I receive many questions about movies services online.  Before I go any further, I will state that I only have experience with Netflix (www.netflix.com); although there are others out there, like Blockbuster (www.blockbuster.com).  Others may be similar, less or more expensive with more or less features. So don’t email me about how I missed the best one.  I only write about things I have actually used and am acquainted with.

Basically, you obtain a membership at the Netflix site then start building your video “Queue” which contains movies you want to see. Next, depending on the plan you have, check the site for prices.  They will ship the movie(s) to you via snail-mail.  After you view the movie you send it back in a prepaid mailer.  Upon receipt they send you the next one in your movie queue.

I have written about this before comparing Netflix’s shipping speed to my pharmacy.  I won’t get into those details again; however, if I return one on Monday before the mail is picked up, I will usually receive the next DVD by Wednesday.  At the latest I will have it Thursday.

Netflix states that they have over 100,000 movies to choose from, so selection shouldn’t be much of a problem.  This includes movies and TV shows.

Now let’s talk about Netflix with your computer.  You have the option of watching a movie online using your computer.  We have done that several times around our house.  I know the computer screen is small compared to larger screen TVs but a 22- 25 inch screen is much larger than the TVs I watched when I was in college and first married so I won’t complain.  You also have the option of buying a broadcast box for less than $100 and watching the movies on your TV.  All of you Xbox 360 owners out there can use that to watch them, too.  There is one drawback with this feature, they only have 12,000+ videos to watch online – though, I doubt I have that many years left.

When you watch your first movie on your computer you will have to install a viewer to see them; however, that only takes a few minutes depending on your internet speed.  I doubt that a dial up modem will be fast enough to stream the movie, but hey, try it if you like. It is included in your Netflix subscription price.

My first experience with it was when I started watch the first season of the NBC show, “Heroes“.  It worked well and kept track of which show I watched last so I could go back later and start where I left off.  I have since watched movies and enjoyed the experience.  This way you don’t even have to mail anything back.

Well, I have to go now. My wife wants to watch the pilot episode of “Murder She Wrote“.  Oh boy, I can hardly wait.  I’m starting to snore already.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009 at 6:14 am and is filed under Columns. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.