Amazon Prime

[pushdabutton]

Posted: 9/21/14 at 8:09pm

Any thoughts, both positive and negative, on Amazon Prime? I order regularly from Amazon and like the free shipping with Amazon Prime. My biggest concern is if they offer a wide variety of movies to stream? Are they all older movies or do they have new releases as well. I appreciate all suggestions and comments!

[dave1606]

Posted: 9/22/14 at 10:20am

If you buy into the amazon ecosystem, specifically the Amazon fire TV, prime can be amazing. However, the movie selection still leave something to be desired. I would say that netflix is much stronger with movies, though amazon is good for TV shows (I just plowed through 5 seasons of The Good Wife using it). I would recommend both. Prime is something I cannot live with out, more for the two day shipping than the streaming, but that is starting to change. I have LOVED some of their new pilots, specifically Mozart in the Jungle, The Cosmopolitans, etc.

I think you can get a few weeks trial (or you used to). Maybe try it out and do the same with netflix and see which you like better?

[Roscoe]

Posted: 9/22/14 at 10:35am

I've had good luck with amazon prime, largely for the free shipping. Beware, though. They'll do a strange bait and switch deal where there'll be an incredible offer that turns out to take 2 to 3 weeks to ship while other customers are getting their items in two to three days.

[best12bars]

Posted: 9/22/14 at 11:49am

I've been very happy with Amazon Prime. I'm strictly streaming now and "cut the cable cord" about five months ago. I don't miss it at all.

Amazon Prime isn't going to satisfy all your movie/tv needs, but neither does any other single app/program.

I have Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu Plus, and Warner Archives. Together, they're a great package, and I get everything I need. Plus PBS has a great free app that we watch all the time.

Amazon Prime has old and new movies, old and new TV shows. We recently rewatched "The Dutchess of Duke Street" via Prime. Plus they have a lot of HBO stuff, like the mini-series Mildred Pierce, Mad Men, Boardwalk Empire, etc. Old and new films, etc.

You can also stream your Amazon Cloud music, which is free. Any music you bought via Amazon in the past can automatically be added free to your Amazon Cloud, then it can be streamed free through your sound system via Amazon Prime.

So you get the video streaming, audio streaming, and free 2-day shipping (on most stuff). At $99, it comes to $8.25 per month.

We're spending about $35 per month total on everything now, instead of $122 per month for crappy cable.

[tazber]

Posted: 9/22/14 at 12:06pm

Right off the bat, if you order frequently then Prime is worth it for the shipping savings alone.

As far as downloadable content, it's sporadic (but then again so is netflix).

I always look at that perk as an added value aspect. I wouldn't pay for Prime only for the content, but when coupled with the free two day shipping it's definitely worth it.

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 9/22/14 at 12:37pm

Who buys their music through Amazon and why?!

[tazber]

Posted: 9/22/14 at 12:55pm

What do you mean?

I've bought cds and mp3s from amazon.

Why wouldn't someone buy music from amazon?

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 9/22/14 at 1:05pm

No, I'm asking. Because I have never bough mp3s through Amazon. Is there music on Amazon that cannot be accessed on iTunes?

[tazber]

Posted: 9/22/14 at 1:08pm

Yes. I can't think of any off hand, but had they been available on itunes I would have purchased it from there (I think it was an mp3 cast recording of a West End show)

Also, sometimes amazon has better prices that itunes. Especially on older albums.

[DAME]

Posted: 9/22/14 at 1:14pm

Bestie,

Is the HBO content on amazon current? And did you keep basic cable for over the air stuff?

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 9/22/14 at 1:41pm

Interesting. Never realized that. Thanks, Taz.

[artscallion]

Posted: 9/22/14 at 1:50pm

Love my Prime. The free 2-day shipping is the best part. But the content is good too...as good as Netflix, I'd say, particularly for TV. For example, I watched the entire run of Julia Child's French Chef series for free. That's 10 seasons of 26 episodes each...260 episodes!

Also, if you have an .edu email address, you can get prime at the student rate of $40 a year. That'll work if you're a student OR if you work at a college.

[best12bars]

Posted: 9/22/14 at 5:34pm

DAME, we have a digital antenna (HD, and a one-time purchase) that picks up all the local affiliates, plus PBS, plus a few other good channels.

I'm not sure how current the HBO content is, because I've never had HBO.

I'm pretty sure you can "browse" their content for free and check it out.

Do be aware that you need to browse PRIME content, not just Amazon streaming content. They pretty much offer everything for streaming on Amazon, but only the Prime content is "free" with your monthly premium. Otherwise, you can watch it, but you'll pay a rental fee.

[DAME]

Posted: 9/22/14 at 6:57pm

Ahhh. It all looks the same as apple tv.

[Gorlois]

Posted: 9/22/14 at 7:27pm

I just want to correct the statement that Amazon Prime has Mad Men. It sadly does not.

FYI, this is what I have on my watch list:
The Comeback
Arrested Development (Seasons 1-3)
Absolutely Fabulous
Orphan Black
Colin Firth Pride and Prejudice
The Wire
Alpha House (this is an Amzon exclusive, I think)
Little Britain USA
Mildred Pierce with Kate Winslet
Elizabeth I with Helen Mirren
Hannibal
The Americans
Angels in America
Little Britain
Blackadder
Batman TAS

I'm pretty happy with their selection of television shows. Movie wise, they're not so hot. Decent selection, but they have very few new releases.
The free two day shipping is wonderful, though. It's worth it for the shipping.

[pushdabutton]

Posted: 9/22/14 at 8:20pm

Thanks so much for your responses. As always, everyone here is so knowlegable and offer great advice! I agree that Amazon Prime would be worth it for the free 2 day shipping alone since I order from Amazon all the time. Thanks again everyone!