Over the past couple of months, my wife and I have been using Netflix to stream movies and get DVDs by mail. Before using Netflix, we were happily using Blockbuster Total Access. I liked that with Blockbuster I could exchange movies received in the mail at the store. For some reason, I find it easier to browse movies in store than online. That really hasn't changed and the lack of a storefront is still my greatest frustration with Netflix. For the life of me, it takes hours to find movies to add to my queue at Netflix but all of five minutes to find movies I want to watch at the store. That being said, I ran into lots of trouble with Blockbuster Total Access and finally decided to make the switch to Netflix.
Though I'd still like to be able to visit a store, I can highly recommend Netflix. The website is easy-to-use and the queue works well. So far, I have experienced no problems with the queue and received the correct DVDs every time. The service is quick too. I get a new DVD about two days after I return the one I have out. The library is excellent, although as I mentioned, somehow I find it tougher to choose movies online. Still, it's not for lack of titles, because when I find something at Blockbuster, I do a search on Netflix and always find it. For auteurs, Netflix has a healthy selection of foreign films and many titles from the Criterion Collection. For an extra fee, you can also add the ability to order Blu-Ray titles.
Perhaps the coolest feature of Netflix is the ability to stream movies instantly and directly to your computer; and, now with select Blu-Ray and DVD players, televisions, receivers, DVRs, and even the XBOX, Playstation 3 and now the Nintendo Wii, you can stream them directly to your television. Streaming movies is great! So far I haven't had any problems with checkering, stuttering, or buffering. Also, the interface on the Playstation 3 is intuitive and easy-to-use. The kids like to stream movies and television shows all the time and they do it without problems. Obviously, the selection of available streaming movies is not as good but it is still an impressive, and always growing, library of titles. The kids are able to watch SpongeBob, iCarly, and many other television programs that we no longer get through cable. I especially like that you can start streaming a movie and then stop, come back weeks later, and Netflix resumes the movie at exactly the same place that you left off!
There really is no reason not to switch to Netflix. For $8.95/month, you can stream movies and get unlimited rentals (one-at-a-time). You can't even rent two movies from Blockbuster for that price! If you are still not sure, they offer a free trial so you can test the system. If you are not a Netflix member, I encourage you to give it a try!
Netflix Review
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