Video On Demand Services — Blockbuster vs. Netflix

Digital distribution of movies is becoming more than just a convenience. Video on demand (VOD) technology is becoming the status quo. As video formats have evolved, so has the method of delivery. Reel-to-reel. BetaMax and VCRs. DVD players. High-definition Blu-Ray. And now delivery of videos goes beyond format. There are an increasing number of utensils to feed your video appetite. In fact, there is a large list of video on demand services. If you have a broadband Internet connection, then you’re ready to explore the world of VOD.

So, how do you choose?

I’m a DIRECTV customer as well as a Blockbuster.com user. I’m contemplating a VOD service as an alternative to my Blockbuster service. So, I decided to take a look at Blockbuster’s VOD service and compare it to Netflix. Pretty smart, eh? Yeah…I thought so too.

BLOCKBUSTER. I’m already partial to Blockbuster over Netflix, so naturally Blockbuster.com was the first place I went to get some details. According to Blockbuster’s current offer, when you rent 25 movies in advance — which costs $99 — Blockbuster will send you one of its 2wire MediaPoint digital media players. The box includes composite, HDMI and component outputs.

Unfortunately the information available on Blockbuster.com is routine at best — an electronic brochure of the service actually. So, I contacted BlockBuster with a slew of questions.

This blogger shares his pros and cons of the Blockbuster service and related hardware.

With the lack of information available on the Blockbuster site, I decided to email them for some answers:

Dear Derrich,

Roughly 2,000 titles are currently available. The library changes frequently.

The device upscales up to 1080i resolution if used with an HDMI connection, cable not included. Some of the titles, such as the IMAX titles, are compressed with high definition, but not all titles will be in such high quality. The device also only offers stereo only for the audio.

The prices range from $1.99 to a max of $3.99.

There is no long-term storage available. Rentals are only made available for a maximum of 30 days after download. Once you actually start to watch the movie, however, there is only a 24 hour license issued to play the movie as many times as you wish. The files are auto-deleted either when the 30 day period or 24 hour watch period expires.

There are no other fees or membership requirements to use the OnDemand service. Once you have the device and use the 25 prepaid rentals, if you never rent again..you’ll never be billed.

Please let us know if there’s any other questions we can help with.

NETFLIX. The Netflix website on the other hand was refreshingly informative about its offering. Heck, it even points you in the direction of the manufacturer, Roku, for a more in-depth resume of abilities.

Right off the bat, this thing is the epitome of ’straight foward’. Box is $99 (MSRP). Buy it, keep it. If you already have a Netflix unlimited plan (from $8.99/month), then you’re all set. The terms and conditions isn’t a bunch of legal jargon — it consists of six bullet points. Your existing Netflix plan doesn’t change. The number of movies available on demand is limited to a little over 3,500. One blogger even went so far as to compile a list of Netflix On Demand movies. Netflix claims 12,000 selections; we can assume the other 8,500 or so are TV shows. More importantly, watching movies or TV shows instantly does not affect the number of DVDs you get.

In addition to the Roku player, you can use the Netflix service with a number of other devices such as the Xbox 360, on a TiVo DVR, and a pair of Ethernet-capable Blu-ray Disc Players.

In addition to those devices, today LG announced the first broadband-enabled HDTVs with Netflix streaming software embedded directly in the TV, eliminating the need for one of the above boxes.

THE WINNER IS…. It looks like Netflix has found a way to marginalize Blockbuster. I’m tempted to take advantage of the 30-day free trial to see if I like the ‘DVD by mail’ service as much or better than Blockbuster. If so, why wouldn’t I make the switch to the company with a better On Demand product?

The bottom line is that Netflix rules the VOD battle.

While I test drive the two services, there are still some other VOD services out there for me to research such as Amazon Video On Demand, and other services available through gaming consoles such as the PlayStation 3, or the recently announced video distribution service on the Nintendo Wii…and, of course, Apple TV and Vudu for the “high-def only, thank you” videophiles.

Popularity: 45% [?]

Be Kind. Review Within 24 Hours!

Are you kidding me? Apparently I’m a little behind the curve on this news. Last night, my DIRECTV DVR list included a message regarding the recording of Pay Per View movies to my DVR. The message reads as follows:

Effective April 15, 2008, DVR recordings of PPV movies will be available for 24 hours of unlimited viewing after purchase. Major movie studios have required that satellite and cable providers alike may no longer allow their customers to view these recordings for longer than 24 hours. During the 24 hour viewing period, you will continue to enjoy all of your DVR features such as pause and rewind.

Um. Why on earth would anyone purchase a movie and record it to their DVR when in the same timeframe, they could hit up Blockbuster Online or Netflix for a movie…and then keep that movie for days without late fees? Luckily the movies I have stored on my DVR already won’t be deleted.

I can see it now. No more fast forwarding through commercials.

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