[ashjf]

Has anyone tried ALL of the above? If so, what one would you say is the best?
I am happy with Netflix for TV but want something a bit more up to date for movies, I know Now TV is the most up to date but I do like the look and price of Wuaki TV.

[wakey]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashjf

Has anyone tried ALL of the above? If so, what one would you say is the best?
I am happy with Netflix for TV but want something a bit more up to date for movies, I know Now TV is the most up to date but I do like the look and price of Wuaki TV.

You won't find many new titles on Wuaki that are part of the 'Selection' subscription package. The new titles are almost exclusively PPV.

NowTV is too expensive even now its reduced in price. The streams are all SD and its library is limited.For £1 a month more you can get the Lovefilm 2 Disc package which gives you all of Lovefilms streaming plus two DVD/BluRays at a time. Unless its one of the rare titles who have an exclusive rental deal with another firm (Physical or Digital) you will be able to get all the latest films you want to see months before they are available in SD on NowTV (Or on Sky Movies). I had a deal where I had been getting NowTV for £2.50 a month and at that price it was perhaps worthwhile but now that deal has ran out I won't be paying.

If you use a service like unblock-us.com that allow you to access other Netflix regions then Netflix ends up being fairly good for new movies as many films end up on a foreign Netflix before Sky get them. Canada seems especially good for this

At this moment I'm sticking with a combo of Netflix (with Unblock-us) and Lovefilm (2 Disc at home + Streaming) which seems to give the best for a reasonable price

[kingdave]

Completely agree with wakey.

Once you've opened up the Netflix library with Unblock Us or Overplay it is a package that can compete with volume of content and latest releases.

As wakey says, Canada has a good library of the latest films, and the Scandinavian countries are pretty up to date as well. I'm on a £15 for 6 months deal with NowTV but have only watched a couple of movies on there and won't be renewing when that deal comes to an end. Currently its a poor offering for the cost.

[passingbat]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingdave

Completely agree with wakey.

Once you've opened up the Netflix library with Unblock Us or Overplay it is a package that can compete with volume of content and latest releases.

As wakey says, Canada has a good library of the latest films, and the Scandinavian countries are pretty up to date as well. I'm on a £15 for 6 months deal with NowTV but have only watched a couple of movies on there and won't be renewing when that deal comes to an end. Currently its a poor offering for the cost.

And don't forget If you use Unblockus with Netflix, it also gives you access to the free part of Hulu which gives you current US Network shows a day after the US airing, plus access to the individual US Network TV sites or the odd show not on Hulu.

I too am on the Now TV £2.50p/m or 6 months deal and have probably only watched around one film per month, I that, so will be cancelling when it runs out this month. Now TV is restricted to the devices it supports, and unless you have one of those devices, content is SD. And I don't think any device supports 5.1 audio (same for Lovefilm). Netflix has a lot of 5.1 content.

[Manky Manfred]

I also have to agree with Wakey here.

Now TV picture quality is garbage compared to Netflix. On the 360 it's so so, on the Now TV box it's like upscaled DVD and on the PS3 it's frankly unwatchable. I'm cancelling immediately.

Netflix PQ is fantastic and it never buffers or has audio sync issues like Now TV. Netflix with Unblock US is far better value than Now TV.

Haven't used Lovefilm in a while but it lacked HD content although if paired with a postal subscription it's probably better value than Now TV.

Wuaki I had quick look at but nothing on there suggested it can yet really compete with Netflix or Lovefilm.

For me Netflix offers the best picture quality and content for the price. Judging by the company's ambitions and subscriber base it's only going to get better.

[kingdave]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manky Manfred

I also have to agree with Wakey here.

Now TV picture quality is garbage compared to Netflix. On the 360 it's so so, on the Now TV box it's like upscaled DVD and on the PS3 it's frankly unwatchable. I'm cancelling immediately.

Netflix PQ is fantastic and it never buffers or has audio sync issues like Now TV. Netflix with Unblock US is far better value than Now TV.

Haven't used Lovefilm in a while but it lacked HD content although if paired with a postal subscription it's probably better value than Now TV.

Wuaki I had quick look at but nothing on there suggested it can yet really compete with Netflix or Lovefilm.

For me Netflix offers the best picture quality and content for the price. Judging by the company's ambitions and subscriber base it's only going to get better.

BIB the "NowTV expert" that was answering questions on here the other day has the cheek to say that NowTV prefer to concentrate on the quality and that a steady delivery is more important than the number of pixels to determine the picture quality and thats why they use adaptive bitrate streaming.

Trouble is, Netflix also use this (you might find the picture a bit "soft" for the first few seconds of watching on Netflix) but they quickly ramp up the quality to the best your line can take. If that's not adaptive bit rate streaming then I don't know what it.

