Geekzone: technology news, blogs, forums
Guest
Welcome Guest.
You haven't logged in yet. If you don't have an account you can register now.


jonathan18

7413 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified
Trusted

#135109 14-Nov-2013 13:26
Send private message

Hey there,

I'm interested in giving Netfilx and/or Hulu Plus a go, but wanted to firstly get a good idea as to the content provided by these services. I've been able to access Hulu Plus's website to view their programmes, but not Netflix (shut out as in NZ). While I know I could sign up for UnblockUs (one week free trial) and access ths site, I'd hoped to save this until I knew which services I was going to sign up for.

Does anyone know of a good rundown of the programmes (and movies) provided by Netflix? I'm aware that cable stuff won't be on there, which is my biggest problem - much of what we currently watch is either Showtime or HBO, but there may still be enough to warrant it...

Thanks!

View this topic in a long page with up to 500 replies per page Create new topic
 1 | 2
NonprayingMantis
6434 posts

Uber Geek


  #933845 14-Nov-2013 13:27
Send private message

basically, Netflix is virtually anything that is
a) older than 1 year
and
b) not HBO or Starz

they do have some new stuff they make themselves, which is very good, but other than that it is all slightly older.
Still, bloody good value for money IMO



gehenna
8495 posts

Uber Geek

Moderator
Trusted
Lifetime subscriber

  #933847 14-Nov-2013 13:29
Send private message

Try this

jonathan18

7413 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified
Trusted

  #933853 14-Nov-2013 13:42
Send private message

gehenna: Try this


Fantastic! That's really helpful.

So there's often a decent delay between original broadcast and Netflix having it available?

And Showtime programmes do end up on it as well? (IIRC "Orange is the New Black" was made by Netflix but broadcast on Showtime as well).

Sure, it does look like it has some dross, but it can't be worse than Quickflix! I'd love to use that service but seeing Blackadder for the Xth time doesn't appeal to me when there are so many good new programmes to watch.  We hardly used it for the five week trial period we had a month back; I know they're in a tricky situation (given the stranglehold on content Sky has), but until that's resolved I'd imagine many will be looking elsewhere such as Netflix.

Final question - is using Netflix and/or Hulu ok on a HTPC? We currently use a Mac Mini for such purposes (XBMC etc), and I wouldn't want to have to purchase another device (eg Apple TV), but if the interface is poor (eg fonts hard to read from a distance, especially if the whole thing is managed over a broweser), I may have to look at that...

Thanks for the advice.



rokki
374 posts

Ultimate Geek


#933868 14-Nov-2013 13:58
Send private message

Hi i think what you want is this http://www.moreflicks.com/ 




My gear 55" Samsung 4K SUHD LCD HDR , Denon AVR-4200W Reciever in 7.1.2 Surround , Denon 2 Channel Amp to power ceiling speakers , Combination of Polk Audio Fronts And Tannoy Surrounds plus 2 Cambridge Audio Ceiling Speakers Pioneer Downfiring Subwoofer , Oppo UDP-203 UHD Player , Roku Ultra , Apple TV 3

reven
3743 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

  #933881 14-Nov-2013 14:20
Send private message

netflix is pretty great it has

breaking bad season 1 to 5 (not second half of season 5 though)
dexter seasons 1 to 4 (this was recently added)
weeds season 1 to 8 i think
arrested development + season 4 (produced by netflix/for netflix)

lots of tv shows on there, quite a few cable ones. lots and lots of old tv shows too, all star treks, macgyver, magnum pi, cheers, frasier etc. new stuff too arrow season 1, supernatural season 1 to 8.

vexxxboy
4243 posts

Uber Geek


  #933887 14-Nov-2013 14:29
Send private message

just remember that different countries have different programing, i find that Canada has the best and latest films to watch, with the UK best for British TV, in fact i can find something to watch by visiting most countries, the last count ive tried 7 countries. Just use Hola enroll to usa and when logged on, or on the USA site , just click on the countries and switch




Common sense is not as common as you think.


itxtme
2102 posts

Uber Geek


  #933921 14-Nov-2013 15:20
Send private message

rokki: Hi i think what you want is this http://www.moreflicks.com/ 


Thanks, bookmarked!

 
 
 

Cloud spending continues to surge globally, but most organisations haven’t made the changes necessary to maximise the value and cost-efficiency benefits of their cloud investments. Download the whitepaper From Overspend to Advantage now.
jonathan18

7413 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified
Trusted

  #933932 14-Nov-2013 15:32
Send private message

itxtme:
rokki: Hi i think what you want is this http://www.moreflicks.com/ 


Thanks, bookmarked!


Indeed, that's brilliant!

