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Cuzzin
Ricky sold me on NetFlix
yesterday. No, not for the movies, although what the hell, we'll
take our allocation. No, I signed up for the instant view of old
movies, television shows, etc. First thing I did after signing up
for a two-week free trial was order-up a home view of
television's "The Office."
That led to a screen instructing me to download the NetFlix media
player. Okay. But wait.
Whoops. I need Media Player 11. Okay, update
me. But wait. I can't use Media Player 11 because I don't have
the Microsoft's Media
Center Edition 2005 version of Windows. I have the 2002
Media Player
Edition, which is not upgradeable. Right here MoSup calls and asks me
to order Chinese, which she'll pick up. I can't find the freaking
menu, and the place is unlisted (I'm not kidding). MFCS! I call
Mo Sup. No answer, which means she's deep in the bowel's of some
mall. Screw it.
I called NetFlix tech support, and got verification that, yes, I
need Media Player 11. Tech guy James said it was
Microsoft's fault. I said, what
the hell are you talking about, you designed the software?
No, NetFlix has to comply with Microsoft's media security dictates -
the result of letting Hollywood control their software. And don't
give me any "buy a Mac" crap. Steve Jobs is a bigger whore
to Big Media than Bill Gates is. MFCS.
I'm wondering what percentage of NetFlix customers meet that standard,
of owning the Media Center 2005 edition of XP? When I looked, you
had to pay a hefty premium to get it in Vista. Damned few, I'll
warrant. Anyway, we have the free two week trial - I ordered a
couple of chick-flicks for Mo Sup - so two weeks is exactly how long my
NetFlix account has to live. And guess what? With each
passing day, I miss seeing Hollywood crap less and less. Grrr.
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Well don't leave us hanging like that! Did you get the Chinese ordered for MoSup?
ReplyDeleteTFV
And what did you order?
ReplyDeletec. umulus n. imbusi
Those bresticles are disgusting.
ReplyDeleteCasca
Do they deliver?
ReplyDeletealwaysFresh,neverFrozen
We had left-over pizza and popcorn.
ReplyDeleteGet a mac
ReplyDeleteI don't have those problems, Rodger.
ReplyDeleteNetflix streaming video didn't want to work under Firefox, insisting on using a recent version of IE. But my OS is a four-year-old version of XP with Service Pack 2. The Netflix video works just fine.
John, are you using Media Player 10, or 11?
ReplyDeleteWell CRAP!...Sorry Rodge... and I should have told you about the IE requirement. When viewing the "free" Netflix stuff. it's the ONLY time I use IE (over FireFox) anymore.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the feast, Your Highness. Did your neighbor across the street ever say anything about our strip-and -chug croquet game in your front yard?
Cuzzin Rick
There are several online distribution companies that I would love to subscribe to but won't because they insist that I use internet explorer. Their service doesn't work with Firefox. They don't think it's funny when I reply "Well Internet Explorer will never be run on my computer, so I guess I will just keep my money and you can keep your content."
ReplyDeleteGee and I was just thinking about signing up for netflix. Guess I won't bother.
Rodger,
ReplyDeleteNetflix won't work in Firefox but if you have XP with SP2 and IE7 it should work just fine. A small ap may need to be downloaded.
Open IE (version 7 is best) and go to the Netflix site. Within a minute or so you should be viewing movies.
Can't remember if required but I have RealPlayer V.11 loaded, too.
I've watched several movies that way and use the land-based service for other programming (I do not own a TV connected to either antenna or cable or satellite....and haven't for over 30 years.) Watching shows like Sopranos or Battlestar Gallactica, Law and Order, The Shield, etc without commercials is a REAL treat.
Vilmar
Rog,
ReplyDeleteCheck out MythTV. It's a Linux kernel that turns an average PC into a commercial killing DVR. You need a PC and a Happuauge TV turner card and very modest PC skills. The software has a web interface and automatically kills 99% of commercials. I cheap subscription to a listing guide is all you need.
Don't "get a Mac." I have a Mac. Netflix downloads don't even pretend to work on a Mac last time I looked.
ReplyDeleteSmall price to pay for a superior computer....
With each passing day, I miss seeing Hollywood crap less and less.
ReplyDeleteAin't that the truth. I have Verizon FIOS with about a jillion PPV, on-demand, and every HBO/Showtime movie channel you can imagine and I swear there is never a movie that I want to watch on any of those channels. Either the movies that I thought I enjoyed aren't offered or my tastes have certainly changed.
Thank you for your instruction on using IE. Although I did try that last night, I just did it again. Here are the screen caps of that experience.
ReplyDeleteBalaams_ass
ReplyDelete"'very modest PC skills"
LOL! Speaking as a programmer w/20 years of experience AND as someone who has built his own MythTV box (1 HDTV tuner, 1 std), it was a PITA. Worthwhile, but not easy. Video drivers, remote control config, sound drivers, db config, network issues... unless things have changed substantially in the past few years (I haven't upgraded) I'd say it will take substantial Linux skills.
Ugggh! Man boobs!
ReplyDeleteMan boobs are a good thing if you're home schooled. That way when you're elected Homecoming King, you can take yourself, as Homecoming Queen, to the dance.
ReplyDelete