I'm surprised no one has yet bashed it's "boring design" or lack of "style" in comparison to the Apple TV
That being said, it looks like a nice addition to the party, and the price is sure to turn more than a few heads. However, I want to see the reviews first before I take the plunge.
I'm sorry but that thing is Ugly and cheap looking. I'm sorry but it doesn't do much beyond what's already available with a decent VoD seletion from your cableco.
For me this is a 'so what' news story. It only allows for the existing on-demand catalog (which most folks pick over and watch everything they like within a few months)
I've got 200 movies in my queue and NONE are available for instant viewing. To me... this adds nothing. When I saw the title I got real excited until I read the details. watching on the PC alone is a pain in the butt.
It won't be "so what" for long. I can only assume that Netflix is the one providing the content for this new box, since Apple has claimed that the studios are the stumbling block for AppleTV (not providing digitized content quickly enough). Who's telling the whole truth?
I doubt any internet movie service is is going to take advantage of those speeds in the next few years.
I would be interested to hear what Apple's data rates are, then. I know I can download their 2.2GB iPhone SDK from their dev site in under 20 minutes, so they do have the pipes if they wanted to allocate them.
It doesn't look like Roku's Netflix box needs a computer. I don't think the faster wireless makes the device do its job any better.
I don't see anything that suggests that it's truly a money loser. It might be, but it looks like it's $9 above the cost of a subscription plan, so you're talking at least $14 a month, $14 is assuming you can use the cheapest plan + internet rentals.
I don't know where you get the impression that the age of a movie is a factor between the services. Just because there aren't many choices doesn't mean they're all new. .
From the Associated Press:
"Although it's provided at no additional cost to most of Netflix's 8.2 million subscribers, the streaming service has had limited appeal so far because it doesn't include the latest movies and couldn't easily be watched on anything but a personal computer."
and:
"If anything, the streaming service is eroding Netflix's profits because the company's licensing fees are based on how frequently subscribers use it. And any customer who pays at least $8.99 per month for a DVD rental plan gets unlimited access to the streaming service."
The box doesn't require a computer but ordering the movies does. The CEO of Netflix says the device "allows consumers to use the full power of the Netflix Web site to choose movies for their instant Queue, and then automatically displays only those choices on the TV screen. That's a major improvement versus the clutter of trying to choose from 10,000 films on the TV."
"Although it's provided at no additional cost to most of Netflix's 8.2 million subscribers, the streaming service has had limited appeal so far because it doesn't include the latest movies and couldn't easily be watched on anything but a personal computer."
and:
"If anything, the streaming service is eroding Netflix's profits because the company's licensing fees are based on how frequently subscribers use it. And any customer who pays at least $8.99 per month for a DVD rental plan gets unlimited access to the streaming service."
The box doesn't require a computer but ordering the movies does. The CEO of Netflix says the device "allows consumers to use the full power of the Netflix Web site to choose movies for their instant Queue, and then automatically displays only those choices on the TV screen. That's a major improvement versus the clutter of trying to choose from 10,000 films on the TV."
So the real question is... are the studios secretly subsidizing this? If it didn't make business sense for Netflix to pursue this, they simply wouldn't do it because their shareholders would revolt.
I would be interested to hear what Apple's data rates are, then. I know I can download their 2.2GB iPhone SDK from their dev site in under 20 minutes, so they do have the pipes if they wanted to allocate them.
My point is more that it's not necessary given the existing material. You want to have a comfortable speed margin above the data rate used by the video to be able to watch it as it downloads or streams, but after a certain point, it doesn't make any difference.
Are people interpretting this statement to mean there is $9 premium on using the dvice each month? My read, based on the grammar and their previous pricing model before the device available, is that all you need to do is make a one-time purchase of the box, then use the service for free each month as a feature of your existing qualifying plan. Thoughts?
(Sorry if I missed someone catching this already...I'm reading AI quickly while I should be working)
There is no doubt that Apple TV is a better all around box, with HD and many other features the Netflix box can't match... However, all that will be overlooked by the masses if Apple can't put together a similar pricing structure.. They really need an all you can watch subscription type service. Despite the convenience of Apple TV, $4.99 is pretty steep for a 24 hour HD rental when there are unlimited plans available. Even if it means waiting for a Blu-Ray rental to arrive in the mail.
