Poor Selection on Netflix

lertsnim

Aeneas wrote: »

I thought the point about films on demand was that YOU got to choose what you wanted to see, not what someone else decided for you (TV does that well enough).

That's the problem. People have the wrong idea of what Netflix and other such services offer

Aeneas

Aeneas wrote: »

I thought the point about films on demand was that YOU got to choose what you wanted to see, not what someone else decided for you (TV does that well enough). This implies a wide range of choice, including an extensive back catalogue and the best films of recent years, none of which Netflix in Ireland provides. Pretty weak in fact for anyone interested in the cinema. I'm sure I could find something worth watching from its list but that's not why I would subscribe. I would be prepared to pay more for a really good film service, but this is not it.

So basically you have unrealistic expectations about the service and don't understand what Netflix is all about.

Netflix is about having access to a huge back catalogue and it deliver in spades. There are thousands of TV shows and films on there and there really is something for everyone. You'll find some great cinema there that's unavailable anywhere else.

If you want an on-demand service with access to all the latest films then that's what the iTunes rental store is for.

Dman001

Anyone looking for more recent 'Blockbuster'-type films should join NowTV - All of Sky's content they've acquired through Sky Movies is on it. But be warned, you're paying more (£8.99 a month) for a more restricted service (limited number of devices you can add/watch on, HD only goes as far as 720p and is only available on some devices, £8.99 only includes films, etc). I've a subscription to both Netflix and NowTV, only because NowTV had an offer at the time. While I've started to use it quite a bit in the past while, I wouldn't pay £8.99 for it. It's still quite fiddley to use, and the catalogue just isn't as vast as Netflix. Also, many of the modern films coming out are pure tripe so I find myself only using it now and again when something good pops up.

I'm happy to pay for Netflix as there is always going to be a few gems worth watching, and their commitment to creating original content is refreshing. Their acquired content is improving also, with more recent flicks showing up. Taking on Sky's mega movie-monopoly isn't an easy task, but is slowly going somewhere (Exclusive Disney deal will kick in in 2015/2016, so all Disney/Pixar/Lucas/Marvel films will be exclusive to them, deal with MGM to get The Hobbit films, etc). While the Irish Netflix is somewhat lacking for films, their TV catalogue is excellent. There's some fantastic series available in there, which well justifies the monthly cost. Seeing as this is the Television forum, OP I suggest checking out:

Orange is the New Black
Breaking Bad
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Top of the Lake
Rectify
House of lies
Arrested Development
The Fall
Mad Men

To name but a few.

Tipsy McSwagger

I use US netflix mostly for the tv shows. I'm spoilt for choice at the moment with,

The West Wing, Sons of Anarchy, Twin Peaks, Battlestar Galactica, The Wonder Years, The X Files, Breaking Bad, OITNB, Lost, Prison Break, Parks & Recreation, Supernatural, Family Guy, 24, Dexter, Alias, Mad Men, Luther, Sherlock, American Horror Story, The Office, Frasier, Law & Order, Star Trek, Malcolm in the Middle, American Dad, Archer, That 70s Show, My Name is Earl, Saved by the Bell, 30 Rock, Scrubs, Cheers, Shameless, Peep Show, Fawlty Towers, Black Adder, Red Dwarf, Freaks & Geeks, Futurama, Trailer Park Boys, Louie, Heroes, The Tudors, CSI, Rescue Me, Medium, House of Cards, Ripper Street, Greys Anatomy, Buffy.

Maximus Alexander

Dman001 wrote: »

Orange is the New Black
Breaking Bad
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Top of the Lake
Rectify
House of lies
Arrested Development
The Fall
Mad Men

To name but a few.

I've only watched 4 series from that list and loved them all. I've been looking for something new to watch, so will try the others. Thanks for that.

Aeneas

I accept the point that I expected too much from Netflix Ireland. And should have done my homework in advance. But I can always, and probably will, unsubscribe before the free month expires. The range of TV series available from Netflix US, mentioned above (many -most? - of which are not available here) illustrates the difference. I would be happy to pay the US subscription rate for the range and quality of US coverage. And what is the US rate?: $7.99 per month.

