Now TV I only subscribed to for Game of Thrones. It's a pretty limited selection otherwise but is handy to dip in and out just for shows on Sky Atlantic that I can't get on Virgin. I did consider ditching Sky Sports and using Now TV instead but it's live only with no catch-up, I'd like to be able to record a game and watch it when it's convenient.
Amazon is OK and has some good shows but I find it quite annoying that after paying for their Prime service I then have to pay extra for some TV and movies. I've never 'rented' a movie from them yet and don't think I will on principle. They've finally released an Android app for prime video, thankfully they gave up on trying to force everyone to get one of their fire tablets to watch.
Netflix is the winner for me. Huge selection though not as much as the US service gets (a lot of it crap, to be fair!), no extra payments and I can download shows to watch on the train to work. (I've also become strangely addicted to the Korean stuff they have now, but that's a story for another day!)
You think that 80 a year entitles you to unlimited viewings of the latest films?
No, I pay more than that to Sky movies. I just find the micro-transaction business model irritating. I want to pay for a service and know what I'm getting, not finding a show I might like to watch then seeing I'd have to pay more for it.
Those movies are in a different license window, so the only way they could possibly be available to you is pay per view (those movies are available for the same price across Amazon, Sky Store and Microsoft etc.).
It's basically the same window that Blockbuster Video used to own, with effectively the same business model (you pay a premium price for new movies on an individual basis for 2 days before you give it back).
Yes, it's probably also partly my fault in initially assuming they were running a similar service to Netflix.
I've never bothered with Pay-per-view movies, it seems poor value when I can always wait 3 months and watch them as often as I like. Amazon's service is a cross between all-inclusive and pay-per-view but when you're searching for something everything's jumbled in together. In many ways it's a better service, offering a wider choice, but I just feel like they've always got their grasping hands out asking for more money.
This is what I said a few months back about Now TV on another thread about Sky Sports:
"I got a free Now TV pass with some insurance for three months. ( I wasn't too bothered about it as already have Sky Sports.) But it seemed to be incompatible with virtually every application I run. Didn't work on Chrome, wouldn't work on the Now TV app on my Youview box (bizarre - only movies not entertainment), incompatible with Linux and wouldn't work on my tablet. That meant the only thing I could use it with was my Windows-based laptop and then only if I switch browser.
It works on Chromecast, PS4 and XBox, iPad, Laptop, Mobile or even... The NowTv box.
I know because at some time or another it's worked for me iusing each of those methods.
Sounds like a PICNIC issue, Problem In Chair Not In Computer.
Now TV doesn't work on Chrome or some other browsers. I run it on Firefox.
Amazon has some great original content like Bosch and American Gods as well as a better choice of films, tv choice is less good but it has some good stuff (parks and rec).
Netflix wider range of tv and some of their original documentaries are pretty good. Film wise they have less quality but I have tracked down some awful old movies to get my nostalgia fix from.
Interface wise I prefer amazon. I have got internet speed here and don’t notice much difference in quality/buffering from either option.
This is what I said a few months back about Now TV on another thread about Sky Sports:
"I got a free Now TV pass with some insurance for three months. ( I wasn't too bothered about it as already have Sky Sports.) But it seemed to be incompatible with virtually every application I run. Didn't work on Chrome, wouldn't work on the Now TV app on my Youview box (bizarre - only movies not entertainment), incompatible with Linux and wouldn't work on my tablet. That meant the only thing I could use it with was my Windows-based laptop and then only if I switch browser.
It works on Chromecast, PS4 and XBox, iPad, Laptop, Mobile or even... The NowTv box.
I know because at some time or another it's worked for me iusing each of those methods.
Sounds like a PICNIC issue, Problem In Chair Not In Computer.
Nope. And be a bit more polite when you don't know what you're talking about.
Here's what the Now TV site itself says. YouView compatible with Sky Cinema Pass only. Live and some on demand movies not available on YouView.