The NowTV picture quality is at best so-so on the supposedly best quality devices they stream to.

[Peter the Great]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manky Manfred

I also have to agree with Wakey here.

Now TV picture quality is garbage compared to Netflix. On the 360 it's so so, on the Now TV box it's like upscaled DVD and on the PS3 it's frankly unwatchable. I'm cancelling immediately.

Netflix PQ is fantastic and it never buffers or has audio sync issues like Now TV. Netflix with Unblock US is far better value than Now TV.

Haven't used Lovefilm in a while but it lacked HD content although if paired with a postal subscription it's probably better value than Now TV.

Wuaki I had quick look at but nothing on there suggested it can yet really compete with Netflix or Lovefilm.

For me Netflix offers the best picture quality and content for the price. Judging by the company's ambitions and subscriber base it's only going to get better.

A huge amount of Lovefilm's streaming is now in HD. It was introduced just after Netflix launched in the UK. Just like wakey I have Netflix with Unblock US but with Lovefilm I have the 1 disc option and streaming. This all costs less than a basic Sky subscription.

[io1901]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter the Great

A huge amount of Lovefilm's streaming is now in HD. It was introduced just after Netflix launched in the UK. Just like wakey I have Netflix with Unblock US but with Lovefilm I have the 1 disc option and streaming. This all costs less than a basic Sky subscription.

I've just took the 30day lovefilm trial and have been disappointed with the quality of the streaming service - nowhere as good as Netflix. Poor picture quality and stuttering streams. I don't think I'll extend it beyond the 30 days as the content seems very similar as well.

[Trainer99]

Take a free Now TV film trail for 30 days and see for yourself. I've just order a Now TV box for £10 - it's blooming £10, a no brainer. I'm gonna try the entertainment package for a month.

Yes Netflix is less and if you use a DNS/VPN to get US content but will it be as current as Now TV?

Let us know how you get on.

[passingbat]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trainer99

Use a DNS/VPN to get US content but will it be as current as Now TV?

..

Most VPN that people use with Netflix offer access to Hulu, which is more current than Now TV for US Network TV. They show most of the shows only a day later than the US broadcast date. Though it's no good for HBO content.

[Peter the Great]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trainer99

Take a free Now TV film trail for 30 days and see for yourself. I've just order a Now TV box for £10 - it's blooming £10, a no brainer. I'm gonna try the entertainment package for a month.

Yes Netflix is less and if you use a DNS/VPN to get US content but will it be as current as Now TV?

Let us know how you get on.

Netflix has numerous other regions not just the US. Using services like Unblock US can give you all these other Netflix regions and there is certainly more content and alot more current. Many films appear well before they appear on Now TV.

[c00kiemonster72]

I just cancelled my Now TV sub, which was currently at £1 a month, I watched bugger all on there so at that cost it was still expensive.
I told them that Netflix far excels their service in quality of stream and the variety that available. Plus I was bit annoyed that the iPhone app wouldn't allow me to airplay to my apple tv.

I'm sticking with Netflix.

[daver34]

I signed upto unblockus to take advantage of other netflix regions, but unblockus allows so much more, currently watching superships on hulu.com for free, just add supported. The range of networks & programmes is vast, why if the US company can provide such a free service, has it not been done in the UK?.

Are we conditioned to pay for premium products or lack of competition?.

[wakey]

Quote:

Originally Posted by io1901

I've just took the 30day lovefilm trial and have been disappointed with the quality of the streaming service - nowhere as good as Netflix. Poor picture quality and stuttering streams. I don't think I'll extend it beyond the 30 days as the content seems very similar as well.

The picture quality isn't as good as Netflix Super HD but is better than NowTV's. And I haven't ever found an issue with buffering.

Lovefilms strong point however is when you add the disc service in as opposed to going the NowTV route. 1 Disc at a time is cheaper than NowTV movies, gets you the movies months earlier while also giving you access to their streaming content too

[wakey]

Quote:

Originally Posted by daver34

I signed upto unblockus to take advantage of other netflix regions, but unblockus allows so much more, currently watching superships on hulu.com for free, just add supported. The range of networks & programmes is vast, why if the US company can provide such a free service, has it not been done in the UK?.

Are we conditioned to pay for premium products or lack of competition?.

We effectively have Hulu already as most of Hulu is catchup from the Broadcast networks. So between BBC iPlayer, ITV Player, 4oD and 5 on Demand and the selective content from the Free to Air 'Digital' channels we have the same just not all under one site

[wakey]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trainer99

Take a free Now TV film trail for 30 days and see for yourself. I've just order a Now TV box for £10 - it's blooming £10, a no brainer. I'm gonna try the entertainment package for a month.

