OT: Netflix or Hulu?
- Thread starter e5fdny
- Start date
Can I give two more options (three):
FireTV/Amazon and Roku?
We have Roku and Fire TV. Frankly, I don't have any idea about any of them, but I know my kids watch a lot of content on Roku, and we download movies on FireTV through Amazon. I watch so little TV except for college football, Mets, and reruns of the Godfather, Roadhouse, Goodfellas, Casino, Blazing Saddles, Caddyshack and vacation when they are on infinite repeat.
FireTV/Amazon and Roku?
We have Roku and Fire TV. Frankly, I don't have any idea about any of them, but I know my kids watch a lot of content on Roku, and we download movies on FireTV through Amazon. I watch so little TV except for college football, Mets, and reruns of the Godfather, Roadhouse, Goodfellas, Casino, Blazing Saddles, Caddyshack and vacation when they are on infinite repeat.
I can't say much about Hulu but I have Netflix. I like it and I think the library is pretty extensive so lots of things to watch including old series that may have gone off air etc.. They also have original series which are pretty popular. I've watched House of Cards, Marco Polo and Daredevil and liked them all to varying degrees. Haven't watched Orange is the New Black but people like that. Sense 8 is another one that people like but I watched the first episode and didn't like it. Basically, I think it gives a nice blend of new stuff and old stuff that you may have missed.
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FireTV and Roku aren't Netflix/Hulu competitors; they're set-top boxes used to give you a nice, television-friendly interface. Otherwise, you'd have to connect a computer or tablet to the TV and wouldn't have a remote control. Not sure what FireTV has, but Roku has all of the above available - Netflix, Hulu and Amazon. You pay for your accounts separately.
It's been a while since I used Hulu, but I found that it blew nards when I did the free trial a year or two back. Not worth the money. I use Netflix and Amazon Prime and rarely ever have the need for live TV, outside of sports and events.
Amazon Prime has been called the best deal in tech by several tech sites and I've never seen a better deal. I think it's still $100/year for the TV service, which includes exclusive access to older HBO stuff, a lot of other TV content, movies etc., a music streaming service and free two-day shipping on any Amazon product with the "Prime" label, which probably won't be everything you want to buy, but is useful.
Netflix is better for movies and has some very good original content like House of Cards, along with a good selection of other TV episodes and full series. HBO and I believe Showtime also have monthly streaming services that you can order now, but they're more expensive and only have content from HBO and Showtime.
If Hulu still has the free trial, use it on a week when you can watch a bunch of TV, and if you don't like it, do Amazon Prime first since it has multiple benefits. Then add Netflix if you get bored and want more content.
Amazon also has an On Demand service for new release movies and TV shows, not to be confused with Prime. You can use it with or without signing up for Prime. If you have Prime, you use the same software (at least on Roku), and all Prime content has the "prime" label on it. You can start watching that right away. Non-prime content comes up with pricing and you can buy it by entering in your password.
I have both Netflix and Amazon Prime, which have more than enough for me to choose from I almost never watch regular TV except for sports and about 4 or 5 cable shows.
But you asked about Netflix or Hulu.
Can't speak to Hulu, but Netflix has lots of critically acclaimed original programming (Orange is the New Black, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Bojack Horseman, Daredevil, House of Cards, Wet Hot American Summer, Sense8) along with lots of great documentaries and stand up comedy specials which are exclusive to Netflix. But most of their TV series are older, whereas I think Hulu is more about current shows.
What you definitely don't get with Netflix is a lot of current movies, as the trend is towards original programming and continuing canceled network shows, like The Killing, Arrested Development, and Longmire.
But you asked about Netflix or Hulu.
Can't speak to Hulu, but Netflix has lots of critically acclaimed original programming (Orange is the New Black, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Bojack Horseman, Daredevil, House of Cards, Wet Hot American Summer, Sense8) along with lots of great documentaries and stand up comedy specials which are exclusive to Netflix. But most of their TV series are older, whereas I think Hulu is more about current shows.
What you definitely don't get with Netflix is a lot of current movies, as the trend is towards original programming and continuing canceled network shows, like The Killing, Arrested Development, and Longmire.
