Might Go back to Netflix

click here

I just cancelled my service with netflix early this month, but with this new announcement I might go back. One of the reasons I left was because their werent enough new movies on demand. I tried Hulu Plus on the PS3 can't stand the commericials. So i'm going back Sept 1st.

I still use Netflix, but I do not do any streaming and probably never will. I want maximum quality at all times -- I hardly even watch movies on DVD any more, unless the title is not available on Blu-Ray. Even streaming HD is not good enough -- I would actually rather watch up-converted DVD than streaming HD. The compression levels are too high.

But I am glad that it works for you!

I've never bothered with Netflix. I'm too stuck on playing with physical media. Yes, I'm a pervert.

no pun intended but try this service, different levels of HD are available.

http://www.vudu.com/

That may be higher quality than some others that are out there, but it is still very highly compressed. Just because a pictures is 1080p does not mean it is really an HD image. Think of it this way; for example, a 480i DVD upscaled to 1080p is now 1080p, but the image is still not truly high definition. Vudu's bitrate for 1080p is no more than 4.5mbps. For comparison, the maximum bitrate for Blu-Ray is 40mbps -- and to display a 1080p HD image at that bitrate STILL requires compression. (A uncompressed 1080p image would require a bitrate many times higher than that.)

Of course, compression is not inherently bad; it all depends on how well (and how severely) it is implemented. But the fact is that you cannot run a 1080p image at a maximum bitrate of 4.5mbps without sacrificing detail -- rather a lot of it, in point of fact. And the "TruFilm" technology that they brag about, if you read the detail carefully, consists of various processes to mask the deficiencies caused by the compression.

There is a great page that shows a comparison of the same image from the various streaming or download services at different bitrates, and none of the "HD" images look any better than DVD -- in some cases, they actually look worse. Unfortunately, I just cannot find the page.

None of this really matters, of course, if it looks good enough to the user. It does not to me, which is why I stick with Blu-Ray (or even upconverted DVD). And yes, Seamaster, I do sully my player with rental copies!

Yes I would have to agree with all your comments, but usually I watch movies like 3 days of the Condor (drama) on netflix. Now for special effects movies I would have to agree Blu-RAY ftw.

Sticking another person's grubby disc in your machine's slot is like, well, sticking another person's grubby disc in your machine's slot . . .

Seamaster wrote:Sticking another person's grubby disc in your machine's slot is like, well, sticking another person's grubby disc in your machine's slot . . .

I got that Warner Bros release of The Clash of the Titans on Blu-Ray through Netflix, where I could pick it up at a local brick and mortar Blockbuster, ...it was the first disk in a long time that my player balked at. It did play after I cleaned it with alcohol.

Seamaster wrote:Sticking another person's grubby disc in your machine's slot is like, well, sticking another person's grubby disc in your machine's slot . . .

A Mobiun analogy! I like it.

PO: Always practice safe Blu-raying.

PhotoOtaku wrote:

Seamaster wrote:Sticking another person's grubby disc in your machine's slot is like, well, sticking another person's grubby disc in your machine's slot . . .

I got that Warner Bros release of The Clash of the Titans on Blu-Ray through Netflix, where I could pick it up at a local brick and mortar Blockbuster, ...it was the first disk in a long time that my player balked at. It did play after I cleaned it with alcohol.

Your player was trying to tell you something, and you ignored it!

Ha, ha maybe. The original is on it's way, new from Amazon, keep you updated.

The original is in a completely different league.

clash of the titans is on Netflix.... SO you want get the slot abused.

I already picked up and watched the original on Blu. The transfer is mediocre, but that is to be expected given the condition of the elements and the nature of the photography (any scene with opticals is really, really grainy.) All told, it does not look as good as the much older Jason and the Argonauts does, but then again Sony really spends some time and effort on catalogue titles like that -- their "classics" on Blu really trump what most of the other studios are doing. Clash is from MGM via Warner Brothers, and they have a much more mixed track record with classic titles.

Jason and the Argonauts, I have that coming on Blu too, is that a mistake? Do I want the DVD version?

Sorry; I thought that was clear. Jason and the Argonauts is gorgeous on Blu-Ray. I will never watch it any other way again. Most of Harryhausen's films (including Jason) are released by Sony, and I have zero complaints about how they have handled older catalogue titles. Clash, which is an MGM film released by Warner Brothers, did not get the same treatment. It is still fine, but Jason, The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad, 20 Million Miles to Earth and It Came from Beneath the Sea are all bang-up discs that I highly recommend. Jason has the advantage of being Harryhausen's best film, as well as being a fantastic Blu-Ray.

Cool, got it!!! Back to stalking the UPS guy.

I concur about Jason. Highly recommended. I loved that film the first time I watched it and the Blu only brings back all those fond memories.

Speaking of Sony, I am glad that one of my "holy grail" titles is in their hands -- Lawrence of Arabia. I have read that the transfer for that film is done and that they are still assembling supplemental materials in the hopes of making it a truly special release. Unfortunately, that means that we still may not see it this year. Fortunately, however, we are getting Bridge on the River Kwai instead.

One of the classics I'd love to get my hands on is The Great Escape. Unfortunately, last time I checked, MGM held the rights to that title, meaning there won't be a Blu-ray coming out anytime soon.

No, do not hold your breath for that one. I have heard nothing about it. That would be a lot of fun in HD, though!

I held off buying the remastered DVD in hopes that a Blu-ray would be released, but it looks like I won't have that option.

When the MGM mess is sorted out, I would expect that to be a fairly high-priority catalogue title for them. It already got double dips on laserdisc and DVD. (Speaking of which, if you break down and just get in on DVD, make sure that you get the more recent special edition. The original disc had a non-anamorphic transfer.)

I have waited this long, so I will likely hold out for the Blu-ray.

I do have the original release of DVD, but I don't watch it for the very reason you stated.