Interesting article on the state of TV.
Odd that there is no mention of "over the air" broadcasts.
TV Is Dying, And Here Are The Stats That Prove It
http://www.businessinsider.com/cord-cutters-and-the-death-of-tv-2013-11#ixzz2lgyhg5HL
Monday, November 25, 2013
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Antennas Direct
This is a good product although you might do better/cheaper from a source like Denny's TV.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4eEV2c24qo
http://www.antennasdirect.com/
http://www.dennysantennaservice.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4eEV2c24qo
http://www.antennasdirect.com/
http://www.dennysantennaservice.com/
Ready To Cut The Cable TV Cord? Here's How To Do It
The following is from Forbes Magazine.
Armed with technology that makes a smaller antenna possible and a
digital protocol that makes the signals easier to capture over longer
distances, antenna companies are now delivering powerful long-range
units with home decor as a design directive, resulting in small,
unobtrusive and even fashionable indoor models. Mark Buff, CEO of
antenna maker Mohu says that with cable TV having been the norm for so
long, “many people had forgotten that OTA (over the air) signals still
exist. But we’re now seeing increased interest by cord cutters. And even
customers who aren’t cancelling subscriptions are using antennas for
second and third TVs as well as for their vacation homes, saving the
cost of additional cable boxes.”
These antennas are compatible with all televisions made since 2007 (when built-in digital tuners became a federal requirement) and they plug directly into the coaxial port in back of your TV. Once plugged in, you simply have your TV scan for available digital signals. Most TVs have a signal meter display that shows just how well each channel’s signal is being received.
I put a couple of units to the test and found that the new breed of antennas really work as advertised. In an environment like New York City with numerous obstacles to transmission towers, a major selling point of cable TV in the analog era was that it was the only reliable way to get a clear signal from the free network channels. But today, on a lower floor of my Brooklyn brownstone, I can get 60 OTA channels with a small tabletop antenna like the $50 Mohu Curve, which has a 30-mile antenna range. It did take a bit of trial and error to find the spot in the room with the strongest signal for most stations, but I got the best results by placing it near a window.
If you (and your significant other) are comfortable with a larger, more industrial design, the $100 ClearStream 2 is an indoor/outdoor antenna that boasts a 50-mile range. The benefit of the more powerful Clearstream 2 is that I could place it anywhere in the room and pull in 70 channels, ranging from the major networks to PBS affiliates and local Spanish and Chinese language broadcasts.
The major network channels are all broadcast in HD. And you’ll be pleasantly surprised to learn that the quality of uncompressed HD video in an antenna feed is actually superior to what you’ve been getting with your cable box. Cable operators have to deliver hundreds of channels, plus broadband and phone service over a single connection to your home, so the TV signal is usually compressed to conserve bandwidth. Not so with your OTA feed. The difference is immediately noticeable. Outside of a Blu-ray movie, this is the best output I’ve ever seen on my TV. And did I mention the channels are free?
If you do need to buy a set top box, the most popular options are the $100 Apple TV and the range of models from Roku. Google entered the field this summer with its $35 Chromecast, but its limited content
makes it more a curiosity than primary option for mainstream consumers
at this point. But it’s definitely worth keeping an eye on.
In general, streaming hardware all works the same way. The device connects to both the Internet (via Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and your TV (via HDMI), streaming content from channels that are either free or require a monthly subscription. You browse through channels directly on your TV screen via a remote. A large part of the appeal here is that you choose which channels you want to subscribe to. Netflix and Hulu Plus, the most popular channels (available on the Apple, Roku and Google devices) provide access to a robust selection of movies as well as current and past TV shows.
Apple TV, tightly integrated into the Apple ecosystem, gives you access to content from iTunes as well as the ability to stream content from any iOS device to your TV. If you’re in an Apple-centric household and want to add the customary “Designed in Cupertino” fit and finish, there’s much to like with Apple TV.
One big advantage Roku offers though is a choice of four models ranging in features and price, from the $50 Roku LT to the faster and higher resolution $100 Roku 3. With over 1,000 channels, Roku has long had an edge over its Apple rival in terms of content, but unsurprisingly, many channels are of limited appeal. While it lacks support for iTunes, Roku counters with the Amazon Instant video store (unavailable on Apple TV). Roku also offers both a PBS and PBS Kids channel.
