After all, who doesn’t love to see their work displayed on a wall or mantle?

But with so many online services available, which is the right one to choose?

Sites vary widely in terms of cost, quality, processing times, and delivery.

In this post, we will guide you through the top 10 online photo printing services available today.

Walgreens Print Quality and Editing

Their site offers simple online editing tools, for example, brightness and contrast sliders, auto-correct buttons for red-eye, color-correction and fill flash. Your image can also be cropped, however, there are no border options, filters, or advanced image effects.

Walgreens uses DNP paper which delivers good picture quality, although, this is rarely used among other online photo printing services.

Print quality and color are not bad; the prints contain bright colors without over-saturation while still retaining some detail. For the best quality prints, Walgreens recommends saving files with 200-300 dots per inch (or DPI).

Delivery Options

Walgreens Photo is the place to go if you want your prints quickly. They offer a range of delivery options:

• Same-day printing services; or
• Home delivery within 3-5 business days after production.

How to Upload Photos to Walgreens

You can upload to Walgreens photo site or via a variety of methods:

1. Direct from your computer;
2. From social media (Facebook, Instagram, or Google Photos); or
3. Walgreens print app.

However, they only accept JPEG files.

Print Sizes and Cost

• Print Sizes: 4×6, 5×7, 8×10, 4×5.3, 4×4, or 8×8 inch.
• Finishes: Glossy and matte.
• Lowest Price: $0.33 cents for 4×6 prints. The cost of 8×10 inch prints is $3.99.

They are a bit pricey compared to other online photo printing services, however, you can create giftware, albums, or wall decor with your images.

Snapfish Print Quality and Editing

Snapfish offers superior paper quality with a same-day pick-up. It boasts simple online editing tools including brightness and contrast sliders, auto-correct buttons for color-correction and fill-flash.

In addition, there are a few monochromatic filters, however, there is no option to crop or add borders to your images.

Snapfish uses Fujicolor Crystal Archive paper for prints; a quality paper loved by professional photographers. As a result, prints perform well in brightness, color, and clarity. Snapfish preserves detail and does not over-saturate. For the best quality prints, Snapfish recommends uploading files with 300 DPI.

Snapfish Delivery Options

Snapfish boasts flexibility when it comes to delivery:

• Same-day pick up from a variety of stores (Walgreens, CVS or Walmart); and
• Delivered to your home with 4 delivery tiers; from the lowest cost (up to 8 business days) to the more costly (up to 4 business days).

How to Upload Photos to Snapfish

There are several ways to upload to Snapfish:

1. Direct from your computer;
2. Social media (Facebook, Flickr, Instagram or Google Photos); and
3. Send photos via an app.

However, Snapfish only accepts JPEG and PNG files, not TIFFs.

Print Sizes and Cost

• Print Sizes: 4×6, 5×7, 8×10, 4×5.3, 4×4, or 8×8, 11×14, 12×18, 16×20, and 20×30 inch .
• Finishes: Glossy and matte.
• Lowest Price: $0.09 cents for 4×6 prints. The cost of 8×10 inch prints is $2.99.

They also offer the option of printing your images on to giftware, photo books, and wall decor.

Snapfish is a great option if you want superior, inexpensive prints and flexible delivery options.

AdormaPix Print Quality and Editing

AdoramaPix prints on high-quality Kodak Endura professional paper which we found to be superior to any other service we used.

In addition, prints enhance the natural texture of your images without over-saturating color, performing better than Amazon Prints or Nation Labs.

There are only a few editing options, limited to cropping, rotation and fixing red-eye. However, texture, border and mounting options are available, as well as output filters and color-correction.

For the best print quality, save your files with 300 DPI.

Delivery Options

Take your pick from the following delivery options:

• Free in-store pick up from its shops in Brooklyn and Manhattan, NY
• Free economy shipping on orders worth $49 or over; and
• Expedited shipping at extra cost.

However, there is no international shipping; they only ship to the US and Canada.

How to Upload Photos to AdoramaPix

Choose from the following upload options:

1. Direct from your computer;
2. Social media (Facebook, Flickr, Instagram or Dropbox);
3. Direct from iOS devices to AdoramaPix gallery for later use. However, the app is not available on Android and you can’t order prints through it.

Adorama accepts JPEG files and is one of the few services to accept uncompressed TIFF files, with a maximum file size of 200MB.

Print Sizes and Cost

• Print Sizes: A range of 36 different sizes, including wallet size and extra-large prints.
• Finishes: Gloss, luster, silk, metallic or matte photo paper.
• Lowest Price: $0.31 cents for 4×6 prints. The cost of 8×10 inch prints is $1.59.

Their 4×6 inch print costs are higher than other online photo printing services. However, we felt the quality is worth the price. Plus, they offer other print options including photo books, wall decor, and giftware.

Print Quality and Editing

Nations Photo Lab does not offer many options when it comes to image editing, but they do use high-quality paper.

They offer cropping capabilities, which cannot be undone. You can add borders, however, please note these are not shown in previews before you order your prints.

They use high-quality Kodak Endura professional paper; which enhances detail in darker areas of images.

Nations Photo Lab recommends you save files to 300 DPI for the best print quality.

Delivery Options

Choose from a range of delivery options:

• Free in-store pick up from its Maryland location;
• First-class US Postal Shipping costs only $3.95, second-class costs $15, UPS Ground service costs $7 and the overnight service costs $30.

How to Upload Photos

Take your pick from the following upload options:

1. Direct from your computer;
2. Social media (Facebook or Dropbox); and
3. Drag and drop from Windows Explorer.

Unfortunately, there is no app support. They accept JPEG and TIFF files, but no PNG files. The maximum file size accepted is 40MB.

Print Sizes and Cost

• Print Sizes: More than 60 different sizes, including wallet size, extra-large prints, giftware, photo books, and wall decor
• Finishes: Gloss, luster or metallic photo paper
• Lowest Price: $0.32 cents for 4×6 prints. The cost of 8×10 inch prints is $1.90.

Prices for both 4×6 and 8×10 are much higher than other online photo printing services. However, they are a great option if you want high-quality prints in sizes that are not offered by others on this list.

Walmart Photo Print Quality and Editing Options

Walmart Photo offers good quality prints along with basic image editing capabilities. Edit options include brightness adjustment, cropping and image filters. However, there are no options to add borders or decorative effects.

Walmart uses Fuji Crystal Archive paper; colors are never washed out or over-saturated, and images retain a large amount of detail. Prints from Walmart perform almost as well as other online photo printing services, and they are also cost-effective. It is recommended to upload files in 300 DPI for the best print quality.

Walmart Photo Delivery Options

There are 3 delivery options:

• Home delivery: standard (3-5 business days), or expedited delivery (2-3 business days);
• Free site to store delivery, from 3-5 business days; and
• Same-day, 1-hour pick up from stores with selected items.

How to Upload Photos to Walmart Photo

There are 4 options to upload images to Walmart Photo:

1. Direct from your computer;
2. Social Media (Facebook, Flickr, Instagram, etc);
3. Drag-and-drop from Windows explorer; and
4. Walmart shopping app: upload, order and perform basic photo edits.

However, Walmart Photo only accepts JPEG and PNG files.

May you love: The Best Portable Photo Printers

Walmart Photo Print Sizes and Cost

• Print Sizes: 8 different sizes, including wallet size.
• Finishes: Gloss and matte
• Lowest Price: $0.09 cents for 4×6 prints. The cost of 8×10 inch prints is $1.79.

