Linda Nelson

Netflix to Offer Online Streaming as Stand-Alone Service

If you have a new laptop, it should have a cable connector that will let you stream your Netflix WatchNow films through our laptop to your TV. That way, you don't have to buy another set-top box. Most people don't realize that they can connect this way.

Netflix Competitors Can Only Play Catch-Up

The biggest issue for Netflix will be to provide a huge library of content for its streaming customers. As an independent filmmaker and distributor of a small library, I've seen how difficult it is for content owners to get their films up on the Netflix site. They need to find a way to open up the floodgates and make all that great independent product available to their customers. This will help keep them in the lead - otherwise, platforms that embrace the diversity of content available, to feed the shattered niche markets, with great independent content from the endless shelf, will quickly take over. There are great sites that stream wonderful independent film like Indiepix.com, Jaman, Caachi.com and even Amazon.com's VOD service. Like iTunes, these sites will find that people are more than happy to spend a few bucks to see great film, rather than the dumbed down, mass appeal tentpoles that the studios must make to protect their bottom line.

Good News From Netflix

I look forward to seeing Netflix embrace new independent film for it's WatchNow service. 12,000 sounds like a lot, but it's not when you think about how many films are available online. The best variety and choice for good independent film is still over the internet. I've found that I can plug my laptop into my TV and watch that way - much more choice. People are no longer constrained by the limited fare offered by the "big boys". It's the "long tail" in all it's glory. This makes me wonder what will really happen to Netflix and Blockbuster, unless they expand their libraries. After all, we have an endless shelf now.

Gadget Makers Finally Realize Content and the Consumer Are King

It's great to see that trend is finally being embraced by the large content creators. The major Hollywood studios, like the automakers have gotten so big, it's hard for them to be nimble and adjust to the changing times, but change they must or they will go the way of GM. The groundswell has taken over and we all have to learn how to engage with it. Technology has destroyed the old distribution business models and as Tome Peters predicted more than ten years ago, intermediaries are disappearing. We are close to the point where content creators can connect directly with content consumers - all thanks to technology. Apple dropping DRM, is just a small indication of what's to come. Great systems for delivering content to the best digital platforms is a great new business to be in and several companies are well positioned to lead the assault on outdated business models, such as the delivery of content via digibeta tapes. The tapeless media world is well on its way to becoming a reality.

Who Will Win the Home Entertainment Battle?

Finally, someone who gets it! I've been using my laptop to stream from Netflix since they started without having to buy anything. As the internet and broadcast TV continue to converge the winners will be the people that enbrace the new technology. I just bought a terabyte of storage that fits in my pocket for $120. That's a lot of HD movies. Why would I ever need a BlueRay disk or player at the prices they are trying to charge?

Netflix Beats Blockbuster to the Punch - Again

Why do you have to buy any kind of box? I've been using my laptop to do this all year. My laptop has an s-video connector and wireless internet, so I just plug it into the front of my TV and voila! - free movies from Netflix or any other internet streaming source on my TV. If the Netflix box only shows Netflix films, I don't understand why people would buy this?

Blockbuster vs. Netflix: Which Online Rental Service is Better and Why?

You are both missing the boat! First, DVD sales are flat as a pancake for the past two years and dropping, so the DVD rental stores are going to disappear. Too much real estate for too little profit. For people that really want the hard boxed DVD's, DVD burning kiosks in stores like Wal-mart make much more sense. Second, VOD is growing exponentially. Everyone is getting on the bandwagon, including Amazon, Wal-mart, Clickstar, EVEN Netflix and Blockbuster, but they've got it all wrong. No one wants to stream on their computer, well practically no one. But tons of us want to download to our ZENs (better version if video iPod), as we can take our content with us or plug our little mobile player into our TV and watch DVD quality on the "big screen". Netflix wins the content war - Boomer Nation prefers intelligent content in the comfort of their home. Kids, who need cheap dates to get laid, need "blockbusters" in the theater, their friends house, or their car. VOD is the future, huge choice in content will win, but neither of the companies you talk about are doing it right at the moment. Check out how easy it is for indie filmmakers to get their content on Amazon's Unbox service at www.customflix.com You'll see my film, SHIFTED, on the ZEN. All the studios also signed up with Unbox, as opposed to iTunes, which is only carrying Disney content and no independent fare. I've already been contacted by Wal-Mart for content, so you know they'll be aggressive in getting great choices for their customers.

Movie Download Wars: Wal Mart Grasping at Straws

MovieLink and CinemaNow only offer studio films. The market for sophisticated independent films is huge, as evidenced by the large number of indie titles on Netflix. The best source for downloading to own or rent right now is Amazon.com's Unbox service. With one click, I can download content to my ZEN (mobile video iPod-like device, but ten times better). I can watch full length films (that download in about 40 minutes) either on the go or I can plug it into my TV and watch DVD quality on the "big screen". The ZEN acts like a DVR, but it's totally portable. Services like MovieLink only download or stream content that can be watched on a PC. Boring. HP will be supplying the infastructure and branded websites for downloading for companies like Walmart. Netflix's streaming is also not interesting, as it isn't mobile. By the way, EZTakes.com offers a download to own service that will let you burn a DVD that plays in your TV's regular DVD player. VOD is going to be huge and people will want the flixibility to watch it when and where they want. Those that get it right will do killler business. My film, Shifted, was the first indie title on Unbox. Independent filmmakers can make their title available for download on Amazon.com's service by using Customflix (www.customflix.com) Check it out. You'll my film on the ZEN and if you click on the ZEN you can see how easy it is for filmmakers to get their content up on the service. iTunes is missing the boat in this respect, as the video iPod is an inferior product and kids still like to go to the theater - it's a cheap date. Overall box office and attendance is down two years in a row and DVD sales are flat as a pancake. VOD is future, not necessarily on PC's but anywhere, anytime.