Amazon Prime Video | Price, features and content compared

Once upon a time, the Dutch used to struggle with limited entertainment options. That’s no longer the case, since cord cutters now have plenty of choices when it comes to streaming platforms. So much so that deciding which one to get can be difficult.

However, Amazon Video has one very important thing going for it: it’s free with a Prime subscription. That means that on top of fun perks like free shipping, Prime subscribers also get access to a generous library of original productions from Jack Ryan to The Boys.

What is Amazon Prime Video?

Amazon Prime Video is a subscription video on demand service developed and operated by Amazon. Similar to Netflix and Disney+, it allows you to stream an unlimited number of TV shows and movies from its content library for a monthly fee.

The service launched in the US back in 2006 under the name Amazon Unbox, but was renamed two years later to Amazon Prime Video. Until December 2016, Amazon Video was only available the US, the UK, Germany, Austria and Japan. All that changed with the release of The Grand Tour, the original series that Amazon decided to stream globally.

Amazon Video is now available in more than 200 countries including Netherlands, where you can get it free with an annual Prime subscription. It has been available in the Netherlands since December 2017. No more VPNs required.

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How much does Amazon Prime Video cost?

The Dutch get access to the Prime Video platform for free with an Amazon Prime membership. At the time of writing a monthly subscription costs € 2.99/month. Also, you can benefit from a 30-day free trial to figure out if it’s worth your money.

How much content does Amazon Prime Video offer?

The Amazon Prime Video content library is generous, boasting both movies and TV series. However, where Amazon Prime Video really shines is with its impressive collection of original productions. You can stream The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, which recently won several Emmy and Golden Globe awards.

You can watch Prime Video originals like Hunters, Jack Ryan, Star Trek Picard and more. Or, you can relax with engaging hidden gems like Sneaky Pete and The Man in the High Castle.

The platform offers an appealing library of both TV shows and movies. Its collection is smaller than some of its competitors, but Prime Video compensates with quality original productions. Prime Video also has thousands of shows and movies that it didn’t create too. Though as they don’t own these productions they may come and go off the service.

Don’t worry – you can still look forward to watching plenty of exciting fresh content. The list includes a TV series based on The Lord of the Rings novels, an adaptation of Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett’s beloved novel Good Omens and a fantasy series starring Cara Delevingne and Orlando Bloom titled Carnival Row. They will also have exclusive rights to a Borat sequel on 23 October 2020.

How much data will Amazon Prime Video use?

Titles from Amazon’s library are available in formats ranging from standard quality (SD) to UHD and HDR. How much data you’ll use while streaming TV shows and movies will depend on the quality you’re using to watch programming. The platform doesn’t release official information about data usage.

Streaming on data will burn on average 270MB/hour on Android and 1.3GB/hour on iOS. So always make sure you have access to Wi-Fi if you plan to watch a series or a lot of movies on your mobile as excess data use may cause you to incur extra charges from your mobile carrier. If you have a small monthly allowance, we suggest going to Settings in your Amazon Prime Video app and selecting the “Wi-Fi only” option, so you don’t accidentally start streaming videos when on mobile data.

Alternatively, you can download selected titles to watch later. That means you can download a TV episode when connected to Wi-Fi and watch it whenever you want without additional data charges.

What devices are compatible with Amazon Prime Video?

Amazon Prime Video works with a wide range of devices, from smartphones to gaming consoles. These include:

• Computer

  PC, Mac

• Gaming console

  PlayStation, Xbox, Wii

• Tablet and mobile

  Android phones and tablets, iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, Fire phones/tablets

• Smart TV, streaming media player, and other

  Fire TV Stick, Amazon Fire TV, set-top boxes (Roku, Google TV, TiVo, Nvidia Shield), select smart TVs and Blu-ray players

Amazon Prime Video FAQs

• Are closed captions available on Amazon Prime Video?

  Yes. Movies and TV shows with subtitles available feature a “CC” symbol in the video details.

• How fast does my Internet need to be to avoid buffering?

  It depends on the quality you wish to watch in. You need an Internet connection of at least 15Mbps to watch videos in UHD or HDR but can watch in SD on much slower Internet speeds. Generally, a connection of at least 3MBps is recommended for a smooth experience.

• Can I set parental controls?

  Yes. You can enable parental controls after you enter your PIN to bypass purchase or viewing restrictions.

• Are all titles available for offline viewing?

  No. Only selected titles are available to download. On the same note, the time period a download is available to view while your device is offline varies by title. A notification will typically display on-screen when the viewing period for a title is almost over.

• Can I watch Amazon Prime titles when traveling abroad?

  Yes. While travelling outside the country, eligible Prime members will see a Watch While Abroad carousel when browsing Prime Video. Or, you can download titles to your mobile device before you leave, just in case.