Walmart’s 4×6 inch print costs are one of the cheapest (same as Snapfish) but Walmart still maintains a decent quality print. Plus, they offer a range of other printing options, including giftware, photo albums, and wall decor.

If you want decent image quality images at an affordable price, Walmart Photo is a great option.

Print Quality and Editing

Amazon Prints offer a simple printing option with no editing capabilities.

They offer good quality Fuji Crystal Archive paper, ensuring high-quality color and sharpness. However, some of our images came out a bit over-saturated. Again, the recommended print density for best quality is 300 DPI.

Amazon Prints Delivery Options

Prime shipping in 2 weeks, or just 1-week if you pay $7 more. Pay $14 and receive your prints in just 4 business days. As you can see, the delivery costs are expensive compared to other online photo printing services.

How to Upload Photos to Amazon Prints

Choose from the following 2 options:

1. Direct from your computer;  and
2. From an app compatible with both iOS and Android devices.

Amazon Prints only accept JPEG and PNG files. Plus, there is no option to upload from social media

Print Sizes and Cost

• Print Sizes: 8  Regular and large prints are available in 7 sizes.
• Finishes: Gloss, matte, luster, or pearl finishes
• Lowest Price: $0.12 cents for 4×6 prints. The cost of 8×10 inch prints is $1.79.

Amazon is a low-cost printing service with good-quality images. Their 4×6 inch print costs are only slightly higher than some competitors.

They also offer a range of other printing options including giftware, photo albums, and wall decor.

Amazon Prime comes with unlimited photo storage. So if you are already an Amazon Prime member it makes sense to use Amazon Prints.

Print Quality and Editing

Shutterfly offers limited editing features (crop and rotate) but they shine on the large availability of merchandise that you can print your photos on.

Despite their use of Fuji Crystal Archive paper, we noticed the colors lost saturation a bit and prints lacked sharpness.

Shutterfly recommends uploading 300 DPI files for the best quality prints.

Shutterfly Delivery Options

They offer the following shipping options:

• Economy shipping (6-10 days) costs $9.23; standard shipping (5-7 days) costs $16.73; faster deliveries cost more.
• In-store pick-up at Walgreens, CVS, and Target.

Delivery costs are far more expensive than competitors.

How to Upload Photos to Shutterfly

There are various ways to upload your image:

1. Direct from your computer;
2. Social media (Facebook, Instagram, or Google Photos); and
3. From their app for both iOS and Android devices. You can order giftware via the app too.

Please note you cannot edit your images via the app. Plus, Shutterfly only accepts JPEG files.

Print Sizes and Cost

• Print Sizes: Shutterfly offers a variety of print sizes including some rarer, more unique sizing options
• Finishes: Gloss, Matte, pearl, and cardstock print finishes
• Lowest Price: $0.15 cents for 4×6 prints. The cost of 8×10 inch prints is $3.99.

Choose Shutterfly if you want to print your photos on a variety of merchandise such as mugs, aprons, pillows, or blankets.

CVS Photo Print Quality and Editing

CVS Photo boasts sharp prints with filter edit options. They also allow basic edits such as color correction, contrast, crop, rotation, and brightness adjustments.

The service obtains acceptable print quality using Kodak Moments photo paper. Our test order came out sharp and with lots of detail, but the colors seem to be just a bit over-saturated. Again, they recommend uploading files of 300 DPI for the best quality prints.

Delivery Options

There are 3 options for delivery from CVS Photo:

• Same-day pick up at local stores;
• Free to pick up in-store; and
• Home delivery charges apply.

How to Upload Photos

Choose from the following upload methods:

1. Direct from your computer;
2. Social media (Facebook and Instagram); and
3. Via their app for both iOS and Android devices.

However, please note you can’t edit photos or order giftware via the app.

Print Sizes and Cost

• Print Sizes: Many sizes are available
• Finishes: Gloss, Matte, pearl, and cardstock print finishes
• Lowest Price: $0.33 cents for 4×6 prints. The cost of 8×10 inch prints is $3.99.

They are quite expensive compared to the others we tested. The buyers pay primarily for the convenience of same-day pick-up.

CVS Photo also offers the option of creating home and giftware, albums, and wall decor from your images.

Print Quality and Editing

RitzPix offers decent-quality images at an average cost. There are a wide variety of image editing options thanks to its use of the photo editor PicMonkey. Editing highlights include lighting and color fixes, layer effects, cropping, and rotation.

RitzPix uses good quality Fuji Crystal Archive paper, offering good color rendition plus plenty of detail. Final images also boast good texture and detail in darker areas.

RitzPix Delivery Options

There are 2 main delivery options:

• Ground delivery: This takes 10-12 business days and prices start at $1.99; and
• Express delivery: This takes 5-7 business days with a flat rate of $19.99. If you order ultra-matte prints, certain canvases, or banners, the price increases.

How to Upload Photos to RitzPix

Choose from the following upload options:

1. Direct from your computer;
2. Social media (Facebook and Instagram); and
3. Direct from their app for iOS.

RitzPix only accepts JPEG and PNG files, with maximum file sizes of 10MB.

Print Sizes and Cost

• Print Sizes: Regular and large prints in 16 different sizes
• Finishes: Gloss, matte, ultra-gloss, and ultra-matte print finishes
• Lowest Price: $0.24 cents for 4×6 prints. The cost of 8×10 inch prints is $3.99.

RitzPix also offers a range of other image printing options including giftware, photo books, and wall decor.

Mpix Print Quality and Editing

MPix boasts high-quality prints with extra editing options including cropping, filter effects, zoom in, and rotation. In addition, you can add mount options, red-eye removal or glasses glare reduction on the final order page.

They use high-quality Kodak Endura photo paper; which produces evenly-balanced color and well-preserved detail. MPix recommends you upload 300 DPI files to produce the best quality prints.

Delivery Options

There are 4 delivery tiers available:

• Economy: 10+ days for $3.95;
• Standard: 2-5 days for $7.95;
• Expedited: 1 business day for $13.95; and
• Expedited signature: 1 business day for $15.95.

How to Upload Photos to Mpix

Choose from a range of upload options:

1. Direct from your computer;
2. Social media and other services (Amazon, Dropbox, Facebook, One Drive, Google, and Instagram); and
3. Their app for both iOS and Android devices allows you to upload, edit and order prints.

MPix only accepts JPEG files, no TIFFs or PNGs.

Print Sizes and Cost

• Print Sizes: More than 36 sizes
• Finishes: Metallic, true black & white paper, lustre coating, and finelinen texture.
• Lowest Price: $0.29 cents for 4×6 prints. The cost of 8×10 inch prints is $2.79.

MPix also offers a range of other image printing options, including giftware, photo books, and wall decor.

How to Choose the Best Online Photo Printing Services

There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing between online photo printing services. Take a look as we advise you on what to consider.

Edit Your Photos Before You Print Them

Online photo printing services are not a magical ‘fix-it’ tool.

Despite the editing features offered, these won’t improve dark, low-quality, or out-of-focus photos.

It is vital you ensure your image files are of the highest possible quality (usually 300 DPI), so you’ll receive the best prints.

Also, don’t forget to check the file types they accept, so you know your images are compatible.

Price vs Quality

It sounds odd but some of the best-quality prints come from the online photo printing services that charge the least.

