WAC & NETFLIX

[drednm]

Any ideas on why Netflix doesn't buy the many classic films coming out of Warners? Or is it a case of Warners not wanting to sell to Netflix?

[Paul Penna]

Not a simple matter of "buying" vs. "not buying." What Netflix has is determined by distribution licensing deals.

[earlytalkie]

There are many Warner titles available on Vudu, which is a "pay as you go" service as opposed to Netflix's set monthly fee.

[buskeat]

Netflix doesn't seem particularly interested in licensing many classic films anymore. While they did do so, they let many of those licenses expire. They have a lot invested in their original programming and licensing of television shows from all eras. Amazon Prime seems to have picked up the slack somewhat.

Also, Warner has its own Warner Archive Instant service now and seems much more invested in growing that business than licensing their titles to other service providers.

[Frederica]

Also, Warner has its own Warner Archive Instant service now and seems much more invested in growing that business than licensing their titles to other service providers.

I checked a few weeks ago and WA Instant still doesn't have an app for us smart tv users, although they say it's coming, has anyone heard anything more recent in that regard? It looked to me like they are continuing to add more content.

[Rick Lanham]

I checked a few weeks ago and WA Instant still doesn't have an app for us smart tv users, although they say it's coming, has anyone heard anything more recent in that regard? It looked to me like they are continuing to add more content.

Today's FAQ still says there is nothing for smart TVs. They do have a channel on the Roku devices, which is news to me. They now show slightly over 400 movies/shows when you "browse all." The last time that I checked, months ago, it was only 123.

Rick

[Frederica]

I checked a few weeks ago and WA Instant still doesn't have an app for us smart tv users, although they say it's coming, has anyone heard anything more recent in that regard? It looked to me like they are continuing to add more content.

Today's FAQ still says there is nothing for smart TVs. They do have a channel on the Roku devices, which is news to me. They now show slightly over 400 movies/shows when you "browse all." The last time that I checked, months ago, it was only 123.

Rick

So it seems like they're going full steam ahead with adding content. Can anyone tell me why smarts are an issue? in the lowest tech language possible, please? I'm not sure I comprehend what a Roku is.

[drednm]

I had forgotten about WAC's streaming... I guess that would preclude Netflix sales....

[Rick Lanham]

So it seems like they're going full steam ahead with adding content. Can anyone tell me why smarts are an issue? in the lowest tech language possible, please? I'm not sure I comprehend what a Roku is.

I don't know what the issues are regarding adding the app/channel to smart TVs or blu-ray players/mobile devices. The FAQ says:
"Can I get Warner Archive Instant on my SmartTV/Networked Blu-ray player/Mobile Device?
Not at this time. But we will be adding more and more access devices in the near future."

/////
A Roku is a small box which connects between your internet network, either through an ethernet cable or wirelessly, and your television.

The box allows you to have access to hundreds of "channels" over the internet. Each one of those can be free or not, depending upon the vendor. There is no monthly fee to use the Roku itself. For example, you can view your Netflix subscription through the Roku, but there is no additional charge. To use Netflix, you go to their web site, log in and get a
number. You then go to the Netflix channel on your TV, via Roku's menu; and enter that number to identify yourself as
a subscriber.

It works similarly for the other pay channels. Many channels do not cost anything though.

The output(s) that the box has depends upon the model, but it looks as if the latest one has only an HDMI connector. So if someone has an older TV, they would have to look at the other models for compatibility. The Roku boxes, which are very small, cost between $50-100 depending on features. They require AC power, internet access, and a cable connection to the TV.

As long as the Roku box has power and its internet connection available, it will automatically download updates to itself. You can also check, through the Roku TV menu, if it has the latest update.

Each box comes with a remote control.

/////

HOWEVER. I have checked my own Roku and could not find the Warner Instant channel listed. I searched by browsing the channels. I then did a search for Bette Davis movies and some came up; but the majority of those were on the Vudu or Amazon or Blockbuster channels.

I then did a search for the words "warner" or "instant" (also "archive") and did not find the Warner Instant channel. So, I don't know if the FAQ is wrong or if there is something that I'm not seeing.

If someone is accessing Warner Instant through a Roku, please tell us how it works.

Rick Lanham

[Frederica]

A Roku is a small box which connects between your internet network, either through an ethernet cable or wirelessly, and your television.

The box allows you to have access to hundreds of "channels" over the internet. Each one of those can be free or not, depending upon the vendor. There is no monthly fee to use the Roku itself. For example, you can view your Netflix subscription through the Roku, but there is no additional charge. To use Netflix, you go to their web site, log in and get a
number. You then go to the Netflix channel on your TV, via Roku's menu; and enter that number to identify yourself as
a subscriber.

It works similarly for the other pay channels. Many channels do not cost anything though.

The output(s) that the box has depends upon the model, but it looks as if the latest one has only an HDMI connector. So if someone has an older TV, they would have to look at the other models for compatibility. The Roku boxes, which are very small, cost between $50-100 depending on features. They require AC power, internet access, and a cable connection to the TV.

As long as the Roku box has power and its internet connection available, it will automatically download updates to itself. You can also check, through the Roku TV menu, if it has the latest update.

