I Am Finally Dropping Netflix

Sept. 6, 2011
Bill Wong goes cold turkey with Netflix.

I've been using Netflix since I tried out Roku's box (see Roku Netflix Player). I switched Netflix over to a Sony PS3 and used the Roku box on another TV. I have also tested other services like VUDU (see Vudu: Movies On Demand) for quite awhile but recent changes by Netflix with its new pricing structure forced me to examine what I really needed or wanted from a streaming services. I liked the regularity of getting a DVD in the mail because I would watch it at that time. The streaming support was a nice benefit and there were times when I used it heavily.

When Netflix upped their price I went with the streaming option with the idea of turning to outfits like Redbox when I wanted a DVD of a new movie. So far I haven't taken that route. I also found that I didn't watch Netflix streaming as much as I thought I would. I have a large queue but never get around to watching it. The lack of new movies was a definite distraction.

I did try viewing Netflix on my Droid but the results were not very good. I suspect a newer Android smartphone or one with a 4G connection would fare better. That might have been a reason to keep Netflix but I tend to watch my own recordings on my Droid.

So I finally pulled the plug on Netflix and haven't had cause to start it up again. I also decided to send back the HD DVR I was renting from Verizon. Their FIOS is great but the limited capacity of the HD DVR and the poor user interface was not worth the extra money. The one feature I will miss is the ability to automatically record the current program. The ability to rewind or pause was very nice.

So I am down to FIOS On demand which is pretty good and one reason the HD DVR was not used much. I still do a bit of recording with my MythTV (see Building A COM Express DVR) set up but it can only access local channels. The more interesting movie channels require a CableCard and that is not a feature available via MythTV as far as I know. The PS3 gets a lot of use playing Resistance 2 and occasionally a movie via VUDU.

Turning Netflix back on is a trivial online exercise so I can always get access to that content if I feel the need in the future. I'd be interested in hearing about your viewing habits and how they have changed over the years.

About the Author

William Wong Blog | Senior Content Director

Bill's latest articles are listed on this author page, William G. Wong

Bill Wong covers Digital, Embedded, Systems and Software topics at Electronic Design. He writes a number of columns, including Lab Bench and alt.embedded, plus Bill's Workbench hands-on column. Bill is a Georgia Tech alumni with a B.S in Electrical Engineering and a master's degree in computer science for Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.

He has written a dozen books and was the first Director of PC Labs at PC Magazine. He has worked in the computer and publication industry for almost 40 years and has been with Electronic Design since 2000. He helps run the Mercer Science and Engineering Fair in Mercer County, NJ.

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