We started using Netflix a few years back when the cost was about $25 a month. Then for some reason (yeah, we fell for the marketing) we switched to the Blockbuster DVD rental program. I'm not really sure that we had a good reason to switch since Netflix was working for us. We ended up going back to them because the movie selection there seemed to suit us better.
To be fair, both have the latest releases but we didn't like having to drive to the store to drop off the disks. I understand the program has changed now & you can either mail back or come into the store to drop off & recieve a free in-store exchange (non-new rental).
Netflix pioneered the "Instant Download" for the masses, even ahead of Hulu. We bought a converter from Radio Shack & started streaming the movies to our TV. Loved it! Now there's a product called a Roku that sells for about $99 that makes it even more convenient. Just add movies to your Instant Watch queue via the internet, then connect the Roku to the TV of your choice to watch anything in your queue. The Roku does need to be connected to the internet either with or without a wire. The best thing of all is how portable it is. Take it with you when you travel. Right now we have 166 films in our Instant Watch queue & 62 in the DVD at Home queue. Roku also gives you instant access to Amazon Video on Demand & MLB.com on Demand. I plan on buying at least one Roku to give as a Christmas present. Yep, it's that good. As I frequently tell my students, I love it when technology actually works the way it should.
Here's our current queue:
10/20 You watched The Dark Ages
10/14 We shipped The End of Suburbia
10/14 We received What a Way to Go
10/12 You watched Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
10/10 You watched 10 Minute Solution: Fat Blasting Dance Mix
10/10 You watched South Park: Ssn 4: Probably
As you can see we're using the Instant Watch feature more than the DVD feature, even though the turnaround through the mail is really fast in the Asheville area. We learned recently that there is a Netflix warehouse in Arden so that explains the quick turnaround.
Some info on Blockbuster:
Watch on TV—use TIVO DVR, Samsung Blue Ray, or the 2Wire MediaPoint Set Top Box , the answer to the Roku. It sells for $99 & includes credit for 25 movies, which is a great deal. One thing I do like about this device is that you can search & order titles onscreen, which the Roku still lacks. Here's the big problem with it however, everything you watch will cost you-at least $1.99 per video. That makes this a non-option for me.
Monthly Plans
Blockbuster by Mail:
1 DVD at a time $8.99
2 DVD’s at a time $13.99
3 DVD’s at a time $16.99
Blockbuster by mail + 5 in-store exchanges per month
1 DVD at a time $11.99
2 DVD’s at a time $16.99
3 DVD’s at a time $19.99
Netflix Plans:
1 DVD out at a time + unlimited instant watching $8.99
2 DVD’s out at a time + unlimited instant watching $13.99
3 DVD’s out at a time + unlimited instant watching $16.99
4 DVD’s out at a time + unlimited instant watching $23.99
*Add $2.00 per month for access to the growing library of Blu-ray titles
1 DVD out at a time (limit 2 rentals a month) with 2 hours a month Instant Watch on PC or Mac only (no Roku) $4.99
Starz Play only (no DVD’s, can be used only on PC or Mac) $7.99 per month
The bottom line? Netflix works best for me because I'm not as interested in the "latest greatest" films & I like the simplicity & pricing structure of the their plans. We watch a ton of documentaries & Netflix carries A&E, History Channel, Bravo, IFC, etc., as well as many of the newest titles. The Instant Watch feature is a staple of my day now. I site in front of the computer & stream documentaries. Don't criticize, at least I'm not distracting myself with YouTube all day.
I think the Blockbuster plan has probably improved since we last used it (2 years ago), but as the saying goes--if it ain't broke, don't fix it!
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