PropJoe10

Aeneas wrote: »

I accept the point that I expected too much from Netflix Ireland. And should have done my homework in advance. But I can always, and probably will, unsubscribe before the free month expires. The range of TV series available from Netflix US, mentioned above (many -most? - of which are not available here) illustrates the difference. I would be happy to pay the US subscription rate for the range and quality of US coverage. And what is the US rate?: $7.99 per month.

Install a browser addon called Hola and you'll be able to view the US Netflix selection. Hope thats OK to post here, if not, please delete.

Tipsy McSwagger

Aeneas wrote: »

I accept the point that I expected too much from Netflix Ireland. And should have done my homework in advance. But I can always, and probably will, unsubscribe before the free month expires. The range of TV series available from Netflix US, mentioned above (many -most? - of which are not available here) illustrates the difference. I would be happy to pay the US subscription rate for the range and quality of US coverage. And what is the US rate?: $7.99 per month.

It's east to get US netflix on an Irish account. I have US on my X1, Uk on my ipad and all regions on my PC.

Student2014

Trying to suss out getting US Netflix on an ipad/Apple tv??

I changed the Primary and Secondary DNS on my playstation to do this before, same trick for ipad/Apple tv??

evilivor

Student2014 wrote: »

Trying to suss out getting US Netflix on an ipad/Apple tv??

I changed the Primary and Secondary DNS on my playstation to do this before, same trick for ipad/Apple tv??

For iPad, I'm not sure, for AppleTV, yes.

Student2014

evilivor wrote: »

For iPad, I'm not sure, for AppleTV, yes.

Seems to have worked. Any examples of shows or films not available here so I can make sure that it's working? Thanks

ixoy

Student2014 wrote: »

Seems to have worked. Any examples of shows or films not available here so I can make sure that it's working? Thanks

'Flight' starring Denzel Washington is on US Netflix but not the UK/Ireland selection.

PropJoe10

Student2014 wrote: »

Seems to have worked. Any examples of shows or films not available here so I can make sure that it's working? Thanks

The Walking Dead and The X Files.

EyeSight

I must say, the irish one is good for a couple of months and then useless because they rarely update it.
If i couldn't use the Canadian or USA version i'd cancel the subscription. It is an amazing service, but the Irish updates suck

BTW i could swear Chinatown used to be on it, but one day it got taken down

ixoy

EyeSight wrote: »

BTW i could swear Chinatown used to be on it, but one day it got taken down

Could well be. Netflix merely lease content from the major studios, giving them a licence to show it for a set period of time. That's why certain titles will vanish after a while and new ones added.

Evan DietrichSmith

spank_inferno wrote: »

I don't think there is anything you can do vis-à-vis TV (I've tried).

I agree with you though.

Irish Netflix is pretty poor.
We dropped it after 2 months.

Agree, all the films are the one I wouldn't be bothered watching.

The Black Oil

I think Netflix for Ireland and the UK was first announced in Oct 2011 to launch in 2012. I remember thinking yes, finally, the Irish consumer base would have access to legal content or than iTunes(?). I'm OK with finding stuff by alternate means, and have done for years, but I'm happy to pay for a good service, too.

I can see why some people may be a little disappointed in the Irish selection. There is a lot of crap on it, but I think that reflects entertainment in general as much as it does the licensing limitations, and believe me, I'm far from being a fan of stuff being locked down due to marketing, licensing, etc and to a degree, when selection is poor it will push people to look elsewhere. From the US one I've watched Freaks and Geeks, Twin Peaks (I've yet to finish) and few other bits. The core TV catalogue is better, no doubt. The Irish one some decent stuff as well, though, and they provided a few things the day after broadcast in the US, which was welcome. Yes, you can still access elsewhere, but hey. I dip between the two. I haven't watched the Godfather, yet, iirc, it's not on the US one. The Conversation is on both, I think.

