How Netflix Scratches Up Your DVDs and Charges More for Blu-ray

I've always wanted to see what it looks like in a Netflix warehouse. It's kind of a let down.

Reply

I'm disappointed about the price hike, and hope that this is the last time the price goes up.

Renting Blu-ray movies from Netflix is totally the way to go, given how expensive they still are in retail.

I do watch more stuff online, but usually it's current TV episodes. I'm totally spoiled by the video (and audio) quality in Blu-ray, and (without turning this into a flame war) haven't found an equivalent (legal or not) online.

Oh, and I believe they are slightly more resistant to scratches than HD-DVDs were. This is important because of the amount of "use" these discs get through Netflix distribution

Reply

If anything, Netflix should make Blu Ray discs cheaper because people wouldn't be as prone to copying them. Lol.

Reply

I've had very good experience with Blu-ray renting via Netflix. I got my PS3 fairly soon after getting my Netflix account, so I immediately jumped on the Blu-ray bandwagon.

I've never received a scratched or broken Blu-ray (Like some report... some seem to blame it on the Blu... I don't see it that way. I say it's your mailman or sorting center being too rough. The people who complain about broken discs consistently do so... Netflix can't be at fault 100% of the time), and I've watched a ton of them from Netflix (Unfortunately, there's no way yet to be certain of the number of Blu VS. DVD rentals on my part, even with help tracking this info from http://Feedflix.com ).

The only Blu-ray movies I buy are catalog titles (Older movies just debuting on Blu for the first time), Pixar movies (Obviously, the only way to watch them is in 1080p), and some bargain grabs... my rate of purchasing has decreased tremendously since our current economic downturn began :)

Anyway, all this was said in order to get to my point of, why would you title this post in that way? That's mean :( All those workers are slaving over discs just in an effort to please you...

Reply

I haven't, nor do I think I will any time soon, upgrade for blu-ray. As far as scratch discs go, I can think of maybe only once or twice in the two or more years of having netflix that it was ever a problem. I'm watching The Conversation right now, thanks to this lovely company.

Reply

If I could get a BluRay disk from Netflix I'd tell you about it. I've had movies sit at Very Long Wait since they become available for up to 5 months, sometimes longer if it is a popular movie. Half the time I'd switch to regular DVD just to see the darn thing.

A couple times I got Full Screen versions of movies instead of BluRay disks. I was half ok with the $1 fee, but $4 is ridiculous. The movies have not gone up in price since the first fee, so why are they charging us more? I dropped my BluRay option, upscaled DVDs are fine by me.

Reply

I dropped my subscription from 3 to 2 discs at a time. I'd also like a discount in my fee for the instant view "service" that I hardly use.

Reply

Blockbuster Total Access. :D

Reply

Isn't it strange how Cinematical (backed by moviefone, backed by AOL who partners with Blockbuster) chastises Netflix, but have yet to critique the countless way Blockbuster screws over its customers with a poor movie selection, in-store exclusives, and crappy quality discs?

I'm usually a fan of Cinematical. I turn the other way when you go ape-shit over specific movies backed by your gods (the Indiana Jones fiasco almost made me lose it). But sometimes being a commercial shows how paper-thin your walls are.

Come up with a defense quick. Big brother is tweeting.

Reply

I am acutally fine with the price hike on Blu-Ray (I am on the 3 disc at a time plan, so my Blu-Ray access went up from $1 to $4). I mean I pay $4 a month more to rent everything that I get from there on Blu-Ray. That is a very small price to pay considering there is very rarely any BluRays in at Blockbuster, and none of the other rental outlets by me carry BluRay. So completely satisfied costumer here.

Reply

I cancelled my subscription after the price hike. I replaced the same movie five times in a row - each unplayable and uniquely scratched. Dude, I just want to watch a bluray copy of 'The Sentinel' so I can see the lines on Michael Douglas' face with ultra clarity. Damnit! The Netflix call center recommended I switch to "regular movies" until it got figured out on it's own. Srsly? Bad Customer Support + Price Hike = Epic Fail. [Still better than Blockbuster's though]

Reply

Tons of people use Netflix to copy DVDs. They get a movie, copy it, send it back. They take advantage of the system by paying for just a few DVDs at a time plan but then constantly sending them back and getting new ones, which in and of itself doesn't cause a whole lot of extra wear and tear on the discs, but over time with lots of people doing this, it's bound to have an effect. The discs are at least getting more worn than the ones that sit in people's homes for two weeks waiting to be watched.

Blu Ray discs on the other hand are, first of all, more scratch-resistant and therefore would last longer through the process of repeated mailings. Secondly, they would be more of a pain to copy because they hold so much more info than regular DVDs do--it wouldn't be a quick ripping process straight from one disc to another. And lastly, there aren't as many movies available yet for people to get (and therefore less of a selection to copy from).

Sure, there are plenty of people who don't use Netflix to copy movies. The ones who do, however, are probably causing more wear on the discs than the ones who don't. I think Blu Ray discs would slow the damage process, and then Netflix wouldn't have to replace their discs as often, saving them money in the long run. SO, that's why the Blu Ray plan should be cheaper.

Reply

New release Blu-rays range from around $1.00 to $3.00 more than their new release DVD counterparts. I wish more people bought on Amazon instead of Best Buy (who charge at least $5.00 more online, and full MSRP in store). Then a lot more would have cried foul when Netflix stated that... "And as you've probably heard, Blu-ray discs are substantially more expensive than standard definition DVDs."

Sure, I've *heard* that, but that doesn't mean it's true. (Like I said, Amazon... or alternately, Deep Discount DVD.)

Since the article is talking about scratching...

Blu-ray has a much stronger protective coating than DVD, and are much, much harder to scratch. This means they should last longer than DVD, *saving* Netflix money in the end.

-Pie

Reply

I'm a long time customer of Netflix and it seems more and more I'm asking for another copy of a movie they've sent me because the disc is so badly scratched up its unplayable. Is it so hard for them to throw away discs that are so badly scratched you miss entire sections of the film? I get regular DVDs as I don't have Blue-Ray right now. I don't mind getting regular DVDS just wish I could watch a movie without having to rent the same one two times.

Reply

After being a Netflix member for going on six years, I upgraded to renting Blu-rays several months ago. It's one of the best entertainment choices we ever made.

I have no problem with the slight price hike. Considering what it costs to actually buy a Blu-Ray disc or venture out to the theater, Netflix is still a killer deal. The Blu-Ray quality is amazing when compared to regular DVDs and sometimes even the big screen. When I first bought my player, we had a few friends over and tested playing 5 mins of a regular DVD back-to-back with 5 mins of the Blu-Ray version of the same film. Everyone there was sold.

Sure over the past six years, I've gotten a scratched or lost disc or two, but Netflix has always been very responsive and prompt to resolve any such issues. Plus, I've never been disappointed in with their selection. No matter how random or obscure a film is, they always seem to have it for me. I really can't complain and remain a very satisfied Netflix customer.

I cut up my Blockbuster card about 3 or so years ago when they were still clinging to their outdated business model and enforcing late fees; not to mention their inferior movie selection. I'll never go back.

Reply