Netflix not making users very happy.

[treitz3]

Including me. I should note that I have only been an online member for less than 4 weeks. My wife has doing the mail-ins for years now. This will be affecting the majority of Netflix users and may even affect those that don't even use Netflix. I just found out about it and I see it as one more way to increase profits while forgetting about the customer base that got you where you are in the first place. Many a company has folded before due to practices like that. Anyhoo, here's the story...


From this website: http://www.khq.com/Global/story.asp?S=13866096

When Netflix started up more than 10 years ago, its sales pitch was pretty simple: Hey, subscribe to us, and we'll mail you DVDs that you can then mail back to us without worrying about any late fees. But as the rental market moves toward online and on-demand models, Netflix's iconic red envelopes may eventually become as antiquated as VHS tapes. Beefing up their streaming business, Netflix has predicted that in about two years their economics will be geared more toward their "Watch Instantly" service than through physical discs. For that to happen, Netflix will have to nudge their DVD-loyal customers to the new platform. And on Monday, the company learned just how hard that may be.

In a seemingly innocent 109-word blog post, Netflix director of product management Jamie Odell announced, "We're removing the 'Add to DVD Queue' option from streaming devices," suggesting that it was being done so that the company "can concentrate on offering you the titles that are available to watch instantly." Granted, the Netflix website still allows DVD queue updating, but this post, dropped on the morning of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, created an immediate firestorm of comments -- most of them very, very angry.

"Clearly Netflix wants to send less discs through the mail, and therefore wants to make it more difficult for the user to add to their queue in furtherance of that," wrote "Eldendor." "Horrible idea!" wrote "usrbingeek." "Especially when there are still few titles available for streaming and the titles that you do have, seem to have very narrow license windows." On and on came the complaints, with most responders saying essentially (1) I like having access to DVDs even if I use a PS3 or mobile phone to stream movies on Netflix; and (2) there aren't enough good titles available on "Watch Instantly." "I think this is a totally foolish move on your part. I like to be able to add movies to my DVD queue from my iPhone," commented "b.dsign." "[I]f this means that netflix is going to add more movies to watch instantly i support the change," "Beto" wrote, "but if they are not, then it's just a bad idea."

As of yet Netflix hasn't released any response, which, really, is their response. Whether customers like or not, Netflix knows that the future is moving away from physical discs and toward instant access. And, really, none of us who use Netflix should be surprised: Back in November the company announced that they were offering a new lower subscription rate for streaming-only customers while increasing the rate for people who still wanted DVDs. Right now, if you want DVDs from Netflix, the company is less than thrilled with you: They need you to get used to the idea of streaming films and TV shows so that you'll drop the physical disc habit: a craving, ironically, that they themselves created thanks to the ease of their iconic red envelopes.

But while Netflix is slowly discouraging the continued interest in DVDs, they face a different challenge even if their business model transformation succeeds. As Slate reported, if Netflix's streaming business takes off the way they think it will, it could prove a serious drain on America's broadband capacity, which is far less nimble than other countries'. Netflix is angering customers right now because the company wants to do away with DVDs: We don't even want to think of a future where Netflix angers the entire Internet community because too many people are streaming old episodes of "Friends" at the same time.

[RuSsMaN]

We've only been on for about a month also - all I do is stream. Sure, we setup a queue for some through the mail, but if I could stream everything, that would be so much better.

Bandwith should not be an issue, I can stream HD here, wirelessly with ease - and there are 3 phones, and 3 computers sharing the same, single, standard cable modem connection.

I say bring it.

Cheers,
Russ

[bobman1235]

Wow, talk about blowing something out of proportion.

They changed a single way you can add discs to your queue. THat is it. They didn't remove the ability to add discs. They didn't take away anything tangible. They just said that from your streaming device, youc an't add a disc to your disc queue. Mildly annoying at the very worst, and even that is a stretch.

[BlueFox]

You cannot stream Bluray nor can you stream lossless audio. In about 10 years streaming might be working to an acceptable level of quality.

I have been a Netflix member since 1999, but they did irritate me when they raised the rates $2 a month, while offering a cheaper account to streamers only. If it ends up realy sucking I will just cancel it, and spend more time listening to music.

[Glowrdr]

I watched a special a couple months back about Netflix. Not sure what it was called, or what channel it was even on. But... Netflix started themselves from the ground up for this time to come. Fortunately for me, I have never used Netflix, and I certainly plan to. I will only be using streaming, so I will not be missing out on any DVD-by-mail. I may be turning a blind eye to the problem, but what I didn't previosuly know won't hurt me. Things can only get better for me, as they are guaranteed to have more titles available in the future. Maybe next week, maybe next year - but it is guaranteed.