Yes Netflix is less and if you use a DNS/VPN to get US content but will it be as current as Now TV?

Let us know how you get on.

£10 isn't really a great deal really. The LT box that isn't crippled is only £20/25 more and allows you to use all the apps on the NowTV box and the various ones that Sky decide to block (Such as Netflix)

And with the entertainment pack its a bit misleading. So much of what the channels broadcast isn't actually available to view.

And Sky don't subscribe to the same idea of On Demand that they have rights too that Netflix do, they don't put everything they have rights to up they rotate it in and out or just select certain seasons at a time. Its annoying enough when its a free part of your sky sub but as something you pay to subscribe to it would be annoying

[JEFF62]

What exactly is Hula? I have never quite understood it. I have been on Unblock for over a year and only ever use it for Netflix but keep reading on these forums how I can get Hula. When I looked at Hula it seems to be a USA only subscription service. Also I take it you cannot stream it on Apple tv and can only watch it on laptop. So please can someone enlighten me about Hula as it sounds like I could be missing out on getting even more value from my unblock sub.

[Peter the Great]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JEFF62

What exactly is Hula? I have never quite understood it. I have been on Unblock for over a year and only ever use it for Netflix but keep reading on these forums how I can get Hula. When I looked at Hula it seems to be a USA only subscription service. Also I take it you cannot stream it on Apple tv and can only watch it on laptop. So please can someone enlighten me about Hula as it sounds like I could be missing out on getting even more value from my unblock sub.

It is Hulu not Hula. Hulu is a free service that lets you catch up on episodes of TV shows from all the main Networks apart from CBS. There are some other selected archive and non US content available as well. What you are probably thinking of is Hulu Plus which does require a subscription. Hulu Plus gives you series box sets, HD streaming and lets you watch on a device like a Smart TV. The free Hulu is only available via a computer and does have quite frequent ads which can't be blocked.

[JEFF62]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JEFF62

What exactly is Hula? I have never quite understood it. I have been on Unblock for over a year and only ever use it for Netflix but keep reading on these forums how I can get Hula. When I looked at Hula it seems to be a USA only subscription service. Also I take it you cannot stream it on Apple tv and can only watch it on laptop. So please can someone enlighten me about Hula as it sounds like I could be missing out on getting even more value from my unblock sub.

Just realised I was calling it the wrong name! So what exactly is Hulu?

[passingbat]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JEFF62

Just realised I was calling it the wrong name! So what exactly is Hulu?

It gives you the latest episodes of US Network TV shows, rom ABC, Fox, etc.

You can watch some shows that never get picked up by a UK broadcaster, and watch some that do without having to wait sometimes months or the UK channels to show them.

They also show some shows from the non major Network channels. or example I watched the US version of The Bridge, which was shown on FX, and will not be shown on a UK channel. They also recently had all of season 4 of White Collar, which has been dropped by Alibi after season 3.

[daver34]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JEFF62

Just realised I was calling it the wrong name! So what exactly is Hulu?

Hulu is good, just put your unblock region to US and goto http://www.hulu.com/

If look at tv - networks for all available, im watching long way round from 2004 & bob vila home improvement progs from 1990`s

cbs is viewable on their own website, basically any website that offers free content is viewable when you set your unblock region to that country, ive watched mike holmes make it right progs on canada setting.

[Trainer99]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wakey

£10 isn't really a great deal really. The LT box that isn't crippled is only £20/25 more and allows you to use all the apps on the NowTV box and the various ones that Sky decide to block (Such as Netflix)

Would like to know where you can get a new Roku LT for £30-35.

[Trainer99]

Are you guys watching content (Hulu) on a PC or PC connected to a TV rather than using a STB?

[passingbat]

Quote:

Originally Posted by daver34

Hulu is good, just put your unblock region to US and goto http://www.hulu.com/

You don't need to change unblockus to US for Hulu; it works whatever region Netflix is set to.

Quote:

Are you guys watching content (Hulu) on a PC or PC connected to a TV rather than using a STB?

I watch via PC. All UK devices default to UK apps, and therefore don't include hulu, even if the US version of said device has Hulu.

Some people have found a way to make UK devices show the US version's apps though.


BTW, if you register with hulu, it shows you when a new episode of a show you watch is available.

[daver34]

I didn`t have unblock set up on my desktop computer and hulu wouldn`t play, caption came up stating i could not view from the country i was in(words to that effect), set up unblock to US and hulu worked.
I have my notebook rigged to tv via svga monitor cable(no hdmi output) & cable to amp.

I had to register with hulu yesterday as when trying to watch 6th episode of long way down a warning notice of mature content displayed and once registered play continued.

Will BBC ever put the majority of their back catalogue content online?.