Services like Snapfish are able to offer quality prints at an affordable price because they specialize in just printing photos. Whereas services like Walmart Photos are able to do the same by taking advantage of their distribution network.

Do not use high prices as an indication of higher quality.

Conclusion

Hopefully, you’ll now have a better idea about which printing service is right for you. Are any of these your favorite? Or have we missed any? Let us know in the comments below.

Now that you’ve finished this article, you’re a better photographer.

The post The Best Online Photo Printing Services appeared first on Thissideoftypical.

Hulu Review 2022

Hulu started out as a joint venture between several major media networks in 2007. Three years later, Hulu started its monthly subscription service. While Hulu was originally meant to be viewed without a fee and on a computer, Hulu added more ways to watch streaming TV through apps and an expanded library of content. This internet TV provider started as TV-only, but it has since added a selection of movie choices, as well. Because you have the ability to watch the latest television episodes shortly after they air, Hulu is our top pick movie and TV streaming site for current shows.

Pros

• App is well-designed
• Ongoing cable TV shows available
• Award-winning original content

Cons

• Content can be glitchy
• Live TV costs extra
• Even the “no commercial” option has a few commercials

Content

There’s no question about it: Hulu is the best internet TV service when it comes to catching up on the current running seasons of your favorite shows. You only need to wait one day after it airs before the episode is available to you. While there are full seasons of popular shows available, we ran into a few instances when only the last five episodes of a particular series were available to watch.

In terms of exclusive content, Hulu also has its fair share. However, unlike the original content from other services, Hulu’s original series generally are not enough reason by themselves to make you justify signing up for this service. If you want the absolute most shows and choices, we recommend that you subscribe to Netflix because it has the biggest library.

Features

Hulu doesn’t slack in features either. This streaming movie and TV site have nearly all the features Netflix offers. This service utilizes a personal queue and watches history to keep track of your favorite programs. You can also watch Hulu on a wide range of devices, such as a game console or tablet. It even has the customizable user profile feature that will recommend videos that you’d probably like. The combination of these features makes using this service convenient and enjoyable.

However, this service is missing two useful features: offline viewing and parental controls. With offline viewing, you can download videos on your portable devices, allowing you to watch the content without an internet connection. Parental controls prevent your children from watching inappropriate videos by controlling what they can and can’t access. Both features are relatively useful, yet Hulu is the only service in our top three that doesn’t have them. If you want parental controls and the perks of free shipping that come with a Prime membership, we recommend that you consider signing up for Amazon Prime Video.

User Experience

The overall user experience is seriously affected by Hulu’s insistent use of advertising at its basic subscription level. Even after paying for a membership, you will be treated to commercials throughout your program. In a typical 42-minute television episode, we sat through seven minutes of commercials. While that’s better than watching TV the old-fashioned way, just remember that you might see the same commercials several times throughout the show.

If commercials are a major nuisance for you, Hulu offers an ad-free subscription. This offering, also known as the “Commercial Free” option, allows you to watch content without interruption. This will cost you, though — a few extra dollars per month. Furthermore, the ad-free package doesn’t have any other benefits compared to the basic subscription. Both subscriptions are exactly the same, except for the commercials. Aside from that, Hulu is very binge-watcher friendly. If you have a few hours to spare and are finally going to watch a show like “Breaking Bad,” you can start from the beginning and relax. The auto-play feature will start the next episode after the current one finishes.

Help & Support

Hulu’s help and support is better than average. It hosts a regular blog if you want to see what innovations are being released in the near future. If you want to contact Hulu with concerns, there is no live-chat option, but you can reach the company by email form. The general FAQs page will take care of your minor problems. The tutorials page is the most beneficial and covers billing, smart device troubleshooting, and video organization, among other topics.

Summary

Hulu is so close to being the best way to watch internet TV. Its constantly updated library of the most popular current television shows is second to none. Truthfully, if it weren’t for the barrage of commercials at the basic subscription level, Hulu would be difficult to pass up.

Best Movies to Watch on Hulu 2022

Hulu Alternatives

Netflix

Amazon Prime Video

Best Movie and TV Streaming Services Sites

The post Hulu Review – Pros, Cons and Verdict appeared first on Thissideoftypical.

While evaluating the best internet TV services, we looked at pay-per-view models and services with required monthly memberships. Amazon Prime Video is the only streaming TV source that is paid for annually. While the service was originally an afterthought incentive when you paid for Prime to get free shipping from Amazon, the ability to watch television shows at your leisure has become well worth the yearly price on its own.

Sign up for Amazon Prime Video

Amazon Prime Video Review 2022

Amazon Prime’s online TV service has a great collection of new and classic TV titles. The massive viewing library, combined with great features and customer support, makes this service our best value pick for movie and TV streaming sites.

Pros

• No commercials
• Lots of hard-to-find titles are available
• Relatively affordable

Cons

• The interface is really busy
• Only current TV episodes are Amazon originals
• The search function isn’t very precise

Contents

Amazon Prime Video scores major points for its impressive content library. When you stream TV shows online with Amazon Prime Video, you will be able to watch full seasons free up to a point, which typically eliminates seasons that are currently airing. At that point, you have the option to stay up to date on the latest seasons by paying the standard $1.99 per episode. If you want a better selection of current shows, Hulu is our top pick for people who want to stay up-to-date with current shows.

Amazon has begun to garner more exclusive shows than its competitors. This service is the only one to offer multiple free streaming seasons of “Justified,” “Tosh.0” and “Downton Abbey,” among others. This service has also managed to become very kid-friendly with its exclusive contract with Nickelodeon. If you have children who watch “Dora the Explorer,” “Blue’s Clues” or “Avatar: The Last Airbender,” subscribing to Amazon Prime is a must.

There are a few notable networks missing from Amazon’s stream-friendly list, but you are allowed to purchase episodes from some paid cable channels, which typically isn’t an option with other monthly subscription services. In addition to the television side, there is a great selection of free and pay-per-rental movies.

Features

The list of high-definition shows available for free on this internet TV service is expansive and continues to grow. For current running HD episodes, the price will sit, on average, at about $2.99. Watching shows in HD is a bit more expensive than streaming or downloading their standard-definition counterparts. That’s understandable, considering that HD images are much bigger and require more bandwidth than standard definition.

This video service runs on a number of platforms. You can stream and download movies to personal computers, smart TVs, Roku boxes, and the ever-popular game consoles. Little features, such as changing the look of subtitles, really make the experience more customized.

User Experience

Amazon Prime Video is a good service for binge-watchers. With its vast library of free and streamable content, you can start that show everyone talks about and finally be in the know. For the most part, you should have no problem finding what you’re looking for while using this service.

The user experience of watching videos through Amazon’s site on a computer is not preferable. The site is too busy and detracts from your streaming TV show. We prefer the ease of use that comes with watching it on a device, like a PS3 or Roku, with an Amazon Prime Video app.

One way this service falls short of Netflix is in personalized profiles. Amazon’s streaming service doesn’t allow for creating multiple profiles for members of our household with different viewing habits and tastes.

Help & Support

You don’t become an online powerhouse like Amazon by providing lousy customer service. Although Amazon Instant Video is a straightforward operation, there are times when you’ll need to get someone on the phone to help you through a technical issue. This is rare, but it does happen.

Amazon provides multiple avenues for getting technical assistance. The phone number is easy to find, and call wait times are shorter than we expected. The company also provides a number of online resources you can use to resolve your issues, such as user forums and live chat.

