Netflix, Lovefilm.....

[Emmielu]

I'm looking at signing up to either of the above. Im not sure if theres anything else like it where i can download tv series and films but they're the only 2 i've heard of. My friend swears by Netflix where films are concerned (i only want it for the films) whereas my other friend swears by Lovefilm.

Looking at the prices, Lovefilm is cheaper after the first month, however, its selection isnt huge, unlike netflix. However, Netflix is more expensive per month. I'm new to all this and will be using my laptop for the films not the tv. HELP.

[SilveryMoon]

I'm on LoveFilm.
I'm gettin g quite annoyed with them tbh.
I recently changed my package to streaming only (which they charge a £2 fee for package change) because we now haved a PC plugged into the tv.
I tried a cable from the router to the computer and it only plays trailers and I tried wirelessly but that doesn't work either. Although I can get films wirelessly on the laptop without any problems.
I called their help centre, which was a massive waste of time, absolutely no help at all, the guy told me "well, why don't you just watch them on the laptop then". Seriously? That's the best advise they can offer?
I then had to change my package again back to discs through the post, yes at another cost of £2.

[GhostShip]

Lovefilm, it's in the name, is better for films.

Whereas Netflix is much better for programmes.

Which is why I have both.

[Emmielu]

I dont want to get both if i can avoid spending that much money together. Its mainly films that i'd like rather than the tv programmes. Sooo which is better?

[TomsBentPinky]

Netflix is shit, I left after 2 days, there ws only 2 programmes and 1 film I could be bothered watching.

[GhostShip]

Emmielu it completely depends on the person. Both have free trials, why don't you sign up for each and see for yourself?

I've used netflix for ages. Mainly because of things like Red Dwarf, Dexter, South Park etc.

[SchrodingersMew]

I have both, Lovefilm has lots on it but it's lots of shite low quality films, Netflix has more cinema released stuff.

But, I should add. I have American Netflix and the selection is huge and entirely different to the UK one.

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

We've got Lovefilm, didn't have any problems setting up for streaming on an internet TV but find it difficult to navigate, you can browse by category but the search function doesn't work for us so it can take ages to find a specific film. Also, if you need to pause for any reason and then go back to normal TV in between you lose your place and have to start all over again from the browse menu. Not impressed.

[BrianCoxIsEatingBrains]

I have both (Lovefilm on free trial currently)

Netflix is brilliant for TV series, kids stuff etc - I am not a massive watcher of films, so I haven't heard of half the stuff on there and a few I've watched have been quite good.

Lovefilm - I thought there was a bigger selection of films on that to be honest and it all looked more current than what I'd seen on Netflix. However, Lovefilm has the full series of True Blood and I am currently working my way through that (Netflix doesn't have TB)

Ultimately, you can get both on the free trial and if you are still undecided you can take both for a month after and then chose which to cancel - you only pay for the month you owe.

Lovefilm is a bit trickier than Netflix to use on the big screen. I have a Wii and Netflix streams easily through that. With Lovefilm I need to hook my laptop up to my TV with an HDMI cable and then I need a cable for the sound too - complete arse ache in all honesty, which is why I just order DVDs from them.

Unless somebody knows an easier way of streaming Lovefilm through your laptop but showing on your TV screen?

[kekouan]

I've used both Netflix and LoveFilm and have ditched them both in favour of Blockbuster. Is it specifically the streaming service you are after, because BB don't offer this but they do seem to have a much faster turnaround than Love Film for sending back discs and you can order things in preference so you have much more choice of which films you get.

I'd get the free Netflix trial though and see what you think - there wasn't much on there that I'd not seen, and the series were a bit pants.

[BrianCoxIsEatingBrains]

Agree, so far am not impressed with how slow Lovefilm are returning discs.

I had True Blood series 2 on my priority list and then listed a few films as a lower priority, assuming they would come once all the TB discs had come...nope, half way through the series the TB discs stopped and I got The Boat That Rocked... so I couldnt even be arsed watching it, sent it back the same day and it still took 3 days for LF to get the next disc out to me.

This is cheaper than me buying the individual series though, seen as I would only ever watch them once.

I didn't realise Blockbuster did a similar service...off to Google

[kekouan]

I had a hell of a time cancelling with them - they were absolute bastards and it took forever. They used to be fantastic and I raved about them to anybody who would listen, really quick and really helpful customer service now. Unfortunately their staff seemed to have been retrained to be as unhelpful as possible and turnaround for a disc is more like a week when it used to be 3-4 days.

BrianCox - they're ace - I can post a disc back on Monday and get a new on Weds or Thurs at the latest. You can order discs 1-10 and you get top tickets on TOP of your existing allocation of discs so if there is a certain film you can 'top ticket' it and it'll arrive the next day. Am impressed.

[kekouan]

The other thing I do is buy the series on eBay for £15, watch them and then sell them back for about the same amount. Did that with all True Blood, Dexter and Game of Thrones. Wouldn't recommend back-to-backing that lot all in the space of a month though.. it does odd things to your brain

[KentuckyFriedChildren]

We had both but cancelled netflix because they couldn't let me pay with my debit card and I don't own a credit card. Netflix is ace for kids tv shows though and lovefilm is better for movies although they do have some decent tv as well

[SchrodingersMew]

Btw American Netflix has I think it's 4 seasons of True Blood to stream and it has a seperate Netflix for kids included in the price.

I am currently making my way through a couple of hundred episodes of CSI. :)

[kekouan]

Netflix here is shite.

[SchrodingersMew]

Kek I'm in Scotland btw. Do you use an xbox?

[BrianCoxIsEatingBrains]

kekouan - I just cancelled with Lovefilm, seemed straight forward enough tbh.

I know it is straight forward to cancel Netflix as I tend to dip in and out.

I have signed up to Blockbuster because there is a 14 day trial and then it's the same price as the Lovefilm package I was trialling. I think BB has lots more current stuff - new releases etc.

The one thing I didn't realise (and wasn't made clear) is that you are tied into BB for a year subscription, whereas with LF and NF you aren't.

For that reason alone, I will be cancelling before the 14 day trial expires....I will get through series 3 TB first though

[BrianCoxIsEatingBrains]

SchrodingersMew how did you sign up to US Netflix?

[SchrodingersMew]

I changed the location settings on the Xbox and it automatically becomes the US version but I still have UK lovefilm. It means I can chop and change between UK and US.

Would you like me to PM you how to do it?

[BrianCoxIsEatingBrains]

I don't have an Xbox but do have a Wii. Can that be done on the Wii?

If so, please do inbox me!

[kekouan]

Schrodingers - yes please! We don't have an xbox yet but may well be getting one. Can you do it on the Wii?

[SchrodingersMew]

Yes you can. Will inbox you the tutorial. :) The only TB it doesn't have is the newest series but it has Weeds, Bones, CSI etc.

[SchrodingersMew]

Kek Will inbox you too.

[BrianCoxIsEatingBrains]

ERIC I LOOOOVE YOUUUUU

[kekouan]

Ahhh I didn't know I was tied in for a year - that was not made clear at all... thanks for that.

Brian - I had to speak to them on the phone and got a really obstructive cowbag who just kept trying to upsell me. Very frustrating and I had to keep saying that I wanted to cancel it now please. Had to say it about 14 times in the end and she hung up on me. It's all cancelled now though.