Are people interpretting this statement to mean there is $9 premium on using the dvice each month? My read, based on the grammar and their previous pricing model before the device available, is that all you need to do is make a one-time purchase of the box, then use the service for free each month as a feature of your existing qualifying plan. Thoughts?
(Sorry if I missed someone catching this already...I'm reading AI quickly while I should be working)
I could be wrong, but I'm under the impression that you buy the $99 box, then pay $8.99/month for this service, in addition to your "unlimited" rentals plan. Their web site mentions that instant view choices would 'not interfere' with your DVD rental plan.
I could be wrong, but I'm under the impression that you buy the $99 box, then pay $8.99/month for this service, in addition to your "unlimited" rentals plan. Their web site mentions that instant view choices would 'not interfere' with your DVD rental plan.
That is incorrect... Netflix unlimited plans already offer unlimited streaming downloads to a PC (not a Mac) in addition to your 2,3 or 4 physical movies... Purchasing this box just allows you to watch the movies on your television instead of your pc. There is not an additional monthly charge..
That is incorrect... Netflix unlimited plans already offer unlimited streaming downloads to a PC (not a Mac) in addition to your 2,3 or 4 physical movies... Purchasing this box just allows you to watch the movies on your television instead of your pc. There is not an additional monthly charge..
That would make this service even more attractive.
Don't know if this has been mentioned yet. From the Roku site FAQ:
Quote:
You need at least 1.5 Mbps to watch movies instantly on The Netflix Player by Roku. The faster your connection, the better the quality. For high quality video and audio, a connection of least 4.0 Mbps is recommended.
Out of my league, that's twice my current connection speed just for the minimum, which is only VHS quality according to the FAQ.
\
And who in the USA actually gets 4Mb throughput? I used to pay out the nose for Comcast's fastest connection, and only got actual speeds of 3Mbs...
If they want to compete with the Apple TV (or anyone else that spent a day at Industrial Design Camp), can they at least make something that doesn't look like a big pile of shit that was run over by a Peterbilt then pissed on by a group of Hell's Angels then vomited on by the psych ward from the insane asylum?
Geezus, with products having nearly the same performance characteristics as every other product, the one distinguishing feature is ID. (Netflix, that stands for Industrial Design, since it's obvious nobody at your company knows what that means.) I know Roku designed this little pygmy-loooking toaster-with-TV-outputs, but I'm sure Netflix could have at least said, "Hey, make it look a little better than my gangrene-inflicted paraplegic sister's vagina."
What a friggin' joke. I like the device, I am a Netflix subscriber, I love the Watch It Now feature, but I'm not buying this thing simply because it LOOKS LIKE SHIT. Of all the beautiful devices I have in my A-V rack, the aesthetic (or lack of) on this wretched contraption would collectively bring the look of my entire living room down to the pit of ugly-hell this mutant box inhabits.
I could be wrong, but I'm under the impression that you buy the $99 box, then pay $8.99/month for this service, in addition to your "unlimited" rentals plan. Their web site mentions that instant view choices would 'not interfere' with your DVD rental plan.
Just ordered 4 of these for family members. Roku website states you buy the palyer from them for $99, then pay the monthly subscription fee to Netflix of $8.99, which also included 1 DVD rental at a time/unlimited per month.
So the real question is... are the studios secretly subsidizing this? If it didn't make business sense for Netflix to pursue this, they simply wouldn't do it because their shareholders would revolt.
My guess, yeah. the studios have probably cut a short term deal at a favorable rate to get a player in the market that isn't Apple. Either that or NetFlix is willing to lose a lot of money to get this thing going.
My guess, yeah. the studios have probably cut a short term deal at a favorable rate to get a player in the market that isn't Apple. Either that or NetFlix is willing to lose a lot of money to get this thing going.
Netflix has been offering this unlimited streaming service to a PC for over a year now. The only difference is today a box was released that will stream it to your tv.
My guess, yeah. the studios have probably cut a short term deal at a favorable rate to get a player in the market that isn't Apple. Either that or NetFlix is willing to lose a lot of money to get this thing going.