Great to see the current season of Homeland on Netflix...

rokki
374 posts

Ultimate Geek


  #933934 14-Nov-2013 15:35
Send private message

jonathan18:
gehenna: Try this


Fantastic! That's really helpful.

So there's often a decent delay between original broadcast and Netflix having it available?

And Showtime programmes do end up on it as well? (IIRC "Orange is the New Black" was made by Netflix but broadcast on Showtime as well).

Sure, it does look like it has some dross, but it can't be worse than Quickflix! I'd love to use that service but seeing Blackadder for the Xth time doesn't appeal to me when there are so many good new programmes to watch.  We hardly used it for the five week trial period we had a month back; I know they're in a tricky situation (given the stranglehold on content Sky has), but until that's resolved I'd imagine many will be looking elsewhere such as Netflix.

Final question - is using Netflix and/or Hulu ok on a HTPC? We currently use a Mac Mini for such purposes (XBMC etc), and I wouldn't want to have to purchase another device (eg Apple TV), but if the interface is poor (eg fonts hard to read from a distance, especially if the whole thing is managed over a broweser), I may have to look at that...

Thanks for the advice.


To get the best audio experience with Netflix you need a Roku or an Apple TV, PC=Stereo, Apple TV/Roku=Sometimes 5.1 Audio .




My gear 55" Samsung 4K SUHD LCD HDR , Denon AVR-4200W Reciever in 7.1.2 Surround , Denon 2 Channel Amp to power ceiling speakers , Combination of Polk Audio Fronts And Tannoy Surrounds plus 2 Cambridge Audio Ceiling Speakers Pioneer Downfiring Subwoofer , Oppo UDP-203 UHD Player , Roku Ultra , Apple TV 3

jonathan18

7413 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified
Trusted

  #933952 14-Nov-2013 15:55
Send private message

rokki:
jonathan18:
gehenna: Try this


Fantastic! That's really helpful.

So there's often a decent delay between original broadcast and Netflix having it available?

And Showtime programmes do end up on it as well? (IIRC "Orange is the New Black" was made by Netflix but broadcast on Showtime as well).

Sure, it does look like it has some dross, but it can't be worse than Quickflix! I'd love to use that service but seeing Blackadder for the Xth time doesn't appeal to me when there are so many good new programmes to watch.  We hardly used it for the five week trial period we had a month back; I know they're in a tricky situation (given the stranglehold on content Sky has), but until that's resolved I'd imagine many will be looking elsewhere such as Netflix.

Final question - is using Netflix and/or Hulu ok on a HTPC? We currently use a Mac Mini for such purposes (XBMC etc), and I wouldn't want to have to purchase another device (eg Apple TV), but if the interface is poor (eg fonts hard to read from a distance, especially if the whole thing is managed over a broweser), I may have to look at that...

Thanks for the advice.


To get the best audio experience with Netflix you need a Roku or an Apple TV, PC=Stereo, Apple TV/Roku=Sometimes 5.1 Audio .


Why is this? Does the computer-delivered method inevitably involve a lower-quality audio stream, eg only 2.0 sound or similar? We run the Mac Mini directly into our home theatre set-up, which is 7.1 (and we have full digital surround on video rips played off the NAS via the Mac Mini), so I'd be surprised if it's our equipment that would be the limiting factor here.

And to hear it's only sometimes 5.1 is a bit depressing! I'm so used to 5.1...

reven
3743 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

  #933961 14-Nov-2013 15:59
Send private message

samsung smart tvs/blurays run 5.1 as well. just fyi

NonprayingMantis
6434 posts

Uber Geek


  #933972 14-Nov-2013 16:09
Send private message

jonathan18:
rokki:
jonathan18:
gehenna: Try this


Fantastic! That's really helpful.

So there's often a decent delay between original broadcast and Netflix having it available?

And Showtime programmes do end up on it as well? (IIRC "Orange is the New Black" was made by Netflix but broadcast on Showtime as well).

Sure, it does look like it has some dross, but it can't be worse than Quickflix! I'd love to use that service but seeing Blackadder for the Xth time doesn't appeal to me when there are so many good new programmes to watch.  We hardly used it for the five week trial period we had a month back; I know they're in a tricky situation (given the stranglehold on content Sky has), but until that's resolved I'd imagine many will be looking elsewhere such as Netflix.

Final question - is using Netflix and/or Hulu ok on a HTPC? We currently use a Mac Mini for such purposes (XBMC etc), and I wouldn't want to have to purchase another device (eg Apple TV), but if the interface is poor (eg fonts hard to read from a distance, especially if the whole thing is managed over a broweser), I may have to look at that...

Thanks for the advice.


To get the best audio experience with Netflix you need a Roku or an Apple TV, PC=Stereo, Apple TV/Roku=Sometimes 5.1 Audio .


