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Is It Smart To Sign Up For Netflix Or Not?

Streaming free movies for a month is good thing, but what about paying for the service after that?

Netflix Logo 2SPEND SMART | Last Wednesday Bob Kronbauer over at Vancouver Is Awesome (a great website about everything that makes Vancouver the wonderful place it is) told me that Netflix had just launched in Canada and that anyone could instantly watch movies and TV episodes streamed to their computers for free the first month and then just $7.99 a month after that. I was pretty jazzed. “That feels like a Frugalbits story,” I told him. “I thought you might like to know,” he replied.

So I signed up immediately. And then straight away stopped to think. I know lots of teens and twentysomethings who think nothing of watching movies on their computers, but I stare a computer screen all day anyway, and even if I didn’t I wouldn’t want to watch movies on one when I have a decent-size television in my family room.

How To Watch Netflix On Your TV

Though not a complete Luddite, I’m a little behind the times. As I understood it after reading a generic article on eHow, it was possible to watch those Netflix movies on your TV by plugging in the appropriate cables. So I printed out the article and went to the store where I got my TV and the store where I got my computer and, between the two, bought an HDMI adapter for my laptop for $34 (I have a pretty new Apple laptop but it doesn’t have an HDMI port) and an HDMI cable for $40. I then amazed myself by actually making the setup work. Newer PCs have HDMI ports, so they don’t need adapters; older models of both PC and Apple could need a set of audio cables as well. (It turns out Netflix can be viewed using a variety devices; check their website for particulars.)

What Netflix Has To Offer

Because I was busy buying cables, I neglected to look at Netflix movie offerings and to read the rants on the Internet by people who say they suck. And after scanning their titles, I could see why someone might complain. (Last Sunday, The New York Times reported the reason Netflix doesn’t include recent Hollywood hits is because they have been unable to negotiate the rights from all the studios.) There are very few movies dated 2005 or later, and if they are, they’re probably not A-list fare. Still, I did find recent and older movies that I’d missed seeing for whatever reason and movies I wouldn’t mind watching again.

I’m going to give Netflix a few months (I need to amortize my cable costs at the very least). For $7.99 I’m sure I can find a few movies or TV shows to watch every month, and not having to schlep to the video store will save me time, potential late charges and gas money.

Another Thing To Consider

The one other thing Netflix subscribers need to consider is the monthly data transfer limit that comes with their Internet package. There is a remote possibility they could go over their monthly date limit and this could cost them extra money. When I attempted to check with my Internet provider, Telus, I was put on hold for more than an hour and finally gave up. I will need to carefully check my next bill.—C. Rule

Photo: Courtesy Netflix

4 replies
  1. Avril Orloff
    Avril Orloff says:

    I don’t know, maybe I *am* a luddite, but I’m very happy with the DVDs I get each month from Videomatica. Sure you don’t get instant gratification – you have to wait for the DVD to come in the mail, but the movies are current and with the various subscription packages, you can gorge as little or as much as you like. I chose the 2-movies-a-month package for something like $11.95/month, but for about $30/month you can get unlimited flicks, and as soon as you send one back, another is in the mail to you. And yes, you choose what you want to see. So colour me Videomatica!

  2. Sheila Keenan
    Sheila Keenan says:

    Here’s a plug for another movies-by-mail service: cinemail.ca. They are based in Winnipeg and for the true cinephile have a great catalogue of films. They have over 30 Akira Kurosawa films; Netflix has six.
    Videomatica sounds like a good option too.

  3. Mavanc
    Mavanc says:

    Alas, all this is moot now. Most DVD stores, including Videomatica, are closing because of the onslaught of Netflix. It’s a real shame, since Netflix is so limited.

    I see a niche market to open local DVD stores called “Not on Netflix” renting movies not yet available at Netflix. Sooo many indie and foreign films out there.

    • carolannrule
      carolannrule says:

      Hi Mavanc,
      You are right;it is moot (should really change that “hed”). Not on Netflix is a good idea, but it would probably be competing with movies on iTunes and sites like MUBI, which is pretty cool.—eds

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