Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with netflix

Metropolis music question

FortyT-wo — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 21:12:17 -0800

What is the music that plays over the Shift Change scene near the beginning of Fritz Lang's Metropolis in the particular version of the movie that is streamed online through netflix.com? Would love to know composer and title... Or just info about which soundtrack is used with that version. I know there are lots of versions and lots of soundtracks -- And I'm not coming up with any answers after lots of searching. The picture netflix shows as the DVD cover for the version they stream is of an edition that is supposed to involve the original 1927 soundtrack, yet I can watch other replays of the scene on youtube that also say they use the original soundtrack, and this tune is definitely not involved. At the end of the movie there are no credits, and the info on netflix.com doesn't mention the score.

My husband and I also feel that we've heard the music before, possibly in a commercial. We can't place it though.

Help me design a new home entertainment system.

ColdChef — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 10:08:04 -0800

My old tube television has died a terrible sputtering death. Help me get over my sense of loss by assisting me in replacing it with a new HD television and entertainment system. Here are my needs: I'm working with a budget of around $2000. I want a HD LCD television set that's between 46-52 inches. I currently have an old-style Tivo box, a decent DVD collection, a Playstation 2, a Nintendo Wii, a DVD/VCR combo, an iMac, and a Netflix account.

I'm not interested in converting all of my DVDs to BlueRay, so I want a player that has a good conversion system for old DVDs. I'm fighting the urge to get a Playstation 3, because I have a tendency to spend too much time playing games--but I could probably justify it with my wife if it's the best option.

Here's what I'd like to be able to do: have 2 or three game systems hooked up simultaneously, stream Netflix, YouTube, and Hulu from my iMac.

Should I upgrade my Tivo to the Tivo HD/XL? Would that keep me from having to get the PS3?

Also: my home is very Mac friendly, but I've never really looked at the AppleTV. Should I?

So here's what I'm looking at:
HD LCD Television
BlueRay Player
New Tivo?
Whatever will allow me to stream Netflix, YouTube, and Hulu

Thanks in advance.

Best/Cheapest way to stream video/audio media from PC that also acts as HD backup?

bmilner — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 17:38:16 -0800

Best/Cheapest way to stream video/audio from PC that also acts as HD backup? (wants: Codec support, cheap, netflix support) My 1TB external HD crashed and since I'll need a replacement, I figured why not finally add the ability to stream content to my TV in the next room. There are so many confusing options out there. Here are my wants & what I know. Any opinions?

MUST HAVE:
1. 1TB or more storage space. I will use this as a backup drive for my Vista PC
2. Ability to play many codecs. I get videos from many places H264, Divx, WMV, Mp4 etc and I'd love to avoid having to convert them.
3. Play Mp3s from a library or folder structure
4. Wi-Fi support. I don't have ethernet by my TV

NICE TO HAVE:
1. Netflix/YouTube support.
2. Ability to handle large music collections I have 100GB of music so poor interfaces that scroll slowly will suck.
3. Variety of outputs so even though my TV is standard DEF component video now, I'll likely go HD in next year or two. (HDMI?)
4. No dependency on iTunes or Windows Media Player running on my PC. I hate those apps. I use Media Monkey.

NOT NEEDED (if adds to cost):
1. BitTorrent
2. Blu-Ray support
3. DVR functions (I have a TiVo series 2)

WHAT I'VE CONSIDERED:
1) Popcorn Hour A-110: Could put a 1TB drive in it. It would appear on network so I could use it as backup drive and media player. Cons: confusing, poor UI, netflix support is unofficial via $40 3rd party program

2) XBox 360: Plays games as a bonus. Means I have to run Windows Media Player on PC, yuck. Has Netflix. Also, limited codec support? Doesn't solve drive backup issue. Would need to buy separate USB drive for PC

3) XBOX w/ XBMC: I don't know how up to date this software is. Does it support netflix? Wifi? Needs seperate drive for PC backup

4) Mvix Ultio Media Player (http://www.thinkgeek.com/electronics/home-entertainment/bd4f/): Seems like Popcorn hour. Don't know which is better/easier.

5) Ps3 Slim: I've heard codec support's better than Xbox360. NO dependency on Windows Media Player? Netflix Support? Still needs an external drive for main backup

SO, any recommendations? Thanks!

