jibaker103 Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 Do you have to pay shipping on top of your monthly membership fee? For homeschooling purposes is the streaming video enough? How many DVD/Videos do you checkout at once? I'm trying to determine what membership level will be necessary! Jennifer Mother to Noah Age 13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Satori Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 No, you don't pay extra shipping. Streaming video is fine, my dd will watch it. Very handy to have a movie on demand! But we mostly watch regular DVDs. We usually do their 3-at-a-time plan. Sometimes we'll do 4, sometimes less, depends on how busy we are. It is easy to switch back and forth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nukeswife Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 No extra shipping either way. You pay your monthly fee and the movies come to you the you send them back when finished in their prepaid envelope. Not sure about the streaming video my dh has watched a few of the "instant view" shows on his computer and likes it. We just ordered the Roku box for the kids since their playroom where they watch videos has no satelite hook up and this will give them a few more options. We are on the 5 at a time unlimited plan. That way each member of the family can have a DVD out at the same time, although when my dh is on deployment then I get 2 for myself and each child gets 1 at any given time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jibaker103 Posted August 23, 2009 Author Share Posted August 23, 2009 I'm thinking of cutting off Directv at $85 per month and going with Netflix. I hardly watch tv but ds 13 acts like his life will be over without Disney, Nickelodian, Cartoon Network, etc. Can you get some of these shows through Netflix? Jennifer Mother to Noah Age 13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imhim Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 You can search the Netflix website for those shows. Sometimes shows also show up on youtube, I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweetgeo Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 We have the 3 DVDs out at a time plan, for $18 a month I think. We have no t.v. reception by choice, and we love Netflix. We also watch a few of the instant play features as well. Can't imagine life before Netflix! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 We have two at a time out. We have two separate queues (same account) and so I get one out and my dh & ds get one out at a time. I was concerned about turn around time but it's very quick. I mail one back on Monday, by Wednesday I have the next on my list. My ds and dh use instant watch more than I do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KarenNC Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 The selection on instant watch is not nearly as extensive as that on regular dvd, and I haven't had a lot of luck getting more recent movies that way (though some recent tv shows are available). The best way to tell is to take a list of things you'd want to watch and check them out on the list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jibaker103 Posted August 23, 2009 Author Share Posted August 23, 2009 The selection on instant watch is not nearly as extensive as that on regular dvd, and I haven't had a lot of luck getting more recent movies that way (though some recent tv shows are available). The best way to tell is to take a list of things you'd want to watch and check them out on the list. There search feature doesn't seem to be very sophisticated! Is it because I'm not a member yet? What if I want to search by genre, time period, or actor does it do this? Jennifer Mother to Noah Age 13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phathui5 Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 We've gotten a lot of TV shows through Netflix. My kids are actually watching the old Transformers cartoons right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoPlaceLikeHome Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 We do 2 at a time with netflix. The charge is 14.98 per month that comes out of our account for the same. My dh has a cable hooked to our TV for the streaming movies as well instead of the Roku device. We supplement with free DVDs from the library as well:). We aslo subscribe to Discovery Education United Streaming from Homeschoolbuyersco-op.org which we also stream to our TV. We are satellite free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NicksMama-Zack's Mama Too Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 I'm thinking of cutting off Directv at $85 per month and going with Netflix. I hardly watch tv but ds 13 acts like his life will be over without Disney, Nickelodian, Cartoon Network, etc. Can you get some of these shows through Netflix? Jennifer Mother to Noah Age 13 My kids are currently watching episode after episode of iCarly and That's So Raven on InstantWatch via the Roku box. It looks like regular tv, but without the commercials. You can check out available dvds/instantwatch offerings for the Disney channel under "television". I know they carry some seasons of "The Suite Life on Deck (zack and cody) via the Instantwatch. Spongebob is available too (my oldest best buddy loves Spongebob!). Keep in mind, you can watch InstantWatch titles on up to six (I think) devices. Some nights my dh and I will watch stuff on a laptop in our room while the kid's watch stuff on the Roku. We haven't had cable in 5+years and don't miss it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom4him Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 Do you have to pay shipping on top of your monthly membership fee? For homeschooling purposes is the streaming video enough? How many DVD/Videos do you checkout at once? I'm trying to determine what membership level will be necessary! Jennifer Mother to Noah Age 13 We just do the 1 movie at a time at around $10 per month. That is about what we were spending on renting movies before we went with netflex. We DO NOT RENT any others. We also us their on line movies a lot. I put the ones in the query that the kids can watch and they pick from that. We discontinued cable and have antenna which brings in one local tv station. I like it as our family isn't nearly as glued to the tv as they were before. With the one at a time you get about 1 per week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TraceyS/FL Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 I did my 2 week trial with 3 at a time, then switched to 1. Which is hard - i'd prefer 2, one for the kids and one for me. I'll probably go to that post divorce. The kids like to watch the instant stuff - i've watched a few things, and have built up a big queue of things to get too (same for the DVDs... sigh, one at a time i need to pick up the pace and NOT let them keep them a long time like this last go around). I have overnight turnaround too, which is nice. Next up is a documentary! LOL!