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Video Streaming: Ratings of Sources
Total of 22 Sources
For an explanation of how we rank reviews, see our ratings criteria page.
Best Online Video Services Roundup 2010
by Dustin Sklavos
by Dustin Sklavos
Our AssessmentNotebookReview.com, a reputable reviewer of laptops and netbooks, takes a look at four popular video download services: Netflix, Amazon Video On Demand, Hulu and Apple iTunes. Conclusions are summarized here, and links lead to nicely detailed, longer reviews. Services are evaluated based on playback quality; price; selection of movies and videos; and additional features. Hulu/Hulu Plus and Netflix get a thumbs-up, while Amazon Video On Demand and iTunes, at least on the PC platform, get a thumbs-down.
Where the Hits Are Streaming
by Tristan Louis
by Tristan Louis
Our AssessmentTristan Louis looks at which streaming video services have the best lineups of top hits. Taking a list of the top 100 films of 2010, he documents which are available on Netflix, Amazon Video On Demand, iTunes, Vudu and on DVD. Not surprisingly, he finds that those who want the best selection of recent blockbusters can't quite abandon physical media as of yet. On the other side of the spectrum, while there's lots of content on Netflix, those that want to see recent hits will find little to satisfy them. All of the other streaming services scored notably better, but Louis finds little to recommend one over the other.
The 2010 State of Internet VOD: TV
by Tristan Louis
by Tristan Louis
Our AssessmentThis report focuses on which of four video streaming services -- Netflix, Hulu Plus, Amazon Video On Demand and iTunes -- does the best job in delivering recent and past seasons of top-rated TV shows. ITunes, followed by Amazon Video On Demand, does the best job of delivering TV programs from the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 TV seasons, but at a substantially higher price than either Netflix or Hulu Plus. Hulu Plus does a better job of delivering recent episodes than Netflix, but Netflix delivers older episodes that are not available via Hulu Plus. In the end, when it comes to delivering TV content, all four services are said to have "room for improvement."
Guide to online streaming services
by Editors of ConsumerReports.org
by Editors of ConsumerReports.org
Our AssessmentConsumerReports.org lists five of the most popular sites for streaming video -- particularly movies. No discussion or ratings are provided, but a helpful table summarizes costs, library sizes and who makes compatible gear. The brief discussion of the different ways to get streaming video to your living room screen might be helpful to some.
Hands-on with Netflix on the PS3: Disc-free and Better Than Ever
by Matthew Moskovciak
by Matthew Moskovciak
Our AssessmentCNET concentrates its coverage on the hardware side of streaming video, but within that you can find some helpful feedback on individual services, such as this article on Netflix and how it works on the PS3. The new interface not only does away with the previous need to insert a disc, but is fast and easy to use. The ability to browse or to search for content, including titles not in your instant queue, is applauded.
Hulu Plus on the Go Is Still Hulu Minus
by Scott Stein
by Scott Stein
Our AssessmentCNET posts two slightly differing takes on Hulu Plus. Here, Scott Stein says that Hulu Plus does offer more content than the free version of Hulu, but not enough to justify its cost. Comparisons are made to Netflix. The article links to a second report, however, that has a different point of view. Matthew Moskovciak looks at the experience of using Hulu Plus on a Samsung Blu-ray player and says that despite some limitations and caveats, there are enough positives to put it in the same tier of content providers for connected consumer electronics -- in this case Blu-ray players -- as Netflix, Vudu and Amazon Video On Demand.
5 of the Best Streaming Media Services Compared
by Christina Warren
by Christina Warren
Our AssessmentMashable.com compares the five top video streaming services. In addition to comparing features, including hardware (both mobile and connected device), Christina Warren provides an "Our Take" assessment of each streaming video service's strengths and weakness. Most have their role, she says, but iTunes is said to only be a top choice if "you live in an Apple-only ecosystem."
Hulu Plus vs Netflix
by Nick Mokey
by Nick Mokey
Our AssessmentNick Mokey compares the positives and negatives of Hulu Plus and Netflix and declares that if you can only have one video streaming service, it should be Netflix. Though some details have shifted since the review -- such as subscription costs -- the larger library, wider availability on connected devices, and lack of advertising remain key advantages. That said, Hulu Plus has promise with fresher content and better video quality.
Hulu Plus
by Jeffrey L. Wilson and Errol Pierre-Louis
by Jeffrey L. Wilson and Errol Pierre-Louis
Our AssessmentPCMag.com also focuses its coverage on hardware for watching Internet movies and videos on your TV. However, while the reports aren't the easiest to find on the site, there are also reviews of some streaming video providers. A case in point is this review of Hulu Plus. PCMag.com says that while Hulu Plus might not be compelling enough to get all users of the regular Hulu service to subscribe, it's a pretty good deal for those that want the ability to watch all of the episodes of their favorite TV shows, or to watch programming on something other than a personal computer.