Another thing I recall about the special I watched, was their name. "Netflix" - watching movies from the internet. Not sure where DVD's fit into the scheme of things, but this is what they envisioned would happen.

I could be mistaken, but I believe I also read in article directly based on this release - that they were getting rid of the DVD queue option due to the fact that a) they now have streaming only plans, and 2) so they could standardize GUI's for everyone that is streaming (rather than have a "dead" button to order DVD's when you don't have that feature on your account.

Again, I could be wrong - but it sounds to me like this is possibly some misguided complaining coming from the internet world.

[dbaldus]

I only really have two problems with this:

1) Lack of high-res sound (e.g., DTS-MA or TrueHD) while streaming
2) The selection

I can't stand streaming movies in HD without the proper high def sound, especially action movies. I'm sure it's just a bandwidth issue at this point, but if they were to add true surround sound (i.e., not the matrixed Dolby Digital Plus crap) and increase their movie selection for streaming, then I'd have no problem with this.

Until that happens, I'll keep streaming my TV shows and renting Blu ray movies for $13 / month!

[cnh]

For those of us who live in the land of NO FIBER OPTIC cable...and also have our phone line and HDTV off this ONE cable, streaming is not a viable or rather reliable option. Not a bash on Netflix, because this is inevitable.

It's really a bashing of the fact that we refuse to put some much needed investments into U.S. Infrastructural upgrades? Does this mean that I won't have super-high speed internet for another 10-15 years up here. I think I live in the U.S.?

cnh

[Earthy]

We stream a lot of things from Netflix, but the selection is not complete. I also like to get Blu Ray movies often for the better quality audio and video.

I too will keep getting BR movies until they can stream them in all their glory.

[txcoastal1]

I have used several formats of streaming and here is a quick personnal synapsis note I have comcast cable

#1 Vudu...best quality stream...supplied by my PS3...mediocre library and cost 5.99/HDX 1080i and cannot use DSL...immediate viewing...4.99 HD....3.99 SD...HDX is really nice

#2 Amazon...Best library overall but, some including HD= so-so quality...and sometimes have to wait up to 20min. to view...4.99 hd...3.99 SD

#3 Netflix....small library and no HD unless they order disk

#4 Sony...library off PS3 sucks cause movies won't load fast enough

[danger boy]

i can't wait till all movies are streamed.... prob happen in a few years too.

[BlueFox]

One question about the streaming. Can you save it for some time period? It generally takes me 3-4 nights to watch one Netflix DVD. After sitting about 30 minutes or so I need to get up and do something.

[maggiefan]

Just stop the movie and leave it in your instant queue and you can resume it or start it from the beginning at any time.

[mantis]

I have been completely happy with Netfix and I have been a member for years. I never had a broken disc or lost one.
I would love to just stream everything if they can get Blu ray quality and HD audio. Disc's can be a pain in the ass as I do get dirty ones from time to time. Not a big deal I clean them and then watch the movie , never had one scratched to the point I couldn't watch.

I only get 1 movie at a time and have streaming. I'm currently watching Heroes again and it's in HD which looks like at least DVD or maybe slightly better. No DD or DTS but PL2 is sounding pretty good. I'm happy with it.

[concealer404]

This just makes me love my Blockbuster account all the more.

I pay $20/month, get unlimited rentals, 3 out at a time, unlimited in-store exchanges, and includes ANYTHING on their website. Blurays, games, whatever.

[george daniel]

hmmmm,, my wife has been using netflix,,disc's in the mail and streaming thru the Wii,,I'll ask her,,usually she is very verbal if there is a hiccup.

[heiney9]

I love Netflix and I mostly stream. One issue I have been having lately is the inability to stream the full HD signal or random drop-outs and having to restart from the last place the drop out occurred.

It has become more common and I'm not sure who's at fault, Netflix, Comcast or Roku. It seems in talking with either of them they want to try and blame the other. It used to be 97% of the time there was no issue with streaming, now it's probably closer to 80%.

I still love Netflix streaming but it would be nice if it was 100% reliable. Again not sure if it's all Netflix fault. I have not had an issue getting discs in the mail but some have become unavailable and that is annoying. It seems they randomly move things from streaming back to disc only and that is annoying as well.

H9

[heiney9]

Wow, talk about blowing something out of proportion.

They changed a single way you can add discs to your queue. THat is it. They didn't remove the ability to add discs. They didn't take away anything tangible. They just said that from your streaming device, youc an't add a disc to your disc queue. Mildly annoying at the very worst, and even that is a stretch.

I agree Bob. I bet they found few people were using that feature. I never used that feature.

H9

[heiney9]

You cannot stream Bluray nor can you stream lossless audio. In about 10 years streaming might be working to an acceptable level of quality.