How to clear a portion of my Netflix history?

shrimpsmalls — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 07:56:06 -0800

Can you tell me how to clear the list of recently watched videos on Netflix? After an extended session of Lost (on netflix watch instantly) during the past week, our recommendations will likely be leaning to other videos of similar content and quality in the future. I have enjoyed the show, but the account is primarily my roommate's and he is annoyed by this. He is rarely a fan of tv and shows of this nature. Can anyone suggest a way to clear the evidence of my Lost marathon, so as to keep the recommendations coming according to his preferences?

Please help me get Netflix instant watch to work on my Xbox 360.

carefulmonkey — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 15:43:18 -0800

I apparently need help getting Netflix Instant Watch to work on my Xbox 360. I just started to my Netflix trial offer and I fired up my 360 and clicked on the Netflix icon and it just goes dark for a moment and then back to the screen with the Netflix image. I have no idea what to do and I couldnt find anything close to it on google. Thanks for your help.

How do I return a Netflix film if my red return envelope is damaged?

gregb1007 — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 20:44:46 -0800

How do I return a Netflix film if my red return envelope is damaged? What's a good way to return a Netflix film when I can't put it in the red return envelope since it's ripped. I can't stick it in an envelope from another DVD since it will take a few days for a new DVD to arrive. I could wait to mail it back once I receive the other movie, but that would significantly slow down my queue turnaround time.

ok, who put acid in my coffee?

Kellydamnit — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 14:29:26 -0800

I'm having issues with severe color fluctuations while watching netflix streaming via my xbox. When I watch streaming on my xbox it looks almost like someone has their hand on the color or brightness knob and is cranking it back and forth over and over. Skin tones shift from orange to almost mint green and back again. Trippy and annoying. This does not happen when we watch tv, or when I use the xbox for anything else (games or watching short video clips on xbox live). It also did not happen when we bypass the xbox and watch netflix by just routing a computer to the tv with a s-video cable to the same tv.

I haven't had much luck with anything so far, and it doesn't look like this is a very common problem.

Anyone have any tips or, perhaps, a better way for me to explain what is happening so I can see if netflix or (ugh) xbox can assist?

Details: standard, unmodded xbox, hard-wired internet connection (cable), very old television, and, if it matters, sound via an external surround system.

Best device to stream Netflix?

cowmix — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 13:21:09 -0800

What is the best device (or way) to stream NetFlix to your TV? There are tons of options that allow you to stream Netflix to a TV: hookup a PC, Xbox 360, Roku, LG and Samsung Bluray players, etc.

What is the best way to stream Netflix if I do not own any of those devices now but were going to purchase one?

AppleTV or Roku?

helios410 — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 18:22:52 -0800

I just got rid of my cable box, and got a Netflix subscription. I'ts very, well...refreshing. I like Netflix so much that I am contemplating ordering a Roku or AppleTV w/ Boxee. Can anyone share their experience with either/or? I DL'ed Boxee on my Mac, and it's extremely buggy. Is it the same on the AppleTV?

Missed Connections

King Bee — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 12:46:32 -0800

Why won't my Samsung BD-P2500 Blu-Ray player connect to the internet through my router? I've tried hopelessly for a while to google this problem, but everyone who seems to have it has no solution for it.

Here's the issue. My Blu-Ray player has a ethernet port on the back. When I connect it to the LAN ports on my nearby Dynex wireless G router, it won't connect to the internet (specifically Netflix instant viewing). When I plug it straight into my DSL modem, it connects just fine.

For reference, the security on my router is both WPA password and MAC address filtering. I've added the MAC address for the Samsung to the filter just to be safe, but I didn't think that would matter since the Samsung isn't connecting wirelessly to the router. I've tried putting the Samsung in the DMZ with no luck either.

Any help would be appreciated!

looking for a netflix surrogate for opening

woolylambkin — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 00:45:07 -0800

I bought a netflix subscription as a Christmas gift and I'm looking for something tangible/creative to put under the tree for them to open instead of just a card with the certificate.

AppleTV users... how do you watch sports?

JReed — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 12:21:05 -0800

So between Netflix streaming and AppleTV I'm considering dropping cable entirely. Pretty much the only thing holding me back is football. How do you all watch sports? Caveat: I don't have a local sports bar nearby, and honestly I'd rather not spend all day Sunday in a bar.

Can I stop XBox from telling me my friends have logged in?

Flunkie — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 12:28:32 -0800

I'm streaming movies from Netflix to my XBox 360 - can I get it to stop bugging me whenever any of my friends logs in to XBox Live? If you're logged in to XBox Live, whenever any of your friends logs in or out, a message pops up on your screen saying so, along with a little notification sound.

