Stuff Pix - How Can This Possibly Work?

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tdgeek

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Topic # 231936 21-Mar-2018 08:51

https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/film/102438002/stuff-pix-new-payperview-movie-streaming-service-launches-into-nz-market

It says steaming is competitive, which they say is good, which it is. They seem to have a nice collection, new movies, older movies, Kiwi movies

But if Netflix is $15 per month how can you charge $6-95 for a new movie and $1 for older ones?

Yes, new movies are not on NF, and casual users might find $1 for older ones ok, but that is "From $1". Older but popular movies may be $2-95 or so?

As a business proposition it seem to me they will pick up just a few bits and pieces of revenue. If their overheads are low, and they pay for rights on a per view basis maybe it will work, but it seems more like a hobby business than a serious contender.

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Reply # 1980853 21-Mar-2018 09:10

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It could potentially work. Not as a huge business, but if the pricing and range are good then it might pick up a chunk of the casual market. By which I mean the types who used to pop down to the video store a few times a year when they wanted something to watch on an ad hoc basis, but who aren't attracted to signing up to the committment of a recurring subscription.

However, the elephant in the room as far as I am concerned is this quote: "Available on desktop computers and mobile devices, the Stuff Fibre-venture aims to offer New Zealanders blockbuster movies fresh from cinemas."

When most people with a family want to watch a movie they want to do so on a TV - a proper screen with proper sound. Not huddled round a mobile device or a desktop/laptop computer. I certainly don't want to pay $7 for a special effects blockbuster, to have to watch it on a 5" phone screen or 14" laptop screen with tinny sound. It would appear that, except for a small group with HTPCs hooked up to their TV (which typically enthusiasts and probably not their target market), this won't be able to be done. At odds with the image in the story on Stuffpix on a big screen.

This is close to a killer as far as I can see. They need to get apps out for (at a minimum) Apple TVs and Android TVs quick-smart. If possible, they need to get the app pre-installed on major makes of smart TVs.

Otherwise, I can't see them having much of a market.

xpd

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Reply # 1980857 21-Mar-2018 09:17

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Love the system requirements

"Stuff Pix is available on Windows 7 or newer. Your PC needs a minimum x86 or x64 gigahertz (GHz) or higher processor with 2GB RAM." - wtf ? :D

"You can watch Stuff Pix movies on your Android smartphone or tablet, provided it is running Android 8.0 or newer" - well, Im on 7.0 and its running fine.

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Reply # 1980861 21-Mar-2018 09:22

JimmyH:

When most people with a family want to watch a movie they want to do so on a TV - a proper screen with proper sound. Not huddled round a mobile device or a desktop/laptop computer. I certainly don't want to pay $7 for a special effects blockbuster, to have to watch it on a 5" phone screen or 14" laptop screen with tinny sound. It would appear that, except for a small group with HTPCs hooked up to their TV (which typically enthusiasts and probably not their target market), this won't be able to be done. At odds with the image in the story on Stuffpix on a big screen.

This is close to a killer as far as I can see. They need to get apps out for (at a minimum) Apple TVs and Android TVs quick-smart. If possible, they need to get the app pre-installed on major makes of smart TVs.

Otherwise, I can't see them having much of a market.

I took a very quick look at it this morning and it looks as if it's Chromecastable.

davidcole

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Reply # 1980865 21-Mar-2018 09:26

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tdgeek:

https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/film/102438002/stuff-pix-new-payperview-movie-streaming-service-launches-into-nz-market

It says steaming is competitive, which they say is good, which it is. They seem to have a nice collection, new movies, older movies, Kiwi movies

But if Netflix is $15 per month how can you charge $6-95 for a new movie and $1 for older ones?

Yes, new movies are not on NF, and casual users might find $1 for older ones ok, but that is "From $1". Older but popular movies may be $2-95 or so?

As a business proposition it seem to me they will pick up just a few bits and pieces of revenue. If their overheads are low, and they pay for rights on a per view basis maybe it will work, but it seems more like a hobby business than a serious contender.

Same model as iTunes, Vudu, Quickflix (the pay as you go arm). Just because it's not an all you cna eat subscription model, doesn't make it invalid.

Normally these rental models where you pay per episode have newer titles.

Services like this are just handy for fill in, or "I must watch x" and gives people options.

Wish they'd say what a rental term is. iTunes used to be 3 - 4 days to start watching it, but once you started you only had it for 24 hours.

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Reply # 1980868 21-Mar-2018 09:30

tdgeek:

But if Netflix is $15 per month how can you charge $6-95 for a new movie and $1 for older ones?

We have Netflix (and other streaming services), but we'd be happy to pay that to rent recent release movies. In fact, we do it quite often already with iTunes.

The stumbling block for us is the lack of device support. So until they have apps for many of the common streaming hardware platforms it'd be a non-starter for us. For us personally Apple TV support would be preferred, but we also have game consoles & Panasonic "smart" devices that could be used for this.

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Reply # 1980877 21-Mar-2018 09:49

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Just a local replacement for Vudu.

Yet another annoying account to manage, give access to a credit card, play on selected devices etc.

No thanks. Until someone actually just gets their act together and gets rights all in one place with one easy account to manage, that I can run on any device I want, I will continue with the less legal options.

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Reply # 1980906 21-Mar-2018 10:27

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davidcole:

Wish they'd say what a rental term is. iTunes used to be 3 - 4 days to start watching it, but once you started you only had it for 24 hours.

