GMG Classical Music Forum

The Back Room => The Diner => Topic started by: Mozart on February 28, 2008, 11:00:49 PM

Title: Netflix
Post by: Mozart on February 28, 2008, 11:00:49 PM
Does anyone use it? I've tried searching the site for info but I can't find out if they send movies to po boxes. Im bored with my opera dvds and noticed some Handel and Verdi operas im interested in but im in mexico and would have to go a po box in the us to receive them. Would be great if i could do it!
Title: Re: Netflix
Post by: Ephemerid on February 29, 2008, 04:08:45 AM
Quote from: E..L..I..A..S.. =) on February 28, 2008, 11:00:49 PM
Does anyone use it? I've tried searching the site for info but I can't find out if they send movies to po boxes. Im bored with my opera dvds and noticed some Handel and Verdi operas im interested in but im in mexico and would have to go a po box in the us to receive them. Would be great if i could do it!

Hm.  I dunno about PO boxes.  I use Netflix-- on the cheapest plan (2 DVDs a month, 1 at a time).  Unfortunately, I have discovered that because of the plan I am on, apparently I CANNOT get double or triple DVD sets.  I just don't know if I want to spend the extra money to bump up to higher plan simply because I rarely ever watch movies (I don't even have a TV & I just watch DVDs on my computer).  Though by the sounds of it, you wouldn't want to be making that many trips back & forth anyway so you'd go with a better plan.

One thing-- quite a few of the DVDs I have gotten are more scratched up than anything I've ever gotten from a video store or library.  I haven't had any severe problems yet, but I've had three briefly frustrating incidents.  I suppose they would run better on a real DVD player rather than my computer. 

But sorry-- I don't know about if PO boxes are kosher with Netflix...  :-\
Title: Re: Netflix
Post by: orbital on February 29, 2008, 09:36:54 AM
Netflix uses First Class Mail AFAIK, so I don't see why they would not deliver to PO Boxes. AS long as it is an address that USPS delivers to, it should not be a problem.
Title: Re: Netflix
Post by: karlhenning on February 29, 2008, 09:53:14 AM
Quote from: just josh on February 29, 2008, 04:08:45 AM
One thing-- quite a few of the DVDs I have gotten are more scratched up than anything I've ever gotten from a video store or library.  I haven't had any severe problems yet, but I've had three briefly frustrating incidents.  I suppose they would run better on a real DVD player rather than my computer.

We did a two-week trial with Netflix, and even within that brief period, both the DVDs hung up (and we watch with an actual DVD player, FWIW).
Title: Re: Netflix
Post by: маразм1 on February 29, 2008, 10:24:42 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on February 29, 2008, 09:53:14 AM
We did a two-week trial with Netflix, and even within that brief period, both the DVDs hung up (and we watch with an actual DVD player, FWIW).
i wrote somewhere else--i use netflix to watch movies on my computer (streaming).  its great.  i'm sure they'll be expanding it, but i saw some great classic movies, and the queality was nearly-dvd-like.  its great! 
Title: Re: Netflix
Post by: Ephemerid on February 29, 2008, 10:27:15 AM
Quote from: маразм1 on February 29, 2008, 10:24:42 AM
i wrote somewhere else--i use netflix to watch movies on my computer (streaming).  its great.  i'm sure they'll be expanding it, but i saw some great classic movies, and the queality was nearly-dvd-like.  its great! 

OT: Your new avatar is bizarre!  :o ;D  Is that from Monty Python?
Title: Re: Netflix
Post by: SonicMan46 on February 29, 2008, 10:28:02 AM
We've been w/ Netflix for about 5 years (have alternated between the 2-4 out plans; now on 3 out @ a time) - out of hundreds of DVDs sent over that time, I've had problems w/ only about a half dozen, i.e. not playing on a dedicated DVD player (however, 1 disc came 'cracked' in half! Hopefully, the fault of the Post Office?).  But I must admit that nearly all of these discs are pretty scuffed up - I give all a good wiping before playing them, and am amazed @ how many do play!  

The main goal is to watch & return the discs quickly which will impact on what you pay per disc - after the first couple of years, and alternating between a few plans, I figured out my costs - can't remember exactly, but about $1.75 per DVD.

I'm sure that they would ship to a USA P.O. Box, but visit there site & leave an e-mail (or give them a call) - I've not done much w/ opera/classical music DVDs, but have rented a lot of documentaries, including many multi-disc offerings (each disc is counted as 1 out, BTW) -  :)
Title: Re: Netflix
Post by: маразм1 on February 29, 2008, 10:49:27 AM
Quote from: just josh on February 29, 2008, 10:27:15 AM
OT: Your new avatar is bizarre!  :o ;D  Is that from Monty Python?

