Version: 2008

Comments on: Is it time for Netflix to invest in system upgrade?

Hardware malfunction causes delays a few months after a separate problem causes a system crash. What does it mean that the video rental site has seen two meltdowns this year?

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by repete_7 August 26, 2008 1:13 PM PDT
Ummm...
Netflix - two glitches in less than a year.

Blockbuster - driving in traffic, not finding the movie I want, waiting in line to rent my second choice, paying much more per movie, and having to drive back to return it. Every single time.

I think I can put up with Netflix.
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by sellis16 August 27, 2008 12:58 PM PDT
Newsflash! Blockbuster has an online service that's just like Netflix, except for two things:

1) You can exchange your mailed movie at a Blockbuster store for another movie, free, 5x per month.

2) No service outage.

Rock on with your bad self!
by xwingsct August 26, 2008 1:40 PM PDT
Netflix has saved me a lot of money over the years.
Like the article said. I hardly notice the delay.
If I didn't read the news on the internet. I wouldn't have known.
that they having problem shipping discs.
Netflix has always been good to their customers.
They didn't really have to credited us but they did it anyway.
Now I know why Blockbuster online rental is going nowhere.
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by iwarrior-poet August 26, 2008 1:54 PM PDT
The only thing that would cause me to leave Netflix is if they lost my queue. I have over 450 movies/tv shows lined up. If I lost that...

I would be a bit perturbed...
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by whogrant August 26, 2008 2:24 PM PDT
I didn't care - it compelled me to figure out a long standing NetFlix Watch Now software issue (it was a driver problem) and then I spent a long weekend watching about half a dozen Watch Now movies and documentaries so I actually got more. For the most part I now prefer Watch Now for many movies that don't need BluRay or surround sound (which is a lot). I hope NetFlix can continue to make enough money as their Watch Now content streaming ramps up!
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by Jim1900 August 26, 2008 5:58 PM PDT
I wish they would spend the money to offer more videos online, and maybe better quality too. It would be great to bypass my cable channels entirely. NetFlix has almost all the videos I want. I could buy the Roku NetFlix box and be done with cable channels forever. And a TV antenna would work for local shows.
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by Dunnion August 27, 2008 9:55 AM PDT
Having shipped back 2 of my 3 movies right before the delays hit, i for sure noticed the delay.

Netflix, while saves me alot of time with the service they provide, I am very unhappy with them as a company, they are impossible to contact, and for an internet company to not accept emails from clients is laughable.

This goof up just made me switch to blockbuster online.
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by dddouchebag August 27, 2008 10:51 AM PDT
And I'm sure blockbuster never has problems. At least you'll be able to contact someone right away... because you are their only customer.
by juntha August 27, 2008 10:40 AM PDT
You gotta be joking. 2 days outage in a year? That s nothing. Get back to me when it's unavailable for a week. Then I will think about it. Same goes for Gmail outages. A few hours a year is really not a big deal. I have more problem with my cell phone and I don't see anyone writing stuff about it. You guys really think a series of 100s of servers can work without any trouble ? There are limitation even in the most sophisticated system in the planet. I agree that reaching 6-Sigma level of up-time is ideal but for a web company relying on servers, we can't expect that much... especially since even a small problem in the system can crash the whole website. If you go to the store and there's an electricity failure, you can still shop. it s a whole different story for web companies.
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by nwndarkness August 27, 2008 11:06 AM PDT
Netflix needs to get Mac support. I was considering subscribing, but when I saw that I couldn't watch movies instantly on my Mac I walked right on past. Unfortunately, there isn't another subscription movie service for macs. Blockbuster online is the same way, only PC. Guess I'm stuff with 3.99 rentals from iTunes.
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by sellis16 August 27, 2008 12:59 PM PDT
Blockbuster has an online service that's just like Netflix, except better.

"Ummm..."
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by queerlib August 27, 2008 5:45 PM PDT
Netflix is Mac compatible with the purchase of the very cheap Roku Player ($100)!
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by dirty55409 September 1, 2008 1:07 PM PDT
I have no problems with netflix. I called their 1-800 number, talked to someone in about the same amount of time it takes blockbuster/hollywood video to take you off hold, and the lady said you'll get your discount automatically you don't have to do anything. I was pretty impressed. Netflix has me as a customer for ever!
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by Csipa1 September 1, 2008 4:26 PM PDT
I think what will kill these online movie rentals is the quality of the disks. I rented about 10 movies from Netflix so far and I already ran into a movie that was unwatchable because of the bad handling by previous renters or the company. You sit down with your people to watch a movie, eat pizza, beer, chips, everything ready and bang the movie is bad. At the local rental places you could run back and get the same or another movie fast, with Netflix you gotta wait another 3-4 days. I think I will get a few more movies and if I run into another bad one I just cancel my membership and start going to my local videostore again..
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by patrick2h September 1, 2008 10:43 PM PDT
I purchased the Roku player because I have a Mac. I love it with the only hitch being there needs to be more Watch Instantly movies available.
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by PrinceBrat2008 September 4, 2008 4:09 AM PDT
I don't know what the problem is...but I can't watch Instant Movies...I installed the player and it went fine but every time I push "play now" it causes IE to shut down...has anybody else experienced this and what did you do to solve the problem?
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