Well, I’m no longer a Netflix user. I was on the $5 per month plan for two movies a month and one online. I was fine with the service until I tried to watch the movie. Netflix uses Microsoft Windows Media Player’s (WMP) Digital Rights Management (DRM) technology to copy protect their movie. Every time I tried to watch a video, WMP would give me a DRM error. After talking with Netflix support for about an hour last night, they informed me that some monitors using Digital Video Cables (DVI) would not be correctly identified by DRM as monitors and so DRM would give me an error, essentially telling me that it thought I was going to copy the video. So, I dug through my box of computer cables, found an old VGA cable and DVI adapter and plugged the setup into my monitor. Worked, no DRM error; BUT now I’m using an oldskool analog connection to transmit video to my monitor. There was actually a noticeable degradation in quality.
What the flip! I should have the fundamental consumer right to get what I pay for. If I pay extra for DVI and a nice LCD screen, I should be able to use it to its full potential. So until Netflix changes their DRM technology (oh, and asks me before they collect information about my computer), I’ll be looking to Blockbuster or illegal bit torrents.
My point is that I’m voting with my dollar and no longer supporting netflix.
I’d be a little careful of Blockbuster. They’ve already increased the prices on there plans and removed some perks. I’d see what kind of selection they have, because I don’t recall seeing some of the animes and other stuff I’d like to see there. Awesome to hear you taking a stand for your buck, and I’ll let you know what happens with Netflix and such.
i like netflix but…
do you have more detail about the blockbuster changes? we were thinking about going with them since they’re in town.
i luv family video – its cheapo. but you like, OMG, have to walk to the store! also, I love that you wanna give netflix the smack down. (but you must realize, they prob don’t have any geeks working there really, and dont care).