On either device, using just Netflix and Hulu Plus (each require $8 per month subscriptions) gives you a good variety of popular programming. Between the two you can binge on previous seasons of everything from Breaking Bad to Downton Abbey, watch current episodes of The Daily Show and Parks and Recreation and make a dent in your bucket list of must-see film classics.
There are drawbacks, most having to do with content licensing restrictions. Netflix still has a good number of films in its vast library that are unavailable for streaming. With Hulu Plus, TV shows are generally embargoed until at least the day after their original network air dates. And there can also be restrictions on which seasons of a show are available. Perhaps most frustrating, licensing terms for some shows stipulate that while they can be watched on a computer or mobile device for free on Hulu’s website, they are prohibited from being viewed on the TV even with a paid Hulu Plus subscription. But remember, an antenna gets you free OTA network channels, so if you’re able to work your schedule around the networks’ (like in the old days) you can minimize this inconvenience.
Our family of four has been using a Roku 3 for a few weeks now and we’ve had no problem finding relevant content to watch. It’s quite a traditional TV viewing experience, with of course the bonus of being able to pause and rewind. The latest version of the Roku interface is much improved over previous iterations and you can even download an app to use your Android or iOS device as a remote which can save time when typing in search queries. The Roku remote has a built-in headphone jack for late night viewing and in a nice touch, plugging in the headphones immediately mutes the sound on the TV.
On both Roku devices and Apple TV, much of the best content does require a pay per view fee or subscription, so you’ll want to keep an eye on how many you buy. And there are a growing number of apps like HBO Go that are restricted to those still with a cable/satellite TV subscription. But even if you never venture much beyond Netflix and Hulu Plus, you’re getting a lot of content for very little money.
Apple TV and the Roku set top boxes also offer paid subscriptions for NBA, MLB and NHL channels. These aren’t cheap, with single season access running close to $200 for some sports. And because home market games are prohibited, these are mostly relevant for fans rooting for their favorite teams from afar. But if you’re say, a die-hard Red Sox fan living in L.A., packages like these may be a good fit.
I recently lived in Seattle for two years. During that time my Comcast cable bill for a mid-tier package of channels (no HBO, Showtime or premium sports packages) and 25Mbps Internet service came out to $161 per month after promotional pricing expired, including taxes, fees and set-top rental. That worked out to $1,932 a year. Ouch.
Since moving back to New York City and dropping TV service, my Time Warner Cable Internet-only plan costs $40 per month (I’m excluding the $5 promotional discount) for 15Mbps service. The flagship Roku 3 box I’m using costs $103 with sales tax (you can of course choose a lower-priced model). After getting the Roku I signed up for the $8 per month Hulu Plus account. I’ve always had Netflix in addition to my cable/satellite subscription so I’m not factoring my $8 monthly subscription for that service into the equation.
That brings my total outlay for the first 12 months to $679, just about 1/3 of what I was paying for TV and Internet service. And remember this total includes a one-time hardware purchase. My recurring bills add up to just $576 over 12 months, an annual savings of $1356.
Nothing is perfect. I can easily imagine more flexible user interfaces and certainly look forward to more customer friendly and consistent licensing rights for TV episodes. Long term, the good news is that content creators are essentially carrier agnostic. “They’ve learned the lessons of the music industry and want to get their content in front of viewers on whichever platform they choose to consume it,” says Robin Diedrich, media analyst at Edward Jones.
Let’s not fool ourselves, the media companies go where the money is, and right now that’s still the cable/satellite/telco providers by a wide margin. But according to Steve Shannon, Roku’s General Manager of Content and Services, the tide is turning in negotiations between content providers and cable distributors with more rights becoming available for streaming services. “As each contract comes up for renewal, digital rights are becoming more valuable,” he says. “Content creators recognize that there’s value there and as cable companies are looking to reduce programming costs, some are giving up the digital rights.”
Media companies are actively participating in the streaming model. Disney, Fox and NBC all have ownership stakes in Hulu, for example. And that bodes well for a continuing supply of relevant content, an indispensable requirement for the successful future of Internet TV.
Amadou Diallo, Contributor 10/16/2013
Video on demand services like Apple TV can be part of a cost effective alternative to a cable subscription.