I generally find this fine when using the XBox to play a game, but unfortunately, it also happens when you are logged into XBox Live in order to watch a movie that you're streaming from Netflix. I find this extremely distracting, and mildly annoying.

I've looked for an option to turn this off, and googled and such, but haven't been able to find a way to get this to stop, short of de-friending all my friends. Is there a way?

Here's a shiny new copy instead, Netflix.

codswallop — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 20:24:57 -0800

A co-worker ripped and burned a DVD and accidentally sent the copy back to Netflix. Ouch. Should she flee the country? Retain a brace of lawyers?

How can I use the Netflix Player by Roku in Japan?

jgt246 — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 05:56:57 -0800

How can I use the Netflix Player by Roku in Japan? Officially the Netflix streaming service is only available in the 50 U.S. states. I live in Japan and want to subscribe to Netflix so I can use their streaming service for movies and TV shows. I have a U.S. address where I can sign up and have a DVD or two delivered. But I assume Netflix will block the streaming service to non-U.S. IP addresses. I know how to use a proxy server like Hotspot Shield to get around this on my PC. But how do I do it with a device like the Roku player? The Roku would be connected either directly to my router (fiber-optic -- Japan broadband rules!) via Ethernet or wirelessly via the built-in Wi-Fi in the Roku.

What documentaries should I "Watch Instantly" on Netflix?

TochterAusElysium — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 12:13:26 -0800

What are some of the best documentaries available to watch instantly on Netflix? Now that I have the ability to watch streaming movies on my Mac via Netflix, I am addicted to rainy weekend afternoons drawing and watching documentaries. What films can you recommend in that genre, which are available on Netflix' "Watch Instantly" system? I most like movies about interesting and unusual people, and about people obsessed with one thing, but will watch a quality film about just about any subject.

Some that I've already seen and enjoyed (not necessarily on Netflix):

King of Kong
Darkon (about live RPG enthusiasts)
Wordplay (about crossword enthusiasts)
Deliver Us From Evil (pedophile priest)
Enron, Smartest Guys in the Room
The 7-Up series
Word Wars (scrabble players)
Bookwars (NYC booksellers)
The Notorious Bettie Page
Winged Migration
Some whose names I can't remember about people who raise and show ferrets/put their daughters in beauty pageants/go to to Star Trek conventions

Thanks in advance for your recommendations! If you love a documentary that I've missed and is NOT available to watch instantly, I'd still be interested.

Xbox netflix woes.

Ponderance — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 08:45:41 -0800

I just joined netflix to watch it on my x-box 360 and the movies look terrible, what can I do? I joined netflix to watch movies online via my xbox 360. I have DSL an ancient 2wire router and the official Xbox wireless network thingy. I tried to watch "Music Man" and it was so blurry and pixelated it was unwatchable. How can I increase the speed of the wireless connection? My connection is upwards of 4-500 kbps, but obviuously the xbox isn't pulling that speed. What am I doing wrong???

Please help.

Buying a Rottweiler and seeking my revenge

Inspector.Gadget — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 17:30:12 -0800

My postman or somebody in the mail chain between him and Netflix shipping centers has cracked or destroyed several DVDs en route to me. I know he destroyed one by shutting my mailbox door over the midpoint of the disc, but with the others I'm not sure where it happened. How do I address this so that I don't become liable for the damage or lose my account? And how do I maximize my credibility? Out of 45 discs, I'm on my third replacement, but the damage has all occurred within the past 3 weeks.

Netflux sux redux?

Susurration — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 17:50:31 -0800

Has anyone else had problems with Netflix recently? Can anyone recommend an alternative? Over time there have been a number of Netflix DVDs that they say were returned by me, but that I never received. One of my "returns" even had a 4-star rating from me, when I never got it! Someone at my local dispatch center is obviously fiddling their turnaround stats by not sending out DVDs on a regular basis (DVDs regularly take over a week to turn around and I am not a high-volume renter). Deliveries to my home address are easy and there are no other problems, so it is not the fault of USPS. There is no way to contact anyone who would care at Netflix any more. I regularly wait a week after returning a DVD before I get the next one (I'm on the 3-DVDs-at-once scheme). But I reached the crunch point this week when disks 2 & 3 from a 5-disk set were "returned," meaning that I will have to wait for disks 4 & 5, then return them before I get disks 2 & 3. That's a 3-week wait to see the next episode in a series (at least).
I saw a previous post where people were recommending Blockbuster, but I am not interested in Blockbuster as I tend to be a "long tail" renter. I prefer to rent British TV programs, European movies, and those classic or rare US movies that are not Blockbuster country. So does anyone have an alternative to suggest?

