Blockbuster BD rental discussion thread - Page 126

You are the first person ever at AVS I've seen post to claim that Netlix HD is even close to blu-ray.
It's no where near the detail or sharpness.

Odd that with the same pipe/ISP, VuDu HDX and Amazon HD look great but Netflix HD and 3D look inferior.
It doesn't take much troubleshooting to determine what is the issue, the source, not the pipe.

I have had more new release blu-rays shipped to me in the last two weeks from Netflix, than I did from BB over the last 3 months (which led me to finally shut down my BB account).

I found that BB's lack of stock issues actually created a longer delay than the 28 day Neftlix/studio imposed delay. So even though theoretically BB is supposed to have some movies before Netflix, the reality is, they don't get enough supply -- so it actually comes faster with Netflix.

Also, I have found that any time I send a disc to Netflix or they ship one to me -- it takes one day. It would take at least 2 or 3 days for me to receive BB shipments (if they ever shipped something at all).

Frankly, I'm surprised that BB is in the disc by mail business at all.

Nothing compares to BD, which I watch 2 to 3 times a week.

As far as the streaming goes, I can only guess that it depends on the ISP, even according to Netflix's ratings: http://ispspeedindex.netflix.com/

I have seen a difference in quality since they introduced Open Connect.


Again, I said as close to BD as you will ever get. Meaning it's better then most other formats. ( ie; cable, satellite ) Besides, first person or last person, the definition of 'close' can be very subjective.

The point is I don't have an issue. Do you even have Open Connect? Netflix happens to look better on my system (which includes a PDP an LCD, 2 PC's, an Android, a MAC, two Panny BD players, and a Roku2 ) then Amazon, and easily competes with Vudu in terms of PQ, whether you agree with that notion or not. If you continue to have a problem with Netflix's streaming quality, I suggest you post it on the Netflix quality streaming and or Netflix adds 3D and Super HD thread.


Ian
Edited by mailiang - 3/21/13 at 10:42pm

If I'm dropping $6 bucks for a HDX VUDU stream, it darn sure better beat NF PQ, and it does ..

You make a good point, but personally, I would never drop 6 bucks for a movie on Vudu when BD offers me better pq at a fraction of the cost. Do you have Open Connect? Even with standard HD it has made a significant difference, making it competitive with Vudu, at least in my home, which was my point in the first place.


http://www.avsforum.com/t/1451419/netflix-launches-3d-and-superhd-through-specific-isps/60#post_22842864


I think we are getting off topic here, after all, this is the BB rental thread.



Ian
Edited by mailiang - 3/22/13 at 8:24am

VuDu is good for dramas, documentaries and other situations where pristine sound in particular is not important. The HD picture is certainly good on my 114 inch screen. Close enough to blu-ray that the differences are not worth worrying about IMO. I use Netflix (formerly BlockBuster) for action, horror, sci fi and other movies where great sound is part of the blu-ray. I use VuDu for the rest. I do not pay for Netflix streaming service (just discs).

Off topic, yes .. but it was not me that started the whole debate here on NF vs BD .. and the constant Open Connect references .. ?? I think we all got the point ..

Never meant it was. The original question was about 3D, which I posted was only available from Netflix through Open Connect. If you read my earlier remarks, you will see that it started a debate that I suggested be posted elseware.


Ian
Edited by mailiang - 3/22/13 at 12:49pm

posts deleted

move on please

yes BB shipped Zero Dark Thirty!...was showing as 'High Demand' so I wasn't sure when it might be available

I have been having terrible luck. No discs shipped last week and so far this week the same thing. The service has slowed to a crawl. You think more people would be cancelling and this would open up some availability, but a lot of people must be waiting like myself. My Netflix account on the other hand has been great. I just got The Bible disc 1 on Blu-ray in the mail today which is great!

End of the line for me and Blockbuster?

All of the remaining titles in my queue are marked as "Very High Demand". (These are the titles which Netflix didn't carry and Blockbuster said they did).
There's also lots of stuff left in the "unknown" category (titles which Blockbuster at one point claimed they had and then said - no - never mind - not really).

