Netflix versus Hulu

Bison · January 10, 2014, 09:54:14 PM

Talk to me Goose! Which is better and why? What's the difference between the two?

I'm thinking of dropping cable and just going with internet and maybe subscribing to one of these two for the occasional movie and shows. Also if anyone knows which offers the most kid friendly programming? Is there another service I should look into besides these two?

bayonetbrant · January 10, 2014, 10:30:16 PM

My father-in-law got mother-in-law a NetFlix streaming sub for Christmas, and we've been taking advantage of it at our place, too. Works like a charm on our TV (we've got a "smart" TV w/ an ethernet jack and built in NetFlix app). So far have watched first 3 seasons of Walking Dead, and a bunch of kids' movies for our 3-year-old

Staggerwing · January 10, 2014, 10:36:56 PM

I have both Netflix and Hulu Plus, as well as Amazon Prime. No single service does it all and having all three is still cheaper than cable. Hulu has commercials but lots of great TV shows (often only the last 5 or 10 most recent episodes), Netflix has a lot of (relatively) older good movies and all complete seasons of things like Star Trek DS9, and Amazon Prime often has the first few seasons of things like 'Justified' and 'Grimm' for free but the latest season for $1.99 an episode, as well as selected late-run movies free, others still in the Theaters for $9.99-$14.99, and free second day shipping on all your amazon (and select affiliates) book/dvd/cd/otherstuff shipments.

Bison · January 10, 2014, 10:40:36 PM

Well what I'd like to be able to do is stream from the iPad to the TV, which I think is going to require an apple tv thingy. Although I think my bluray player has Netflix on it, but not sure if it's Wi-Fi enabled. Sad I know, but I know nothing about this stuff.

Staggerwing · January 10, 2014, 10:49:02 PM

iPad to TV requires an AppleTV device ($99). AFA wifi, does your Bluray player need an adapter or does it have one built in? Check the specs or google the model number to find an owners' manual PDF.

GDS_Starfury · January 10, 2014, 10:49:53 PM

Wii can do Netflix.

Staggerwing · January 10, 2014, 10:53:30 PM

Quote from: GDS_Starfury on January 10, 2014, 10:49:53 PM
Wii can do Netflix.

Yes it can. Just the thing for the kid-friendly Netflix version.

The PS3 can do Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and a few others. Redbox has a new app as well.

Bison · January 10, 2014, 10:55:52 PM

Well I just checked the bluray player it needs a wire to connect to the internet which is an issue because the wire goes to the gaming rig downstairs so I might have to plug the ps3 to the family tv for the wifi or I might have to look into an apple tv box.

Staggerwing · January 10, 2014, 10:57:02 PM

PS3 should have built in wifi if it's fairly new.

Bison · January 10, 2014, 10:59:16 PM

The key here is we want to cut the cable cord, because frankly it's too damned expensive for the amount we watch in time and number of channels. Something with some good kids programing and the occasional movie/show for the wife and I.

Yeah the PS3 does, but I think the wife wants to be able to use the ipad.

Steelgrave · January 10, 2014, 11:01:51 PM

I have Netflix and Amazon Prime. Between the two I am usually able to find whatever I want. I do have to pay for my very favorite programs, such as Sons, Justified and The Walking Dead, but a season worth of favorite shows at $1.79 per episode versus cable is a money saver. Besides the occasional first run movie, there are perhaps a dozen shows I pay for in a year, everything else I wait until it's free on Netflix or Amazon Prime.

Oh, and I have a portable tv antenna I bought at Best Buy for $79 three years ago. With it I can pick up another dozen channels or so and catch my NFL and news.

Bison · January 10, 2014, 11:03:42 PM

Cool. I think I'll just go with Netflix. Now just need to figure out how I want to stream it to the tv. What's the device limit on Netflix?

Steelgrave · January 10, 2014, 11:05:23 PM

They are in the process of changing their plans in order to let you select how many streaming devices you want. I think I have two or three. Mainly they are doing this to give the single folks a couple of dollars discount for a single stream.

I cut the cable almost four years ago and I'm doing fine without it 8)

GDS_Starfury · January 10, 2014, 11:08:15 PM

Quote from: Steelgrave on January 10, 2014, 11:05:23 PM
I cut the cable almost four years ago and I'm doing fine without it 8)

a buddy said the same thing when his son turned 18.

Steelgrave · January 10, 2014, 11:09:10 PM

Quote from: GDS_Starfury on January 10, 2014, 11:08:15 PM
Quote from: Steelgrave on January 10, 2014, 11:05:23 PM
I cut the cable almost four years ago and I'm doing fine without it 8)

a buddy said the same thing when his son turned 18.

Heh, that cable has been cut a lot longer than four years ;D