Netflix is currently the most popular film rental service in the United States and is slowly shutting out all video stores from coast to coast. With the introduction of instant watch via online streaming, Netflix is even on the road to shutting out DVD distributors. While DVDs are still popular, the public is catching onto the instant movie viewing craze. What makes streaming the smart thing for consumers and movie lovers is the fact it brings large quantities of films directly into your home at a low price. The introduction of film viewing devices such as ROKU and Apple TV turn your living room into a virtual video store. Owners can now use their TVs to search thru Netflix’s catalog of titles. While Netflix’s instant watch choices are limited compared to its DVD catalog, the statistics show that soon Netflix will go from being a DVD rental service to simply a streaming video service.
The quality of streaming is actually very good compared to watching films on DVD and its only getting better. ROKU is currently revamping their devices to include Hi-Def quality streaming capabilities. This will make it a definite competitor for Blu Ray. Which begs the question: Why do we need physical media? As with records, VHS and CDs, there are still collectors who want to keep buying films on DVD, but its clear that in the long run, the average movie watcher (who doesn’t need/want to buy every DVD that’s released) will most likely stop using DVDs if they can get hi-def quality films on their TV with the click of a button. Gone are the days when you had to stop at a video store, wait in line and often not get what you were looking for. Instant Streaming offers a wide variety of titles to whoever wants them AT ANY TIME….ANYWHERE. Not only can you watch films on your TV, you can also use your mobile devices such as iPhones to watch films. If you’ve got a WiFi network and a Netflix account, say hello to Mobile Instant Watch.
One detail that separates streaming from DVDs is of course, extra features such as audio commentaries. Theres no news if/when Netflix will add these kinds of features to their library, but it would definitely be the smart move. This would cover all the bases in the realm of what separates DVD from streaming and it would finally give consumers the chance to leave the round digital discs behind along with tapes and CDs.
Due to its popularity and great track record, Netflix is currently expanding its market and has opened a new division in Canada. If all goes well as it has in the US, the company will hopefully make the move to Europe and beyond.
While Netflix is in the lead, there are other companies who offer film streaming such as Amazon. The difference being Netflix charges monthly fees for unlimited watching and Amazon offers one time fees for each film (usually around 99 cents). Again Netflix has made the smart move by doing it their way.
The latest ROKU and Apple TV devices now give viewers a wide variety of options since they bring the internet to your living room. The size of the boxes is also minuscule which makes them convenient to place amongst your other home entertainment devices (both are smaller than your standard cable box).
Sites like Hulu and YouTube can now be viewed conveniently on your living room flat screen TV (which is a big improvement over only watching on your computer monitor). Theres also many music streaming sites such as Pandora and Last.FM. So not only can you enjoy great films, you can hook these streaming devices to your home theater system and rock out to all the music you love.