Home AV Product of the Year: Netflix Streaming
by Daniel Dumas
by Daniel Dumas
Our AssessmentWired says that 2010 is the year that Netflix video streaming came into its own. Daniel Dumas adds that with its library of movie and TV titles, and wide hardware support (more than 100 devices at last look, and growing), "Netflix is well on its way to fulfilling the promise of digital media: whatever you want, wherever and whenever you want it."
What is Vudu?
by Barb Gonzalez
by Barb Gonzalez
Our AssessmentBarb Gonzalez, a contributing writer for About.com, profiles the Vudu video streaming service. She notes that Vudu is the first streaming service to offer content in 3D and in a separate review says that 3D over Vudu, while still sparse, rivals that of 3D from Blu-ray Discs. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)
Review: Vudu Movie Service on LG Blu-ray Player
by Justin King
by Justin King
Our AssessmentThe Vudu video streaming service is tested using an LG Blu-ray player in this detailed review. Sound quality is praised, and video quality is said to lag behind Blu-ray only slightly, at least in casual viewing. The ability to have access to content without paying extra for a box is appreciated. The short window for viewing movies (24 hours) is not.
Hacking Netflix
by Editors of HackingNetflix.com
by Editors of HackingNetflix.com
Our AssessmentThis blog dedicated to everything Netflix includes several brief reviews of how well -- or poorly -- Netflix works with its several compatible playback devices, including game consoles, dedicated boxes, Blu-ray players and more. Reviews are brief but are often comparative. Readers chime in with their own opinion. One drawback is that finding information can be tedious.
Video
by Dave Zatz and Mari Silbey
by Dave Zatz and Mari Silbey
Our AssessmentThere are lots of reviews of video streaming services and hardware at this site, though finding some of it can be a challenge. Most reports are brief, but do a good job of filling in pluses and minuses. One example is a report on Hulu Plus on the Roku player. Mari Silbey compares it to Netflix on the same platform and notes that while Hulu Plus does a better job delivering current content, Netflix video streaming offers a more varied library of titles.
Review: Vudu On-demand Video Service for PS3
by Clinton Stark
by Clinton Stark
Our AssessmentClinton Stark says that Vudu is "yet one more reason" to dump cable and satellite-TV providers. He notes that the a la carte pricing can make Vudu costlier than competitors such as Netflix, but also counts the spiffy interface, high video resolution (1080p), and the fact that video streams are often available the same day as their DVD/Blu-ray releases as pluses.
Hands on: Vudu Streaming 1080P Movies to the PlayStation 3
by Peter Stark
by Peter Stark
Our AssessmentPeter Stark tries out Vudu streaming video on the Sony PlayStation 3. Overall, he finds a lot of pluses, but the experience is not completely trouble-free. Some digital noise is noted and one movie he tried suffered a buffering delay mid-film. Still, he says that there's absolutely no reason not to try out the Vudu app on the PS3.
The Top 5 Video Streaming Websites
by "MidnightCowboy"
by "MidnightCowboy"
Our AssessmentFive free sites for watching streaming video on the web are profiled here. Descriptions aren't terribly long, but pros and cons are listed. A list of 40 additional sites is included, though not everything in it is up to date.
Online Movie Rentals
by Gretchen Siegchrist
by Gretchen Siegchrist
Our AssessmentAbout.com guide Gretchen Siegchrist lists sites where you can stream movies for viewing. Write-ups here are brief, but in most (though not all) cases, links are provided to longer reviews. The information provided is not always completely up to date, but is typically helpful; however, no best video streaming service is named. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)
Hulu Plus Review
by Zack Stern
by Zack Stern
Our AssessmentZack Stern notes that Hulu Plus offers a "massive roster of TV shows and a smattering of movies," but that there enough missing shows and episodes to be a disappointment. On the plus side, video generally looks good, but that's not enough to earn the service more than a middling overall rating.
Netflix Streaming Review
by "Major Undeclared"
by "Major Undeclared"
Our AssessmentReviewSpew.com is an irreverent blog that reviews everything and anything, including movies, TV shows and video streaming services. This report on Netflix finds the service to have some flaws -- such as lots of filler and lesser titles -- but also enough different content to please all sorts of viewers. The reviewer awards it 5 stars.
Vudu Lives (Outside the Box)
by David Pogue
by David Pogue
Our AssessmentDavid Pogue tries out Vudu on an LG Blu-ray player. He is impressed by the image quality -- saying that it is better than any other Internet movie service. He also appreciates the wide selection and same-day availability with DVD releases. Some negatives are noted, such as a small rental viewing window and less than seamless operation with a slow Internet connection or over Wi-Fi. Still, the overall experience is very positive.
Hulu Plus vs. Netflix: Which Is Better?
by Jeff Bertolucci
by Jeff Bertolucci
Our AssessmentDespite the promise, this article never directly answers the question posed in its title. Instead, it compares Netflix to Hulu Plus on points such as costs, size of their libraries, what devices support it and more. While Netflix seems to have an edge in most categories, Hulu Plus has since undergone some changes -- including a drop in cost -- so not all comparisons are still valid.
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