Netflix vs. Amazon Prime for streaming video

[jgillott]

The women in my life would like a subscription to a streaming video service like Amazon Prime or Netflix. For those of you that have either one, or maybe some with both, which would you recommend? I know the the Amazon also includes upgraded shipping for online shopping, but that isn't a deal maker either way. Just looking for content, variety, etc.

 

[goodguys75]

netflix is popular at my work....people watch it on there computers or ipads at station....and there is a new service called vudu....may want to take a look at that

 

[fest3er]

Netflix has a wide variety of TC shows and movies, but the categories/genres aren't always deep and their searching/browsing for finding what you want isn't the greatest. But for $8/mo. for almost as much as you can watch (and most of it looks pretty good on my 60" Sammy TV), it's hard to beat.

 

[Sticks]

Had Netflix and was not impressed with the selection. Amazon turns out to be about as bad, but there are other advantages to the Amazon Prime membership. I do like their search and filter features, and for the movies that are not free, if you wanted, you can rent.

Once our Direct TV contract expires, I suspect that is what we will be going with 100%.

 

[JLEONARD]

We have Netflix and like it. We don't subscribe to cable, all we watch is Netflix. after about a year the choices are starting to get a little thin though.
I usually search on my compuer for movies/shows to put on my watch list as searching via the TV is a real PIA.

 

[mwilson]

I am very interested in this discussion as I am about ready to boot the cable. I may purchase a new smart TV this weekend and also get the new Google thingy (Chromecast) for my existing flat screen.

Watching for the pros and cons that may come up.

Mike.

 

[jgillott]

Our plan is to hold on to cable for now, I watch a lot of live sports.

I was just looking at both the Netflix and Amazon sites and they offer a 30 day trial right now if anyone is interested.

 

[GCroyle]

Mike,

Got the better 1/2 Chromecast and installed yesterday. Object was to use ipad w/o direct cable connection to TV. Chromecast is limited to only a few services, but we wanted Netflix and got that. Here's the new issue. I'm using over the air, not cable. As soon as the dongle was hooked up my OTA started acting up, minor freezes, loss of signal just not working as well as it was. Disconnect dongle and back to normal. Google'd Chromecast messing up OTA and its reported frequently.

Back to OP question. Netflix works and the Chromecast allows someone to search while the TV is still on OTA then you can easily switch TV to Chromecast. Absolutely hated watching NEtflix scroll by looking for something to watch.

Anybody got a fix for the OTA interference? I changed power from TV USB to charger, no change. Haven't found a M/F HDMI cord to distance the dongle from the TV.

Gary

 

[mwilson]

Gary,

Edited post, mis-read your post the first time.

OTA nowadays is nothing short of Voo-Doo, Thank You Big Stupid Government for screwing up TV for every living soul in Rural America. I hope that you got a big, fat kickback from whomever wanted that bandwidth.

I am now totally dependant on either dish or cable services for my local channels unless I choose to build a small scale replica of the NAS Cutler antenna array in my yard....

So I have tangled with OTA Digital in the camper and it very finiky in regards to interference from other sources. I don't know if a little distance between the dongle and receiver would help, I suspect that it will still pick up the interference.

Mike.

 

[GCroyle]

Mike,

The Chromecast was for use with the ipad, keep better half happier? So far only used with ipad and Netflix. I think one way to see the Chromecast, its just a fancy but slightly limited wireless connection btw TV and ipad.

Gary

 

[Sticks]

Yeah, wife was pondering Chromecast as well. I read up on it yesterday, and am going to hold off for more improvements (no Amazon Video was a deal breaker anyhow), that and I am not fond of Google doing the data mining on any and everything that goes on through their applications.

In Denver we only have 14 broadcast stations, for OTA, so it looks like a dedicated PC will be married to the TV come March for streaming videos.

 

[CBari]

I know a lot of people aren't big on apple products but I have a couple of apple TV boxes and are pretty pleased with them. I can stream Netflix direct to them or can steam most things that are on my IPad, Iphone or Mac directly to them. Movie wise I like the amazon prime better than Netflix, but I have both. Amazon instant video has a large selection of videos that you can purchase or rent, lots of classics that rent cheap, they can be streamed or downloaded.

 

[p-Bar]

Roku box is best for viewing all the netflix/amazon type channels. Netflix is the easiest to navigate and use Amazon is second , Vudu sucked.We subscribe to both between the two we get by as we have been cord cutters for a while . i did put up a tower and high gain UHF/VHF antennas but find we ended up not watching any broadcast TV . The picture is more phenomenal coming right off the TV transmitter than all the compression of SAT and Cable.

 

[Sticks]

Now just need to figure out how to get HBO GO, and Showtime Anytime so we can watch Game of Thrones and Shameless once we dump the satellite service.

 

[p-Bar]

Now just need to figure out how to get HBO GO, and Showtime Anytime so we can watch Game of Thrones and Shameless once we dump the satellite service.

I think you can via internet

 

[leaky gasket]

Jgillott, I have Netflix and Amazon prime. They're both about the same I would have to say it just really gets down to personal preference your best bet is to choose one try it out and if you don't like it simply MoveOn. Amazon prime does let you download some book selections for free if you have a e reader bracket .(iPad Kindle etc)
Also what kind of Internet service do you have and are you going to be streaming wirelessly. I think the minimum speed is going to be at least 12 MB per second downstream. Maybe more I don't know,currently I have 18 MB per second and in January when I cut tv services I am hoping it to 25 MB per second over cable with a backup of 20 MB per second over the pots lines.
If you're going to be streaming wirelessly you're going to at least need "N". You can do with wireless G but depending on your connection you will get a lot of cutting out and delays.

 

[Sticks]

I think you can via internet

Nope, at least not with HBO, unless there is a back door somewhere. All I could find specified that you had to have a subscription of some sort to a provider.

 

[p-Bar]

Nope, at least not with HBO, unless there is a back door somewhere. All I could find specified that you had to have a subscription of some sort to a provider.

Yes you are right on that you do need to be paying subscription. BLuffe suggest fast service. I am running DSL at the 2.5mbps and works fine you won't get the high def but i ain't complaining.

 

[Sticks]

May have to cut a deal with a person I know to use their provider login.

 

[p-Bar]

May have to cut a deal with a person I know to use their provider login.

There ya go