Netflix or Hulu (or anything else)?

[Trekker4747]

but the lags I get may be due more to my wireless network and to Comcast sucking than it has anything to do with Netflix.

Very likely. I've never had problems with lag times that weren't directly related to my own network issues.

Plus, I find the new interface a lot easier to use than the old one. And you can always just add stuff to your queue via the your computer and update it that way to make it easier.

Yeah, I dunno. I just would prefer a more organized set of menus and lists and categorization than just rows of scrolling covers that are only vaguely categorized. They changed the menu system very recently and I preferred the older style better (which had more of a "list" format than a icon-based one.)

I mean to 'search' in this current format you have to press the "triangle" button rather than just selecting "search" from a menu. I just find that clumsy and needlessly "complex."

 

[Amaris]

but the lags I get may be due more to my wireless network and to Comcast sucking than it has anything to do with Netflix.

Very likely. I've never had problems with lag times that weren't directly related to my own network issues.

Plus, I find the new interface a lot easier to use than the old one. And you can always just add stuff to your queue via the your computer and update it that way to make it easier.

Yeah, I dunno. I just would prefer a more organized set of menus and lists and categorization than just rows of scrolling covers that are only vaguely categorized. They changed the menu system very recently and I preferred the older style better (which had more of a "list" format than a icon-based one.)

I mean to 'search' in this current format you have to press the "triangle" button rather than just selecting "search" from a menu. I just find that clumsy and needlessly "complex."

You may just have a beta test UI. I use a Roku box to watch my movies, and I can choose between the new and old style menus. I prefer the new.

 

[Professor Zoom]

The app for my blu ray for netflix, it's great, very easy to search, browse. Love it.

 

[RoJoHen]

I mean to 'search' in this current format you have to press the "triangle" button rather than just selecting "search" from a menu. I just find that clumsy and needlessly "complex."

Eh? I still have a Search option in the menu.

 

[Trekker4747]

I don't have a menu. I just have several rows of "covers" to scroll through and I press the triangle-button to get the search feature up.

 

[RoJoHen]

Weird. I don't know what to tell you.

 

[Amaris]

He may a beta UI. I've heard that Netflix is testing various interfaces on the PS3 system.
He can always call and check with Netflix CS.

 

[Skywalker]

I have almost the same set-up on my Xbox. Rows of movie covers (separated by genre) to scroll through, and I hit the X button to bring up the Search function. However, there is a Search section (between my Instant Queue and my Recently Watched row) that I can select, which then brings me to the Search function. So you don't have one of those, Trekker?

 

[Trekker4747]

Sounds like you have what I have. I can get to the "search" function by pressing the triangle otherwise the mains screen is a series of scrolling covers separated by genre on the far-right of the screen is a little quick-info box on the selected title.

I remember when I first started using Neflix on PS3 it was more of a "standard menu" where you scrolled through a series of menus for the genre (Action, Sci Fi, TV, etc.) then that would bring up the covers/selection and pressing that would bring up that item's own internal menu with the recap portion and episode selection for TV series. "Search" was just another item in the branching/tree-style menu. I just liked it a bit more but, really, neither interface is really all that great as I think the search functions need to be a bit deeper (being able to search by actor, director, etc.) and just more info on the title itself. I don't need to see the scanned-in pic of the DVD cover.

 

[Spot's Meow]

I watch Netflix through my Wii and I love it. Very convenient. I actually like the new menu, the old one didn't even allow for searching, just "browsing" through categories. At least now I can search for an actual title.

 

[indranee]

Okay, looks like Netflix it is. Hate the HuluPlus commercials. Thanks to everyone for responding

 

[indranee]

The app for my blu ray for netflix, it's great, very easy to search, browse. Love it.

PZ, I wanted to ask you about this upthread but I forgot. I think we have the same thing! I've an LG BRp that's netflix ready. I'm going to try it out and get back to you if I have questions.

 

[exodus]

I have a PS3, so I get both.
I'm surprised to hear people getting lag on Hulu Plus.
I found for me it's faster than Netflix.(and I'm using wireless)
Plus, I only pay $8 a month for Hulu Plus where as I'm paying $21 a month for Netflix.

Netflix also has a streaming only option for $7.99, and Hulu can't offer discs, so it balances out there. I got tons of lag on Hulu Plus, a much more limited selection due to "web only" restrictions, and the ads are annoying when I'm paying $7.99 a month.

Netflix has no ads, a huge movie and television selection, and you can even add movies to your library via a built in search feature, so that you don't have to access their website to add movies and TV shows. Plus, Netflix's HD is truly HD. I haven't seen Hulu Plus show high quality HD yet.

Yeah I know, you said that already.
So I'll repeat, I don't have a issue with any of that.
I also don't find Netflix streaming library big enough.
Out of the 350 items in my que, only 65 of them are streaming.
It also might be an age thing, all the shows from the 70's & early 80's I grew up on are streaming on Hulu(The White Shadow, 1-Adam-12, heck even He-Man is streaming), Netflix they're not.

 

[Amaris]

I'm sure they will eventually. Netflix keeps rapidly expanding their streaming catalog, so it's only a matter of time.

 

[tomalak301]

Instead of criticizing, I'm going to form this in a form of a question...

