Instant Netflix fans.....

[Passepartout]

We are not big movie buffs by any means, and recently subscribed to Netflix. So far so good. Now I see there are films, TV shows etc that one can download at no additional cost. The Netflix site says I have an 'incompatible browser' and says it wants IE7 or higher. I have removed IE from my computer, and trying to download a new one from Microsoft has left me still feeling the same about IE that I always have felt- frustrated. It downloads fine, seems to install fine, but leaves no icon on the desktop except to install it again. No launch icon. Where did I go wrong- other than the obvious visit to Microsoft?

I see there is a device (Roku) one can attach to the TV and ethernet (or wireless) that accesses Netflix instant movies without tying up one's computer. Anyone with experience with one of these? For a hundred bucks and access to (they say) 12,000 movies/TV shows at no add'l cost it seems like a good deal.

So far, I have all this popcorn and just 1 movie a week.

Jim Ricks

 

[swift]

This was talked about a little here http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=77098&highlight=roku

 

[dmbrand]

I'm a big Netflix fan...

We choose not to suscribe to cable or dish, so Netflix is great for us. We've been members for a couple of years. Funny you mention the Roku box, I just found information on this gadget yesterday. Reviews by owners are largely favorable, with unfavorable ones coming from those whose picture quality is compromised by their internet connection(On the Netflix site, it tells me what my picture quality will be based on my connection-I am only at "good"). I also saw a mention that Netflix and Tivo are possibly combining, so if you own a Tivo, look into that before spending the $.

We have watched a few movies instantly on the computer, but mostly use the dvds. The Roku box is something I would like to get, I just want to research a bit more. Let us know how you make out on it. DawnB

 

[UWSurfer]

You might consider passing on the Roku box and getting the newer HD Tivo Receiver. Tivo and Netflix are partnering to provide the instant service to these units in a month or so from now.

It does however require you have acess to a broadband internet connection. We don't even have cable here with it, just an over the air antenna and have more TV shows recording than we even have time to watch.

 

[Sandy VDH]

Blockbuster also has a similiar subscription product. The one BONUS over netflicks is that you can upgrade to a program that allows your mailed DVD to actually be traded in for a new movie at your local blockbuster store. Thus you get two movies for the one mailed. The mailing packet is actually the free coupon for a movie. I use the mail to get more obsure titles and then return the DVD to the store for new release titles.

Now it you don't have a blockbuster near you this won't help. Sometimes I find I am not in the mood for the movie I got in the mail, this way I can just trade it at the store for something else.

 

[Icarus]

did you look in the start menu? Also, did you check program access and defaults to make sure you enabled access to IE?

On my system, the icons and start menu entries are just shortcuts to C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe

-David

 

[Passepartout]

did you look in the start menu? Also, did you check program access and defaults to make sure you enabled access to IE?

On my system, the icons and start menu entries are just shortcuts to C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe

-David

Yeah, I ran searches, looked in the Start Menu, scrounged files via Windows Explorer. Again, all I have is 2 icons that each, respectively load IE7 and a beta IE8. If I run either of them they detect earlier versions of IE, they uninstall them and reload. Then I'm told to do a restart and the same 2 icons are on the desktop to reload the IE7, and 8 again and again.

I don't miss IE. I use Firefox and Safari (occasionally). I just wanted IE so I could get the instant movies from Netflix. I think I'll either order the Roku box and be done with it.

Thanks..... Jim Ricks

 

[Icarus]

So iexplore.exe isn't anywhere on your system?

I don't use IE, but I also don't remove it. If you remove it, how do you get critical updates? You can disable access to it and make another browser the default browser through set program access and defaults, if you want to. I didn't even know that you could remove it. How did you remove it?

BTW, the netflix page says IE6 or later, if that makes a difference.

BTW, you mentioned Safari. Are you actually running Safari on a PC or is this a Mac? Yeah, I know Apple is pushing Safari for PCs, I get notification that it's available all the time from Apple Software Update, which comes with itunes. I don't load it. FF is fine for me. I also have no reason to load the Mobile Me software on my PC either.

I have tivo, and I'm looking forward to the netflix partnership going live.

-David

 

[TUGBrian]

also worth a note, the november release of the new xbox360 dashboard will provide integration with your netflix membership allowing you to watch your instant queue through it (even in hd apparently).

 

[cerralee]

For TIVO owners

For those of you that have TIVO you can download movies from Amazon. I usually even skip these but on the weekends they have specials of relatively new movies for $0.99 per download. This weekend I rented "Baby Momma" and "Leatherheads", took quite a while to download to the TIVO box but well worth the $0.99cents. You have 24 hours to watch the movie after you first start watching it. I think you can delay watching it for several days but once you start it the movie go on a 24 hour timer.

 

[Icarus]

Sure, I use amazon with my tivo. The selection isn't that great, but the 99 cent and free specials (many pilots were available for free and had no commercials) are great. But there's no HD available and like I said, the selection is very limited. Still, it's something.

-David

 

[Nobylspoon]

This new partnership with Starz has made Netflix streaming 100x better with the new selection of titles, glad I dropped Blockbuster and went back to Netflix

 

[marko711]

If you don't have IE 7 how are you doing the security updates

If these are not done you are putting yourself at great risk

 

[swift]

This new partnership with Starz has made Netflix streaming 100x better with the new selection of titles, glad I dropped Blockbuster and went back to Netflix

I agree the partnership with Starz was a good move.