So recently I was visited by a Lovefilm sales person and got roped into signing up to their LoveFilm instant package (4.99 a month) which included just the online streaming and having had the presumption that LoveFilm offered a wide range of new releases and big films, I willingly signed up, rather excited that for the next three months I can watch all these movies for just £4.99 (90 day trial period).

Excitedly, I rushed to my computer to check out what films I could actually watch... My face of excitement turned to a face of doubt, then to confusion, anger, frustration and... regret.

From the thousands of movies available on the lovefilm catalogue, some are rent only, some are instant stream and some are both. Out of the 3000 or so movie titles available to stream with my package, I managed find about 30 that I would actually want to watch, and of the TV series, about 3.

The 'NEW' releases are rather old, and those that are worth seeing I would've already done and mostly even owned (given I am quite a movie junkie). I'm pretty disgusted at the variety that can be streamed and had I known this before hand, I would definitely not have signed up the the service.

Despite this appalling catalogue, once and if you find a film you want to watch, the streaming is instant, efficient, and of high quality. 3 streams from the same account can be undertaken simultaneously, and movies can be watched on compatible devices and TVs.

And since I've joined, I'm going to squeeze out every ounce of this online service before my trial period is over by watching those TV series (desperate housewives season 1-7 is available, LOST and also 24).

There are also many other packages available but they are out of my budget. I mean 1 DVD each time doesn't quite fulfill my needs given I'd have to wait a few days for the next one to arrive at the earliest, and the package for 2-3 DVDS each time seems too pricey for me (I'm still a student!!) so I will unfortunately have to cancel when my trial runs out.

The cancellation option is available online so hopefully when I have to do this it shall be simple and straightforward unlike the first time I had a trial with lovefilm (back at the family residence) and the person on the other end was a pain!

Overall, LoveFilm is a premium service, great in concept, but is dragged down by the poor selection of online streaming content and the speed at which they update their catalogue. If you have the dough to join the 2-3 DVD/month package, this service would be great, but until then...