Each box comes with a remote control.

So in other words, my television has a built in Roku. Thanks. Now if only HBO would get on the bandwagon...or bandwidth, I guess...

[Jim Reid]

I bought the Roku 3, which is the latest model. The Warner channel is not on the Roku's menu. What you have to do is go online and sign up for the channel, then go to Roku's site and enter a code somewhere (it's been a while). Then next time you go to your Roku box, the Warner channel shows up. It's got good content, but I'm not impressed with the quality of the signal. I've been getting a lot of digital artifacts on it. Netflix and the others are much cleaner looking. I hope they get this fixed. I watched an MGM film that was listed as being in HD. The quality looked like an old VHS tape.

[Rick Lanham]

The Warner channel is not on the Roku's menu. What you have to do is go online and sign up for the channel, then go to Roku's site and enter a code somewhere (it's been a while). Then next time you go to your Roku box, the Warner channel shows up.

[snipped]

Thanks for all the information, Jim. Maybe there are other channels that work that same way.

Rick

[Rick Lanham]

So in other words, my television has a built in Roku. Thanks. Now if only HBO would get on the bandwagon...or bandwidth, I guess...

HBO Go is available on the Roku and other devices...

http://www.hbogo.com/#whatis/" target="_blank" target="_blank

Rick

[Frederica]

So in other words, my television has a built in Roku. Thanks. Now if only HBO would get on the bandwagon...or bandwidth, I guess...

HBO Go is available on the Roku and other devices...

http://www.hbogo.com/#whatis/" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

Rick

I think you have to have a cable provider to get it, I don't. They srsly need to rethink that distribution model.

[Rick Lanham]

So in other words, my television has a built in Roku. Thanks. Now if only HBO would get on the bandwagon...or bandwidth, I guess...

HBO Go is available on the Roku and other devices...

http://www.hbogo.com/#whatis/" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

Rick

I think you have to have a cable provider to get it, I don't. They srsly need to rethink that distribution model.

Oh, I didn't realize. I agree with you.

Rick

[Roseha]

I gave up cable and have found many other channels to watch free or cheap on Roku. (Some of them can be watched on my TIVO also, but not nearly as many). As Jim Reid says, some of them have to be added by going to the channel's site first then by adding a code in your Roku account; usually the channel shows up very quickly I've found. I added Fandor and the Silent Films channel as well as Warner Instant and together they cost about $25 a month, I think.

[Frederica]

I gave up cable and have found many other channels to watch free or cheap on Roku. (Some of them can be watched on my TIVO also, but not nearly as many). As Jim Reid says, some of them have to be added by going to the channel's site first then by adding a code in your Roku account; usually the channel shows up very quickly I've found. I added Fandor and the Silent Films channel as well as Warner Instant and together they cost about $25 a month, I think.

Silent films channel? What is this "Silent Films Channel" of which you speak? I gave up cable ten years ago, but through the magic of Hulu and Vudu and several other subscription channels I find more than enough to watch.

[earlytalkie]

I gave up cable and have found many other channels to watch free or cheap on Roku. (Some of them can be watched on my TIVO also, but not nearly as many). As Jim Reid says, some of them have to be added by going to the channel's site first then by adding a code in your Roku account; usually the channel shows up very quickly I've found. I added Fandor and the Silent Films channel as well as Warner Instant and together they cost about $25 a month, I think.

Silent films channel? What is this "Silent Films Channel" of which you speak? I gave up cable ten years ago, but through the magic of Hulu and Vudu and several other subscription channels I find more than enough to watch.

I have found many channels which offer silent films on YouTube which I get on my RCA streaming box. Not all streaming boxes or Smart TVs will get all the same channels. My RCA box, for example, will not as yet get Warner Archive streaming, although Warners says it is working on getting it for other streaming devices besides Roku, which is, I think, the first and most popular of the devices. Roku, for example, did not offer YouTube as an option on it's earlier models which was one of the factors besides a lower price which led me to the RCA. I have had this unit since February with no issues. I formerly had a Sony box which was constantly freezing and jamming. When I moved last year the box wouldn't even power up when I re-installed it. After doing without a box for several months, I finally found the RCA at Walmart for $38.00. Despite customer complaints about the remote (which has been redesigned for my box) and boxes running hot (mine dosen't), I am happy with the performance of the box. I have several different YouTube channels I susbscribe to which offer classic movie and classic TV programming all of which are free. Many of these downloads are listed as HD and indeed, the quality on these are fine. Some of the older, non-HD downloads are not very good, but there are enough good ones to make up for this. The choices on my box are Netflix, Vudu, HuluPlus, YouTube, Vudu Apps which are repeats of programs from MSNBC and NBC news programs, Pandora radio, from which I have custom-designed several channels of music from different eras, and a few others whose names escape me at the moment and I don't watch. If Warners streaming is offered later I may or may not get it. Right now Vudu is offering quite a few Warners titles including more Warner Archive titles than Warner's own service at present. This may change in the future. Vudu is a pay-as-you-go service. Madam Satan, for example, rents for $2.99 a showing. Once rented you have 30 days to watch the title, but once started, it expires in 48 hours. I chose to buy the download for $14.99. Vudu informed me that I would have this at my disposal to watch as long as Vudu stays in business, regardless of if Vudu drops that title for rental at a future date. I have a small library of films on Vudu which I have purchased including Madam Satan, Gold Diggers of 1933, Broadway Melody of 1936, Picnic and a few more. The programming I get from my box has completely replaced cable in my house. A good antenna to pick up some network affiliates to watch the news and Jeopardy, and my box to pick up my old movies and classic TV shows and I'm happy as a clam at high tide! Just say no to cable and it's high prices and mandatory menu of channels. The exorbitant cable prices are in part reflected in the fact that all cable subscribers pay for all the channels you get, whether or not you want them.

