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Netflix 101: Everything you need to know to get started

By Kenny Yeo - 14 Feb 2016

Netflix 101: Everything you need to know to get started - page 1

What is Netflix and why is it a big deal?

Contrary to what you may think, Netflix is actually a pretty old company. It was founded in 1997 and started life as a company that rented out DVDs. It only started offering video on demand via the Internet in 2007. Today, it is one of the leading video streaming services in the world, with over 76 million subscribers worldwide. 

As a video on demand streaming service, Netflix differs from Singtel TV and StarHub TV in that users can choose to watch whatever is on their video catalog whenever they want. In their defense, both Singtel TV and StarHub TV do have on demand videos, but that only makes up a small portion of their catalog, unlike Netflix which purely offers video on demand. This means that there’s no schedule to follow and users are free to watch whatever show or program they want at any time they wish.

Apart from providing a video on demand streaming service, Netflix is also involved in producing its own original works. The critically acclaimed political drama House of Cards and the comedy Master of None are both original works produced by Netflix.

Before CES 2016 earlier this year, Netflix was only offered in limited countries outside of the United States. For entertainment junkies here, the only way to get Netflix was to subscribe to a VPN or proxy service (more on this later), which adds to costs and also complexity. However, at CES 2016, Netflix announced that it would be extending its service to 130 additional countries. And one of them was Singapore. This means that we no longer need to rely on VPNs and proxies to get Netflix.

 

How can I watch Netflix?

Netflix is a multi-device service, so you can watch it on your TV, computer and just about any mobile device.

After signing up online, you can watch directly on your web browser simply by heading to Netflix’s website and logging into your account. Or you could download the Netflix app for your Android, iOS or Windows Phone smartphone or tablet and watch it on those devices too.

One of the great things about Netflix is that you can watch it on various devices.

And if you want to watch Netflix on your television, there’s a couple of ways. The Netflix app is available for most smart TVs from major brands like Samsung, LG, Philips, Sharp and Sony, and that would be the most straightforward way. Alternatively, if you have an Internet-enabled gaming console like a PlayStation 4 or Xbox One, you could download the Netflix app for those consoles and watch Netflix on your TV using your game console. However, if these methods don’t work for you, you could invest in a Google Chromecast, which is an affordable and super tiny HDMI streaming dongle; or an AppleTV, which is a digital media player and streaming device.

Also, for existing subscribers of Singtel TV and StarHub TV, there are plans to bring Netflix to your respective set-top boxes from April, allowing you to use your existing set-top box to watch Netflix conveniently.

Another nifty thing is that viewing progress is carried over across devices, which means customers can begin watching on their phones while commuting, pause it when they get home, and then resume watching on their TV without missing a beat.


What are the plans?

Netflix Singapore Plans

Netflix in Singapore will offer three subscription plans - Basic, Standard and Premium. They have done a good job of summarizing the differences between the three so we will reproduce their table here.

The main difference to take note of is the resolution available and number of devices that can watch at the same time. All subscription plans will have the same access, so there’s no need to worry that a cheaper plan might not be able to watch some shows that only those with premium plans can.

With a Basic subscription, which costs S$10.98 a month, you will only be able to watch videos at 720p. That’s not ideal given that anyone who has bought a new TV in the past three or so years is likely to have a Full-HD TV. Likewise, if your notebook and mobile device is relatively new, it is likely to have a display that supports Full-HD resolution and beyond too. Plus, with a Basic subscription, you can only watch one a single device at any one time.

A Standard subscription is recommended for most users as it will give you access to videos in Full-HD resolution. Furthermore, it will let you watch on two devices simultaneously, which is great for couples or families who want to watch different shows. The Standard plan is only slightly pricier at S$13.98 each month. If you recently subscribed to Singtel's two-year fiber broadband or mobile plan, you're eligble for complimentary Netflix Standard subscription in Singapore.

For cinephiles, the Premium plan is for you as it allows you to watch shows in Ultra HD or 4K. It also lets you watch on up to four devices simultaneously, which is great for large families. One thing to note, however, is that not all shows are available in Ultra HD, though most of the newer and more popular titles are. Of course, it goes without saying that you need a 4K display to be able to take full advantage of the 4K content as well. The Premium plan is the most costly plan at S$16.98 a month.

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