All itunes movies I've rented get 30 days to start watching, and 48 hours from first play.
No mention of HD or DD 5.1 in article either so guessing SD for Stuff one.

Poll

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Reply # 1980917 21-Mar-2018 10:42

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I use Google play movies for rentals, usually paid for with the funds from my google rewards surveys, my android smart tv can play them directly or I can stream using a chromecast.

I very much find there is a market for new releases rentals, I find Netflix is a bit slow on adding new releases as they focus on their own content, Neon get all the new releases here but have a garbage service not worth half of what they charge for it, if they improved it then I'd consider subbing with them. For now the odd rental works out cheaper than paying Neon and the quality and service is far superior.

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Reply # 1980956 21-Mar-2018 12:10

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Their market is:

I cant be assed with dealing with torrent, vpn and htpc problems
Is the movie i want on my paid streaming? No
Is it untakendown on YouTube? No
Are the kids bellyaching about wanting to see it? Yes
Ok I'll grudgingly find and pay for it somewhere <---- target acquired

Their catalogue only has to have nz-unique content to be viable

A time-poor geek is hardly a geek at all

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Reply # 1980958 21-Mar-2018 12:14

chevrolux:
Just a local replacement for Vudu.

Yet another annoying account to manage, give access to a credit card, play on selected devices etc.

No thanks. Until someone actually just gets their act together and gets rights all in one place with one easy account to manage, that I can run on any device I want, I will continue with the less legal options.

Since this doesn't exist our family is on an Amazon Video, Netflix and Hulu diet.

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davidcole

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Reply # 1980961 21-Mar-2018 12:18

rugrat:
davidcole:

Wish they'd say what a rental term is. iTunes used to be 3 - 4 days to start watching it, but once you started you only had it for 24 hours.

All itunes movies I've rented get 30 days to start watching, and 48 hours from first play.
No mention of HD or DD 5.1 in article either so guessing SD for Stuff one.

No priced different by resolution. SD 6.95 (For Thor Ragnorok), $7.95 for HD which is supposed ot be 1080. There was an faw about the audio but I didn't read it (all stereo here all the time, so not a factor for me)

davidcole

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Reply # 1980963 21-Mar-2018 12:20

chevrolux:

Just a local replacement for Vudu.

Yet another annoying account to manage, give access to a credit card, play on selected devices etc.

No thanks. Until someone actually just gets their act together and gets rights all in one place with one easy account to manage, that I can run on any device I want, I will continue with the less legal options.

Yep exactly, + amazon instant, roku, epix, you name it. Many services, generally similar content on similar release schedules and device support.

A bit more competition would be nice on price, but it's better too many services that too little....especially as there doesn't seem to be much "we'll only release on service x" type rights management at the moment.

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Reply # 1980990 21-Mar-2018 13:36

xpd:

Love the system requirements

"You can watch Stuff Pix movies on your Android smartphone or tablet, provided it is running Android 8.0 or newer"

That is a real high bar to set. Even my Samsung Galaxy S8 only runs Android 7, and my two tables run 6.0. Given that most apps seem to be happy on Android 6.0+ (and some are even 4.4+) I wonder why Stuff choose only to allow Android 8.0 or newer.

Rikkitic

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Reply # 1980996 21-Mar-2018 13:54

JimmyH:

It could potentially work. Not as a huge business, but if the pricing and range are good then it might pick up a chunk of the casual market. By which I mean the types who used to pop down to the video store a few times a year when they wanted something to watch on an ad hoc basis, but who aren't attracted to signing up to the committment of a recurring subscription.

However, the elephant in the room as far as I am concerned is this quote: "Available on desktop computers and mobile devices, the Stuff Fibre-venture aims to offer New Zealanders blockbuster movies fresh from cinemas."

When most people with a family want to watch a movie they want to do so on a TV - a proper screen with proper sound. Not huddled round a mobile device or a desktop/laptop computer. I certainly don't want to pay $7 for a special effects blockbuster, to have to watch it on a 5" phone screen or 14" laptop screen with tinny sound. It would appear that, except for a small group with HTPCs hooked up to their TV (which typically enthusiasts and probably not their target market), this won't be able to be done. At odds with the image in the story on Stuffpix on a big screen.

This is close to a killer as far as I can see. They need to get apps out for (at a minimum) Apple TVs and Android TVs quick-smart. If possible, they need to get the app pre-installed on major makes of smart TVs.

Otherwise, I can't see them having much of a market.

Surely even non-technical types can manage buying a spare HDMI cable and plugging the laptop into their TV? Or they can just move the cable from their DVD or Blu-Ray player like my stepdaugther does. Voila! Proper screen with proper sound, depending on the source. Not exactly rocket science.

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Reply # 1981006 21-Mar-2018 14:17

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Rikkitic:

Surely even non-technical types can manage buying a spare HDMI cable and plugging the laptop into their TV? Or they can just move the cable from their DVD or Blu-Ray player like my stepdaugther does. Voila! Proper screen with proper sound, depending on the source. Not exactly rocket science.

Really?

It's space year 2018 for cryin' out loud!

We should all be living the Jetson's dream by now.

Who's going to bother plugging a laptop into a TV these days?

With various smart TV platforms, AppleTV, Chromecast, FireTV and even $50 DVD players that can cope with Netflix why should you have to muck about like that?

Apart from providing the opportunity to give my money to "The Man" in Australia instead of the one in Silicon Valley what differentiates this service from the likes of the iTunes store, Google Play or Amazon?

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