Whether we're ready or not to ditch traditional television sources or forget about seeking the highest picture quality, online streaming is unarguably here now and the future of watching video content. Last year we discussed what we're sacrificing for streaming video access and even longer ago we talked about Blu-ray and why it doesn't matter anymore. At the time I strongly disagreed with the latter statement, but a year later my sentiments have softened...
Our very own Gregory Han put it best when he explained, "Why I don't Own a Single Blu-ray... and Probably Never Will." It's the "age of Roku, Apple TV, and Netflix streaming" (and many others such as Amazon Prime, Hulu, etc.) and while we do sacrifice video quality the convenience truly does make up for perceived losses in quality.
I say perceived because quality comes in many forms, not simply limited to technical video quality. I've become increasingly more fond of Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, and other streaming video services ever since I picked up a Roku, thoroughly enjoy the quality of convenience and selection. The ability to search through an abundance of selection instantly and at my whim allows me to "forgive" any video quality differences.
Besides, my selection of what to watch via streaming sources does not impinge on my ability to buy/rent a Blu-ray down the street for those big budget-big action-big picture-is-everything movies. I still watch movies in Blu-ray whenever I am afforded the opportunity (hello, Redbox!), but when I would otherwise have to trudge out into the dreary night seeking out a limited selection in order to achieve that picture perfect cinema experience I now understand and appreciate that I don't have to.
So while I won't likely cut the cord entirely anytime soon from my live television sources or Blu-ray blockbuster movies, I'm extremely happy to have joined the fold. Whether it's enjoying season upon season, back to back years and years of TV episodes or catching a random "I wouldn't watch this in the theaters but if it were late night and there was nothing on, sure why not" movie, streaming videos are alright in my book. Even as a latecomer with extreme prejudices, I'm proof positive that there's still hope for change for even the diehard (perfect picture quality) extremists.
(Images: Netflix, Hulu, Shutterstock/oculo)
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I must admit, I don't understand streaming. Is it like watching a video on youtube where you click and start watching OR do you have to download the movie first? If you have to download, how long does that take and what do you do with the movie when you've finished watching?
Most streaming, like through Hulu and Netflix, is YouTube-style (as you describe). You click it and start watching.
Some services, like Amazon, do that as well, but also allow you the option of downloading the video to an external device. For instance, if I buy a movie or an episode of TV on Amazon, I can have it downloaded to my TiVo so I can watch it on my TV instead of my computer. Or if I do want to watch it on my computer, I can just start playing right away (no download necessary).
If you've purchased the content to own, you can keep it as long as you like. If you've rented it, it will go away when the rental period is done.
Hear! Hear! I got rid of my TV when I moved last, intending to get a new one that better it the new place. Four years later I still haven't and I don't miss it. @lynnindc Streaming means you watch as the website runs the show for you (yeah, kind of like YouTube). You can also fully download things from places like iTunes where the video quality is a bit higher but that isn't called "streaming", its just downloading.
Oh and another thing to note, like storyscribe said, downloading is different from streaming. Streaming is enabled through a constant connection to the video content you are watching through the internet. If your internet goes out while you watch, you stop watching. If you download, the only connection you need is during the time you are downloading. Once you're done with the download, the internet could go out and you could still watch. However, if the internet goes out while you're downloading, you won't be able to continue.
I have some problems with my internet connection and the geography of my condo, so streaming doesn't always work flawlessly, but I rarely watch DVDs anymore and have sold many of mine. i have a few downloaded movies for watching on a plane, but for the most part most of my entertainment comes from streaming or on demand or dvr.
I love streaming video and at the moment, I can't think of any reason I'd go back to broadcast TV.
I cut the cable a year ago and never looked back. Instead of having the tv on, just blathering...a very bad habit I got into...now it's off. In fact, switched off at the power strip. Now my bills are lower, my home is usually quiet, and I get so many other things done instead of vegging out on the couch.
When I want to watch a movie, which these days is more and more infrequent, I have a purple (the cheapest) Roku box and a Netflix subscription. Instead of @$70 bucks for 'regular' cable tv, my monthly 'home entertainment' costs are $17.99 (I splurge on getting dvds from Netflix too.) I also check instantwatcher.com every now and then to see if I'd be interested in any of the new (or about to expire) titles on Netflix streaming. I never run out of movies I want to see...eventually.
Everything else I watch online. I see if there's anything interesting on the news channel I used to watch constantly but that's becoming more and more infrequent too. Although I almost always manage to watch "The Daily Show" the day after and, as of two weeks ago, my Mondays are for watching Season 3 of "Downton Abbey" on pbs.org.
streaming is immense.
I love the services available on XBMC as well as storing my local content.
I honestly can't really tell much of a difference between Blue Ray and Netflix set to 1080P. And whatever difference there is, I just don't care.
