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Netflix vs Blockbuster
For years, I was a loyal Blockbuster customer, as I have a store about 3/4 of a mile from my house. However, as I get older, my need to rush out and rent a new release on its first day on the shelves has significantly diminished. The same thing has happened with going to the movies -- I only go to things that I feel cannot be appreciated on anything less than the big screen.
Along comes Netflix, with online renting/mailing. I sign up about two years ago, and it fits my lifestyle pretty well. I did try Blockbuster's online service for a bit, but my experience was that most discs arrived scratched and dirty. Netflix, on the other hand, well, I haven't had any bad discs.
Now, I have discovered the joy of Netflix instant streaming. I have a 46 in Sony Bravia and the other night, my wife and I watched one of our favorite older movies, "Down Periscope." The fill screen mode fit my TV just fine, and the quality of the picture, while a step below a DVD, was perfectly acceptable for a streaming movie.
Using instant streaming, I've been able to sample movies that I just didn't want to invest time in to rent or watch (Team America - ugh), watch music concerts that I'd missed in the past, and see older Doctor Who episodes. Nice service.
Now Blockbuster has announced a new pricing structure that undercuts Netflix. Is this enough to make me switch? No, for now. But how about you? What has been your experience?
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