Summary

Amazon is an online mega-brand that has a reputation for providing customer satisfaction. While some Prime members may only pay the yearly fee to cut shipping costs, they would be missing out on a great selection of quality, streaming television shows included at the same cost. The exclusive and original content, mixed with the ability to purchase or rent titles if you’re impatient, makes Amazon Prime Video one of the best internet TV sites around.

Sign up for Amazon Prime Video

Top 10 Original Series to Watch

Amazon Prime Video Alternatives

Netflix

Hulu

Best Movie and TV Streaming Services Sites

The post Amazon Prime Video Review – Pros, Cons and Verdict appeared first on Thissideoftypical.

Top 9 Best Movie and TV Streaming Sites

Netflix

This streaming service gives you three subscription packages to choose from, the most expensive of which still costs less than several other websites we evaluated.
The more expensive plans allow you to watch Netflix on multiple screens at the same time, which is great if the kids and adults want to watch different shows. Regardless of the subscription, you pick you’ll never have to deal with commercials, which is one reason it’s our best pick alongside the free one-month trial. Another reason Netflix is so great is its intuitive interface. All of your entertainment options are displayed on tiles, and you can search for specific content by genre, actor, or title.

When you sign up, you’re prompted to select movies and TV shows you’re interested in so the Netflix algorithm can suggest content you enjoy and display it right on the home screen. This might not be everyone’s favorite way of seeing what content is available, but you might appreciate being exposed to titles you wouldn’t have found otherwise. There are also award-winning Netflix originals you can watch, like “Orange Is the New Black,” “Master of None” and “The Crown.” All of the content is available on your desktop or smartphone via the free app.

Netflix also has a section of content just for kids, making this service a great option for families. Along with the kid’s movie section, which includes content from Disney, you can set parental controls to make sure your children don’t have access to inappropriate content. Depending on the subscription package you select when you sign up, you can rent two Blu-ray discs or DVDs at one time. Not many streaming services still offer physical DVDs, so it’s just one more thing that makes Netflix stand out.

PROS

• It’s affordable
• No commercials
• Free one-month trial

CONS

• Content comes and goes randomly
• No ongoing TV shows except Netflix originals
• Costs extra to view on more than one screen at a time

Website: https://www.netflix.com/

Amazon Prime Video

This streaming service from Amazon offers a great way to access a bunch of content.
First, the particulars: A Prime Video membership only gives you access to Prime Video content. It’s less expensive than an Amazon Prime membership, which gives you free two-day shipping on qualifying purchases, Prime Video, Prime Music, and access to the Kindle lending library. While the two memberships are different, you can get all the Amazon Prime perks during your initial 30-day trial period. Now that’s out of the way, let’s talk about what’s on TV.

You can watch content through your desktop browser or smartphone app, and if you want to save it for later, just add your favorites to your watchlist. You can search specifically for content for kids too and turn on parental controls so nobody can make purchases with the credit card you have on file. One final aspect of Amazon Prime Video we really enjoyed is the button you can hit to skip forward or backward by 10 seconds. It’s ideal for skipping any TV show intros or the boring monologue you don’t need to hear. We’ll admit this streaming service has its flaws. The layout is really busy and the search feature returns options you can’t actually stream but have to buy on DVD instead. But aside from a few hiccups, you get a lot with your membership.

We found plenty of movie titles – including more obscure ones – and there aren’t any commercials. There is also quite a bit of original content to choose from along with current cable TV shows. There are some movies you have to rent to watch, but the subscription included several titles we were interested in. You’re also greeted with an overlay displaying the cast and other information when you hover your mouse over the browser, so you’ll always know who’s on-screen. With the great array of content and the potential to bundle Amazon Prime perks, it’s really a great value.

PROS

• No commercials
• Lots of hard-to-find titles are available
• Relatively affordable

CONS

• The interface is really busy
• Only current TV episodes are Amazon originals
• The search function isn’t very precise

Website: Amazon Prime Video

Hulu

With several subscription packages to choose from, Hulu gives you access to a lot of recent releases.
We tested out the newly designed website, which works smoothly and includes a skip button so you can fast forward or rewind by 10 seconds. That way you don’t have to watch the same TV show theme song over and over. The app also offers a streamlined way to watch your favorite shows. Along with original award-winning content, Hulu has a lot to offer.

We were able to find the latest episode of “The Bachelorette,” “The Last Man on Earth” and even an episode of “The View” aired the day prior. There are offerings from a ton of cable TV channels including Adult Swim, FOX, ABC, History, AMC, Disney, Animal Planet – you name it. Through CBS we even found old favorites including “I Love Lucy,” “The Odd Couple” and “Cheers.” We did experience a few streaming glitches during testing.

One of our testers had to close and reopen her browser entirely to get content to play if she let her computer go to sleep for any length of time. Another couldn’t find a way to browse the website’s entire catalogue. On the other hand, though, one reviewer called Hulu “a little overwhelming,” but only because there are so many TV shows and movies to pick from. We consider this a pretty good problem to have and it’s why this service is the best out there for TV show selection.

PROS

• App is well-designed
• Ongoing cable TV shows available
• Award-winning original content

CONS

• Content can be glitchy
• Live TV costs extra
• Even the “no commercial” option has a few commercials

Website: https://www.hulu.com/

Google Play

Google Play is the best service with a pay-per-view model because it’s easy to use and there are no commercials.

Some of our testers prefer subscription-based streaming services, but if you only watch one or two movies each month then Google Play is the place to go. This service has new releases and older content to rent or buy, and most of the TV episodes only cost $1.99. Some new movie titles are more expensive, but if you’re only watching one here or there, this website is pretty affordable. Our testers gave this service praise for its intuitive platform.

On top of that, Google Play has no commercials and includes parental controls you can use to make sure your children are watching age-appropriate titles.

PROS: No commercials

CONS: No original content

Website: https://play.google.com/store/movies

DirecTV

DirecTV is one of the few online streaming services with free live TV.
This service costs substantially more than most others we tested, but if you want access to live content and sports this is the best website for it. You used to need a traditional DirecTV plan to access online streaming but DirecTV NOW is a newer online-only package.

Along with Live TV, you can watch shows from your favorite cable TV channels including TNT, NBC, and ABC. You can also watch news commentary, though you will have to sit through ads as this service is the most like traditional cable TV of the websites we tested. With DirecTV NOW, you can watch live TV on the mobile app or your computer browser, making it convenient at work or home.

PROS: Live TV events and sports

CONS: It’s expensive

Website: https://www.directv.com/

HBO NOW

HBO NOW is fantastic for HBO fans, providing access to all of HBO’s original content on your mobile devices.

HBO NOW is HBO’s answer to the TV streaming revolution, providing convenient access to HBO content for all of its subscribers. This is a great service for HBO fans who want to access their favorite HBO shows on the go from their iPad, iPhone, or Android device. It’s also available on internet TV-friendly devices like Roku and Xbox.

This streaming internet TV service has a few limitations. While other sites have content from various networks, this one is HBO-specific. You won’t find a wealth of classic movies or classic TV shows such as “The Twilight Zone” and “Doctor Who.” Plus, you won’t be able to stream network or cable TV shows like “The Walking Dead.” To access that kind of content you’ll need apps such as Netflix and Hulu Plus. In addition to limited content, this internet TV site does not have offline viewing. You need an internet connection to access the library of movies and television series. You won’t be able to use the service on a long flight without Wi-Fi.

