The recently announced price hikes at Netflix might not be good news if you're watching your entertainment budget. And while Netflix's new monthly subscription plans go into effect immediately for new subscribers, current subscribers have a bit of a reprieve: September.
Still, you might be wondering at just what the competitive landscape for renting movies on DVDs, Blu-rays and on-demand via online streaming looks like now. (Consumer Reports' Jim Willcox weighs in on the new Netflix plan. Check out: New Netflix pricing: No thanks.)
[UPDATE July 18, 2011: The table below has been modified with additional details regarding Netflix's updated subscription plans. —Ed.]
Video service |
Number of titles |
Fees |
|---|---|---|
Amazon Video on Demand |
75,000+ (no info on HD titles) |
Streaming only: Free (for 6,000 titles) if you have a $79 annual Amazon Prime shipping plan $1 to $4 per SD title $2 to $5 per HD title |
Blockbuster |
10,000+ (no info on HD titles) In-store titles vary by location |
Discs by mail (includes 5 in-store rentals): $5 per 7-day rental of 1 disc
$12 per month for 1 disc at a time $17 per month for 2 discs $20 per month for 3 discs Streaming only:
$3 to $4 per titleIn-store: $3 per day per title (new releases) $1 per day per title |
CinemaNow |
14,000+ (including 1,000 in HD) |
Streaming only: $2 to $4 per SD title $3 to $5 per HD title |
Hulu |
N/A |
Streaming only: Free (Hulu) $7.99 per month (Hulu Plus) |
Netflix |
17,000 (including 1,300 in HD) |
Discs by mail: $4 per month for 1 disc at a time Streaming only:(limit: 2 DVDs per month) $8 per month for 1 disc at a time $12 per month for 2 discs $16 per month for 3 discs $22 per month for 4 discs $28 per month for 5 discs $33 per month for 6 discs $38 per month for 7 discs $44 per month for 8 discs ($4 per month add. for Blu-ray rentals.) $8 per month |
Vudu |
20,000 (including 4,000 in HD or HDX, enhanced HD) |
Streaming only: $3 to $4 per SD title $4 to $5 per HD title $5 to $6 per HDX title |
We've only scratched the surface of renting and streaming options. For more information on streaming online videos to the HDTV in your living room, see our recent report: Take your TV online.
And what's your favorite way to get inexpensive at-home entertainment? Weigh in below.
—Paul Eng
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