[Rick Lanham]

I gave up cable and have found many other channels to watch free or cheap on Roku. (Some of them can be watched on my TIVO also, but not nearly as many). As Jim Reid says, some of them have to be added by going to the channel's site first then by adding a code in your Roku account; usually the channel shows up very quickly I've found. I added Fandor and the Silent Films channel as well as Warner Instant and together they cost about $25 a month, I think.

Silent films channel? What is this "Silent Films Channel" of which you speak? I gave up cable ten years ago, but through the magic of Hulu and Vudu and several other subscription channels I find more than enough to watch.

Yes, one of the hundreds of channels available on the Roku is a Silent Films Channel; also called on its login page, the Silent Era Channel. It costs $4.99 a month. There is a seven day free trial which begins when you register. I have not tried it out. They do not seem to show exactly what you are getting until you sign up for your free trial. They say that selections are updated monthly. The developer of Silent Era Films is listed as Float Left Interactive.

The registration page is on http://www.digidev.tv" target="_blank . There might be some extra info there.

Rick

[Roseha]

Yes, the Silent Era or Silent Films Channel is the one we were talking about in this thread

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=12264&p=109326&hili ... el#p109326

I just checked and they also have added more titles. In addition to a number of Chaplin, Valentino, Fairbanks and other stars, and Melies, Cohl and other French silents, they have some additions from Flicker Alley like Chicago, Wild and Weird, etc. Also some silent documentaries, and the occasional cartoon. It seems all these channels are adding more titles, which is great of course although there is some overlap.

[Frederica]

Warner Archive Instant just announced on FB that they're on the Roku channel store.
http://www.roku.com/channels/#!details/ ... ve-instant" target="_blank" target="_blank

[Jim Harwood]

I bought the Roku 3, which is the latest model. The Warner channel is not on the Roku's menu. What you have to do is go online and sign up for the channel, then go to Roku's site and enter a code somewhere (it's been a while). Then next time you go to your Roku box, the Warner channel shows up. It's got good content, but I'm not impressed with the quality of the signal. I've been getting a lot of digital artifacts on it. Netflix and the others are much cleaner looking. I hope they get this fixed. I watched an MGM film that was listed as being in HD. The quality looked like an old VHS tape.

Early on I was experiencing problems with the Warner Archive site, getting error messages and having picture quality problems. The last couple of months or so have been fine though.

I project onto a 10' screen and HD titles like NIGHT FLIGHT, A WOMAN'S FACE, KEEPERS OF THE FLAME, HIT THE DECK and BILLY ROSE'S JUMBO have looked gorgeous. No artifacts, no compression issues.

I do have a fast 20mbps internet connection, which is overkill, but perhaps that is why I'm not experiencing issues.

The standard def titles are another story, however. Those all seem to have motion judder (jitter in the image during camera pans or when there's movement across the screen) so obviously something isn't right. Some of the Netflix streaming titles are that way too, though most are ok.

So, for now, I limit my Warner Archive instant watching to HD titles.

[WaverBoy]

I bought the Roku 3, which is the latest model. The Warner channel is not on the Roku's menu. What you have to do is go online and sign up for the channel, then go to Roku's site and enter a code somewhere (it's been a while). Then next time you go to your Roku box, the Warner channel shows up. It's got good content, but I'm not impressed with the quality of the signal. I've been getting a lot of digital artifacts on it. Netflix and the others are much cleaner looking. I hope they get this fixed. I watched an MGM film that was listed as being in HD. The quality looked like an old VHS tape.

Early on I was experiencing problems with the Warner Archive site, getting error messages and having picture quality problems. The last couple of months or so have been fine though.

I project onto a 10' screen and HD titles like NIGHT FLIGHT, A WOMAN'S FACE, KEEPERS OF THE FLAME, HIT THE DECK and BILLY ROSE'S JUMBO have looked gorgeous. No artifacts, no compression issues.

I do have a fast 20mbps internet connection, which is overkill, but perhaps that is why I'm not experiencing issues.

The standard def titles are another story, however. Those all seem to have motion judder (jitter in the image during camera pans or when there's movement across the screen) so obviously something isn't right. Some of the Netflix streaming titles are that way too, though most are ok.

So, for now, I limit my Warner Archive instant watching to HD titles.

There are quite a few Netflix titles with jitter problems, mostly the older titles. Somebody doesn't know what they're doing.