I, too, could never justify using NetFlix. Why? Well, I do watch rented DVDs, but not enough to actually make a subscription worth it. Yeah, I pay almost $5 per DVD from BlockBuster to rent, but then I don't rent again until weeks later. So, I felt I'd actually be losing money if I subscribed to NetFlix. NetFlix is a great service though, I know a lot of people who use it. And now that summer is here, why would I want to be cooped up inside when I can be outside enjoying the nice weather?

Sometimes my Netflix DVDs sit a while too, but I love being able to get whatever I want to watch. Can't do that with on-demand HBO or whatever, because they don't put their whole catalogs up; there may be one or two movies in any given time period that I want to see, but sometimes there isn't anything. Also, I love being able to rent, say, the entire first season of "Veronica Mars." I make no promises for what will happen when CableVision in my area starts offering DVR, though.

or something like it. A monthly subscription and you get the movies uploaded to your box by the next morning. That's what will blow the kill the DVD. (I wouldn't even bother picking a winner in the HD DVD battle. They'll both loose.

I've occasionally leaned toward putting mine on hold. The only problem with doing that is that if I do want to rent a DVD my only local choice is Blockbuster, which has a pitiful and nonsensical selection of badly damaged disks... I watch a lot of series TV disks, and Blockbuster just isn't reliable for those. They'll get season one of a show and then give up on it, etc. If blockbuster had the disks I wanted and they weren't all mangled, I'd drop netflix, but that's never going to happen. If anything, blockbuster's getting worse, in my experience.

The thing about series TV is that BitTorrent is really good at getting the latest programs. Wether you want last weeks episode of CSI or the entire fourth season of BBC's Spooks, all you need is a Broadband connection.

I was a Netflix customer for about two years before I brokedown and got digital cable and a DVR from my cable company (Comcast). Combined, the DVR and On-Demand movies are a Netflix killer. I do miss Netflix's selection, though. I find myself having to go to the local video store to find movies that are outside of the mainstream.

We quit Netflix because of continuous mailing & processing problems. They had a 7 day turnaround time and required a delay before accepting a lost disc notice (mail three discs back on the same day, only 2 arrive at netflix). So, we went with Hollywood Video's Movie Value Pass instead. It supports our local video store and there are no mailing issues. Plus if you don't like a movie or it is damaged, you can swap it the same day for another disc/title. The only downside is that we don't get the vast selection. As for DVR & Downloads. Maybe in the future when all cable plans come down in price and downloads would require a model where you are not required to view the movie on a single system (your computer?) and can only watch it once. Plus I've heard about a 24 hr expiration key. I'd never settle for those restrictions. I'd rather use Netflix.

I'll keep Netflix, though I may cut back the number of discs I keep out at a time. I have a 1080i upconverting DVD player, and wide-format discs look very good on it. Most of the movies available on digital cable at the moment are not widescreen, and I enjoy movies more in their original format. I don't enjoy the experience of watching movies on my computer monitor (though I have watched a few TV shows), and I have not yet integrated my home theater and computer. My tastes in movies run to the obscure, so Netflix is still a very good resource for me. But I agree they need to keep an ear to the ground -- the day of the digital HD movie on demand is not far off.

The thing that caused me to drop my Netflix sub...twice...was not alternate delivery systems, but Netflix' own throttling policy. Over time, it became almost impossible to get in-demand items. If Ebert and Roeper recommended it, I couldn't get it from Netflix...not for a really long time, anyway.

I have two Dishnetwork satellite dishes on my roof, but let's face it: the programming, aside from a few pay-per-view options, is rarely what I want to watch when I sit down on couch at the odd hour. With NetFlix, I always have 2 or 3 movies/documentaries that I have carefully chosen and get to watch exactly when I want. I think NetFlix is a terrific option and I'm stikin' with it...

I could have written this article. I totally agree. Even though I love Netflix and have recommended it to everyone I could, once I switched to satalite & got TiVo I never watch my movies anymore. The only difference is that I have 3 movies not 2 and its been more like 3 months than 6 weeks.

I disagree with those who think that a DVR can replace the service which Netflix provides. Netflix offers more than just the movie. It allows you to see the extra content on the DVD that is not shown on TV. While it's not a big deal for some movies its still something I can't get unless I buy the DVD. Another perk to Netflix is the ability to rent TV series DVD's. Who wants to waste time recording an entire season of a show when they can rent it and watch it at their leisure. These discs also offer bonus features not found on you DVR recording not to mention the removal of annoying commercials. Finally, there is the convenience. Why worry if you set the channel right or if the DVD you are burning to is compatable with your electronics. Just rent it, watch it and forget it!

I have a Tivo, but find precious little broadcast material worthwhile. My NetFlix subscription costs the same as 2 monthly premium channels...but I get unlimited choice in programs, & can take discs with for the kids in the car. In my experience, there have been zero problems with availability or service.

Those are good points about the number of channels. I have a bundle-deal from RCN that offers Cable TV/cable Modem/ and phone service all on one bill. The extra movie channels are just thrown in with the package. I sure wouldn't pay for Cinemax otherwise. ;) In New York the turn around was pretty good, but at best it is a two day process. That seems like a long time in an on-demand world.

Gee, how much does several hundred channels including 30, 40, 50 movie channels cost a month? Do you watch more than one at a time? How does being forced to pay for channels that you never watch "value"? NetFlix is precisely what I want when I want it and at a fair price. Oh, and not stolen. Here in a remote corner of Oregon we get NetFlix on a two day turn around. I suppose I could watch TV all day long but since I have a life too NetFlix helps me keep it all in perspective by forcing me to choose how I spend my time. :-)

I was an early subscriber to Netflix and was delighted with its operation, but eventually, Blockbuster caught up to and surpassed Netflix's performance. I find DVD rental to be of greatest value during RERUN season, that vast wasteland which is in play even as I speak. I am a Comcast digital subscrober and have great selection there as well. Rental DVD combined with Comcast premium and On-Demand picks combined with my own home-brewed PVR (based on Snapstream Beyond TV) keeps me properly entertained. I should add I'm an older guy, retired and somewhat limited in my physical activities. The moral of the story is: To Each His/Her Own.

We've had Blockbuster online since it started and I have to concur with the Dan Costa. We are very close to cancelling for some of the same reasons. Actually, the biggest reason we want to cancel is the terrible quality of the DVDs (i.e. scratches and fingerprints). Almost every one of the DVDs we've been getting is so bad that I have to use our special polishing/cleaning machine to restore the disc. It's especially frustrating when we've only got 5 minutes left on the movie when it becomes unplayable because of scratches.