And this is what Recombo has to say on Chrome: Google has finally canned support for Silverlight, meaning Now TV customers can’t stream their favourite shows and movies using Chrome. Whenever Now TV customers try to stream movies from Chrome for Windows or Mac, they’ll be greeted with a pop-up message prompting them to download Firefox or either Internet Explorer or Safari, if they’ve not done so already."
And here's what the help guys say about my android tablet: We're aware that a number of users are experiencing an issue where the NOW TV app crashes in some circumstances. (In some circumstances meant whenever I tried to use it!)
Similarly, you can't use Now TV on Linux because that OS has never supported Silverlight. And while I could use an emulator to get it to work (to an extent), I can't be arsed. So none of that is incompatible with what I said. I don't have Chromecast, PS4, Xbox or any fruit -based product and as I said it wasn't worth it for me other than as a freebie.
You'd agree, surely, that if Sky want to sell their product they should make it a seamless experience for everyone on as many devices and applications as possible? As things stand, it isn't.
I would agree that Now TV and Sky Go are abysmal user experiences on desktop, and I have a pretty good idea why, but sadly can't share. But I will say it probably won't change any time soon.
P.S. Dazzler doesn't strike me as being the rudest one in that conversation!
This is what I said a few months back about Now TV on another thread about Sky Sports:
"I got a free Now TV pass with some insurance for three months. ( I wasn't too bothered about it as already have Sky Sports.) But it seemed to be incompatible with virtually every application I run. Didn't work on Chrome, wouldn't work on the Now TV app on my Youview box (bizarre - only movies not entertainment), incompatible with Linux and wouldn't work on my tablet. That meant the only thing I could use it with was my Windows-based laptop and then only if I switch browser.
It works on Chromecast, PS4 and XBox, iPad, Laptop, Mobile or even... The NowTv box.
I know because at some time or another it's worked for me iusing each of those methods.
Sounds like a PICNIC issue, Problem In Chair Not In Computer.
Now TV doesn't work on Chrome or some other browsers. I run it on Firefox.
I run it on Chrome on my laptop?
I don't know how then because it nowTV specifically states it doesn't work on Chrome. It used too but they stopped support for it. On my desktop, laptop and Lan computer I've have to use Firefox just for NowTV as I couldn't get it working on Chrome.
I would agree that Now TV and Sky Go are abysmal user experiences on desktop, and I have a pretty good idea why, but sadly can't share. But I will say it probably won't change any time soon.
P.S. Dazzler doesn't strike me as being the rudest one in that conversation!
Yeah, my specialism! So can you really not say or is it Silverlight/DRM/HTML5?
Silverlight is the short-term issue, sure. But how have Sky allowed that to hamstring them so badly? That's what I'd love to give my 2 cents on!
What I would say is that Netflix, being relatively new, were able to build a ground-up system long after Sky Player first appeared (about 10 years ago now).
Had Netflix for a couple of months now and have just cancelled it. Can not believe what all the fuss is about, tried Breaking bad, but the two main actors done my nut within the first few episodes. Then Narcos, which okay, but just got bored of it.
The less said about the films they got, the better.
I do believe that over the next couple of years, they're making some big changes so I may come back then, but for now we've just bought a cheap freeview box so my Mrs can watch Come Dancing and I can dip in and out of Grand Designs and Match Of The Day on the odd occasion. Although, if I had my way, we wouldn't have a tv in the house at all....
You need to give it to first season at very least. I had it on pirate dvd years before it become popular here. Never watched it then watched 5 seasons in a month
Not sure these have been compared before on here? And in the spirit of non-footballing threads. Am considering one of these services. Has anyone got any preference - recommendations? Mainly want a selection of movies and/or TV series to watch. Would like live sports - but I already have BT sport, so not desperate. What's the best - any strong opinions?
Thank you to everyone who has given an opinion/experience. As I'm predominantly looking for movies rather than TV and I also buy books and CDs on-line then think I'll go with Amazon Prime.
Just found, Zero Dark Thirty, Netflix goes up 1/2 notch.
Seen it before but very good film.
