Streaming movies vs cable service

[Newc]

I've been getting into the streaming video apps available over XBox Live and comparing them to cable, and I'm calling it a draw. Yeah, cable is way overpriced and there's jack shit worth watching 90% of the time, whereas streaming can be free to view (just have to tolerate the same damn commercial over and over and over), but buffering issues plague both.

The one edge streaming has is that you can rewind it and pause to let the buffer catch up.

Personally I'd prefer a full-res download before playing, and delete it when I'm done.


Everyone's pissing and moaning about piracy but no one's doing anything about delivering a quality service that doesn't glitch out, and DVDs are still overpriced vs what was promised 20 years ago.


For me, the convenience of being able to select only those titles I want to see cannot outweigh the technical limitations of streaming media. Granted I don't have to wait for Ordinary People to end so I can watch what I want as with cable. I can flip through 200+ channels of dogshit without a glitch, but the moment I want to settle on one movie it stutters and skips like a dirty disc.

What's more, with the streaming services, you can't set bookmarks or a View History without signing up for an account, which means giving them the right to sell your marketable info while you get none of the take, and still have to sit through commercials.

[Axewielder]

I'm running Netflix with a Roku box, and am really impressed with the quality. It's actually rare when it glitches (although it does occur). Frankly I think the reliability is already in the same league as basic cable service. You really need a solid data connection though. I'm not to the point of "cable cutting" because of the limited content, however.

[Hellbat]

I've recently picked up an Apple TV and the netflix app for it is great. Seems to perform much better than both the XBOX and PS3 versions of the software. The only issue is in Canada the selection is not as great due to a different way of handling the digital broadcast rights. I don't often have buffering issues but I am on 100mbit cable using dual band N wifi. It's seamless bith zero buffering issues using pre-purchased itunes content (or videos I have ripped and converted) as well.

[Vass]

There was an article locally that mentioned that even WITH FiOS doing well the cable companies are losing customers at a rate of 1.5% per year. That will accelerate as the technology gets more pervasive and more regions get legit broadband.

All those years of shitty service....No, fuck YOU, sir.

[horns666]

I hate streaming porn. Everytime I'm about to bust a nut..it freezes. I may as well have sex with the wife!

[Twitch]

I have cable and Netflix. Netflix wins by a long shot. However, I run Netflix mostly through the Wii and it buffers out all the time. I think thats the Wiis issue though. When I plug the computers HDMI into the TV, its pretty much flawless.

Cable can suck it cause theres never anything on that interests me on. Netflix has hours and hours of stuff that keeps me occupied. Regarding image quality between the two, when using the laptops HDMI, it blows cables pic out of the water, through the Wii, its on par with the cable.

[dg]

I used to have the occasional hiccup & stutter with Netflix when I used my laptop hooked to the TV via HDMI. Went ahead & got a Roku2 and it's been perfect ever since. My friends who use other methods like game consoles, Blu-Ray players & even some WiFi-ready TVs have all had mixed results. I still use the laptop for stuff you're not "supposed" to be able to watch on TV, like regular Hulu, streamed sports or whatever, but the Roku is awesome. I wouldn't pass final judgement on Netflix, Hulu Plus, Amazon Prime or any other service until you try it through a Roku.

Forgot to add - The basic Roku2 (without the Wii-style gaming remote) is cheap, and some of the private Roku channels are pretty cool, like NowhereTV. iirc there are even a few channels dedicated to conspiracy theory stuff too, oh tinfoil-hatted one!

[Newc]

Image quality differences may be that you're using the SD-video cable box, and not their HD version. We've got the SD versions as well, and I've been thinking of getting the HD boxes (free upgrade - just hand over the old ones).

Just did a Speed test with my local provider (their online speed app)
Download Speed: 10587 kbps (1323.4 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 1054 kbps (131.8 KB/sec transfer rate)

They also compare that to Speedtest.net, and the numbers were within 10 points of each other, so I'm getting a good download speed.
Not crazy about the upload speed being choked like that.

I know Netflix can send you DVDs in the mail, but unless they can stream it glitch-free, I'm really not interested in trying yet another pay-service.
I know they offer a free trial, but just like anything else, that's the van with Free Candy painted on the side - get you in and then fuck you.

[horns666]

Call me silly, but I go to my local library, one block away and order, grab movies for free.

You can't beat free...free is good. Save your money.

[MetalHeadMat]

Streaming is a good way to watch movies, I use Netflix and if I can't find the movie/show on there, I use different methods that require a sword, peg leg, and talking parrot.

The only thing I don't like about streaming is the cost. Use more bandwidth streaming, and if you go over your limit you get charged. Then there are the lousy internet companies that slow your connection down unbearably until you reach your limit!

[Newc]

I had to stop using the talking parrot when I wound up with loot that had a homing beacon. Now I'm under surveillance

My sis-in-law does the talking parrot like it's an Olympic event, but since neither her nor my bro work, it costs me a fortune in DVD-Rs every month.

[toejam]

Call me silly, but I go to my local library, one block away and order, grab movies for free.

You can't beat free...free is good. Save your money.

I also go to the library once in awhile and get the free movies.