Competition between online movie streaming services heats up

WHICH online movie streaming service should you pick? We compare the packages on offer.

Keen to stream

COMPETITION between online movie streaming services is blisteringly hot.

Local outfit Stan launched on Australia Day, offering a catalogue of 750 titles, joining local players Foxtel’s Presto, Telstra’s BigPond, QuickFlix and EzyFlix.tv.

Next month, US giant Netflix, which has just launched in Cuba, arrives here.

Once upon a time, Foxtel and BigPond ruled the roost. You needed to buy their special set-top box to access their wares.

But that was then. Now you can stream movies to computers, smart TVs, phones, tablets, PlayStation and Xbox consoles, and even older TVs using Google’s Chromecast, a thumb-sized media streaming device that plugs into your television’s HDMI port, if it has one. Barriers to streaming have all but disappeared and prices have plummeted.

There are differences: the number of movies for rent, streaming quality, how the services gobble up your internet data allowance. And some services limit the number of devices you use or limit simultaneous streams.

Don’t make your choice merely on the size of each service’s library. The sheer volume of content may not tell the whole story. Netflix may have a huge library, but Foxtel claims its rotating catalogue has a larger range of recent titles.

At about $10 a month, these packages sound wonderful, but the supply of desired shows will be split, so you’ll probably find ­yourself joining more than one to see all the shows you want.

Sticking to one service could be like having your TV stuck on one channel.

Fortunately, you can chop and change. Most offer a free introductory period and don’t have lock-in contracts or exit fees. In the end, content is still the king that will drive each service’s success.

Here’s a rundown:

FOXTEL PRESTO MOVIES, PRESTO TV

These offer blockbuster movies and exclusive access to TV shows from HBO, Foxtel and Seven comedy and entertainment, and selected full seasons of Foxtel local drama productions.

Owner: A 50-50 joint venture, subject to Australian Competition & Consumer Commission approval, between Foxtel and Seven West Media. Movies launched last March, TV in January.

Movies and TV shows: A constantly updating collection of up to 1500 movies and more than 100 TV series.

Availability and cost: Available now. For $9.99 a month you can subscribe to Presto TV or Presto Movies. For $14.99 a month you can bundle both. Subscription is month-to-month with no ­ongoing commitment.

Free sample period: No free sample period; if you buy a Google Chromecast device, Presto offers two months free.

Streaming: Presto streams in ­standard definition but is exploring HD.

Data rate/metering: Up to 1310MB an hour. Presto is unmetered for Foxtel Broadband subscribers.

Devices: Available across PC and Mac, iPads, selected Android tablets and via Chromecast. You’ll need internet with at least 3Mbps.

NETFLIX

For a fixed price, members access as many of the available TV shows and films as they want. It streams Disney content, and new original series include Bloodline, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and Marvel’s Daredevil. Its app offers personalised suggestions of films and TV series based on past ­selections.

Owner: US public company from 2002. Launched in the US in 1999 as a subscription-based DVD mailing service.

Movies and TV shows: The number is not specified for Australia. Netflix says it will add content regularly and adapt to Australian viewing preferences.

Availability and cost: Netflix launches next month. Local prices are yet to be announced, but in the US it costs from $US8.99 a month. Cost depends on the number of ­devices used and streaming quality. No lock-in contracts.

Free sample period: Yet to be ­announced.

Streaming: Video quality is tweaked to alleviate problems caused by network congestion. Video can be up to ultra HD 4K and you get Dolby Digital Plus surround sound. Netflix’s own original content is now filmed in 4K.

Data rate/­metering: There are four settings: low (0.3GB an hour), medium (SD: 0.7GB an hour), high (up to 3GB an hour for HD, 7GB an hour for ultra HD) and auto. No unmetered ­content.

Devices: The Netflix app can be used on smart TVs, game consoles and Apple TV, and there are apps for phones and tablets, and Google Chromecast support. You need a broadband connection with a minimum 0.5Mbps.

BIGPOND MOVIES

Offers blockbuster titles from Hollywood studios such as Universal, 20th Century Fox and Sony Pictures. New releases include Annabelle, The Darkside and The Judge. There’s no fixed-term contract, you pay for what you watch.