With that said, HBO is an entertainment universe unto itself, with original hit TV shows, movies, sports, documentaries, comedy, and kids’ shows. And while you have full access to all of HBO’s original content, there is only a limited selection of movies that have aired on HBO. To watch a show from your device, you simply tap on the screen and it will start.

You will, however, have the ability to access episodes from any original HBO series past or present. You also have access to exclusive interviews and other supplementary materials linked to specific episodes of your favorite shows. You can easily set up personalized watch lists and have new episodes of your favorite shows sent automatically to your list.

There are also Facebook and Twitter links that let you interact with friends to discuss shows you are watching together. If you have questions or need help with the app, there are tutorials online, as well as email support and answers to FAQs.

PROS: You have access to every episode of your favorite HBO series, as well as movies and other content.

CONS: This streaming service does not have offline viewing.

Website: https://play.hbonow.com/

iTunes

The ease of use and huge TV library make iTunes a great place to catch up on your favorite shows, but you won’t be able to watch iTunes programs on your TV without Apple TV.

When it comes to the widespread availability of downloadable media, iTunes has long held the crown. While it was primarily started to make music downloading easy, this streaming service has branched out to audiobooks, movies, and TV series. Because nearly every computer operating system can run iTunes, people have great access to the streaming TV library that runs in this media player. However, the playback of your downloaded series will be affected by what devices you prefer to use.

The benefit of iTunes is the guarantee that every show will be made available for download the day after it airs. Not only can you keep up to date with your favorite television shows, but you can also download past seasons at a discounted price. The access makes it a great way to watch TV online. You also get the option to stream TV shows in HD for $2.99. However, it does not create any original or exclusive content that you can’t find on other downloadable services. For a great selection of original content, as well as free two-day shipping on purchases, we recommend that you subscribe to Amazon Prime Video.

This online TV service is missing small features, which holds it back from competing with the best internet TV services. iTunes does not work with gaming consoles, smart TVs, or Roku apps. If you watch your library from an iPad or iPhone, then this won’t be an issue. However, the only way you can enjoy your downloaded programs on your big screen TV is to have the Apple TV accessory. If you’d rather not be confined to the Apple ecosystem, we recommend you choose Netflix because it’s available on almost any device.

The iTunes platform is easy to use. All you need is an account with your credit card information and then you can download it at will. It helps that there are no advertisements associated with any part of the process. In terms of help and support, Apple has a great system. If you have issues with downloading, chances are you are not the first. The company’s question forum is endless, and you will easily find ways to solve the problem based on what others have gone through. If that doesn’t work, Apple provides live chat to quickly solve whatever you are dealing with.

PROS: Apple provides readily available customer support.

CONS: iTunes is not available for gaming consoles.

Website: https://www.apple.com/itunes/

YouTube

Although lacking exclusive content and unlimited viewing, YouTube’s original videos and numerous features make it a good choice for a streaming TV service.

Editor’s Note: You can now subscribe to YouTube Red for $9.99 per month to watch ad-free videos and original YouTube shows. Details will be included in our next round of updates.

YouTube is a staple of the internet. A little over a year after its creation, Google bought the video service. The site has continued to expand its typically free service into the arena of online TV. The availability and easy access to this streaming service makes it one of the best ways to watch TV online.

At first, many users’ biggest gripe with the website’s streaming TV will be the cost, since YouTube has made a name for itself with free amateur video and clips. However, the cost of $1.99 per episode is standard. Watching an episode in HD will cost you a dollar more. Perhaps the best thing about paying for each episode is that you don’t have to deal with the commercials that usually precede videos on YouTube when they’re free. If you watch a lot of current shows and don’t want to pay for each episode, we recommend that you subscribe to Hulu because you can view current shows without paying for each episode.

While there are a number of children’s programs available, the majority of the animated shows are geared toward teenagers. The problem with any pay-per-view internet TV site is that you wouldn’t necessarily want to give your kids free range in terms of ordering. Most of the programs that YouTube has for kids are commonly available for streaming full seasons in higher-ranked monthly membership services. This service isn’t exactly conducive to binge-watching either, since you have to pay to stream each TV show. If you’re more interested in binging on shows, we recommend that you subscribe to Netflix because it has such a large library.

A definite plus about YouTube’s television channel is the extent of the features. Small features like subtitles in each episode and a helpful search bar improve the experience. The queue is based on your Google Plus account. If you are trying to stay current with your favorite show, you need to subscribe to the particular show’s channel and then you’ll have it ready to watch.

YouTube is available everywhere. Its apps are found on smart TVs, game consoles, Roku boxes, and, of course, smartphones and tablets. If you’ve paid for a certain episode online, you can watch it virtually anywhere you take your device. In addition, watching YouTube on your television is considerably easier if you own a Chromecast or Google TV device.

PROS: A YouTube app is available on nearly every smart device so you can watch your shows anywhere.

CONS: This app isn’t a great option for binge-watching a complete series because you pay per episode.

Website: https://www.youtube.com/

VUDU

VUDU has an immense library of content that is easy to access, but it lacks recommendation features that help you find videos most suited to your taste.

Originally starting as a set-top box manufacturer, VUDU was acquired by Walmart in 2010 and has become a great place to rent movies and TV shows. This streaming TV service is available on many devices because of its numerous apps. VUDU works best as a supplement to other streaming sources, and it’s particularly useful if you’re looking to catch up on your favorite television show that you missed the night before.

VUDU runs on a variable cost structure. TV shows are generally $1.99 for standard definition and $2.99 for HD quality. However, for sneak previews and extras, the cost may be slightly higher. If you are looking to stream TV online, you will be impressed with the library. This service boasts current episodes of popular television aired the previous night and full seasons dating back to the beginning of a series. While VUDU specializes more in movies on demand, its TV selection is worth noting.

As of now, the only way to get a feature like closed captioning in a video is to watch it on a PS3 or iPad via the app. That feature is not currently available on the service’s internet TV site or Xbox 360.

There’s no offline viewing, so when you order an episode, it is not downloaded to your device. Instead, it streams using your broadband connection. A great feature of the service is the rating system. It’s based on a five-star system, and with every selection, you can see how the VUDU community rated it as well as its Rotten Tomatoes score. Unfortunately, VUDU does not yet recommend any series to you based on your past reviews.

Help and support are quite in-depth. There is no live chat available, but VUDU provides you with an email form if you have any concerns that aren’t handled in the community forums or FAQs.

PROS: VUDU has a wealth of TV shows and movies ready to watch.

CONS: Some features, like closed captioning, aren’t standard for certain VUDU apps.

Website: https://www.vudu.com/

Why Trust Us

We’ve been watching TV since infancy, so with those decades of experience, we’ve been reviewing TV and movie streaming websites since 2008. For many consumers, these websites have totally replaced a traditional cable package through a provider because they’re more affordable and are mostly, if not totally, commercial-free.

Paige Kuznia, a 27-year-old from Bismarck, North Dakota, hasn’t had cable since she left home for college in 2010. She really likes how websites like Netflix and Hulu recommend shows to her she wouldn’t normally watch.

“I don’t normally sit down and watch a cable TV show unless I’m with my mom and we’re watching ‘The Voice,’ she said. “And even then, I know I can go online and stream it.

Cable companies like Comcast and AT&T are hemorrhaging customers, according to a Fortune Magazine article that reported five of the largest pay-TV providers in the United States posted subscriber losses during the second quarter of 2017.

