Posts Tagged ‘kids’

Item: NETFLIX on the Wii
site: www.netflix.com

Ever since I posted to facebook (April 10th) how happy I was that Netflix was now available on the wii, I have gotten tons of emails and comments asking how I like it.  So, it is fitting I should review it!  I am not affiliated with Netflix in any way, other then to say we’ve been a customer for over a year,  

What is Netflix?
Netflix is an at home DVD rental subscription service available in the US.  They have several plans available, and the size of the plan determines how many dvd’s you can have out at one time.  All of the subscriptions are unlimited MONTHLY, meaning you can get as many DvD’s as you want, the only limitation being how many you can have out at a time.  The company also offers what they call “Instant View” movies which are available in streaming video via the internet.  This allows subscribers to not only receive DVD rentals via the mail but also watch an assortment of films INSTANTLY on their computer or internet ready devices.

We love our Netflix.  We are a family of 4, so we are 3 at a time subscribers.  This allows EACH of my children to have one DVD movie of their choice and for my husband and me to also have a movie.  When someone sends their movie back, they move their movie of choice to the top of the “queue”.  This has worked fantastically for us for over a year.   There is never any arguing over who’s turn it is to get a movie, everyone gets what they want, AND there are no late fees so If my youngest wants to keep Barbie of Swan Lake for a full month, she can.  For $18.99 per month we are averaging about 12-15 movies per month.  Compared to the $4+ prices at the local video store this is HUGE savings for us.  So, as you can see, we are ALREADY fans of Netflix.

We received notification from Netflix that they now were able to stream to the Wii, and since I already was a customer of course I requested my Netflix Wii Disc!

My disc arrived on April 14th and within minutes I was watching my first movie on my Wi!

Using it is simple.

You insert the Wii disc, provided by Netflix
Once it loads you use the Wii-mote to select it on the menu screen.

It takes only a second to check your validation/authorization code

And then you are presented with the NETFLIX menu, where you select what you want to watch.
You can choose by category

and then the category menu opens up with the Instant View movie choices.

Clicking the item of choice you are given a description of the movie or tv show, and you can either click PLAY, add it to your QUEUE, or go back for more browsing.

Once selected it only takes a few seconds for the movie to start.

You even have the option to fast forward or Select Scenes by adjusting the PLAY TIMELINE with the Wii-mote.  Just like a DVD!

I suppose video quality mainly depends on your television set.  They are definitely DVD quality (in some cases CLEARER) on our HD widescreen

We have cable internet, and even though the wii is Wireless, we have NO lag time or freezing up etc.

Downsides to Netflix on the Wii:

• The movies are not SEARCHABLE, only browsable.  I would like the option to type in a movie name and pull it up.  The work around for this is actually doing the searching on the computer and adding it to the INSTANT VIEW QUEUE so it will be listed in that category and easily findable on the Wii.
• Even though the movie selection available in INSTANT VIEW is growing everyday, I would still like to see MORE movies available.    I would also like the NEW ADDITIONS in a category on the Wii and actually ordered by the date added *and also be listed in their respective genres*

So do I think the Netflix on the Wii is good?
SHOOT YEA!  We love Netflix and were totally satisfied customers even before this option was available.  .  Even if you only do the small Netflix package (I think it is like $9/mo) You have access to the INSTANT VIEW movies and streaming to the Wii.  I definitely think INSTANT access is worth $9.

Two thumbs up from our ENTIRE family.
They also, I think, have a 30 Day FREE TRIAL so if you have been “on the fence” about it – I say TRY IT.  What’s the worst thing that can happen?  Well, other then you become a total couch potato!  lol!