Streaming Films...viewing options?

[nunheadmum]

Having just sat through the inevitable argument between 2 kids about which film DVD to watch and ended up with Toy Story for the nth time, the thought of having access to lots of films to choose from sounds REALLY nice. Having had a quick look at the options and realising that it'll mean a fairly major upgrade of our IT/telly set-up, I'm just wondering if it's really worth it or are there downsides that outweigh the perceived benefits.

Hubby and I tend to watch box sets these days as much as normal TV so I suspect it would work well for us too.

Anyone got any pearls of practical wisdom before we set off on the decision process? (We probably wouldn't go down the Apple route.) Do any of the options work better with kids in mind? Does it work better to get a games console that works on 2 levels or is an internet TV easier for kids to use? (They're almost 7 and 4.5.)

Thanks!

[Jessie]

My iPad and a subscription to Netflix suffices for me and the 8 year old.

[nunheadmum]

Think I'm being old-fashioned but I prefer my films on the TV so we can all sit down and watch (or at least some of it for me - I never get to watch a whole film these days!). Somehow snuggling up on the sofa in front of a computer doesn't seem the same.

[Jessie]

Was just sharing my experience. We also have BT vision which has a library of free films as part of the package, all of which are watched on TV and also you can connect an ipad to a tv.

[gebbjane]

We've just got internet ready tv and subscribed to Netflix -not too sure on the amount of decent children's films on it but lots of children's tv programmes that keep our little one entertained when needed. Would say is fantastic for box sets for us,we love damages not shown after season 3 on UK tv but available on Netflix and cheaper than buying the dvds. Also can use your Netflix account on up to 6 different devices.

[nunheadmum]

Sorry Jessie, no criticism meant. Just aware I'm not really the ipad generation.

Interesting to hear that Netflix not so good for kids films. My eldest (7years) seems into older films (Secret Garden, Little House on the Prairie etc) so it'd be nice to have access to some of these old films / programmes I remember of old.

[mima08]

Hiya, I've got a lovefilm.com instant subscription. I stream filsm on the laptop which we hook up (one cable) to the TV. Their library seems to be growing a lot at the moment. I am not sure about kids films as my LO is too young to watch films, but having had no tv in the past (and thus always went down the boxset route), it is nice to have such choice & cheaper too. You do need decent internet speed, though - if it drops below 4mb, the streaming does not work very well.

[Ellie78]

What Internet speeds do you guys have? We want to switch but involves downgrading from

Nearly 20mbs to a 3-8 (possibly 6) range...and we stream stuff a lot.,

[nunheadmum]

Who do you get 20 with? Is it reliable? I'm aware that our current speed/service is variable so need to factor provider into the decision.

[Otta]

Buy a cheap xbox 360, it has windows media app which you can sync with your pc (via wireless). Then anything on your pc can be viewed on your tv.

You can also access Netflix/Lovefilm through it.

Think you have to subscribe to xbox gold though, which is an extra fee, but not huge.

[Dodo1]

Hi

Just been through this.

Have discovered that if you have a Wii you can get Netflix & Lovefilm- so won't bin the Wii yet!

Also if you have Sky you can now get Sky Go Extra. This allows you to download and watch offline programmes- great if you are out and about or if your children are staying with the grandparents!

Netflix is the only streaming service available on the Nexus at present. Not such a great choice as the othe services but 1st month is free.

[njc97]

Nunheadmum - we get around 12 mbs with be online, I think on the same exchange as you.

Depending on how IT savvy you are, you could get a raspberry pi tiny computer, plus wireless keyboard and mouse and download your TV/films via bittorrent or similar.

Otherwise for the mainstream streaming services, internet TVs' interfaces can be a bit clunky. A second hand PS3 would be a cheap option. (unless you've got a laptop you can just plug into the TV)