In the face of rising prices, poor customer service and ever more
frequent blackouts over fee disputes, many consumers yearn for a way out
of the grip of their cable TV subscription. Though companies such
as Google, Intel, Sony and Apple are all working on Internet-delivery TV
platforms, none have yet secured the content deals needed to launch a
credible service. And while industry analysts point out that the number
of cord cutters has yet to reach the critical mass needed to force
changes to the cable TV business model, the fact is that today there are viable TV options to the triple digit cable bill.
These do require additional hardware, running extra cables from your
TV, and waiting at least a day to watch the newest episodes of cable
network shows. And if you’re hoping to sever all ties with your cable
provider, that’s not going to be an option in many regional markets, as
you’ll still need them for the high-speed Internet service that makes
this all work. But the cost savings of dropping the TV package can be
substantial, and there have never been as many good choices available as
there are today in both hardware and content. Here’s what you’ll need.Antenna
Remember the days when you could watch network television for free? (those under 25, ask your parents). Well those channels are still available at no cost…if you have an antenna. And no, we’re not talking about the clunky rabbit ears of old. Antennas have changed substantially in looks and performance over the last several years. Breakthroughs in technology spurred by development of the tiny but powerful digital antennas in smartphones have been adapted to the realm of TV reception. The result? “TV antennas today are 10% of the mass they were decades ago,” says Richard Schneider, president of Missouri-based manufacturer Antennas Direct. “And the move to an all digital transmission that the FCC mandated back in 2009 has put those TV signals in a higher frequency which means a better signal with less noise”.
Advances in antenna technology have led to sleek, stylish designs like the Mohu Curve.
These antennas are compatible with all televisions made since 2007 (when built-in digital tuners became a federal requirement) and they plug directly into the coaxial port in back of your TV. Once plugged in, you simply have your TV scan for available digital signals. Most TVs have a signal meter display that shows just how well each channel’s signal is being received.
I put a couple of units to the test and found that the new breed of antennas really work as advertised. In an environment like New York City with numerous obstacles to transmission towers, a major selling point of cable TV in the analog era was that it was the only reliable way to get a clear signal from the free network channels. But today, on a lower floor of my Brooklyn brownstone, I can get 60 OTA channels with a small tabletop antenna like the $50 Mohu Curve, which has a 30-mile antenna range. It did take a bit of trial and error to find the spot in the room with the strongest signal for most stations, but I got the best results by placing it near a window.
If you (and your significant other) are comfortable with a larger, more industrial design, the $100 ClearStream 2 is an indoor/outdoor antenna that boasts a 50-mile range. The benefit of the more powerful Clearstream 2 is that I could place it anywhere in the room and pull in 70 channels, ranging from the major networks to PBS affiliates and local Spanish and Chinese language broadcasts.
The major network channels are all broadcast in HD. And you’ll be pleasantly surprised to learn that the quality of uncompressed HD video in an antenna feed is actually superior to what you’ve been getting with your cable box. Cable operators have to deliver hundreds of channels, plus broadband and phone service over a single connection to your home, so the TV signal is usually compressed to conserve bandwidth. Not so with your OTA feed. The difference is immediately noticeable. Outside of a Blu-ray movie, this is the best output I’ve ever seen on my TV. And did I mention the channels are free?
Set Top Box
To augment your free supply of live network TV, the next step is to choose your hardware for on-demand programming delivered via your Internet connection. You may already have this capability in an existing device if you own a gaming console like an Xbox 360, Sony Playstation 3 or Nintendo Wii. Or perhaps you’ve bought a smart TV or Blu-ray player with built-in Wi-Fi.
The Roku 3 streams 1080p video, with over 1,000 channels of on demand content, to your TV.
In general, streaming hardware all works the same way. The device connects to both the Internet (via Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and your TV (via HDMI), streaming content from channels that are either free or require a monthly subscription. You browse through channels directly on your TV screen via a remote. A large part of the appeal here is that you choose which channels you want to subscribe to. Netflix and Hulu Plus, the most popular channels (available on the Apple, Roku and Google devices) provide access to a robust selection of movies as well as current and past TV shows.
Apple TV, tightly integrated into the Apple ecosystem, gives you access to content from iTunes as well as the ability to stream content from any iOS device to your TV. If you’re in an Apple-centric household and want to add the customary “Designed in Cupertino” fit and finish, there’s much to like with Apple TV.
