Hulu Plus vs. NetFlix

[The Critic]

I recently bought a 42" Panasonic LCD HDTV and was forced to realize how lousy std definition, analog cable TV looks on a big screen. Unfortunately, Comcast has infrastructure issues in my area so their HD line-up is extremely limited.

Instead of paying $35-$40/mo for their cable service, I have decided to stream shows and movies to my TV. My apartmentmate has an extra PS3, so that saves me the expense of having to purchase an Apple TV or Roku XD.

I am undecided between Hulu Plus and Netflix. Both are now the same price. Hulu Plus has a lot more TV shows, which is mainly what I watch. However, I also want to be able to watch a movie if I have someone over, and I don't know if that will be possible with Hulu Plus as their selection is fairly weak-- does anyone know if significant improvements are in the pipeline? To have the best of both worlds, I could have both and even at $16/mo for both, it is still a fraction of the cost of cable.

Which service do you guys use? Or is there an alternative method of streaming my favorite TV shows for free through an Apple TV or Roku, so that I can just subscribe to Netflix for movies?

Thanks.

 

[GROUCHO MARX]

My sensitive eyes hardly notice the difference between HDTV and analog signals.

I notice that there is a difference but it's no big deal.

Others have a different opinion.

Oh yeah, I should be reading more books anyway, and I don't mean on a Kindle.

 

[UNC017]

Never tried Hulu, Netflix cant really do full HD over my DSL because I have the lowest data rate, but it still looks darn good.


The very best true HD I've ever seen (short of downloading via iTunes and watching later, or using a Blu-Ray disk) is... believe it or not... putting up an antenna and watching local broadcast TV.

Broadcast was FORCED to upgrade to HD, cable can take their own sweet time and haven't gotten there yet.

 

[rshaw125]

Did you set up your TV correctly? For the first week I had my new 47 inch LCD I did not know that I had to tell my Dish box that I had a 1080 tv. Big difference. I have an antenna for over the air channels. I get 33. About 20 are decent. Best picture quality is ota. 1080i and 1080p some of them. Where others are 720. i noticed a major difference from my old analog tv viewing in 480 to my new LCD in 1080. Especially sports.

 

[rjundi]

The "extra" cost of Netflix is $5 to go to unlimited plan to get streaming. If you have an HD tv you can buy a Blu-Ray with Netflix/Hulu built in like my $100 sony from Walmart.

The cheapest method is connecting your PC or better yet laptop through a decent connection (HDMI) and running Hulu the free version. I think Netflix allows some hours streamed to a computer only with their 2 movie a month plan ($5-6).

The last method is "borrow" someone's Comcast account and use a notebook. They have all their On-Demand stuff available.

When at my family ski house, I use my Notebook attached to a 50" HD TV and no cable with combination of Hulu (free), Netflix and Comcast On Demand and my kids are happy. I have a real nice neighbor who lets me access their wifi/high speed internet.

 

[rjundi]

Originally Posted By: 440Magnum

... putting up an antenna and watching local broadcast TV.



Agreed, cable company's compress and play with HD signals so they don't appear as good as what is broadcast for free in HD. I wish I got more stuff on air....

 

[LexusChic]

I would go with Hulu Plus. I have Netflix, but I'm considering switching over because I'm less and less satisfied with the movie selection on Netflix.