How do I force Netflix to buffer?

razdrez — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 09:31:24 -0800

How do I choose a higher streaming rate when I'm using Netflix's "Watch Now" feature? Right now I'm using a 768 connection, and it's fine for everyday life, except that I can't watch netflix watch now movies in a decent quality. I don't mind waiting for my computer to buffer the entire thing before I watch it, but I can't find a way to choose the stream that I want. I've seen the greasemonkey script hack from rorta, but the forum says that this doesn't work anymore. (Also seen on lifehacker)

Are there any other options? I don't want to rip the movie or copy it to another computer, or even play it in another player (although I will do any of those if need be). All I want to do is just choose a higher bitrate.

Is there some kind of cookie variable I can change to start the download in high, and then press the pause button to let it buffer? I've tried looking in the source for the page, and downloading a stream manually in Windows Media Player, but although it downloaded a license, the movie never played.

Best TV on DVD?

jjsonp — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:08:19 -0800

TV-on-DVD recommendations? My wife and have enjoyed the following shows (broken into tiers), and I'm wondering what people would recommend. We don't get much entertainment value out of movies, but rather prefer the length and character/plot development of TV-on-DVD. Also it's nice if the show is already over so we can watch the entire series.

Tier 1:
- Buffy
- Six Feet Under

Tier 2:
- Arrested Development
- Carnivale
- Dexter
- Firefly (probably would be Tier 1 if there were more seasons!)
- Lost
- The Office

Tier 3:
- Big Love (she likes it more than I do)
- Heroes (I like it more than she does)
- Northern Exposure
- Reality TV (American Idol, ANTM, Survivor)
- Star Trek: The Next Generation (I liked them more than she did)
- Twin Peaks

Things we quit after watching a couple of episodes:
- Babylon 5
- Family Guy
- The Shield
- The Simpsons

We're not really into animated shows, and typically neither of us likes episodic stuff as much as something with a plot that develops throughout the season.

How to add movies automatically to my Netflix queue?

joseywales — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 12:46:38 -0800

Automatically add newly released movies to my Netflix queue? I have been with Netflix for many years now, and with their recent "Watch Now" library coupled with my purchase of the Roku player I seem to spend as much time watching the streaming movies as I do with mailed DVDs. What I'm wondering is if there's any software or firefox add-on that would automatically add any newly available "Watch Now" movies to my Watch It Now queue.

Anybody out there know of such a method?

What's Wrong With Netflix?

NorthCoastCafe — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 14:13:07 -0800

What's the trouble with Netflix recently? I'm a long time user lately experiencing long delays, DVDs sent out of my queue order, frequently from distant shipping points .Netflix no longer offers customer service via email and calls have long delays and when a customer service rep. answers he/she has no reason or explanation to offer. It's very frustrating. Am I alone in this problem? Any suggestions about how to smooth things out? It's a shame. Netflix was once a joy, now a contant annoyance.

Which episodes are on which DVD?

mecran01 — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 13:20:27 -0800

I watch most of my TeeVee on Netflix. Is there a site somewhere which indicate which episodes are on which DVD in the series? I'd like to know, for example, which DVD in a series contains episodes 7-9. I realize it's possible to guess, but sometimes they change the number of episodes on a disc and throw you off.

Incidentally, I realize this is a banal and fussy question, and that it makes me the online equivalent of one of the bloated future humans in Wall-e.

Why does Netflix want me to have no internet connection?

nevercalm — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 11:05:02 -0800

Why do flickr and Netflix kill my internet connection? It happens just about 100% of the time, and has gotten to the point where it's really annoying. I go to the page, it might load just the text, and then my connection goes down, necessitating a loooong trip to the other side of the apartment to reset the router.

I should also note that flickr never gave me this problem until they did the recent video upgrade. Myspace is always good to kill the connection too, but I don't go there at all, really. Though checking my wife's page would be fun.

What could it be? Resetting the router and staying away from the page work fine.

Mac 10.4.11, Firefox 2.0.0.13 (altho it happens on Safari as well), Netgear WGR614 v3, with current firmware.