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MIch elle Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 There is so much on Youtube! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jibaker103 Posted August 24, 2009 Author Share Posted August 24, 2009 Ok you all have convinced me. I'm calling Directv tomorrow to kick them to the curb :lol: and I'm :auto: over to Netflix for the 2 DVD membership and the Ruko device!!! I think about what my $85 per mo could have gone to and get ill!!!!!:D Jennifer Mother to Noah Age 13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jibaker103 Posted August 24, 2009 Author Share Posted August 24, 2009 There is so much on Youtube! No I haven't but I plan to do so!!! Any suggestions for an 8th grade boy? Jennifer Mother to Noah Age 13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myrrh Posted August 28, 2009 Share Posted August 28, 2009 We only need to be on the one-at-a-time plan ($10/mo), since we shelled out $100 for the Roku Netflix Player as our family Christmas present. It's truly the gift that keeps on giving, what with over 12,000 instant play titles to choose from, so it more than paid for itself in the first few months. It also streams Amazon Video on Demand and seem to be acquiring more content providers. I'm hoping that eventually it will work with hulu.com. We've never had any kind of television programming (no antenna, cable, satellite), so before Netflix, the library was our primary source. We also amassed a substantial (mostly used) video collection, and I still pick up cheap VHS tapes for the kids because I know they'll be done with them in a few years. What's really weird is that sometimes they even outlast the DVDs since they can't get scratched! They do take up a lot more space, though, so I will be glad when we can finally ditch the VCR. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jibaker103 Posted August 28, 2009 Author Share Posted August 28, 2009 We only need to be on the one-at-a-time plan ($10/mo), since we shelled out $100 for the Roku Netflix Player as our family Christmas present. It's truly the gift that keeps on giving, what with over 12,000 instant play titles to choose from, so it more than paid for itself in the first few months. It also streams Amazon Video on Demand and seem to be acquiring more content providers. I'm hoping that eventually it will work with hulu.com. We've never had any kind of television programming (no antenna, cable, satellite), so before Netflix, the library was our primary source. We also amassed a substantial (mostly used) video collection, and I still pick up cheap VHS tapes for the kids because I know they'll be done with them in a few years. What's really weird is that sometimes they even outlast the DVDs since they can't get scratched! They do take up a lot more space, though, so I will be glad when we can finally ditch the VCR. I thought the Roku was free!!!:confused: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KarenNC Posted August 28, 2009 Share Posted August 28, 2009 I thought the Roku was free!!!:confused: Nope, sorry, though it is the least expensive option. There are a variety of devices that will let it stream to your tv, so it's worth looking at the list on Netflix. IIRC tivo, some blu-ray players, xbox 360, etc will work as well. Look under "help" then "how to watch instantly on your tv". I'd like to get the Roku as we don't have any of those other things, but it's not in the budget at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jibaker103 Posted August 28, 2009 Author Share Posted August 28, 2009 Nope, sorry, though it is the least expensive option. There are a variety of devices that will let it stream to your tv, so it's worth looking at the list on Netflix. IIRC tivo, some blu-ray players, xbox 360, etc will work as well. Look under "help" then "how to watch instantly on your tv". I'd like to get the Roku as we don't have any of those other things, but it's not in the budget at the moment. I already own a Tivo, DVR, and X-Box...getting excited again!!! Do you know if X-Box charges a fee? What is IIRC? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia in WA Posted August 28, 2009 Share Posted August 28, 2009 You have to have a Xbox Live Membership...Gold I think it is called. It is the one that will let you play online and do all sorts of other cool things. So if you already have that you are all set. They recently upgraded the Netflix feature and it is super cool. Eventually you are going to be able to watch Netflix movies with other XBox Live Netflix users. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meet me in paris Posted August 28, 2009 Share Posted August 28, 2009 My kids are currently watching episode after episode of iCarly and That's So Raven on InstantWatch via the Roku box. It looks like regular tv' date=' but without the commercials. You can check out available dvds/instantwatch offerings for the Disney channel under "television". I know they carry some seasons of "The Suite Life on Deck (zack and cody) via the Instantwatch. Spongebob is available too (my oldest best buddy loves Spongebob!). Keep in mind, you can watch InstantWatch titles on up to six (I think) devices. Some nights my dh and I will watch stuff on a laptop in our room while the kid's watch stuff on the Roku. We haven't had cable in 5+years and don't miss it.[/quote'] We cancelled the expanded cable last year and bought the Roku for $99. BEST decision! We can stream on the computers or on the TV with the Roku. We love it, and it has saved us tons of money. