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Internet Connection Requirements
According to the Netflix Canada FAQ, you’ll need a fairly fast broadband internet connection to run Netflix :
To watch movies instantly via your PC or Netflix-ready device, we recommend a broadband connection providing at least 1.5 Mbps. The faster your connection, the better your picture quality will be. For DVD-quality video and audio, you need a connection providing at least 3.0 Mbps.
Your connection speed will rise and fall depending on network usage in your home and conditions at your Internet service provider.
Netflix automatically determines the speed of your internet connection and adjusts the quality accordingly, so the faster your connection, the better the quality. From what I can tell, Netflix makes these quality adjustments in real time, as you are watching a video, rather than just at the start of the video. A couple of times, while watching a movie, I noticed the quality drop just slightly for a few seconds and then go back up again. The quality drop was subtle, manifesting itself as a very slight blurriness rather than obvious chunking-out or pixelation. In fact, the drop was so subtle that my wife didn’t even notice it.
Just how much bandwidth does Netflix use? I monitored my router’s real-time traffic graphs while watching various videos and I noticed that HD videos used anywhere from 4 to 5 Mbps (megabits per second) whereas DVD-quality videos used around 2 to 3 Mbps. Your mileage will vary greatly depending upon the particular video you are watching and the quality of your internet connection. Please take my numbers with a grain of salt!
If you are worried about your ISP charging you for running over your monthly bandwidth allocation, you can mitigate this risk by logging into the Netflix Canada website and selecting the setting “Disable HD streaming, stream in Standard Definition only”. Obviously, this will reduce the quality of the video but it may keep you on good terms with your ISP. Better yet, you should consider upgrading to a connection with a higher monthly bandwidth allocation. If you are a Shaw customer, you’ll probably want to upgrade to at least the High Speed Extreme connection to get the most out of your Netflix Canada membership.
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I’d like to see it here in Australia at the moment Netflix offers only DVD’s and Blurays by mail here.But once we have this type of facility here we will see a whole new way that people watch television. I honestly can not see how it will not put many providers out of business.
Thank you for the review. i needed that. I’ve checked the selection and….nothing for me. Little selection.
Sucks huh?
No selection doesn’t say it enough!
I used netflix for one year and I was happy with it, for $9.99 a month it was great. The DVD’s came on time and all the DVD’s played ok. I only had one DVD that played not so good. But, I have just got a email from Netflix talking about Price Change and New Plans. Reading the email, it was talking about price is going to change to $15.98 a month. It is not worth it $15.98 to me, so I cancel netflix. Below you can see the email:
We are separating unlimited DVDs by mail and unlimited streaming into two separate plans to better reflect the costs of each. Now our members have a choice: a streaming only plan, a DVD only plan, or both.
Your current $9.99 a month membership for unlimited streaming and unlimited DVDs will be split into 2 distinct plans:
Plan 1: Unlimited Streaming (no DVDs) for $7.99 a month
Plan 2: Unlimited DVDs, 1 out at-a-time (no streaming) for $7.99 a month
Your price for getting both of these plans will be $15.98 a month ($7.99 + $7.99). You don’t need to do anything to continue your memberships for both unlimited streaming and unlimited DVDs.
These prices will start for charges on or after September 1, 2011.
You can easily change or cancel your unlimited streaming plan, unlimited DVD plan, or both, by going to the Plan Change page in Your Account.
We realize you have many choices for home entertainment, and we thank you for your business. As always, if you have questions, please feel free to call us at 1-888-357-1516.
–The Netflix Team
You can watch all your favorite movies?
All the good movies are unavailable!
You can watch all your favorite movies?
All the good movies are unavailable!
well how do you feel about the netflix price increase for the streaming and dvd service? to be honest we dont really care that much because when you think about it, the more you pay for netflix the more movies they can afford to provide us and in the end members will be happy once again. but what do i know?
Netflix Canada is not that great. Movie selection is minimal compared to the US version and they might as well not list any TV shows as there is nothing current and hardly any listings. Again, compared to the US version it is abysmal and not wortht he $8 per month.
Thank God for the 1st month free trial, otherwise, I would have wasted my $8 + tx. I heard about Netflix’s collection of movies..or the lack of. I didn’t know it’s that bad. They don’t even have the few must have movies, like, Harry Potter, Indiana Jones & The Lord of the Rings…and a LOT more they don’t have. I don’t mind paying a few bucks more a month, but if I can finish watch ALL Netflix’s collection in a month, I don’t see the points of continue having it. It would be cheaper for me to continue renting the old fashion way, coz, most likely Netflix won’t have it anyway.
F*ck the CRTC for it’s Canadian content and French subtitle bullsh*t. The future just arrived, and as usual Canada got left out.
@Daniel : french subtitle bullshit? There is almost nothing in french on netflix, and we french users deserve that basic service as customers, so f*ck yourself and your bullshit instead.
If you’re looking for a good list of what is available for Netflix Canada, check out netflixcanadacompletelist.blogspot.com. It shows new arrivals, and a COMPLETE list of shows, ordered by release date and alpha. The regular Netflix interface leaves out a lot when you are just browsing…you have to actually search for specific items to find everything.
Daniel, xl2k5:
Both of you need to chill out and relax a little.
I encountered the french subtitles in one movie thus far,
( I am new to Netflix Canada ) The movie was “The Kingdom”
My only beef with that movie was all the arabic scenes had french subtitles. Now anyone with a little imagination can overcome that by following the storyline. But as for french users deserving that basic service… I agree they do deserve it, BUT we ARE a bilingual country so if there are french subtitles on a movie, it should be optional to change it or watch one with English subtitles.
As for Bandwidth—– From what I seen so far (2 weeks of usage) Netflix will not use much more than 60 Gigs for the whole month, I have two pcs of equipment in the house and 3 computers that can watch Netflix. I also have a 20 yr old with access, and over these 2 weeks Netflix has used a staggering 9 Gig !!!!!! ….. Call the Bandwidth Cops…. For that 9 Gig – The household has watched 15 hours worth of programming. So the bandwidth usage in my mind is acceptable…. Programming Content\Quality- it is streaming video over the INternet….It will NEVER be DVD or Blu-ray quality…. You can’t compare the two….It is not fair. As for the Content itself… 8 Bucks a month…. If I want to order something new I will order a Pay Per Vue @ 6.00 per movie. Secondly on Content….. There are TV shows I did not even know existed on Netflix… I am currently watching “Leverage” Excellent show so all and all I would recommend Netflix to anyone. But be forwarned You will not get The latest and greatest movies or shows, and you are streaming over the internet onto a large TV set…. Don’t expect the same quality as plugging in a Blu Ray and watching it at home.
Why do they have such ridiculous categories that you can’t change? I have no interest in gay and lesbian movies i do not need that category. I do not watch children’s movies and again have no need for the category. I can’t stand facebook and seeing that category with the terrible suggestions is wasting what i have to scroll through. I have no idea who sets anything up on here but if putting a movie in english and adding french subtitles only in scenes where people aren’t speaking english makes following the story… well its like the birds who ate the trail of bread crumbs. Also when comparing movies how the hell does diaries of a nymphomaniac have anything to do with captain america other than the fact they were both shot in colour?
Why is it that I see a lot of 5.1 sound for French but not for English?
Netflix, you may provide some good movies to watch but if you provide 5.1 in French why not also in English?