Why is this? Does the computer-delivered method inevitably involve a lower-quality audio stream, eg only 2.0 sound or similar? We run the Mac Mini directly into our home theatre set-up, which is 7.1 (and we have full digital surround on video rips played off the NAS via the Mac Mini), so I'd be surprised if it's our equipment that would be the limiting factor here.

And to hear it's only sometimes 5.1 is a bit depressing! I'm so used to 5.1...


PC also has far less stuff in HD, and zero stuff in super HD.  No idea why. probably something to do with DRM.

PS3 works for 5.1  (as well as HD and super HD)

super HD only applies here in NZ if your international bandwidth can handle it, which most ISPs can't (you need, I think, 7Mbps of international)

trig42
5809 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

  #933991 14-Nov-2013 16:32
Send private message

reven: samsung smart tvs/blurays run 5.1 as well. just fyi

I use AppleTV -> Samsung Smart via HDMI, then Optical out to AV receiver (which only has 1 x Optical in).
The Sammy does not pass 5.1 through from the ATV to the receiver. ATV is outputting 5.1. In fact, I thought the only 5.1 Sammy's output over optical was from the inbuilt DTV tuner. ARC may be different.
I am looking at getting an optical switcher so I can have the ATV, TV and maybe one other into the splitter and one out from that into the Receiver.

rokki
374 posts

Ultimate Geek


  #933995 14-Nov-2013 16:42
Send private message

My lounge setup for Neflix is Apple TV 3 and Roku 2XS into Denon Reciever.



Man cave setup is PS3 and Xbox 360 (Xbox One ordered) into Logitech Z-5500



ISP Vodafone UFB 100/50 250 Gb

Unblock US and PROXPN



I get Super HD when available works brilliantly.







My gear 55" Samsung 4K SUHD LCD HDR , Denon AVR-4200W Reciever in 7.1.2 Surround , Denon 2 Channel Amp to power ceiling speakers , Combination of Polk Audio Fronts And Tannoy Surrounds plus 2 Cambridge Audio Ceiling Speakers Pioneer Downfiring Subwoofer , Oppo UDP-203 UHD Player , Roku Ultra , Apple TV 3

jonathan18

7413 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified
Trusted

  #934041 14-Nov-2013 19:24
Send private message

Thanks for the additional information.

I had a brain wave as to whether it was worth trying to get Netflix working on the TV. But... on an earlier thread here on GZ I read someone with the same model TV as mine (Panasonic ST60) hasn't managed to get it working, so there goes that idea!

Having read a bit more elsewhere, it appears the lack of DD on the computer interface relates to a concern that users will record the streamed videos; surely, given what's already out there on P2P, that can't be a big enough reason?

At least we can give Netflix and/or Hulu Plus a go via the computer interface to see if either is worth continuing with; then we can make a call as to whether an Apple TV is worth it, though it would need to be the current model given I'd want full HD support (however I'm sure my wife will complain about yet another device!).

 1 | 2
View this topic in a long page with up to 500 replies per page Create new topic





News and reviews »

Air New Zealand Starts AI adoption with OpenAI
Posted 24-Jul-2025 16:00


eero Pro 7 Review
Posted 23-Jul-2025 12:07


BeeStation Plus Review
Posted 21-Jul-2025 14:21


eero Unveils New Wi-Fi 7 Products in New Zealand
Posted 21-Jul-2025 00:01


WiZ Introduces HDMI Sync Box and other Light Devices
Posted 20-Jul-2025 17:32


RedShield Enhances DDoS and Bot Attack Protection
Posted 20-Jul-2025 17:26


Seagate Ships 30TB Drives
Posted 17-Jul-2025 11:24


Oclean AirPump A10 Water Flosser Review
Posted 13-Jul-2025 11:05


Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7: Raising the Bar for Smartphones
Posted 10-Jul-2025 02:01


Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 Brings New Edge-To-Edge FlexWindow
Posted 10-Jul-2025 02:01


Epson Launches New AM-C550Z WorkForce Enterprise printer
Posted 9-Jul-2025 18:22


Samsung Releases Smart Monitor M9
Posted 9-Jul-2025 17:46


Nearly Half of Older Kiwis Still Write their Passwords on Paper
Posted 9-Jul-2025 08:42


D-Link 4G+ Cat6 Wi-Fi 6 DWR-933M Mobile Hotspot Review
Posted 1-Jul-2025 11:34


Oppo A5 Series Launches With New Levels of Durability
Posted 30-Jun-2025 10:15









Geekzone Live »

Try automatic live updates from Geekzone directly in your browser, without refreshing the page, with Geekzone Live now.



Are you subscribed to our RSS feed? You can download the latest headlines and summaries from our stories directly to your computer or smartphone by using a feed reader.