Do you DVD too (or stream only)?

[jannyk]

I know that Netflix is supposed to be phasing out it's DVD service eventually. Do any of you 'stream' only, or do you still maintain a DVD/Stream account?

At home, in Oregon, my hubby and I have an account each because we have very different tastes in viewing (he's Chinese, I'm English). He has a 'stream only' account, I have a 2x DVD & Stream account. I would have dropped my DVD portion, but I've encountered times when watching a TV series when some seasons were streamed and some only available on DVD - the Inspector Linley Mysteries is one example - and 'Wallander' is/was only available on DVD - so for now I'm keeping it.


Currently, I am at our cabin in very rural spot on Vancouver Island for a few months. Netflix 'knows' I am in Canada and won't even let me 'browse' my instant list. Netflix just launched service in Canada last September, but it is 'streaming' only - no DVD option and the selection is pretty limited. This is of no use to us as we are way beyond the reach of cable or dsl and have to use a satellite for internet. Our satellite is as slow as molasses, it has trouble opening multiple photographs and can't even stream radio never mind video. Much of Canada is very rural, so a DVD option here would make sense but is not offered :(
I am having major Netflix withdrawal symptoms, as is hubby. (O.k., that was an aside as I needed to whine about it to those that would understand - nobody here in Canada does!)

So, do you stream only or do you still maintain a DVD account?

[cbayer]

1. I still have both, as I find the movie options for streaming quite limited.

Do you have decent cell phone service out there?

We stream using a Verizon connection (unlimited data plan, fortunately). It's not flawless, but it works much better than trying to watch anything over the air (as long as we have a cell connection). How are you connected to the internet?

[jannyk]

2. We have no cell phone service at all here...

either. We are in no man's land as far as communication goes. If we drive 2km to the general store parking lot, point the car in the right direction and lean far out the window, we might get 2 bars if the weather is right! It's a community of about 200 people spread out on acreages over an area of about 3 miles, heavily forested and hilly. The nearest town (of 12,000) is 20km in one direction and another of 500 people is 40km in the other direction. We are not a viable (profitable)option for any of the cable/dsl providers - we've tried.

We have a satellite for internet (and one for tv), but the satellite is so very slow and unreliable (and expensive!), can't even stream radio with it.

[cbayer]

3. Sound like it is lovely, though. We also spend time in totally isolated places.

The only thing I miss is losing my internet access. I don't need the phone, the TV or even the radio.

Enjoy your solitude!

:hi:

[Inchworm]

4. I do both

I get slack on the dvds. I've had my current ones for a week or so due to the weather.

:hi:

[elocs]

5. I do both with 1 DVD out at a time. If I dedicate myself I can get 3 a week.

I can usually get what I want right away on dvd. I used to have Blu-ray so I could check them out to see if I wanted to buy, but really, I don't buy dvds so I stopped. I usually get dvds that are just released to Netflix or others not available on streaming.

[NV Whino]

6. I have both

1 DVD at a time, Blu-ray when it's available. I supplement this with DVDs from my local library, which comes in handy when watching a series.

[cbayer]

7. Can you tell me what the advantage of blu-ray is? I bought the Samsung bluray

player for the internet access, but then noticed that Netflix charges more for them. What do you get for that extra fee?

[elocs]

10. Blu-ray can deliver an outstanding picture, but it depends on the disc.

Some are really great and some don't seem a big improvement. Also, a Blu-ray disc can hold a lot more information so there could be a lot more extras.

[cbayer]

13. I have a smallish TV, so I am not sure it would be a notable improvement for me.

But I do like extras, particularly shorts about the making of a film and out takes. I will check on out and see.

Thanks for the info.

:hi:

[elocs]

16. I originally had Blu-ray so I could check out to see if they were good enough to buy,

but in reality I just don't buy dvds so I saved a couple of bucks a month for the Blu-ray discs.

[NV Whino]

11. What elocs said

Animation is particularly good on Blu-ray, and it improves the quality of regular DVDs.

[cbayer]

14. ARe you saying that the player is better, even it a disc is not blu player?

I haven't noticed any difference, but that could be just me.

:hi:

[NMDemDist2]

15. we've noticed it with regular DVDs, the Samsung really 'pulls them up'

:hi:

[NV Whino]

18. Yes

Not to the extent of a Blu-ray disc, but better than on a regular player. Some discs are just plain crappy, though, and it doesn't matter what player you have.

[Dappleganger]

23. If your tv is small it's more difficult to tell.

The larger the screen size, the more you notice.

We are a 2-dvd/streaming family of 6 and use the heck out of the system (plus free redbox codes whenever possible). Some movies are only dvd not BD but the BD tend to have tons of yummy SFX features, especially alternative endings and makeup sessions. Our family really gets into that kind of thing.

I was bummed to learn that studios are beginning to neuter netflix dvd's of their extras.

[Kerrytravelers]

8. We do both because they have more of DVD selection for films and tv series both.

We only do one DVD at a time and streaming.

[Tikki]

9. I pretty much 'instant' only....

I have watched some 'delivered' like Martian Chronicles and Things To Come that I
probably wouldn't be able to find any other way.

Tikki
Your recommendations always appreciated

[NMDemDist2]

12. we do both, mainly for hubby's iTouch habit

he has lots of downtime at work sometimes so he likes to watch TV classics on his iTouch. So we need the DVDs to burn over to iTunes. and our internet is iffy with streaming alto it's better now that we have upgraded, it's still just so-so some times

[Lydia Leftcoast]

17. I have both, because a lot of the foreign films and Brit TV series that I watch

are not available on instant view.

[Codeine]

19. I still get DVDs/BluRays because the streaming selection frankly sucks.

Until they work out a way to get more of their library streaming there's no way I'd even consider phasing out the discs.

[JonLP24]

20. I only do DVD

My PC can't handle steam.

On edit-I got stream, just can't use it.

[many a good man]

21. Wish I could stream more

When I renegotiated my cable-phone-ISP package I got Tivo Premiere because the rep said I could stream Netflix. Turned out to be a lie. They have disabled Netflix and force customers on Blockbuster. I was ticked. There are rumors they may include Netflix at some point in the future. I don't really like to stream to my PC.

[elocs]

22. I don't stream to my computer, but use a Roku box to stream to my 50" plasma.

I very rarely ever watch a movie or tv show streamed to my computer although my monitor is 28".

[Lydia Leftcoast]

24. Yes, it's just more comfortable to sit back in the recliner and watch

:-)

I don't like having to have the screen in my lap or on top of a desk.