Netflix and DirecTV Cinema are two well known movie sources in the United States. Movies from the old ones to the latest hits have always been popular among masses. Movie fans often try out various services to access movies in the best possible way. DirecTV is a popular name in satellite TV service industry that delivers movies in different ways viz. packages, premium channels, and pay-per-views.DirecTV Cinema is a Pay-per-view option. Whereas Netflix is a subscription-based movie and television show rental service that delivers videos via internet streaming and US mail.
Netflix:
Internet Video Streaming:
“Watch Instantly” option of Netflix is the internet video streaming service from Netflix. Viewers can check the select title lineups and instantly start watching movies, television shows and extras on their computers running Windows or Mac OS X as well as compatible mobile devices such as iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Apple TV and so on. Internet video streaming comes with the regular subscription of Netflix but limited portion of Netflix’s content are delivered under “Watch Instantly” option.
To access Netflix video streaming, users have to install Microsoft’s Silverlight software in their web enabled PCs. Users can start watching movies and others by just clicking on “Play instantly” button. While watching movies, subscribers can pause and restart as per their convenience. Subscribers of Netflix have unlimited hours of streaming video.
Disc Rental:
Netflix also delivers DVD and Blu-ray movies for rent on basis of monthly flat fee service. The movies are delivered individually through United States Postal Service. Currently Netflix has 58 shipping locations throughout the nation. Subscribers can create a “rental queue” that is a list of ordered movies. Subscribers can keep the rented movies for as long as they want. However, to rent a new movie again, subscribers should mail the previous one back to Netflix. Once Netflix receives the disc, they will ship the next available disc in the the subscriber’s rental queue. Subscribers can have a maximum of two movies per month. The pricing of a movie starts from $4.99/month.
DirecTV Cinema:
DirecTV Cinema is a great source of movie that drives home bulk movies. Movies from the latest releases to other movies are delivered in 1080p HD and Dolby Digital surround sound. Subscribers can access nearly 400 of the latest releases as pay-per-views with new movies added into the list every week. DirecTV Cinema delivers the latest movies 28 days in advance of the Netflix and Redbox. Apart from this, DirecTV Cinema renders over 6000 shows and movies at no additional charge. Subscribers can browse the titles list online and can place order and set recordings as well. After ordering any movie, it will be available in subscriber’s receiver. The DirecTV Cinema pay-per-view movies, also termed as “All Day Ticket Movies (ADT)” can be watched anytime they are playing during the day of order. ADT movies should be watched within 24 hours from the time of purchase. Sometime such ADT movies are broadcast on multiple channels at different times. DirecTV Cinema pay-per-view movies include small price per movie. Subscribers can also go with recording a DirecTV movie first and ordering it later. That is they can order a pay-per-view movie and later order it to view at their convenient times. The recorded movie will be in the DVR till the expiration date is over. Therefore subscribers should make sure to order and watch the movie before the expiration date is over. However, if subscribers keep the movie for too long, it will be deleted automatically from the DVR. HBO Go and Max Go are two online destinations where subscribers can watch movies and TV shows online but provided subscribers have subscribed to HBO and Cinemax premium channels.
Comparison:
- Netflix gives subscribers access to varied movies via their “Watch Instantly” and “Disc Rental” services. DirecTV Cinema delivers pay-per-view movies as well as bulk of free movies.
- Netflix’s “Watch Instantly” service is included within Netflix’s subscription at no additional price. Using this service subscribers can watch movies instantly for without any time limitation. DirecTV Cinema pay-per-view movies have to be ordered first to watch them. And also subscribers have to watch the ordered movie within 24 hours of purchase. If they a record movie then subscribers should watch the movie within 24 hours after they start watching it.
- Netflix do not require any hardware except broadband enabled TVs or PCs, mobile phones and others. But to access DirecTV Cinema movies, subscribers will require a DirecTV Plus HD DVR Receiver, a DVR Receiver, HD Service, broadband internet connection with a minimum connection speed of 750 Kbps or higher, a network router with an available Ethernet port.
- Netflix do not have current enough titles and also live feeds. On the other hand many DirecTV Cinema movies are available the same day as the DVD release nearly a month before Netflix and Redbox.
Compared to Netflix, DirecTV Cinema provides subscribers with more bulk movies. Subscribers who like watching movies including the latest releases can opt for DirecTV Cinema. But subscribers who like to watch only a movie or two in a week can go with Netflix. Netflix is a
good service but at many times when subscribers want to watch more and more new movies and TV shows then DirecTV Cinema will be more suitable choice.