The_Honeybadger

Like others I switch between the us and Irish versions. The service is great for the price and I get good value out of it. I used to buy the kids DVDs regularly and don't think I've bought a single one since we got Netflix so it saves me money in a way. In the past few months I've watched various tv shows like walking dead etc., and streaming through the Apple TV it is a pleasure to use and very reliable. If you can't find anything to watch on it then you are just too fussy, there is lots of good content on both versions.

lertsnim

Irish Netflix in Apple TV, USA Netflix on PS4. Best of both worlds

Utopia Parkway

lertsnim wrote: »

Irish Netflix in Apple TV, USA Netflix on PS4. Best of both worlds

Exactly the same set-up I have myself.

Uncle Mclovin

I signed up for the free month trial at the start of December. I was always a bit sceptical about netflix.

I was totally wrong. I think its brilliant and I'm only using the Irish netflix. The interface is so user friendly. The catalogue of tv series is pretty good considering the how cheap it is. I'm working my way through Californication at the moment. I'll be keeping up the subscription. There's loads more that I plan on watching and hopefully they'll keep adding to the catalogue.

I'd like to try the US netflix. I saw how you can download the app to your browser to change your ip address on your pc / laptop however I don't like watching on a laptop. I prefer to watch it through the xbox 360. Is there some way to get US netflix through the xbox?

Daith

Uncle Mclovin wrote: »

I prefer to watch it through the xbox 360. Is there some way to get US netflix through the xbox?

I had this before and I just had to change my DNS settings and the country to US. It doesn't work anymore so I guess the DNS servers are down.

garroff

I put HOLA on my tablet and connect it via HDMI cable to tv.
Much better selection on USA Netflix.
Chromecast wont cast USA Netflix to tv for me. Irish ok

Uncle Mclovin

Daith wrote: »

I had this before and I just had to change my DNS settings and the country to US. It doesn't work anymore so I guess the DNS servers are down.

I just looked up a youtube video on that and the comments as recently as 1 month say that it was working. I can't try it until later. When did that stop working for you?

Daith

Uncle Mclovin wrote: »

I just looked up a youtube video on that and the comments as recently as 1 month say that it was working. I can't try it until later. When did that stop working for you?

Possible old DNS. I'll have another look!

2smiggy

Utopia Parkway wrote: »

Exactly the same set-up I have myself.

is it the same for the PS4 as the PS3 , I have not really messed around with my PS4 yet, but as i already have it setup on my PS3 i am not bothered if it is awkward to change

micks_address

Hi -

I have chromecast and netflix - be interested to hear the steps for being able to cast US netflix...

Cheers,
Mick

killbillvol2 wrote: »

I can cast US Netflix no problem? Using Tunnelbear as my VPN and it casts from phone, tablet and laptop.

killbillvol2

micks_address wrote: »

Hi -

I have chromecast and netflix - be interested to hear the steps for being able to cast US netflix...

Cheers,
Mick

Switch on VPN (Tunnelbear). Go to Netflix. Cast. I wasn't aware that there was an issue or I wouldn't have bought it.

It's working fine on my phone (HTC One) but has become very hit and miss on the tablet (Nexus 7). I was wrong about laptop - it won't cast from Chrome while on VPN.

lertsnim

2smiggy wrote: »

is it the same for the PS4 as the PS3

Yes. I have the US Netflix on my PS4

micks_address

killbillvol2 wrote: »

Switch on VPN (Tunnelbear). Go to Netflix. Cast. I wasn't aware that there was an issue or I wouldn't have bought it.

It's working fine on my phone (HTC One) but has become very hit and miss on the tablet (Nexus 7). I was wrong about laptop - it won't cast from Chrome while on VPN.

With tunnel bear I can see the chromecast from Netflix on my nexus 4, but when I try to cast ant content, i get a content unavailable message. My nexus 10 can't see the chromecast at all when using tunnel bear