Some thoughts on - Netflix

Alrighty. Finally. About frakkin' time!

These were my initial thoughts on the German launch of Netflix. The successful streaming service from America is now venturing into the shallows of the German media landscape.

The prehistory

Netflix started out as a postal video rental service that delivered physical media such as DVDs (the older ones among us will still remember them) to your home by snail mail. Once you had watched the film of your choice, you put the DVD back in an envelope and sent it back to Netflix. With this service, Netflix succeeded in bringing successful video rental chains like Blockbuster to their knees. With the increasing number of faster internet connections, Netflix also made the leap to a streaming service provider. Instead of the DVD, a data stream now makes the journey to the customer via the internet, allowing him to consume a film no matter when, no matter where and no matter on which device. Netflix made money with this idea and this service. So much money that it enabled the company to commission its own series productions. Some of them, such as the political series "House Of Cards" with Kevin Spacey, have meanwhile won awards and are one of Netflix's biggest successes to date. Netflix is now competing with large private cable providers such as HBO or Showtime, which until now have dominated the market for ambitious series productions in the States.

Launch in Germany

Now Netflix is launching in Germany. From €7.99 per month, you can use Netflix on smart TVs, game consoles, smartphones, tablets or your home PC. If you want to watch films and series in HD on two devices at the same time, you have to pay €8.99. Families and flat-sharing communities have to pay a higher fee: 11.99€ per month. In return, however, up to four devices can be used at the same time - and the content can be viewed in 4K resolution (assuming an expensive compatible UHD television).

First impressions - Apple TV

I tried Netflix on my Apple TV box and my iPad mini as an example.

An installation was unnecessary for me. Like Watchever before it, the Netflix icon appeared on my Apple TV box as a new 'channel icon' just in time for the German launch. Since I was already impatiently awaiting Netflix, I had already registered online for a free trial month. Email address and password were enough.

After rating three randomly selected films or series, you can also specify other users. This prevents children in the household from having their favourite horror films suggested to them or from only seeing films and series about Barbie.

After you have entered this data by clicking on the Netflix symbol, you reach the start screen.

In the settings of the web interface I had already indicated my preference for English-language films and series. Therefore, the language on the screen is also in English.

The layout is similar to Watchever. A number of films and series, sorted by genre, or, as in my case, recommendations of series that might interest me, as I had previously given the series 'Luther' a good rating.

(I think the suggested selection is excellent, by the way).

Spontaneously, however, I decide on an episode of the (no less excellent) series 'Penny Dreadful' (for fans of my podcast 'TV Watchdog'. In episode 30 we discuss this series).

As this series is not suitable for children, Netflix now asks me for a four-digit PIN, which I also entered previously via the web interface.

After I have started the first episode with another click, I can then select the language and subtitles with a longer click on the OK button. All series and films have subtitles. In the case of 'Penny Dreadful', German and English subtitles are available.

The soundtrack can also be determined. Here I can choose between the original version and the dubbed version.

Since I opted for the medium-priced HD option for my trial month, the picture quality is excellent. The series episode starts immediately. After a few seconds, enough of the episode is buffered and the picture switches from SD to HD resolution. The subtitles are faded in as desired.

First impressions - iPad mini

On the iPad mini, after downloading the application, I also have to verify myself with my customer data.

In the upper area I can see what and how much I have watched recently. By clicking on the series episode of Penny Dreadful, I can continue this episode on my iPad.

Oops. Of course, I have to enter my PIN code here too. That might get annoying over time. But the visitors with children, who usually always play around on my iPad, are certainly grateful for it.

The interface is again similar to that of 'Watchever' Simple controls for volume, sound and subtitles can be found at the top right. Everything appears tidy and is pleasantly designed.

Conclusion

Netflix's starting offer is modest, but exceeds the starting offer of 'Watchever' in quality and quantity. I particularly like the subtitling option better on Netflix. As far as the modest range of films and series is concerned, this is a deliberate strategy on Netflix's part. The service's usage data is also used to control the purchase of new series and films. The offer will therefore grow in the coming months and overtake the offer of 'Watchever' in the medium term. The top dog 'Maxdome' will still feel safe for a while. But at the latest when millions of young people find their way from 'Piratebay' to Netflix to watch series in the (English) original, Netflix will be ahead in the long run.