I have been a Netflix member since 1999, but they did irritate me when they raised the rates $2 a month, while offering a cheaper account to streamers only. If it ends up realy sucking I will just cancel it, and spend more time listening to music.

Bluray isn't even that old yet. Where can you stream truly lossless music? Netflix streaming is beyond acceptable to me, you must have ultra high standards and expect everything to stream in Bluray quality. We're not there yet.

H9

[janmike]

Did the free one month trial and that was enough for me.

[dkg999]

I agree with cnh, before media streaming becomes the norm there's going to have to be a major upgrade of the internet infrastructure. The ISP's are very concerned about bandwidth and in many areas are already struggling to keep up. They are spending lots of money in research to try to figure out what consumers will want, how they'll consume internet bandwidth, and how to finance the upgrades. I would expect ISP's to start charging extra for streaming. I have one study, which is based on some very good research, which shows that an average of about $140 per month for high-bandwidth consumer internet service is what will drive the enhancements to the infrastructure and is a sustainable price with a high value-to-price ratio.

I love my Netflix instant streaming service through the Roku box, however if we want to get to the point where we can get lossless audio, HD, BR then we're going to have to be willing to pay all the costs associated with those improvements.

[heiney9]

I love my Netflix instant streaming service through the Roku box, however if we want to get to the point where we can get lossless audio, HD, BR then we're going to have to be willing to pay all the costs associated with those improvements.

I agree 100%, excpet the people complaining now will expect all that for the same cost as they are paying out today. People need to stop blaming the streaming vendors and understand we don't have the capacity yet to support what the consumer expects, but the consumers expectation is unreasonable. We are moving towards more capacity but don't expect it to happen overnight or be cost free.

H9

[polkfarmboy]

Netflix streaming is horrible for audio and the picture is a joke on my 120 inch screen

If I had crappy video displays like a 20 inch 480p netflix streaming would still suck because its choppy

[jon s]

What's gonna happen when cable providers start capping the bandwidth users use or by using stepped rates where the more bandwidth you use, the higher the rate? I think ComCast is already doing this in some states as a trial run... If this ends up profitable, you can bet all the providers will jump on this and increase their rates to make more money.

Streaming video consumes a LOT of bandwidth and the providers will have to pony up a lot of money to increase their bandwidth to accomodate the increased consumption caused by streaming. They definitely are not going to do this for free...

[heiney9]

Netflix streaming is horrible for audio and the picture is a joke on my 120 inch screen

If I had crappy video displays like a 20 inch 480p netflix streaming would still suck because its choppy

You have other issues not at all related to Netflix. I stream in HD (occassionally it drops down to lesser quality) and have no choppy issues ever and it looks fantastic. Check your ISP or router. What you describe is NOT a Netflix issue.

H9

[skipf]

I cancelled my subscription when they raised the rates for Bluray. Streaming isn't an option for me as I have no high speed internet service available. We use redbox now.

[bobman1235]

If all you watch is new and crappy movies, Redbox is an awesome alternative.

[shack]

If all you watch is new and crappy movies, Redbox is an awesome alternative.

I cancelled my subscription when they raised the rates for Bluray. Streaming isn't an option for me as I have no high speed internet service available. We use redbox now.

So how are you enjoying your crappy movies?

[jimbo1421]

It would cost me an extra $20/month to boost my DSL from 1.5M to 3-5M. But it only cost an extra $5/month to go from 2 disks at a time to 3. Three disks at a time is about all I can handle. Along with OTA broadcasts, FM radio, LPs, CDs, books, magazines and the Internet, I am awash in media.

Jim

[mrbiron]

Netflix is convenient. The movie streaming library is pitiful and i don't watch shows.
My only problem with Netflix, which probably isn't as bad as my player makes it, but a lot of the disks i receive skip & freeze. Maybe a better player will resolve this? My personal collection doesn't skip or freeze except for my copies of Saving Private Ryan & Fight Club that have seen 100+ plays.

I also have the worst habit of receiving a movie, and then not watching it for 2+ weeks. I wish they had 2 movies a month rental for $2. That would be the cat's anus.

[BlueFox]

Bluray isn't even that old yet. Where can you stream truly lossless music? Netflix streaming is beyond acceptable to me, you must have ultra high standards and expect everything to stream in Bluray quality. We're not there yet.

I never said anybody can stream lossless music. My standards are what they are. If Netflix wants me to stream then they need to offer the equivalent of a Bluray DVD, both picture and audio. Why do I want to go backwards?

That is the whole point. Netflix is trying to get people to stream since it saves them tons of money by not having to buy, and mail, physical media. Fine, I can understand that. But, for me, if one thing is going to replace something else, then I expect the replacement to be at least equal to, and preferably better than, the original.

Being able to watch "I Love Lucy" at anytime I want is not an improvement.