frequently see.

i dont consider myself lesser of a movie lover because i prefer to watch them in them in the best possible way..if i have the choice