It really depends what you want or need. I also have Netflix & Amazon Prime Instant Video & both have a lot of movies, original content & older TV shows, but both lack most new episodes of current TV shows. I use my DVR to record current TV shows so it doesn't matter. Netflix has the most content & good original programming; the most movies of the 3. My kids use Netflix the most. I still use the blu ray mail order option as well to get newer released movies faster. Amazon also has some good original content (& older sports videos like Come Fly With Me & Bulls championships, if that's your interest). The Amazon Video app for Android & iOS just updated to allow you to download videos to watch later so that you don't have to stream them, which is a great added feature for mobile users & traveling. Hulu has the least content but it's the best option for watching new episodes of current TV shows as they get most the day after they air, but hulu has ads which are a pain. Here are 2 links on the 3:
http://www.techtimes.com/articles/41601/20150323/netflix-vs-hulu-plus-vs-amazon-prime.htm
http://www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/netflix-hulu-plus-amazon-instant-video/
http://www.techtimes.com/articles/41601/20150323/netflix-vs-hulu-plus-vs-amazon-prime.htm
http://www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/netflix-hulu-plus-amazon-instant-video/
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Its no contest between Hulu and Netflix. I have both and are able to view them through Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV. Netflix is by far the superior service. First of all, Netflix has a no commercial policy, their revenue is driven only by subscriptions. Hulu on the other hand is full of ads, every 10 minutes or so 2 or 3 ads appear and it is impossible to fast forward past them. Netflix also has by far the best content and the most extensive library of shows and movies available. Hulu also gets many of the shows Netflix passes on. The movies on Hulu are terrible.
The question is especially relevant today. As pointed out above, Netflix is about to let their contract with Epix expire. Hulu picked it up. Epix has a Donald Trump-esque HUUUUUUGE catalog of movies and TV Shows. Netflix is focusing their strategy on original content and ultimately will get into the full on TV/movie studio game.
The good news is the Netflix original content is very good--all of the shows mentioned, plus a few others that I've seen. The bad news is that what made Netflix the hands down winner, up until this announcement, was the original content PLUS a pretty vast library of other stuff.
Up until this point, I've used Netflix and Amazon Prime. Prime is FAR AND AWAY the best value in all of consumer spending--even with the recent bump up to $100 a year (it used to be $75). Free two day shipping on hundreds of thousands of products, plus several free book downloads per year, plus access to the streaming service. As Fanu pointed out, not everything on Amazon On Demand is "free" with Prime, so make sure you understand that. But tons is, across all genres including movies, TV shows and documentaries.
The consumer research suggests that people that are more apt to binge watch will prefer Netflix.
I'm sticking with Netflix at least until the conclusion of House of Cards. The 4th season has been ordered. Some internet rumors are there will be 4 seasons of 13 episodes each, to reach 52 (as in a deck of cards). If that ends up being the case, I will explore the other options then.
The good news is the Netflix original content is very good--all of the shows mentioned, plus a few others that I've seen. The bad news is that what made Netflix the hands down winner, up until this announcement, was the original content PLUS a pretty vast library of other stuff.
Up until this point, I've used Netflix and Amazon Prime. Prime is FAR AND AWAY the best value in all of consumer spending--even with the recent bump up to $100 a year (it used to be $75). Free two day shipping on hundreds of thousands of products, plus several free book downloads per year, plus access to the streaming service. As Fanu pointed out, not everything on Amazon On Demand is "free" with Prime, so make sure you understand that. But tons is, across all genres including movies, TV shows and documentaries.
The consumer research suggests that people that are more apt to binge watch will prefer Netflix.
I'm sticking with Netflix at least until the conclusion of House of Cards. The 4th season has been ordered. Some internet rumors are there will be 4 seasons of 13 episodes each, to reach 52 (as in a deck of cards). If that ends up being the case, I will explore the other options then.
Neither, football season just started. If u have to watch a movie during a month, just use friends log in info.
Hulu just announced today an ad free version for $11.99/mos vs the $7.99/mos ad supported version.
Thanks for all the responses so far.