(have no idea.  I was just looking through my old emails, and my friend sent this to me several years ago...) 
Title: Re: Netflix
Post by: sidoze on February 29, 2008, 10:53:09 AM
Quote from: маразм1 on February 29, 2008, 10:49:27 AM
(have no idea.  I was just looking through my old emails, and my friend sent this to me several years ago...) 

to me it looks nearly identical to my tube stop in London (Angel -- which has the longest escalator in western europe)

(http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en-commons/thumb/7/77/180px-Gb-lu-Angel-southbound.jpg)
Title: Re: Netflix
Post by: E d o on February 29, 2008, 11:18:22 AM
Netflix is great. My discs are shipped to my PO Box at my summer place so you will have no problem.
Title: Re: Netflix
Post by: Mozart on February 29, 2008, 01:12:18 PM
Quote from: E d o on February 29, 2008, 11:18:22 AM
Netflix is great. My discs are shipped to my PO Box at my summer place so you will have no problem.

Ohh great!

I used it before just for opera movies, and it seemed like I was the first to get them! They were all brand new without a scratch or anything.
Title: Re: Netflix
Post by: head-case on February 29, 2008, 01:51:53 PM
Quote from: E..L..I..A..S.. =) on February 29, 2008, 01:12:18 PM
Ohh great!

I used it before just for opera movies, and it seemed like I was the first to get them! They were all brand new without a scratch or anything.

The generic disc is often very scuffed up, but is amazing how scuffed up a disc can be and play fine.  Also, if you get a disc that is unplayable you go to the web site to report this and they ship you a replacement disc immediately. 
Title: Re: Netflix
Post by: orbital on February 29, 2008, 03:06:41 PM
Quote from: E d o on February 29, 2008, 11:18:22 AM
Netflix is great.
They are indeed. Recently I noticed that one DVD that I returned did not arrive after a week, i waited a few more days then reported the problem. I was sent a 4th DVD right away.

I later found out that I had never sent the original DVD back to them, it was lying in a pile of CDs   :-[ :-[
Title: Re: Netflix
Post by: Mozart on March 14, 2008, 10:19:44 PM
I finally was able to sign up for netflix. But I can't watch movies instantly :(

"Our systems indicate that the computer you are using is not located within the 50 United States or District of Columbia. Due to studio licensing reasons, movies are available to watch instantly only on computers in those locations."

Is there anyway I can trick them into thinking I live there? Changing my ip number somehow?
Title: Re: Netflix
Post by: Ephemerid on March 15, 2008, 05:16:53 AM
Quote from: E..L..I..A..S.. =) on March 14, 2008, 10:19:44 PM
I finally was able to sign up for netflix. But I can't watch movies instantly :(
Bummer.  :( 
Title: Re: Netflix
Post by: SonicMan46 on March 15, 2008, 06:50:30 AM
Quote from: E..L..I..A..S.. =) on March 14, 2008, 10:19:44 PM
I finally was able to sign up for netflix. But I can't watch movies instantly :(

"Our systems indicate that the computer you are using is not located within the 50 United States or District of Columbia. Due to studio licensing reasons, movies are available to watch instantly only on computers in those locations."

Is there anyway I can trick them into thinking I live there? Changing my ip number somehow?

Well, the IP address of your computer presented to the internet is assigned by your ISP (regardless of whether you have a router, which will re-assigned your internal network IPs) - your IP is periodically renewed by your ISP & you can also release your IP, but again your ISP will simply assign you a different IP which will be 'country' dependent - check HERE (http://whatismyipaddress.com/) to determine your computer's current IP address, and also an explanation of changing the IP address.  Will be interested in other comments, though - good luck!
Title: Re: Netflix
Post by: head-case on March 15, 2008, 06:52:33 AM
Quote from: E..L..I..A..S.. =) on March 14, 2008, 10:19:44 PM
I finally was able to sign up for netflix. But I can't watch movies instantly :(

"Our systems indicate that the computer you are using is not located within the 50 United States or District of Columbia. Due to studio licensing reasons, movies are available to watch instantly only on computers in those locations."

Is there anyway I can trick them into thinking I live there? Changing my ip number somehow?

