Blockbuster Broadband Video Box A Disappointment > I agree

reply to tcope

Re: I agree

I see... but at the cost of another $100... _and_ the fact that it's not "really" HD is the killer. Sorry, but I'd still rather take an extra few minutes and pick up the BR copy of the movie. Its the same price as the download. Or, instead of buying the box, just use On-Demand for the same quality movie (save the $100 box expense).

Its more for the person that already has netflix. BB is completely doing it wrong, you should NOT have to pay more for a movie/tv show/whatever when you already have a BB subscription. Maybe they could get away with that if they didn't have netflix competition..

With netflix you don't have to wait for the whole thing to download to watch HD. Not really sure why BB did it they way they did... no real time savings there

Yes I completely agree BR copy will look best no doubt (i 3 BR). But you And what you watch from your cable box or whatever isn't "really" HD either with all the compression on it

I'm not trying to like pick apart 'your argument' (i hate how it seems to come to that) but I think these boxes definitely have a market, BB just did it terribly wrong

its perfect for me with my 360! already had netflix and didnt even have to buy a box. BB should get on that

I understand. What I was mentioning was that most people have cable/FIOS/Sat and that these offer the same quality rental as BB would be offering (but without the viewing limitations). So why pay for a BB box? But now that I think about it, BB will probably offer older movies and on demand does not have this.

I certainly think streaming movies stands a good chance of catching on. It's sort of the next evolution of DVRs. I download movie all the time as I have a computer connected to my TV. But that is the difference... most people don't (plus, it's SWEET to have no commercials). But I also agree with the CEO's assessment. I think BB biggest error was in putting out an "idiot" box. Come on... no streaming? Does it come with an 8-track player?

reply to BK
or your Tivo HD / S3 if you have one

reply to BK
The problem with BB is that they're stuck to the left of the net curve catering to their storefronts. Netflix tries to look forward, but the economy in the coming year will dictate what survives and what doesn't. Inet access costs, I think, will be the make or break variable in streaming TV.

I'm confident netflix has a market as long as (a) the technology doesn't continually degrade (there are already problems with stream quality) and (b) the delivery system (ISPs) doesn't end with severely metered bandwidth in response to demand and fear of competition. Netflix subs are buying up TV devices at a good clip, and cablecos aren't going to sit idly by and watch their PPV model wither.

I have the NF box, and it's so-so at this point. Without tricking it into giving me full stream quality, I get less than decent quality streams. I watch, maybe ... three streamed movies a week along with my DVD subscription. I find cable TV horrid, and one movie or premium TV show a night delivered by either of the two alternatives suits my needs. The DVDs choices are plentiful, and you can find something in the limited instant selections.

I considered Apple TV and others, but since I have Netflix it's a no-brainer. Plus, why on earth would I DL a movie at $3 or $4 bucks (like Apple TV) when I can order DVDs by mail supplemented with free streaming? Makes no sense other than the gadgety cool factor of box fever.

EDIT: typo
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reply to BK
"its perfect for me with my 360! already had netflix and didnt even have to buy a box. BB should get on that"

Don't you have to have an Xbox Live *Gold* subscription to use Netflix? I thought that Silver subscribers were left in the cold on this. I don't have any interest in streaming movies, so I've never been a Netflix subscriber, but a friend told me that's the case. If so, add on another $50 per year to the cost of having Netflix via 360 (or $39-42 if you caught the recent sale on Amazon for the prepaid Live cards).
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reply to Titus Pullo

reply to danawhitaker
Yes you have to have a Gold membership to use it.

reply to danawhitaker
Yes.. but because I already have the gold subscription it doesn't make a difference for me and I would have it even without netflix. Reason I have 360 is for online play pretty much

It makes the gold more worth it if anything.

reply to BK
The 360 connected to the NetFlix is a big win. Sure you can't watch HD movies through streaming without a big fat pipe, but for a buck more you can get BR snail mailed.