I should have said from the beginning we really aren't "series" watchers (other than what either offers now) anymore so for the family I am more interested to see who has the better overall movie library since we got rid of HBO on Cablevision.
Would like to hear more about the HBO GO and the Amazon (since my wife has an account).
And was a little disappointed with Netflix (only had it for a few weeks so far)before the Epix news, now even more so. LOL
I should have said from the beginning we really aren't "series" watchers (other than what either offers now) anymore so for the family I am more interested to see who has the better overall movie library since we got rid of HBO on Cablevision.
Would like to hear more about the HBO GO and the Amazon (since my wife has an account).
And was a little disappointed with Netflix (only had it for a few weeks so far)before the Epix news, now even more so. LOL
Mel Brooks is appearing at a Q&A session after a Blazing Saddles showing at the NJPAC in November. My favorite comedy!!!
HBO Go is the mobile service available to cable-based HBO subscribers. HBO Now is the newer streaming service. It's $15 a month, so basically double the price of the other services in this discussion. I'd do Netflix streaming + mail service before I'd do that - I think that'd be a buck more than HBO Now per month. How much does HBO add to your cable bill?
Honestly, none of the services we're talking about excel at movies. I swear to God, the only new movies Netflix adds are the ones I ordered weeks earlier on demand from Amazon. And even the older big-title selection seems to consist solely of movies I've seen or have absolutely no interest in. There are gems here and there, but if you plan to watch a lot of movies, good luck in not experiencing an ongoing string of "worst movie I ever saws" and "why the f did I just watch thats".
I'm not an avid movie watcher, and there are hundreds of semi-new and older movies I would love to see, but good luck finding any of them on Netflix/Hulu or Amazon Prime. To make matters worse, Netflix and Amazon Prime seem to share a lot of the same subpar movie content.
Come to think of it, movie streaming is one of the most disappointing things on the modern Internet. Poor, fragmented selections and high prices dominate. It costs more to rent a movie on demand than it did to go out to Blockbuster and rent a disc. And they still charge extra for HD, as if it's a cutting edge technology. I'm not all that supportive of pirating movies, but it's easy to see why people do it.
Honestly, none of the services we're talking about excel at movies. I swear to God, the only new movies Netflix adds are the ones I ordered weeks earlier on demand from Amazon. And even the older big-title selection seems to consist solely of movies I've seen or have absolutely no interest in. There are gems here and there, but if you plan to watch a lot of movies, good luck in not experiencing an ongoing string of "worst movie I ever saws" and "why the f did I just watch thats".
I'm not an avid movie watcher, and there are hundreds of semi-new and older movies I would love to see, but good luck finding any of them on Netflix/Hulu or Amazon Prime. To make matters worse, Netflix and Amazon Prime seem to share a lot of the same subpar movie content.
Come to think of it, movie streaming is one of the most disappointing things on the modern Internet. Poor, fragmented selections and high prices dominate. It costs more to rent a movie on demand than it did to go out to Blockbuster and rent a disc. And they still charge extra for HD, as if it's a cutting edge technology. I'm not all that supportive of pirating movies, but it's easy to see why people do it.
For new movies, the $1 rental at Walgreens is a pretty good deal. Latest released movies.
http://www.walgreens.com/topic/movie-rentals/redbox.jsp
http://www.walgreens.com/topic/movie-rentals/redbox.jsp
Hulu I depend on more for current TV, like watching Flash and Arrow. I like it a lot, except I don't understand why if I'm paying for it I still have to watch commercials but apparently that changed today with the introduction of a $12 per month ad free version. Netflix I use more to catch up on older stuff AND the occasional DVD since they're the sole survivor in that business (besides those Redbox things.) Amazon I only have because I'm Prime; it's okay, it works, but it's nothing special.
TCM on demand has a lot of legit good movies if you're not totally cord cutting. And I don't have a Warner Archive sub yet but that service looks to be full of interesting stuff you can't get elsewhere.
TCM on demand has a lot of legit good movies if you're not totally cord cutting. And I don't have a Warner Archive sub yet but that service looks to be full of interesting stuff you can't get elsewhere.
Neither..and I dont have cable...but still havent missed a game of any sort in YEARS....or a movie for that matter