I'll give it a few days to see if Blockbuster ships a title in the "very high demand" list since I haven't left them with any other option...

I just put my Blockbuster and Netflix account on hold.
Both have been pretty poor on delivering new or catalog releases.

I guess the money I save will buy me a new blu-ray a month & Redbox will have to do for rentals for now.

I've had a "by mail" subscription with Blockbuster for many years (Philly area), and their inventory, processing and shipping issues/delays have gotten beyond ridiculous. I have always only requested new releases, and they used to deliver (2 at a time) new release BR discs like clock work, but over the last 2 years their service has gotten progressively worse, to the point where I'm lucky if I receive 1 title/week. It has now reached the point where 80% of the 20+ movies in my queue are designated "High Demand" or "Very High Demand" (not to mention those listed as "Unavailable"), many of which were released 3-6 months ago. I have tried to give them the benefit of doubt that they will correct their issues, and they continue to try and string me along by reducing monthly billing charges, but after receiving nada for 2 weeks in a row, it's gotten to the point where I'm basically paying something for nothing.

Based on all of the above, I get the impression that they are in the process of closing down shop, but will continue to string their customers along as long as they can squeeze a buck out of them. I for one have had enough, and will be canceling my subscription that has been a farce for about 2 years.

At this point, I'm surprised someone hasn't filed a class action lawsuit... they definitely haven't met my subscription requirements for about 2 years, and I'd be happy to jump on that bus.

I too have been a Blockbuster by mail customer for several years and finally put my account on hold for the same reasons as yours. Restarted my Netflix by mail and the service has been much better than Blockbuster's so at this point it looks like I will cancel the Blockbuster account because it does not look like they will improve.

I'm thinking the same thing, but does Netflix still offer 2 at a time, or is 1 at a time the only option? Thx.

With Netflix you can get plans that range from one out at a time to eight out at a time.
I just checked their website and these are the disc plans that were listed. I'm currently on the two out plan with BD. Plus I have unlimited streaming which adds $8. Although I just noticed that the streaming says up to four devices at the same time. It used to be only two.

No, see aaronwt's post above. I have the 3 Blu-ray at a time plan plus unlimited streaming. I switched to Blockbuster several years ago because they were cheaper than Netflix (no in store exchange) and Netflix became indifferent towards their disc by mail business.

With the Netflix disc division producing much better profit per customer than the streaming division, the disc division is getting some attention again. It is one of the few times I have seen a business try to kill its own goose that laid the golden egg.

If you would like more info their is a Netfix thread in this section.

Thanks to both you and aaronwt for clarifying. I'll have to take another look at the Netflix website... I didn't see options for more than one at a time the last time I looked.

I just looked at Netflix website too and was alarmed at how hard it was to find the "yes you can get 1 DVD too" with nothing about other plans or BD. Either I didn't dig deeply enough, or NF is (trying to) go out of the Disc-by-mail business also (i.e. as BB seems to be doing).

Then I went to Change my BB account from 3-at-a-time Unlimited to maybe 2 or 1, and find that they're upped their prices. I'm currently paying $16.99+tax, and now it's 3 for $19.99, 2 for 14.99, and 1 for 9.99. None a bargain IMO so I aborted.

Seems that Disc-by-mail is going away? Can someone sell me on changing to Netflix or are they just more trouble...?

So they have changed their prices to equal what netflix charges with the Blu-ray option. Which makes it a worse deal than Netflix for people that have no interest in BD titles. At least with Netflix you can get a subscription that does not include BD rentals for a few dollars less.

No but if/when BB exits the disc by mail business, you can bet Netflix will increase their prices since they will be the only available option.

Redbox may be our only hope to keep disc rentals at a reasonable price but then you have to drive to get it and return it.

Blockbuster Online is as much of a competitor to Netflix as the Fiat 500 is a competitor to the Ford F150.