You can build a big parabolic antenna and steal a wireless signal from someone in San Ysidro.
Title: Re: Netflix
Post by: Kullervo on March 15, 2008, 07:32:56 AM
Quote from: E..L..I..A..S.. =) on March 14, 2008, 10:19:44 PM
I finally was able to sign up for netflix. But I can't watch movies instantly :(

Neither can I, but it's because I'm on a Mac. Not a big deal, really. Only a few films in my queue are streamable. I've had Netflix for about three years (on and off) and love it.
Title: Re: Netflix
Post by: karlhenning on October 25, 2011, 09:50:23 AM
Netflix — I told you so (http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/compost/post/netflix--i-told-you-so/2011/10/25/gIQAVuQwFM_blog.html)
Title: Re: Netflix
Post by: karlhenning on October 25, 2011, 10:38:26 AM
(I don't know why the link didn't take when I first posted . . . folks must have wondered what I was about . . . .)
Title: Re: Netflix
Post by: SonicMan46 on December 02, 2013, 07:51:50 AM
Quote from: sanantonio on December 02, 2013, 07:45:01 AM
I just signed up and am disappointed by how many of the movies I searched for that were unavailable for streaming.  I refuse to signup for both streaming and DVD, so, the jury is still out on whether I will continue after the free month.

Hi San Antone - we've been Netflix members for years - use to love the pre-streaming days w/ those little red envelopes; but we have been on their 'streaming' service only for a number of years and I agree completely w/ you, i.e. offerings of 'new' movie releases is beggarly - but I've streamed a number of TV series and find the occsasional film - use my local cable service & Amazon for majority of recent films, but there's a small fee so defeats the purpose of having Netflix - Dave :)
Title: Re: Netflix
Post by: Sammy on December 02, 2013, 10:28:10 AM
I've had Netflix for quite a few years now.  We have the "5 at a time" package with streaming.  Concerning defective dvd's, maybe once a year; I don't look at the surfaces, just go by whether the thing works while watching.

Basically, you get what you pay for.  Streaming only is inexpensive, but the quantity is rather low.
Title: Re: Netflix
Post by: Brian on December 02, 2013, 12:53:29 PM
Quote from: sanantonio on December 02, 2013, 07:55:28 AM
Yeh, we watched some early Mad Men episodes, and also found the Inspector Morse series, which we loved, and Lonesome Dove.  But am still experimenting.  Other than the lack of selection, I am impressed by the overall functionality, though.

:)

Columbo!
I consider Netflix like a used book store: it may not have exactly what I want, but I can always find something that I wanted to watch anyway. My queue is around 50 items, taking in a range of movies, documentaries, TV series, and comedy specials.
Title: Re: Netflix
Post by: Bogey on December 02, 2013, 06:46:22 PM
We have 3 discs and streaming.  I am about to cut back to just one disc.  We are also Amazon Prime members.  Even some pay for streams are cheaper than what we are getting from Netflix at this point.
Title: Re: Netflix
Post by: Wendell_E on December 03, 2013, 03:14:13 AM
Quote from: Sammy on December 02, 2013, 10:28:10 AM
Concerning defective dvd's, maybe once a year; I don't look at the surfaces, just go by whether the thing works while watching.

I've had one a month since June, usually cracked and completely unplayable.  But I have the three-at-a-time plan, so I usually go through 20+ discs a month, so I guess that's not too bad, considering the envelopes they're shipped in.  I cut out streaming after they started charging extra for it.  I probably would have kept if if they'd been honest about the price increase, rather than saying "we're charging you more, but it's not really a price increase".
Title: Re: Netflix
Post by: Sammy on December 03, 2013, 12:08:27 PM
Quote from: Wendell_E on December 03, 2013, 03:14:13 AM
I've had one a month since June, usually cracked and completely unplayable.

That really sucks.  Alabama is so disrespected. >:(
Title: Re: Re: Netflix
Post by: Karl Henning on December 03, 2013, 12:48:47 PM
Quote from: Wendell_E on December 03, 2013, 03:14:13 AM. . . I probably would have kept if if they'd been honest about the price increase, rather than saying "we're charging you more, but it's not really a price increase".

Part of the problem was the "stealth push" of the rate hike...but mostly, I calculated that the cost of the subscription was not worth the benefit I saw from it.
Title: Re: Netflix
Post by: Octave on December 03, 2013, 10:13:35 PM
Quote from: Wendell_E on December 03, 2013, 03:14:13 AM
I've had one a month since June, usually cracked and completely unplayable.

FWIW I was having this problem for a while, with several discs arriving almost identically cracked along the radius of the disc, all inside a couple months.  After reporting each of these through the NF website (no blank/box to detail problems, unfortunately), I finally called NF and said that it seemed strange.  The customer service rep said that sometimes particular postal service centers don't route NF discs the way they're supposed to, that they need to be reminded of what "kind" of mail these discs are....something like that.  I thought it was just a friendly way of blowing me off, but the cracked discs problem stopped immediately, and they haven't been a problem since, for several months now.  Blind luck?  Very strange.  FYI!