(Spoiler alert) Is that the one where a female Canadian special agent tracks down a suspected wanted terrorist in the UK? She then moves into the flat above him with the intention of sending him mad by using a range of different torture techniques over a period of time. I like the bit where he thinks she's using a rowing machine. But as he finds out when he makes the mistake of visiting her flat, it's actually the self-assembly waterboarding kit she bought from Ikea. And oh the irony of borrowing his car to go and pick it up. That scene made me laugh out loud! And that bit about having various parts left over after she's finished assembly. So true to life!
Just found, Zero Dark Thirty, Netflix goes up 1/2 notch.
Seen it before but very good film.
(Spoiler alert) Is that the one where a female Canadian special agent tracks down a suspected wanted terrorist in the UK? She then moves into the flat above him with the intention of sending him mad by using a range of different torture techniques over a period of time. I like the bit where he thinks she's using a rowing machine. But as he finds out when he makes the mistake of visiting her flat, it's actually the self-assembly waterboarding kit she bought from Ikea. And oh the irony of borrowing his car to go and pick it up. That scene made me laugh out loud! And that bit about having various parts left over after she's finished assembly. So true to life!
That’s the.......... wait a minute, light bulb goes on
Comments
I've never bothered with Pay-per-view movies, it seems poor value when I can always wait 3 months and watch them as often as I like. Amazon's service is a cross between all-inclusive and pay-per-view but when you're searching for something everything's jumbled in together. In many ways it's a better service, offering a wider choice, but I just feel like they've always got their grasping hands out asking for more money.
Amazon has some great original content like Bosch and American Gods as well as a better choice of films, tv choice is less good but it has some good stuff (parks and rec).
Netflix wider range of tv and some of their original documentaries are pretty good. Film wise they have less quality but I have tracked down some awful old movies to get my nostalgia fix from.
Interface wise I prefer amazon. I have got internet speed here and don’t notice much difference in quality/buffering from either option.
Here's what the Now TV site itself says. YouView compatible with Sky Cinema Pass only. Live and some on demand movies not available on YouView.
And this is what Recombo has to say on Chrome: Google has finally canned support for Silverlight, meaning Now TV customers can’t stream their favourite shows and movies using Chrome. Whenever Now TV customers try to stream movies from Chrome for Windows or Mac, they’ll be greeted with a pop-up message prompting them to download Firefox or either Internet Explorer or Safari, if they’ve not done so already."
And here's what the help guys say about my android tablet: We're aware that a number of users are experiencing an issue where the NOW TV app crashes in some circumstances. (In some circumstances meant whenever I tried to use it!)
Similarly, you can't use Now TV on Linux because that OS has never supported Silverlight. And while I could use an emulator to get it to work (to an extent), I can't be arsed. So none of that is incompatible with what I said. I don't have Chromecast, PS4, Xbox or any fruit -based product and as I said it wasn't worth it for me other than as a freebie.
You'd agree, surely, that if Sky want to sell their product they should make it a seamless experience for everyone on as many devices and applications as possible? As things stand, it isn't.
P.S. Dazzler doesn't strike me as being the rudest one in that conversation!
What I would say is that Netflix, being relatively new, were able to build a ground-up system long after Sky Player first appeared (about 10 years ago now).
I’ve been thinking of cancelling Netflix because what’s on offer in the main, I think is poor.
Of course there are some good dramas, House of Cards, Homeland, Mad Men and some good films.
But most films, seem to be “C” list and most of the Dramas too.
I had it on pirate dvd years before it become popular here.
Never watched it then watched 5 seasons in a month
Few your old pals working on my house at mo
Seen it before but very good film.
Is that the one where a female Canadian special agent tracks down a suspected wanted terrorist in the UK?
She then moves into the flat above him with the intention of sending him mad by using a range of different torture techniques over a period of time.
I like the bit where he thinks she's using a rowing machine. But as he finds out when he makes the mistake of visiting her flat, it's actually the self-assembly waterboarding kit she bought from Ikea. And oh the irony of borrowing his car to go and pick it up. That scene made me laugh out loud!
And that bit about having various parts left over after she's finished assembly. So true to life!