# How Netflix actually does its thing **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 26, 2010, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-netflix-actually-does-its-thing/565408 "2010-12-26T05:00:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2010, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-netflix-actually-does-its-thing/565408/21 "2010-12-29T03:38:13Z")
> [@DMark](#): > > Maybe I am confusing them with Redbox, but the DVD’s were all silver with just a simple printing of the name of the DVD on the front - no artwork, cast listings, etc. All my discs from Netflix have fancy artwork, logos, multi-color, elaborate printing, etc., and that’s over 5 years. I never rented from Redbox. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2010, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-netflix-actually-does-its-thing/565408/22 "2010-12-29T05:36:02Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > You must be using a different Netflix. All my discs look like originals. Why do you think they are copies?They sell them online… They don’t sell used DVDs online anymore. They used too and a bought a bunch of DVDs (that even came with their original cases). ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2010, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-netflix-actually-does-its-thing/565408/23 "2010-12-29T06:44:35Z")
Netflix has some original DVDs, but they do print their own with silver logos as **DMark** described. I think these days the kind you get depends on what kind of movie you rent; if it’s an old film or from a niche or independent studio, it’s probably one they just purchased wholesale. If it’s a movie from a studio they have a license with, they probably receive a master copy and just run off their own discs. ---
**Author:** ![randwill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a3d4f5/32.png) [@randwill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/randwill)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2010, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-netflix-actually-does-its-thing/565408/24 "2010-12-29T13:56:55Z")
Some discs I get from Netflix have the Netflix logo on them and, as discussed above, there are now Rental Only discs in circulation which don’t have the Special Features. I doubt Netflix creates these discs by duplicating retail discs in a back room. It seems more likely that the factories that manufacture retail DVDs for the studios produce the Rental Only discs a well. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2010, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-netflix-actually-does-its-thing/565408/25 "2010-12-29T17:29:58Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > .The bar code Netflix uses is not compatible with Post Office equipment. They were designed for two different purposes. Besides, Netflix doesn’t seem to care how you insert the disc, as their instructions don’t mention an orientation. I think the barcode that shows thru the window is used for _outgoing,_ not incoming discs. I agree. And I think the solution to the mystery is that the Netflix Las Vegas operation might be close to the P.O. Since Netflix is their biggest customer these days, it would make sense for the P.O. to collect returned disks and deliver them en masse at frequent intervals. So if someone just makes the delivery time, and gets processed early, I can see such a fast response. I’ve never seen it for mine, but ours have to go down the Bay to San Jose, and so the deliveries probably don’t happen nearly so quickly. The Post Office is flexible in working with big customers. My father-in-law lives near QVC headquarters in Pennsylvania, and they have their own Post Office substation to handle their mail. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-netflix-actually-does-its-thing/565408.md?page=1)