Is the Netflix Streaming a bit overrated? I mean it's great and there are many movies and shows to choose from, but it's mostly stuff from 5-10+ years ago? Not a lot of stuff I've found that is current is available for streaming (Like Fringe) and that's a bit of a bummer.

Again, I like Netflix more than I like Hulu, but I wish there was some current stuff in terms of streaming. I guess one could say Eureka is pretty current, but that's more of a rare exception to the rule from what I've found so far.

 

[Snaploud]

Yeah, it's not a great comparison. Hulu is more for newer stuff. Netflix is more for older stuff. It just depends upon your needs.

 

[Amaris]

Instead of criticizing, I'm going to form this in a form of a question...

Is the Netflix Streaming a bit overrated? I mean it's great and there are many movies and shows to choose from, but it's mostly stuff from 5-10+ years ago? Not a lot of stuff I've found that is current is available for streaming (Like Fringe) and that's a bit of a bummer.

Again, I like Netflix more than I like Hulu, but I wish there was some current stuff in terms of streaming. I guess one could say Eureka is pretty current, but that's more of a rare exception to the rule from what I've found so far.

I'll try to throw a few recent shows onto the list:

Family Guy
Doctor Who
Dexter
30 Rock
The Office (U.S.)
This American Life
Californication
Bullshit!
Spartacus: Gods of the Arena
Spartacus: Blood and Sand
The IT Crowd
Bones
Pawn Stars
American Pickers
South Park
Eureka
Monk
Torchwood
Mythbusters
Kyle XY

And there's more, I just can't think of them offhand.

 

[exodus]

Instead of criticizing, I'm going to form this in a form of a question...

Is the Netflix Streaming a bit overrated? I mean it's great and there are many movies and shows to choose from, but it's mostly stuff from 5-10+ years ago? Not a lot of stuff I've found that is current is available for streaming (Like Fringe) and that's a bit of a bummer.

Again, I like Netflix more than I like Hulu, but I wish there was some current stuff in terms of streaming. I guess one could say Eureka is pretty current, but that's more of a rare exception to the rule from what I've found so far.

I'll try to throw a few recent shows onto the list:

Family Guy
Doctor Who
Dexter
30 Rock
The Office (U.S.)
This American Life
Californication
Bullshit!
Spartacus: Gods of the Arena
Spartacus: Blood and Sand
The IT Crowd
Bones
Pawn Stars
American Pickers
South Park
Eureka
Monk
Torchwood
Mythbusters
Kyle XY

And there's more, I just can't think of them offhand.

It doesn't help if you're only into less than half of that list.

I also noticed that Netflix doesn't show "webisodes" but Hulu Plus does.
So for fans of shows like nuBSG or Rescue Me, to see those you'd have to go too Hulu.

 

[indranee]

Instead of criticizing, I'm going to form this in a form of a question...

Is the Netflix Streaming a bit overrated? I mean it's great and there are many movies and shows to choose from, but it's mostly stuff from 5-10+ years ago? Not a lot of stuff I've found that is current is available for streaming (Like Fringe) and that's a bit of a bummer.

Again, I like Netflix more than I like Hulu, but I wish there was some current stuff in terms of streaming. I guess one could say Eureka is pretty current, but that's more of a rare exception to the rule from what I've found so far.

I'll try to throw a few recent shows onto the list:

Family Guy
Doctor Who
Dexter
30 Rock
The Office (U.S.)
This American Life
Californication
Bullshit!
Spartacus: Gods of the Arena
Spartacus: Blood and Sand
The IT Crowd
Bones
Pawn Stars
American Pickers
South Park
Eureka
Monk
Torchwood
Mythbusters
Kyle XY

And there's more, I just can't think of them offhand.

How about DS9? I want to show the full series to my dad.

 

[Amaris]

Instead of criticizing, I'm going to form this in a form of a question...

Is the Netflix Streaming a bit overrated? I mean it's great and there are many movies and shows to choose from, but it's mostly stuff from 5-10+ years ago? Not a lot of stuff I've found that is current is available for streaming (Like Fringe) and that's a bit of a bummer.

Again, I like Netflix more than I like Hulu, but I wish there was some current stuff in terms of streaming. I guess one could say Eureka is pretty current, but that's more of a rare exception to the rule from what I've found so far.

I'll try to throw a few recent shows onto the list:

Family Guy
Doctor Who
Dexter
30 Rock
The Office (U.S.)
This American Life
Californication
Bullshit!
Spartacus: Gods of the Arena
Spartacus: Blood and Sand
The IT Crowd
Bones
Pawn Stars
American Pickers
South Park
Eureka
Monk
Torchwood
Mythbusters
Kyle XY

And there's more, I just can't think of them offhand.

It doesn't help if you're only into less than half of that list.

I also noticed that Netflix doesn't show "webisodes" but Hulu Plus does.
So for fans of shows like nuBSG or Rescue Me, to see those you'd have to go too Hulu.

NuBSG is on Netflix Instant Watch.
Rescue Me is also on Netflix Instant Watch.

As I said, it's not a complete list.

As for watching current episodes online, Netflix doesn't do that... yet.

How about DS9? I want to show the full series to my dad.

Nope, no DS9. Star Trek is limited to the movies on Instant Watch as of right now (TMP, TVH, TFF, TUC, XI in glorious HD), though they have had the complete TOS series on there before.