“For me, the cable is just not cost-effective,” Kuznia said.

How We Tested

It’s not very often we’re told to watch TV for work, but we here at Our Reviews are willing to go the extra mile for the sake of research. Six reviewers spent a total of 44 hours watching TV shows and movies on 10 streaming services. They watched from a wide range of platforms including tablets, laptops, TVs, gaming systems, and phones, and then rated each service based on how easy it is to use. This data was then turned into a letter grade for each website. The written feedback from each tester was also used for our rankings.

Other factors we considered include the price of a subscription, whether there are commercials, original content, DVD rental by mail, and whether there are current TV shows available. We favored services with original content and TV shows currently running on cable because we know you want to join the lunch conversation about the latest episode of “The Bachelor.” And while it’s probably pretty obvious, we also favored services without commercials. Many of the websites we tested give you a free trial, and in our rankings the longer the trial period is, the better. We didn’t factor in the total number of titles available from each website because it’s a figure prone to changing often and frequently.

How Much Do Streaming Websites Cost?

Most streaming services charge a monthly subscription, giving you unlimited access to content. Of the websites we tested, these subscription services cost an average of $15 per month for the basic plan, though additional premium plans are available from some services at an additional cost. With websites that charge for each title you view, recent releases tend to cost more than old favorites. You’ll also sometimes get a discount if you purchase an entire season of a TV show rather than one episode at a time, though most episodes cost less than $3 each individually.

Choosing The Best Streaming Site

Content

The appeal of streaming TV shows and movies lies in how affordable they are, especially compared to traditional cable TV packages. That, along with limited or no commercial interruptions, makes streaming a great option. The downside is many streaming websites don’t offer current TV programming you usually find on cable or live TV. DirectTV NOW is the exception, but it’s also a pretty expensive service. On the other hand, while you might not be able to watch the most current episode of “The Bachelor,” some streaming services – like Netflix – release entire seasons of TV shows at once, allowing you to watch everything in one sitting. Other streaming services, like Hulu and HBO NOW, only release one episode at a time. You’ll have to choose what’s best for you.

Streaming vs. Pay Per Title

Streaming websites require an internet connection, so your viewing experience is only as good as your internet. You aren’t downloading the media files, so you need an internet connection to watch any content. If the website has a pay-per-view model where you can buy titles and download them, you will be able to watch your movies and TV shows whenever you like whether you’re connected to the internet or not. If you have particularly slow internet at home you’re going to experience glitchy streaming and slow downloads, but it’s no fault of the website.

It’s on TV!

Most TV and movie streaming websites require you to sign up on a computer or through an app on your phone. If those screens are way too small for your family’s movie night, there are numerous ways to get the picture from your device to your big screen TV. If you plug a Google Chromecast or Amazon Firestick into your TV, you can cast your video wirelessly. Apple TVs or Amazon Fire TVs come with some apps preloaded, so all you have to do is sign in and start watching. A Roku is another way you can stream to your TV.

Commercials

Cord-cutters looking to escape commercials are slowly having fewer and fewer cheap options. Netflix, for example, added commercials to some content in 2018 to test viewer response. Hulu, on the other hand, plans to nearly eliminate commercials but only for those who buy the most expensive membership package. Hulu also started using interactive advertisements. For example, we saw one for Amazon Alexa that requires you to click on items around the image of a living room to see what the voice assistant can do, like turn on lights or turn up the music. If you opt for the free version of YouTube, not YouTube Premium, you’ll notice you can skip forward past some advertisements once they’ve played for a certain amount of time. This is nice, but if you’re trying to escape ads all together, you need a Premium subscription. Ads are also consistently becoming more targeted and customized to you based on your online footprint, so don’t be shocked if you notice a lot of ads for sneakers while your friends see ads for cars.

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For ease of use, personalization, and enjoyment, Netflix provides the best value among streaming TV sites.

Netflix Review 2022

Since its inception in 1997, Netflix has grown to be an industry leader. With millions of subscribers and an enormous library of content, this company is arguably the most successful streaming company. This success did not come by size alone; the service innovates by adding new features or producing original content, all of which helps provide the best experience for its customers. With a massive library of exclusive and original content, an easy-to-use interface, numerous features, and superior customer service, Netflix is our top pick for movie and TV streaming sites.

Pros

• It’s affordable
• No commercials
• Free one-month trial

Cons

• Content comes and goes randomly
• No ongoing TV shows except Netflix originals
• Costs extra to view on more than one screen at a time

Content

Even if you don’t include the library of streaming movies, this web TV service clearly dominates the field in terms of the sheer number of available TV series, both classic and contemporary. Not only are you able to watch multiple past seasons of your favorite show from one of the big four networks, but you will also have seasons of the best series from cable channels, with the exception of HBO.

The area where Netflix suffers is its availability of current seasons. While Netflix has begun to make deals with production companies to get seasons more quickly, currently you will have to wait an average of 10 months for the latest season to debut on Netflix. If you stream a completed TV series like “24” or “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” you won’t have an issue. However, if you want to see why everyone is buzzing about last night’s “Walking Dead” episode, you won’t have the luxury of joining in on the conversation for quite some time. To watch more current shows, we recommend that you subscribe to Hulu because it lets you watch most episodes 24 hours after they air.

While competing online TV services also produce original content, Netflix has the crown. Original series like “House of Cards” and “Stranger Things” are major critical competitors to award-winning cable TV series. Also, because Netflix doesn’t operate with the restrictions and strict Nielsen rating guidelines of a cable production company, it can create content for particular niche audiences. For example, several years after the critically acclaimed series “Arrested Development” was canceled, Netflix revived it. And when “The Killing” suffered a premature death on AMC, Netflix chose to bring it back for one last season and give fans closure. Netflix is a company that knows its audience.

Features

While Netflix debuted as a computer-only online TV streaming service, it has grown and offers apps for every smart device available. The streaming service is accessible using smart TVs, Blu-ray players, gaming consoles, tablets, and smartphones. Essentially, anything with an internet connection can access streaming TV through Netflix.

Netflix has branded its own version of 1080p high definition with what it calls Super HD. The content with this high-quality feature will display the Super HD tag in the item description. Of course, whether or not you get the HD quality depends on your internet speed. For the best quality, you should have an internet connection running over 7Mbps. This service is also rumored to be preparing for the next wave of high-definition: 4K technology. If you want 4K streaming as well as free shipping on your product purchases, we recommend that you choose Amazon Prime Video.

The service lets you create a content queue, and every time you see a movie or TV series that you’d eventually like to watch, you can add it to your list. The more shows you watch and rate, the better the service can match your taste and recommend programming you’re likely to enjoy.

User Experience

It doesn’t take long to get the hang of Netflix. After you sign up for an account, you answer a brief questionnaire about what types of movies and TV shows you like. It then produces a list of recommended content that you can start watching immediately. If the Netflix recommendations aren’t to your liking, or if you have a particular show you want to watch, the service’s search function is quite intuitive and effective at finding titles available in its streaming library.

Netflix has managed to personalize movie selection even further with the option to create multiple viewer profiles. For example, if you watch action movies and don’t want a Strawberry Shortcake cartoon recommended to you, there is the option of creating a profile specifically for your kids. When you log in to that specific profile, it will take you to the Netflix Kids section and not show any mature-themed television shows or movies.

A major benefit of Netflix is the lack of any on-screen advertising. Episodes will run as soon as they buffer, with no promotional fluff in between.