Ownership: Telstra. Launched in 2004.

Movies and TV shows: BigPond claims to have the largest catalogue of movies in Australia at more than 8000 titles, with new release movies, documentaries, children’s entertainment and TV shows.

Availability and cost: Movies range from $1.99 to $5.99 a title. Customers have seven days to watch the content. Once viewing begins, content remains available for 48 hours.

Free sample period: Customers get one free movie rental on ­registering.

Streaming: Movies stream in standard definition and 720p high definition.

Data rate/metering: About 1GB an hour. For Telstra BigPond Broadband customers, accessing the BigPond Movies service is ­unmetered.

Devices: Users need a Telstra T-Box or compatible tablet or notebook device. BigPond movies are available on many smart TVs.

STAN

Offers unlimited access to TV and movies for $10 a month, with no ads. First-run shows include Breaking Bad prequel Better Call Saul, Golden Globe winner Transparent and critically acclaimed Mozart in the Jungle. It also offers new release films from Village Roadshow and has deals with Sony, BBC Worldwide, ABC, SBS, and Viacom.

Ownership: A 50-50 joint venture between Nine Entertainment and Fairfax Media.

Movies and TV shows: More than 750 titles at launch. The entire series of Nine’s epic drama Gallipoli is available to watch first exclusively on Stan.

Availability and cost: Stan launched on Australia Day. Subscription is $10 a month for unlimited access with three consecutive streams per account. No lock-in contracts.

Free sample period: A 30-day free trial.

Streaming: Up to 1080p high definition where titles are available in that resolution.

Data rate/metering: Standard definition: 1.13GB/hr 1080p. High definition: 2.89GB/hr. Stan is in discussions with ISPs on providing unmetered content.

Devices: Tablets, computers, phones, TVs via Chrome­cast and Airplay via Apple TV.

QUICKFLIX

Offers subscription and transactional pay-per-view and pay-to-own content. New release movies include Dracula, Before I Go to Sleep and Jack and Diane. Available on most smart TVs, game consoles and mobile devices. It also offers online subscription DVDs. Signature content includes TV series such as The Walking Dead and Game of Thrones.

Owner: Australian public company listed on the Australian Securities Exchange. Quickflix launched as a DVD service in 2004 and as a streaming service in 2011.

Movies and TV shows: 2000 movies and 3000 TV shows

Availability and cost: Subscription is $9.99 a month, with a $5.99 pay-per-view fee for latest releases. Pay-to-own TV series cost $2.99 an episode. No lock-in contracts or exit fees.

Free sample period: Up to a month.

Streaming: 720p high definition.

Data rate/metering: Streaming rate is 800 kbps to 3.5mbps at 720p high definition. Data usage is about 0.67GB an hour. Data is metered but Quickflix says it is negotiating free tariffs with ISPs.

Devices: Works with major smart TVs and Blu-ray players; gaming consoles, TiVo, phones, tablets (iOS & Android) and Chromecast. Apps are pre-­installed on smart TVs and game consoles, and are downloadable for mobile devices.

EZYFLIX.TV

A pay as you go model with latest release movies from every Hollywood studio. Releases include Killer Mermaid, Tusk and Gone Girl. Download to own, stream, or playback offline. DVDs purchased with Ultraviolet or Disney Digital Copy codes can redeem these codes through Ezyflix.tv.

Owner: Privately owned by Australian company Access Digital Entertainment.

Movies and TV shows: More than 2000 movies, 3000 TV episodes.

Availability and cost: Launched in 2013. Movie rental costs from $3.99 SD/$4.99 HD, and from $8.99 to own.

TV episodes cost from $2.99 SD/$3.49 HD to own and seasons from $14.99 to own. You can use up to five connected devices per account and there are no lock-in contracts or exit fees.

Free sample period: Runs promotions to encourage user trials.

Streaming: Most content is available in standard and high definition. It plans to offer 4K content later this year.

Data rate/metering: About 0.67-1GB an hour for standard definition and 1.67-2GB an hour for 720p HD.

Devices: Compatible with Android and iOS mobile devices, PCs and Macs, Samsung Smart TVs, and Chromecast.