One big advantage Roku offers though is a choice of four models ranging in features and price, from the $50 Roku LT to the faster and higher resolution $100 Roku 3. With over 1,000 channels, Roku has long had an edge over its Apple rival in terms of content, but unsurprisingly, many channels are of limited appeal. While it lacks support for iTunes, Roku counters with the Amazon Instant video store (unavailable on Apple TV). Roku also offers both a PBS and PBS Kids channel.
On either device, using just Netflix and Hulu Plus (each require $8 per month subscriptions) gives you a good variety of popular programming. Between the two you can binge on previous seasons of everything from Breaking Bad to Downton Abbey, watch current episodes of The Daily Show and Parks and Recreation and make a dent in your bucket list of must-see film classics.
There are drawbacks, most having to do with content licensing restrictions. Netflix still has a good number of films in its vast library that are unavailable for streaming. With Hulu Plus, TV shows are generally embargoed until at least the day after their original network air dates. And there can also be restrictions on which seasons of a show are available. Perhaps most frustrating, licensing terms for some shows stipulate that while they can be watched on a computer or mobile device for free on Hulu’s website, they are prohibited from being viewed on the TV even with a paid Hulu Plus subscription. But remember, an antenna gets you free OTA network channels, so if you’re able to work your schedule around the networks’ (like in the old days) you can minimize this inconvenience.
Our family of four has been using a Roku 3 for a few weeks now and we’ve had no problem finding relevant content to watch. It’s quite a traditional TV viewing experience, with of course the bonus of being able to pause and rewind. The latest version of the Roku interface is much improved over previous iterations and you can even download an app to use your Android or iOS device as a remote which can save time when typing in search queries. The Roku remote has a built-in headphone jack for late night viewing and in a nice touch, plugging in the headphones immediately mutes the sound on the TV.
On both Roku devices and Apple TV, much of the best content does require a pay per view fee or subscription, so you’ll want to keep an eye on how many you buy. And there are a growing number of apps like HBO Go that are restricted to those still with a cable/satellite TV subscription. But even if you never venture much beyond Netflix and Hulu Plus, you’re getting a lot of content for very little money.
Live Sports
Live sports is admittedly the Achilles heel of streaming video services. The enormous licensing payments that pro sports leagues generate from cable networks simply puts them beyond the reach of Internet TV, with its significantly smaller viewing audience. Certainly, if your day isn’t complete without updates from ESPN and ESPN 2, cutting the cable cord isn’t yet a feasible option. But the situation is not quite as dire as you may think. Remember, an antenna gets you free OTA broadcasts, so you can watch big events like the World Series, Super Bowl, NBA Finals, and the Olympics. Home market NFL games are still on free TV as well (though they are subject to blackout restrictions if the stadium doesn’t sell out).Apple TV and the Roku set top boxes also offer paid subscriptions for NBA, MLB and NHL channels. These aren’t cheap, with single season access running close to $200 for some sports. And because home market games are prohibited, these are mostly relevant for fans rooting for their favorite teams from afar. But if you’re say, a die-hard Red Sox fan living in L.A., packages like these may be a good fit.
The Math
OK. We’ve covered what you need to get. But how much money does this actually save?I recently lived in Seattle for two years. During that time my Comcast cable bill for a mid-tier package of channels (no HBO, Showtime or premium sports packages) and 25Mbps Internet service came out to $161 per month after promotional pricing expired, including taxes, fees and set-top rental. That worked out to $1,932 a year. Ouch.
Since moving back to New York City and dropping TV service, my Time Warner Cable Internet-only plan costs $40 per month (I’m excluding the $5 promotional discount) for 15Mbps service. The flagship Roku 3 box I’m using costs $103 with sales tax (you can of course choose a lower-priced model). After getting the Roku I signed up for the $8 per month Hulu Plus account. I’ve always had Netflix in addition to my cable/satellite subscription so I’m not factoring my $8 monthly subscription for that service into the equation.
That brings my total outlay for the first 12 months to $679, just about 1/3 of what I was paying for TV and Internet service. And remember this total includes a one-time hardware purchase. My recurring bills add up to just $576 over 12 months, an annual savings of $1356.