If Netflix needs/wants a price increase, they'll do it. It doesn't really matter if BB Online is around or not. And if BB Online is still around, they'll raise their prices accordingly.

Based on normal price increases that about any business must do at times, I have no problem with that .. and I'm surprised NF has been able to NOT do another price increase since the last one ..

Of course, if BB exits disk by mail .. then NF may pick up some customers and help stave off any possible increase ..

Yeah that's been keeping me away from Redbox. We are far enough away from town that we always plan our trips so we only go-in ONCE i.e. never two days in a row or whatever short span you get with Redbox (I forget, checked it out once online and ran into this obvious roadblock for us).

If you are primarily interested in DVD/BR rentals, go to dvd.netflix.com. Once you create an ID and password, it will give you various options on DVD and BR only options... I went with 2 at a time BR, which is what I had with BB.

I was a long time BB by mail subscriber, but I FINALLY got fed up with their lack of "new release" inventory, which is all that I rent. They said that they were working with the studios to improve inventory (which I think is total BS), but I put my BB account on hold for 3 months and told them that if their inventory improves I might come back.... you can still see your BB queue when you're on hold, and mine is still unacceptable.

Thus far (during my 1st month free trial), Netflix has been great... It doesn't hurt that I have 24 titles in my queue that BB couldn't deliver, but they are delivering movies that I've had in my BB queue for months and inventory seems to be much better. NF is also shipping discs from a local distribution center (which BB stopped doing to delay turnover) and they don't delay shipment with the "processing" delay that BB implemented... so far, NF delivery for me is next day.

Thus far, I'm happy actually getting what I'm paying for... Give it a shot... You can always cancel.
Edited by mrjgkelly - 5/20/13 at 8:38pm

Thanks for that. I put my BB account "on hold" before I realized that if I were to "un-hold" it I hafta pay at the current (exorbitant) rates so I will be cancelling before the 3mos is up.

Will try Netflix when I get the bug again. We don't watch movies during the summer...

Just cancel and you can always come back later. They will send you a special deal at some point like half price for a couple of months to come back. This is what I have used the two or three times I came back to blockbuster for a few months.

The only problem is, during the promotion period the service is excellent but after it expires the service goes to pot.

Hi folks. I just signed up for BB's rent by mail because there are a lot of movies I've found so far that BB offers on blu ray that Netfix doesn't. I haven't read through this whole thread but just browsing the last couple pages I see some warnings about BB taking a long time to ship. So I've got 2 months at the intro price and I figure I'll see for myself, but what's the best advice here for dealing with titles that show as "Very High Demand", "High Demand", etc? Is it best to put those at the top of your queue on the thought that whenever they do become available you'll get them sooner, and in the meantime BB will just look past them to send you the next available titles in your queue? Or does putting them all on top just increase the likelihood that it will take them forever to send you anything at all? Also any feedback on expected wait times on these? I've had Netflix for years and they are all over the place on their expected availability. Sometimes it will say "long wait" and it won't take long at all but I also have 2 TV shows that say "very long wait" that have been at the top of my queue for at least a year now (The Hour and the UK version of Life on Mars, both of which they should change the expected availability to just be an icon of a middle finger).

I'll keep BB for now, and here's why...

1. I still like going into the store to browse. I get kinda annoyed w/ what any company will reccommend to you all the time. Sometimes it's ok, but I still like good ole fashioned browsing in store and seeing for myself whats available instead of a small clickable icon to make a quick judgement if I want to investigate further and wait for it all to load up.

2. Paying $19.99 for 3 out at a time, it comes down to <$1 a rental which is much cheaper. That's with saying they ship on Monday, taking 3 or 4 day to get it. Then doing an in store exchange over the weekend. About 20+ a month.
*
My only caveat to this is I don't like how BB changed to not shipping out the next title until the "free in-store exchange" is returned. They didn't used to do this. That really mekes me furious!

3. I can do NF for most streaming, but critical BD or hard to find titles I can have in person.

4. I personally haven't had any issues w/ delayed shipping, but if I ever do, I'll have to consider other options then.