Archived Criterion Streaming Discussion

[bainbridgezu]

Fassbinder's Effie Briest is today's featured title, presumably in anticipation of it being unceremoniously shat into an eclipse set some months down the line.

[rrenault]

This has probably already been discussed, but is it safe to say nothing licensed from IFC or from any of the major studios will ever be on HULU?

[Props55]

I recently made an informal "survey" of the major studio owned titles released by Criterion ("deep library" titles from MGM-UA, Paramount, Universal, 2oth and Sony) and found only BRUTE FORCE and CHARADE to be available. It's possible that they are shuffled into the mix for a limited time and then retired but my gut feeling is that they are tied up in licensing arrangements as part of their larger corporate library and are unavailable for Criterion to offer streaming via Hulu.

[rrenault]

The Hulu stream of Charade isn't via Criterion, but isn't that film in the public domain anyway?

[rrenault]

I'm also curious to know where stuff like Hiroshima Mon Amour, Bande a Part, The Bicycle Thief, White Night, Europe '51, Berlin Alexanderplatz, 8 1/2 and other stuff is. Why are those not on hulu?

[Props55]

I'm guessing that those titles also have some non-streaming rights clause that prevents Criterion from passing that privelage on to Hulu. I know I was somewhat steamed to find I had to see BERLIN ALEXANDERPLATZ over three weeks via Netflix discs rather that at a more leisurely pace with no long breaks between episodes.

And yes, you're right about CHARADE. That would explain the quality of the download (I didn't bother to actually watch it so wasn't sure if my connection was faulty).

[rrenault]

Yea, I really need to see Berlin Alexanderplatz at some point, but I'm not blind buying that whole thing nor do I want to abuse my KG share ratio.

[jwd5275]

This has probably already been discussed, but is it safe to say nothing licensed from IFC or from any of the major studios will ever be on HULU?

Lots of the IFC films are on hulu. They are on the IFC channel, not Criterion's. It's not as many as netflix by any stretch, but from my count there are 4 Criterion films (plus Y Tu Mama Tambien and Gates of Heaven, which are likely to be forthcoming)

[rrenault]

Does anyone ever have a problem with 'jumpy' playback on Hulu? It seems if you stop, start, refresh, rewind, etc. too much the picture gets jumpy, but there doesn't seem to be a way to make it go away once it starts. Do you just have to stop using Hulu for a while to let it subside?

[mfunk9786]

What has happened to this company is that for $7.99 a month and a cheapo set top box like a Roku or an Apple TV, you can get far more content than Eclipse sets offer at a far better price - Eclipse sets can't be selling as well with the ability to stream those films out there, they look as good as or better than DVD (the Oshimas, for example, look better streaming to my eye), and since there are no bonus features to begin with...

I think the Eclipse line was more of a stopgap until streaming became more of a reality, and now that it is, why keep cranking those sets out so often?

[ptatler]

I think the Eclipse line was more of a stopgap until streaming became more of a reality, and now that it is, why keep cranking those sets out so often?

That's an excellent point but it raises the obvious question - what purpose, then, does the Eclipse line serve? Why keep cranking those sets out at all?

[willoneill]

Well there is the issue that Criterion's chosen streamer (Hulu) doesn't operate outside the US, so they are cutting some loyal customers with that approach. But from a bottom-line perspective, they probably don't care about that (or me )

[swo17]

Sorry but a Hulu stream is never going to look as good as an Oppo-upscaled Eclipse DVD projected onto a 100+ inch screen.

[rrenault]

Well there is the issue that Criterion's chosen streamer (Hulu) doesn't operate outside the US, so they are cutting some loyal customers with that approach. But from a bottom-line perspective, they probably don't care about that (or me )

There are ways around this. I'd think most cinephiles would be on this by now.

[willoneill]

Well there is the issue that Criterion's chosen streamer (Hulu) doesn't operate outside the US, so they are cutting some loyal customers with that approach. But from a bottom-line perspective, they probably don't care about that (or me )

There are ways around this. I'd think most cinephiles would be on this by now.

Masking my IP address I can get around ... but I was under the impression that to pay for Hulu+, you needed a US address credit card. That would be somewhat trickier.

[Askew]

Masking my IP address I can get around ... but I was under the impression that to pay for Hulu+, you needed a US address credit card. That would be somewhat trickier.

All you need to get a Canadian credit card to work is to make up an American zip code when filling in your billing information.

[rrenault]

Oh, well I live in France, but I still have a functioning American credit card. Forgot about that part.

[rrenault]

Is it wishful thinking though to assume Hulu would ever 'officially' be available in Europe? I guess that's why the Criterion selection is so limited on iTunes, since they only make available as many as they are licensed to distribute in the countries in which iTunes is available.

[domino harvey]

What has happened to this company is that for $7.99 a month and a cheapo set top box like a Roku or an Apple TV, you can get far more content than Eclipse sets offer at a far better price - Eclipse sets can't be selling as well with the ability to stream those films out there, they look as good as or better than DVD (the Oshimas, for example, look better streaming to my eye), and since there are no bonus features to begin with...

I think the Eclipse line was more of a stopgap until streaming became more of a reality, and now that it is, why keep cranking those sets out so often?

Because physical media will always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always trump streaming

[Matt]

for some.

[Matt]

Is it wishful thinking though to assume Hulu would ever 'officially' be available in Europe?

Yes. Because every single title would require separate licensing. You might get something like Hulu in Europe, but Criterion won't be involved because they are a US-only licensee.

[domino harvey]

For true patriots

[The Narrator Returns]

Miniature American flags for others.

[domino harvey]

Don't blame me, I voted for Roku

[Gregory]

Re: the discussion of the Eclipse line on the previous page:
There's still strong demand for physical media, but the sales data show strong increases in Blu-ray at the same time DVD sales decline dramatically. People who favor low prices and convenience will stream and those who want high better sound and picture quality and are still collecting movies are increasingly spending money on Blu-rays. It seems like Criterion should see the writing on the wall and start releasing including some blu-rays in the Eclipse line in cases when they have HD masters they're sitting on and no supplements to go with them, but then of course a lot of people will complain when an Eclipse DVD set comes out, even if there were only SD masters available.