Help & Support

We were impressed with the high level of quality when it comes to this streaming service’s support options. At one point, we ran into an issue of the movie library not appearing. The first avenue is the FAQs. Netflix has dealt with every problem you can think of and spells out solutions on its website. If you prefer to get help directly, there are also options for email and phone support. In our particular case, we used live chat. A representative started chatting immediately and didn’t waste time with corporate lingo. When we expended nearly every option to make the library appear, the agent stayed on live chat until we found the issue, which was a necessary update to the computer. We admire the company’s level of dedication for seemingly small issues.

Summary

Netflix is a no-brainer if you are looking for an easy-to-use media outlet. It’s a simple solution for anyone who’s ever contemplated quitting cable or satellite TV and is looking to save money. While this internet TV service does not host current seasons in production, it has the best features and exclusive content that make the price more than worth it.

Best Movies on Netflix to Watch Now

Netflix Alternatives

Amazon Prime Video

Hulu

Best Movie and TV Streaming Sites

The post Netflix Review – Pros, Cons and Verdict appeared first on Thissideoftypical.

While iTunes doesn’t offer monthly memberships, it still provides excellent quality movie downloads.

It’s hard to believe that iTunes has already been around for 20 years. When Apple introduced its new digital media player in 2001, it knocked out all other music and video players’ competition and quickly became the top choice for playing music and videos. Now iTunes, the winner of our Top REVIEWS, is also an online store where you can buy and download music, movies, games, apps, audiobooks, and more.

iTunes Review 2022

The iTunes store has sold more than 2 million full-length movies and more than 200 million television episodes. The quality and accessibility of these videos make iTunes a winning choice for movie download services.

PROS: You can download movies from iTunes to your Apple devices on the go or to your computer in no time at all.

CONS: Paying for every download can quickly add up.

Membership Features

Although you need an Apple ID and account in order to download movies, there are no real membership perks for iTunes users. Even though there are no membership fees, you have to pay for every movie you download, whether you purchase or rent it. This can add up quickly if you’re downloading multiple movies regularly.

The price of movies ranges from $4.99 to $19.99, and you can rent movies for as low as $.99. You have 30 days to watch a rental from the date of purchase, but once you begin watching, you only have 24 hours to finish the movie before it disappears from your library.

One of our favorite things about iTunes is that you can download other media in addition to movies. Music, games, and podcasts are all available at the click of a mouse or the touch of a finger on iTunes.

Movie Information

We love the individual movie pages on iTunes. Each page provides basic information, credits, a plot summary, and the theatrical trailer. These pages are beautifully designed to match the sleek look of everything else Apple does. You can scroll down to view similar movie suggestions and reviews. iTunes takes critic reviews from Rotten Tomatoes and customer reviews from any movie-loving Joe and displays the average review of each film as well as the reviews users voted most helpful. We like it when web services post user and professional reviews that can aid customers in making a decision.

Accessibility

One of the things we love most about Apple products is their ease of use. If you are an iPod, iPhone, or iPad owner, putting music and movies on your device is never a hassle. If you don’t own an Apple device, however, you’ll have to manage movies in another media player such as Winamp or QuickTime.

iTunes is compatible with all Mac computers and Windows computers with XP or Vista. You can also access the iTunes store from an iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch and download movies right onto your device as long as you have an internet connection.

Movie Selection

While iTunes may not have the largest number of movie downloads, it has a great selection. Most of the titles available to rent or purchase are well known and well-liked by audiences and critics. iTunes also focuses on new releases, so its movie store is constantly growing and you can always find something new.

However, this means that iTunes doesn’t have a large selection of lesser-known or older movies. If your taste in movies differs from the majority, you might not find what you’re looking for on iTunes.

A great feature offered by iTunes is movie bundles. For a discounted price, you can purchase several movies at the same time, such as the “Twilight” series. Instead of forking out nearly $60 for each movie separately, you can purchase the bundled movies from iTunes for only $29.99.

Help & Support

Most people love Macs and other Apple products because they rarely have technical problems and are so easy to use. One of the biggest complaints about Apple products, however, is that they are hard to fix when they do have issues and usually require the help of a specialist. Not so with iTunes.

The Apple website has a huge support section with answers to nearly every question you could think to ask. Even if you don’t find your answer online, you can contact Apple in an abundance of ways: phone, email, chat, and even in person at an Apple retail store. Apple is like an older brother who knows everything and answers any question you might have.

Summary

iTunes has nearly everything you could want in a movie download service: an easy-to-use, informational site, the ability to put your downloaded movies on your favorite devices effortlessly, and a great selection of movies. Perhaps the only thing that could make iTunes a better choice would be a monthly membership option that provides free movie rental downloads to members.

iTunes Alternatives

Netflix

Amazon Prime Video

Hulu

Best Movie and TV Streaming Services Sites

The post iTunes Review – Pros, Cons and Verdict appeared first on Thissideoftypical.

PROS / In-store returns and exchanges make getting the movies you want even easier.

CONS / You must pay for most online rentals, even if you have a membership.

VERDICT / You can download any movie you want for a price.

Blockbuster’s retail stores might be suffering, but it’s apparent that its online movie download services have much to offer. Everything about the winner of our Top Ten REVIEWS is easy to use: the website, rental system, membership signup and the ways in which you can watch and download movies.

Some of the standout features of Blockbuster’s online service include:

• A huge selection of movies to purchase or rent
• Up to three DVDs out at a time
• Anytime membership cancellation
• A focus on new releases for on-demand viewing

Membership Features

It seems as though Blockbuster’s members have everything and new members have everything to gain. You can join for as little as $11.99 per month and choose from more than 95,000 movies and 3,000 video games to receive through the mail. Members can have up to three discs out at a time and are entitled to up to five in-store exchanges at no extra cost.

Blockbuster also has an impressive selection of movies for members to download as purchases or rentals. However, these come with an additional cost. While members get as many free DVD rentals as they can watch, they must pay an additional $1.99 to $4.99 for online download rentals.

Like most monthly movie download and rental services, there are no due dates and late fees with Blockbuster’s service. However, unlike most of these other services, Blockbuster provides Blu-ray rentals at no additional charge.

Movie Information

Blockbuster provides all the specific information you could ever want to know about each movie rental. Every movie has its own page. Blockbuster lists the most important information as along with a brief description of the movie at the top of the page. Below that is a complete synopsis, and awards and cast lists. Blockbuster also makes suggestions based on your movie interests, rental history and movies similar to the one you’re viewing.

On the right-hand side of the page, you’ll find helpful member reviews that can aid you in making a decision about whether to download a movie. You choose whether to add intriguing titles to your queue, buy them new or used on DVD, check their in-store availability or purchase them for on-demand viewing.

Blockbuster provides links from the movie pages to the pages of their actors, directors, screenwriters and other production staff. These pages include a short or lengthy bio – depending on the person – and a list of each person’s work, starting with the most recent.

Accessibility

Blockbuster doesn’t have the most accessible downloads, but it beats most of its competition in this area. You can view on-demand movies on a number of devices including mobile smartphones and tablet PCs, TVs, laptop and desktop computers and DVRs. This can be a terrific feature, if you can figure out how to set it up. Blockbuster’s website offers step-by-step instructions to help you with questions or procedures such as getting started, configuring devices, compatible devices, activation codes and so forth. For the technologically challenged, this service might not be worth the effort due to the intricacies of setting up the account settings.

