It has never gotten so good for Canadians as it is right now. In the recent past, the entertainment options available often cost a premium, but with Amazon Prime Video, Canada now has a glut of options at their fingertips. So much so that it has become a pain to pick which video streaming service to binge on.
A standout advantage of Amazon Prime Video is the Amazon Prime subscription. Prime subscribers will enjoy premium services like fast shipping and exclusive access to a vast library of original productions such as the highly anticipated The Romanoffs and Jack Ryan.
If you’ve never heard of Amazon Prime Video, the content below will give you multiple reasons to join the gravy train.
What is Amazon Prime Video?
Amazon Prime Video is a video-on-demand subscription service that is wholly operated by Amazon. It competed with the likes of Netflix and Disney and gives you the ability to stream thousands of movies and TV shows from its library for a subscription fee.
Amazon Prime Video Canada offers a mouthwatering selection of video content, but it’s been around the block since 2006 when it launched in the US under the name Amazon Unbox. While it isn’t as far-reaching as some of its rivals, Amazon Prime Video is set to take over a large chunk of the market because of a few reasons.
Firstly, Canadian residents can subscribe to Amazon Prime Video for zero fees if they have an Amazon Prime Membership. It cost C$79 per annum, but you have the benefit of a 30-day free trial to see if it is worth the value. Quebec residents do not get a free trial, but their initial yearly subscription covers 13 months instead of 12 for the same C$79 fee.
In addition to Amazon Prime Video, Canada Prime subscribers also get access to a wide variety of perks and benefits for shopping. You could either a one-day delivery to select locations, same-day, or two-day free shipping.
Prime members also get early access to promotions and other deals, including access to Twitch Prime and unlimited photo storage. That means if you’re an avid Amazon shopper, a Prime membership is a worthy investment for your money. Amazon also provides free access to streaming to sweeten the deal.
How much content Does Amazon Prime Video Canada Provide?
Amazon has a vast content library that’s a mix of its original productions and others from different sources. Although not quite rich in high-quality content, you are bound to come across something worth your time compared to Netflix.
Amazon Prime Video aims to create its original content. Its ambitions are seen in originals like Fleabag, Sneaky Pete, Forever, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel – winner of several Golden Globe and Emmy Awards.
What is the Data consumption of Amazon Prime Video in Canada?
The Amazon library houses content in different formats like standard quality (SD), UHD, and HDR. The amount of data consumption is solely dependent on the quality of the video content you’re streaming.
Amazon Prime Video Canada does not provide details on data usage. It is estimated that the average data consumption for SD playback is 900MB per hour, 2GB per hour for HD content. 5.8GB per hour for UHD content.
The data consumption is quite significant, so it is recommended you subscribe to the unlimited data plan to enjoy movies and TV shows to your heart’s content.
Amazon Prime Video Canada is also available on mobile and tablet, allowing subscribers to download titles for offline enjoyment. Be mindful that you may accrue extra charges watching a movie or TV show via your carrier’s mobile network.
If you have a small data allowance, it’s good advice to change the WiFi settings only on your Amazon Prime Video App. That way, you won’t accidentally burn your data streaming videos while using a mobile network.
Data streams on mobile consume a whopping 1.3GB per hour on iOS and a more moderate 270MB per hour on Android.
Amazon Prime Video Canada vs. Netflix Canada
This question is one you’ve all been waiting for. How does Amazon Prime Video stack up to Netflix? Both services are similar, providing streaming video content for Canadians. However, there are quite a few differences you might not know.
Price (Winner) Amazon Prime Video Canada
The most significant difference, or the most obvious, is the type of content they deliver. While both offer an eclectic collection of movies and TV shows, they also create original content. However, Netflix Originals cannot be accessed on Amazon Prime Video, and Amazon Originals cannot be accessed on Netflix.
Amazon Prime Video is the cheaper of the two at C$7.99 monthly, while Netflix Canada provides a tiered service starting at C$8.99 for the basic, C$10.99 for the standard, and C$13.99 for the premium package.
Both offer a monthly trial, but Netflix is a standalone service, while Amazon Prime gets you far more perks than a video content subscription. Netflix Canada provides the same catalogue of video content with a noticeable difference in quality.
The basic package restricts you to a single stream on 480p, while the standard package offers an additional stream, including content in HD (1080p). The premium package allows for streams with content available in HD and UHD. When it comes to pricing, Amazon Prime Video gives you more bang for your buck.
Content (Winner) Netflix Canada
Credit must go to Amazon Prime Video Canada for amassing such a massive collection of video content in such a limited time. However, Netflix has a lot more premium content in Hollywood movies, specials, documentaries, and TV shows.
While Amazon Prime Video has more in terms of volume, quantity isn’t everything, with Netflix Canada beating Amazon Prime Video Canada in this category.
Device Support (Winner) Netflix Canada
Subscribing for a streaming service isn’t worth it if it isn’t compatible with your device. Amazon is compatible with a broad range of devices – most of which you already own. But Netflix enjoys the highest compatibility as it supports more devices than Amazon prime video, including the Windows Phone and Nintendo 3DS.
User Experience (Winner) Netflix
Amazon Prime Video user interface is not optimized for all devices with a varied user experience depending on the device. There is an improvement from Amazon with Prime Video having its website rather than being a section within the Amazon online store.
The recommendation engine is also better, and earlier complaints about the difficulty in finding something decent to watch isn’t quite as vocal as before. But Netflix still has the edge in this category with a more intuitive user interface. The search engine is also more advanced, allowing you to find content with minimal fuss.
One annoying feature with Netflix is the need to show you previews whenever you focus on a new movie or show thumbnail. Despite this, Netflix still trumps Amazon Prime Video mainly because of its quality and the ability to adjust the video compression levels to match internet speed.
FAQs
How Much Does Amazon Prime Video Cost?
Apart from the C$79 annual fee for Amazon Prime Subscription, Amazon Prime Video costs a monthly fee of C$7.99. While the monthly exclusive Prime Video subscription is slightly more expensive, it offers users the choice to cancel the service at any time.
It is ideal for subscribers who intend to stay in Canada for a short period or potential subscribers who want to see what the service is all about.
What Are the Compatible Devices with Amazon Prime Video?
Amazon Prime Video is compatible with a broad range of devices ranging from PCs to smartphones, some of which are:
PC, Mac
Android phones and tablets, iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad, Fire phones, and tablets
Xbox, Playstation, and Wii.
Amazon Fire TV, Fire TV Stick, Google TV, Roku, Tivo, Nvidia Shield, and select smart TVs
What is the recommended speed for my internet to prevent buffering?
The speed depends on the quality of the content you intend to watch. The higher the rate, the higher the data consumption. HD and UHD require a minimum of 15mbps to watch videos, while you need at least 3mbps for SD.
Can I set Parental Controls?
Yes, it is possible to set parental controls once you insert your pin to go through viewing and purchase restrictions.
Can I view all Titles offline?
No. Only selected titles are provided for download. In addition, there is a time to download content, which varies by title. You will get a notification on your screen when the viewing period is about to expire.
Can I watch Amazon Prime Titles When I Travel Abroad?
Yes, you can. Amazon Prime Video provides a ‘Watch While Abroad’ feature that allows subscribers to watch titles while away from Canada. You can also download titles on your mobile device to watch offline before you travel.
Conclusion
If you value your entertainment without considering the cost, hold on to your Netflix for now. That being said, Amazon Prime Video has a lot to offer, particularly with Prime membership.
Content is king in today’s world, and Amazon Prime Video is primed to take over the video content market. However, Netflix remains the video streaming service to beat. The battle between these two streaming giants is one to watch out for in the future.