As for cable, I also cut it 1 year ago. I've missed the vegging out only occasionally, and you sacrifice "discovering" shows or movies by accident. But I feel like I only watch TV deliberately now. I choose a show to watch and I watch it. No commercials, no flipping around between commercials, and no channel surfing for hours. I have an HD antenna for OTA news which works out perfectly.
Also, saving about $70 a month after factoring in my unlimited internet connection, Netflix and a US DNS, I'm saving nearly $1,000 a year once you add sales taxes. It's simply a no-brainer.
For what it's worth to the article writer, Netflix is now offering "Super HD" streaming, which is basically streaming 1080p full HD content, although availability apparently depends highly on your ISP. They're also starting to stream 3D.
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2414149,00.asp
@Pi and @storyscribe - I get it now. Thanks for the explanations.
I have no cable, but installed an Apple tv box a couple of years ago. Love it, except it doesn't offer Amazon Prime there. So, just put in an additional (cheap) blu ray box that essentially does the same thing as Apple tv, and includes Amazon Prime AND Hulu Plus AND Netflix, among other things. Apple tv is good for wifi streaming of movies I own, from external hard drives plugged in to Airport Extreme in another room. I have DSL service, not high speed, so straight-up movie purchase downloads are excruciatingly slow. Streaming is usually fine.
I stopped Comcast a year ago, saving myself the ~$1,000 that Carrotsticks mentions.
I used to watch a lot of hulu but when they went to paid subscriptions, I heard they STILL play commercials - which is a dealbreaker, ladies. I hope everyone boycotts them for that reason.
had netflix. Got tired of the lack of quality items. Very few actually good popular items, and then they only show up months later. Redbox gives out enough promo codes to keep up with the new stuff. The rest of the stuff, who the heck watch that crap. Movies that no one has ever heard of. Why take the time to stream them? Just to get their "we offer XXXX streaming items" numbers up
If you find some TV series to watch, it is nice to be able to go through them, until they decide to stop streaming a few random episodes or a season in the middle. Or had problems with random episodes that would continually lock up or audio would go off. So no good there. If I had extra money sure, but I just can't see it being really worth it.
I share a Hulu+ account with someone else. I am not really a fan. I am paying, but there are still commercials. WTF. Plus too much of the content is computer only, so I can't even watch it through my BR player in all it's glory. They need to figure out what they are doing.
This post makes me sad...
I get it. Streaming is more convenient and easy. The content on there is "good enough" for most people, as is the video quality. I also accept that Bluray will likely be the last physical media format for movies.
But for better or worse, I'm one of those few people who really likes high quality content and has put together a system to take advantage of it. I'm willing to pay the premium to get the best video (and audio!!!) quality that's available. It matters to me.
Even though Bluray's are available now, I feel like everyone is being (or will be) forced down to the lowest common denominator - streaming.
Or hey - maybe I'm just a pessimist ;-)
Streaming is fine if you can accept the limited content you get. Sure you can save a bundle dropping satellite, cable or fiber TV but don't be fooled into thinking streaming is in anyway comparable to proper TV service. I say that from experience of someone that ditched cable years ago.
You are not alone. I go for Blu-Ray first, whenever possible. Nothing online comes close to that quality.
I'm surprised to hear people complain about Hulu+ having commercials when cable companies charge waaay more money to deliver even more commercials into your living room. At least with Hulu it only interrupts you once per show.
Anyway, I think that blue ray will stick around for the next little while, at least until streaming quality catches up. There are many people out there like @looksgoos_soundsgood who really care about the absolute best quality. I'm not sure if I should take offense to the "lowest common denominator" statement, but I'll just say that I care more about the quality of the shows and movies than the quality of the video output (For some reason I have a 1080P setting on my Netflix that seems to be near perfect quality..?).
And, @jmorey, I think that sometimes it's good to watch something you've never heard of. That's how you discover new things that you can share with your friends. Sure, some of it is crap (a lot), but there are many great shows and movies on Netflix that aren't in the top 40 charts. Same with music - I occasionally like listening to the top 40, but every now and then I hear something that isn't "popular" but I still like it.
I think Netflix should be part of a TV solution that isn't cable. I have a computer attached to my TV with a Netflix subscription, but whatever isn't available on Netflix I can usually find on the show's website (like the daily show, HGTV stuff, episodes of Glee), that's all free. Along with the HD antenna for news and local stuff, I feel like I'm getting the essentials without paying through the nose for a cable company to pump advertisements into my home.
Ooh, sounds intriguing. According to Netflix, "Super HD requires an internet connection with at least 5Mb/s download" which while opens up a lot of bandwidth for more data is still a far cry from Blu-ray's 54Mb/s transfer rate capability. Even at 1080p resolution, there's still going to be a whole lot of compression. But definitely love that it's getting better!
@looksgood_soundsgood - I love high quality content and will always choose it when I can, no matter what crap I'm watching.