We were stunned to find that Blockbuster On Demand isn’t compatible with any Mac device. You can only stream movies to a Mac computer using a Flash 10 Player, or you can purchase a movie that you can then download to an iPad or other Mac device.

Movie Selection

This service has the best selection of any online movie download service for on-demand movies. However, you must pay additional charges for each movie you want to download, whether it’s a rental or purchase. Although Blockbuster does have free sections for on-demand purchases and downloads, these only include movie clips, behind-the-scenes films and interviews for certain movies.

One thing we do love about Blockbuster’s rental service is its fantastic selection of movies that you can rent or purchase online. Blockbuster has new releases available for instant viewing up to 28 days before any other movie download site. As great as its movie selection is, however, Blockbuster has no television shows available for on-demand viewing.

Help & Support

One of Blockbuster’s greatest assets is its dedication to customer service. The company’s website is easy to navigate and it has a wonderful Help section. There are numerous FAQs sections based on questions you might have regarding online, in-store or on-demand movie rentals. Members with further questions can contact customer support by telephone, email and live chat. We submitted several questions by email and received timely responses in about an hour.

There is one thing we especially love about Blockbuster’s website: its search engine. Many people rarely use websites’ internal search engines to navigate through the sites they visit, but we have to mention the usefulness of Blockbuster’s. Like most search bars, you type in keywords that relate to what you’re searching for, be it an actor, movie or television show. Blockbuster’s site will then bring up the most relevant results. If you still can’t find what you’re looking for, you can then use the site’s effective filter tool on the left-hand side of the screen that provides you with several options to help you narrow your search.

Summary

Blockbuster’s online rental and movie download services have some weak points, but it provides a larger selection and more access than almost any other comparable service. Customers might not be able to access Blockbuster Online on every device they own, but we think the in-store exchanges and ability to cancel your membership at any time make up for this flaw. Blockbuster provides excellent customer service and is a smart choice for online movie downloads.

The post Blockbuster Review appeared first on Thissideoftypical.

CONS / There are no monthly membership options.

VERDICT / Pay-per-download costs can add up, but downloading movies is hassle free with CinemaNow.

CinemaNow provides almost everything you could want from a movie download service. It is easy to figure out, makes downloading movies easy, is accessible from your computer or internet TV and is chock-full of popular movies and new releases. There are some things missing, however. For instance, you can’t rent television shows. It is a pay-per-download service, so movie marathons can be pricy. Moreover, the movie selection, as full of audience favorites as it is, is quite limited.

Like most movie download services, you have to become a member of CinemaNow before you can download anything. Unlike most movie download services, however, there are no monthly membership plans and you must pay for each movie you rent or purchase. So far, the only service that offers monthly plans with unlimited streaming is Netflix, and we would like to see more services follow its lead.

CinemaNow organizes movie information into tabs. These are General Info, Customer Reviews and Technical Info. Between these three tabs, you should be able to find any information about the movie you will need.

It’s nice that CinemaNow decided to include customer reviews for its movies, but the feature could use some work. After clicking the Customer Reviews tab on a movie page, you will see an average star rating customers gave the movie as well as any written reviews. There are no critic reviews listed, which is something we think adds significantly to the movie selection process. Customer reviews can be helpful if they are well written and thought out, but not everyone takes time to do that. On one movie we looked at, the only written customer review gave the movie one star and one word to match: “sucks.” Even though the movie received many good reviews from audiences and critics, CinemaNow only allows its members to give an opinion on movies.

CinemaNow isn’t as accessible as our top three picks, although it is still easy to download movies to your computer and upload them on devices such as iPods and smartphones. You can also access CinemaNow from Blu-ray players and HDTVs, and then download movies you want directly to those devices for anytime couch watching.

When first arriving at the website, you might think that CinemaNow has a huge selection of movies and TV shows available to download. The homepage plays a slideshow of new releases that you can download, and it displays other boxes with featured rentals and downloads and CinemaNow picks. Upon further inspection of CinemaNow’s selection, however, we found that altogether there are only about 6,000 movie and television titles to buy and only slightly more than 3,000 movies available to rent, which is far fewer options than its competition provides.

CinemaNow seems to cater to mainstream audiences. Most of the available movie downloads received good reviews from audiences and critics alike. We noticed that many of the movies would be perfect for family movie nights; Disney movies, lighthearted comedies and favorites such as “The Dark Knight” and “Inception” populate most of the movie download selection.

CinemaNow has an excellent customer support section. There, you will find answers to frequently asked questions as well as a phone number, email address and link to live chat support in case you have further questions. The Help section on CinemaNow’s website shows that this service cares about its customers and makes it easy for them to get answers.

We only have one complaint with this website: it is difficult to search and browse movies unless you know what you’re looking for. Browsing by genre – romance movies, for example – was confusing until we saw the small “View All Romance” button in the very bottom right-hand corner of the page.

Summary

CinemaNow has popular and well-liked movies to choose from, but it can be hard to find an interesting movie you haven’t seen before. CinemaNow’s website makes it look like an experienced movie download site, but it needs a bit more work before it can compete with our top picks.

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There are several merits to GreenCine’s service; however, many areas need work. Compared to our top three picks, GreenCine’s website looks unprofessional and lacks the polished graphics and buttons its competitors’ sites have. Online businesses rely on their websites – in much the same way that retailers rely on their storefronts and window displays – to draw in potential customers. If its website looks unprofessional, a business will have a harder time finding customers who will take it seriously.

GreenCine works in a Netflix-esque manner, where you choose which movies or television shows you want and have them mailed to you. Unlike similar services, GreenCine allows you to have up to eight DVDs out at once, which is more than double the amount that most other DVD rental services allow. Movies are only available through on DVDs, which generally take between one and four business days to reach your mailbox.

Though GreenCine’s pricing is a bit higher in comparison to our top three picks, the few extra dollars per month should be well worth it for movie fanatics. GreenCine has a huge selection with tons of lesser-known movies. If you don’t see a movie you want to rent, GreenCine provides an email address to contact them and request it.

When it comes to posting information about a movie, too much can be, well, too much. It’s important to have the basic information such as cast members, MPAA rating, and running time, but GreenCine goes overboard by posting information such as casting directors, editors and makeup artists. It makes the page look messy and overwhelming.

GreenCine has a customer review feature, but it falls flat. Most movies have no user reviews on the page, and the ones that do usually only have one or two. We were also disappointed that there are no critic reviews listed on any movie pages.

GreenCine received a low score for accessibility because it has no option to stream or download movies to your computer or mobile device. However, if you have a cell phone with internet access, you can log into your GreenCine account at any time to switch up your queue.

A huge benefit to renting from GreenCine is that you have unlimited access to its colossal selection of movies. GreenCine has a bit of everything, which is great if your taste in movies is a little less mainstream. Its movies are categorized by genre, and GreenCine has movies in more than 30 different genres. Specific genres such as Film Noir, Martial Arts, and Silent attest to the diversity of GreenCine’s movie collection.

GreenCine’s Help page is a tiny button in the upper right corner of its webpage, but if you click it, you will be directed to a helpful FAQs page. If you can’t find the answer in one of the FAQs sections, however, the only option you have is to send off an email to GreenCine’s customer support and hope that someone answers. We sent an email and have yet to receive a response.

Summary

GreenCine may not be a movie download service, but it provides a wide selection of movies and free shipping. Although the website isn’t cosmetically appealing, GreenCine most likely has movies you can’t find anywhere else.

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