What you guys are not understanding is this is nothing new for Netflix. They have offered the service the last 1.5 years you just had to stream to your computer. This box just allows you to watch it on your TV, but its the same exact service Netflix has had for along time.
Comments
That being said, it looks like a nice addition to the party, and the price is sure to turn more than a few heads. However, I want to see the reviews first before I take the plunge.
http://practical-tech.com/entertainm...etflix-player/
sums it up nicely. Low rent ATV wannabe.
For me this is a 'so what' news story. It only allows for the existing on-demand catalog (which most folks pick over and watch everything they like within a few months)
I've got 200 movies in my queue and NONE are available for instant viewing. To me... this adds nothing. When I saw the title I got real excited until I read the details. watching on the PC alone is a pain in the butt.
It won't be "so what" for long. I can only assume that Netflix is the one providing the content for this new box, since Apple has claimed that the studios are the stumbling block for AppleTV (not providing digitized content quickly enough). Who's telling the whole truth?
I doubt any internet movie service is is going to take advantage of those speeds in the next few years.
I would be interested to hear what Apple's data rates are, then. I know I can download their 2.2GB iPhone SDK from their dev site in under 20 minutes, so they do have the pipes if they wanted to allocate them.
It doesn't look like Roku's Netflix box needs a computer. I don't think the faster wireless makes the device do its job any better.
I don't see anything that suggests that it's truly a money loser. It might be, but it looks like it's $9 above the cost of a subscription plan, so you're talking at least $14 a month, $14 is assuming you can use the cheapest plan + internet rentals.
I don't know where you get the impression that the age of a movie is a factor between the services. Just because there aren't many choices doesn't mean they're all new. .
From the Associated Press:
"Although it's provided at no additional cost to most of Netflix's 8.2 million subscribers, the streaming service has had limited appeal so far because it doesn't include the latest movies and couldn't easily be watched on anything but a personal computer."
and:
"If anything, the streaming service is eroding Netflix's profits because the company's licensing fees are based on how frequently subscribers use it. And any customer who pays at least $8.99 per month for a DVD rental plan gets unlimited access to the streaming service."
The box doesn't require a computer but ordering the movies does. The CEO of Netflix says the device "allows consumers to use the full power of the Netflix Web site to choose movies for their instant Queue, and then automatically displays only those choices on the TV screen. That's a major improvement versus the clutter of trying to choose from 10,000 films on the TV."
From the Associated Press:
"Although it's provided at no additional cost to most of Netflix's 8.2 million subscribers, the streaming service has had limited appeal so far because it doesn't include the latest movies and couldn't easily be watched on anything but a personal computer."
and:
"If anything, the streaming service is eroding Netflix's profits because the company's licensing fees are based on how frequently subscribers use it. And any customer who pays at least $8.99 per month for a DVD rental plan gets unlimited access to the streaming service."
The box doesn't require a computer but ordering the movies does. The CEO of Netflix says the device "allows consumers to use the full power of the Netflix Web site to choose movies for their instant Queue, and then automatically displays only those choices on the TV screen. That's a major improvement versus the clutter of trying to choose from 10,000 films on the TV."
So the real question is... are the studios secretly subsidizing this? If it didn't make business sense for Netflix to pursue this, they simply wouldn't do it because their shareholders would revolt.
I would be interested to hear what Apple's data rates are, then. I know I can download their 2.2GB iPhone SDK from their dev site in under 20 minutes, so they do have the pipes if they wanted to allocate them.
My point is more that it's not necessary given the existing material. You want to have a comfortable speed margin above the data rate used by the video to be able to watch it as it downloads or streams, but after a certain point, it doesn't make any difference.
However, subscribers will need to be enrolled in an $8.99 per month "Unlimited" monthly subscription plan in order to use the device,
[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]
Are people interpretting this statement to mean there is $9 premium on using the dvice each month? My read, based on the grammar and their previous pricing model before the device available, is that all you need to do is make a one-time purchase of the box, then use the service for free each month as a feature of your existing qualifying plan. Thoughts?