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jibaker103 Posted August 28, 2009 Author Share Posted August 28, 2009 If you buy 1 Ruko will that work on all your TVs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TraceyS/FL Posted August 28, 2009 Share Posted August 28, 2009 No, you need one for each TV that you want to watch on. We watch on the computer thru the Boxee interface (keeps the kids from getting into stuff on that computer! LOL!!). Do you have an extra computer laying around that you might be able to hook up to watch on? http://www.boxee.tv/homepage/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jibaker103 Posted August 28, 2009 Author Share Posted August 28, 2009 No, you need one for each TV that you want to watch on. We watch on the computer thru the Boxee interface (keeps the kids from getting into stuff on that computer! LOL!!). Do you have an extra computer laying around that you might be able to hook up to watch on? http://www.boxee.tv/homepage/ I have 3 computers, a wireless network, and an X-Box360 with Gold Membership. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TraceyS/FL Posted August 28, 2009 Share Posted August 28, 2009 Did you try using the XBox? (I don't have one - and i'm an Apple girl so i only hang out in the Apple home theater forums LOL!). But if you have a computer that outputs video (or can with a cable), then you can just stream from the computer to the TV and watch that way. The Roku is just a small cheap "computer" that does the same thing, but you can set up a home theater type of PC pretty cheap too i gather. I've pondered getting the Roku, but can't afford it right now. And, that would mean that STBXH could watch movies on it - and he's not paying the Netflix at this time, i am...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jibaker103 Posted August 28, 2009 Author Share Posted August 28, 2009 Did you try using the XBox? (I don't have one - and i'm an Apple girl so i only hang out in the Apple home theater forums LOL!). But if you have a computer that outputs video (or can with a cable), then you can just stream from the computer to the TV and watch that way. The Roku is just a small cheap "computer" that does the same thing, but you can set up a home theater type of PC pretty cheap too i gather. I've pondered getting the Roku, but can't afford it right now. And, that would mean that STBXH could watch movies on it - and he's not paying the Netflix at this time, i am...... Ok I think I'm finally starting to understand all of this :lol: For upstairs I will use the X-Box but for downstairs: Option #1 - I need to check the back of my computers to see if they have a jack to connect to my TV. Option #2 - Buy a bigger screen for my computer for easier viewing. Option #3 - Buy a Ruko Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TraceyS/FL Posted August 28, 2009 Share Posted August 28, 2009 Ok I think I'm finally starting to understand all of this :lol: For upstairs I will use the X-Box but for downstairs: Option #1 - I need to check the back of my computers to see if they have a jack to connect to my TV. Option #2 - Buy a bigger screen for my computer for easier viewing. Option #3 - Buy a Ruko Yup, you got it! I'm thinking that quality wise, the output to a TV would be better than on the computer screen. Monitors are normally higher resolution that TVs, and you are watching at a further distance away than you normally sit from the TV too. If you computers don't have an output - you can/might be able to add something to do it cheaper than the Roku too. The Roku has a remote too - so don't forget about that "need" (pausing and choosing movies/shows). I bought a 20" Samsung Monitor at Sam's Club for $139. It works great for watching from bed for me (it's at the foot of the twin bed i'm using). It was cheaper than a similar sized TV, but that computer also has a tuner on it that i can watch basic cable too. But overall, i have like 45 things in the instant watch queue right now - not lacking entertainment for the rug rats at all! LOL!! (Check HULU.com too - that is free and has lots of TV shows on it, right now you need a computer to get that to the TV) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jibaker103 Posted August 28, 2009 Author Share Posted August 28, 2009 Yup, you got it! I'm thinking that quality wise, the output to a TV would be better than on the computer screen. Monitors are normally higher resolution that TVs, and you are watching at a further distance away than you normally sit from the TV too. If you computers don't have an output - you can/might be able to add something to do it cheaper than the Roku too. The Roku has a remote too - so don't forget about that "need" (pausing and choosing movies/shows). I bought a 20" Samsung Monitor at Sam's Club for $139. It works great for watching from bed for me (it's at the foot of the twin bed i'm using). It was cheaper than a similar sized TV, but that computer also has a tuner on it that i can watch basic cable too. But overall, i have like 45 things in the instant watch queue right now - not lacking entertainment for the rug rats at all! LOL!! (Check HULU.com too - that is free and has lots of TV shows on it, right now you need a computer to get that to the TV) Thank you so much for your help!!! My head was starting to spin!! :lol: I guess this will be one of my many projects for the weekend! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Night Elf Posted August 28, 2009 Share Posted August 28, 2009 There search feature doesn't seem to be very sophisticated! Is it because I'm not a member yet? What if I want to search by genre, time period, or actor does it do this? Jennifer Mother to Noah Age 13 I looked at their home page without being signed in. There are genres listed on the left side of the page. The search box above it lets you type in movie names, actors names or directors names. The same options are offered to members of course. I typed in revolutionary period and civil war and movie recommendations did come up. We have the 3-disc option. We also live near a supply warehouse so our turn around is extremely quick. We've always had excellent customer service. We've received broken discs and discs that are scratched. We call, they apologize, tell us to mail in the damaged disc and immediately send out another disc of the same title without waiting to receive the damaged one. Excellent service! I've also heard some people say they didn't think Netflix carried a diverse range of videos. We haven't found that to be true for us. The only times they didn't have a video we searched for was because the videos weren't yet put on dvd. And Netflix has the picture and description of the movie up with a release date or a 'date unknown'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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