(Sorry if I missed someone catching this already...I'm reading AI quickly while I should be working)
Sorry ...I'm reading AI quickly while I should be working)
The rest of us here would never do something like that. Now, get back to work!
Cough. Cough.
...my kids, they view the same barbie dvd 25 times.
I feel your pain.
Are people interpretting this statement to mean there is $9 premium on using the dvice each month? My read, based on the grammar and their previous pricing model before the device available, is that all you need to do is make a one-time purchase of the box, then use the service for free each month as a feature of your existing qualifying plan. Thoughts?
(Sorry if I missed someone catching this already...I'm reading AI quickly while I should be working)
I could be wrong, but I'm under the impression that you buy the $99 box, then pay $8.99/month for this service, in addition to your "unlimited" rentals plan. Their web site mentions that instant view choices would 'not interfere' with your DVD rental plan.
I could be wrong, but I'm under the impression that you buy the $99 box, then pay $8.99/month for this service, in addition to your "unlimited" rentals plan. Their web site mentions that instant view choices would 'not interfere' with your DVD rental plan.
That is incorrect... Netflix unlimited plans already offer unlimited streaming downloads to a PC (not a Mac) in addition to your 2,3 or 4 physical movies... Purchasing this box just allows you to watch the movies on your television instead of your pc. There is not an additional monthly charge..
That is incorrect... Netflix unlimited plans already offer unlimited streaming downloads to a PC (not a Mac) in addition to your 2,3 or 4 physical movies... Purchasing this box just allows you to watch the movies on your television instead of your pc. There is not an additional monthly charge..
That would make this service even more attractive.
You need at least 1.5 Mbps to watch movies instantly on The Netflix Player by Roku. The faster your connection, the better the quality. For high quality video and audio, a connection of least 4.0 Mbps is recommended.
Out of my league, that's twice my current connection speed just for the minimum, which is only VHS quality according to the FAQ.
And who in the USA actually gets 4Mb throughput? I used to pay out the nose for Comcast's fastest connection, and only got actual speeds of 3Mbs...
Geezus, with products having nearly the same performance characteristics as every other product, the one distinguishing feature is ID. (Netflix, that stands for Industrial Design, since it's obvious nobody at your company knows what that means.) I know Roku designed this little pygmy-loooking toaster-with-TV-outputs, but I'm sure Netflix could have at least said, "Hey, make it look a little better than my gangrene-inflicted paraplegic sister's vagina."
What a friggin' joke. I like the device, I am a Netflix subscriber, I love the Watch It Now feature, but I'm not buying this thing simply because it LOOKS LIKE SHIT. Of all the beautiful devices I have in my A-V rack, the aesthetic (or lack of) on this wretched contraption would collectively bring the look of my entire living room down to the pit of ugly-hell this mutant box inhabits.
I could be wrong, but I'm under the impression that you buy the $99 box, then pay $8.99/month for this service, in addition to your "unlimited" rentals plan. Their web site mentions that instant view choices would 'not interfere' with your DVD rental plan.
Just ordered 4 of these for family members. Roku website states you buy the palyer from them for $99, then pay the monthly subscription fee to Netflix of $8.99, which also included 1 DVD rental at a time/unlimited per month.
This is smokin!
So the real question is... are the studios secretly subsidizing this? If it didn't make business sense for Netflix to pursue this, they simply wouldn't do it because their shareholders would revolt.
My guess, yeah. the studios have probably cut a short term deal at a favorable rate to get a player in the market that isn't Apple. Either that or NetFlix is willing to lose a lot of money to get this thing going.
My guess, yeah. the studios have probably cut a short term deal at a favorable rate to get a player in the market that isn't Apple. Either that or NetFlix is willing to lose a lot of money to get this thing going.
Netflix has been offering this unlimited streaming service to a PC for over a year now. The only difference is today a box was released that will stream it to your tv.
My guess, yeah. the studios have probably cut a short term deal at a favorable rate to get a player in the market that isn't Apple. Either that or NetFlix is willing to lose a lot of money to get this thing going.
What you guys are not understanding is this is nothing new for Netflix. They have offered the service the last 1.5 years you just had to stream to your computer. This box just allows you to watch it on your TV, but its the same exact service Netflix has had for along time.