Final Words
The moment for me when the idea of dropping TV service became a long term prospect rather than just a short term experiment so I could write this article, was when I plugged in the antenna. The fact that I can get such high quality output, for network and PBS channels I had been paying for makes it hard for me to envision going back to a cable TV subscription. In addition, I have to sit through far fewer commercials (though I suspect that may change over time). Watching Netflix movies on the TV is much more satisfying than on the smaller computer screen and of course the freedom to watch current TV programs on my own schedule is a huge benefit when juggling the demands of work and family. I know there will be times during the year when a sports event I want to watch will be unavailable. But there’s just no arguing with the dramatic cost savings. Pay TV is undeniably a richer experience, but is it worth a 330% premium? Not for me.Nothing is perfect. I can easily imagine more flexible user interfaces and certainly look forward to more customer friendly and consistent licensing rights for TV episodes. Long term, the good news is that content creators are essentially carrier agnostic. “They’ve learned the lessons of the music industry and want to get their content in front of viewers on whichever platform they choose to consume it,” says Robin Diedrich, media analyst at Edward Jones.
Let’s not fool ourselves, the media companies go where the money is, and right now that’s still the cable/satellite/telco providers by a wide margin. But according to Steve Shannon, Roku’s General Manager of Content and Services, the tide is turning in negotiations between content providers and cable distributors with more rights becoming available for streaming services. “As each contract comes up for renewal, digital rights are becoming more valuable,” he says. “Content creators recognize that there’s value there and as cable companies are looking to reduce programming costs, some are giving up the digital rights.”
Media companies are actively participating in the streaming model. Disney, Fox and NBC all have ownership stakes in Hulu, for example. And that bodes well for a continuing supply of relevant content, an indispensable requirement for the successful future of Internet TV.
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
7 ways to cut the cost of cable TV
Some good advice
By Cameron Huddleston | Kiplinger.com – Mon, Aug 19, 2013 1:21 PM EDT
Haven't cut the
cable cord yet in favor of free or low-cost Internet TV options? You're
not alone. The majority of Americans still watch TV through traditional
paid cable services, according to media market research company Nielsen.
Unfortunately, as you know, cable TV can be pricey. But you can keep
the cost of watching your favorite shows and movies under control with
these seven strategies.
1. Trim back on channels. Do
you really need hundreds of channels? You're probably not even watching
most of them, so you can save big by switching from a premium cable
package to a basic package. I cut my cable bill
by $80 a month when I did this. Basic packages tend to include the
major networks, ESPN, Disney, Nickelodeon and many other popular
channels. What you lose, primarily, are the movie channels. To replace
them at a much lower cost, you can sign up for a movie streaming service
such as Netflix for $7.99 a month or VUDU for as little as $2 a movie.
Or you can rent DVDs for $1 a night from Redbox kiosks.
2. Keep up with promotions. Cable
companies are constantly adding promotions to attract new customers,
but current customers often can take advantage of these deals, too, says
consumer expert Andrea Woroch. She recommends calling your cable company
or checking its Web site every six months to find out whether it's
offering any promotions, such as free movie channels. When you're asking
about promotions, also find out whether your cable company offers
discounts if you sign up for paperless statements or automated payments.
3. Evaluate feature usage. Woroch says that many consumers sign up for full-feature cable packages that include cable boxes
in every room, along with DVR function and other bells and whistles.
However, she says that you probably don't need a cable box in the guest
bedroom that rarely gets used, nor do your school-aged children need DVR
capabilities. The monthly fees for these extras might seem minimal, but
eliminating them can amount to savings of up to $100 or more over the course of a year.
4. Buy an antenna. For
$40, you can buy an HDTV antenna , such as the Mohu Leaf, to get access
to local channels. Woroch says they're great options for people who
want to reduce their cable bill
by limiting the number of cable boxes they have. You can hook the
antenna up to that guest room TV so visitors have something to watch or
the kitchen TV that you just turn on to watch the news while making
dinner. Woroch recommends looking online to find the best prices for
HDTV antennas and looking for retailers' coupon codes to get an even
better deal.
5. Turn off cable equipment when not in use. You can lower the overall cost of having cable TV
-- not just your cable bill -- by turning off cable receivers, DVRs and
other related equipment when these electronics are not in use. Connect
them all to a power strip that you can turn off with one switch. Woroch
says that you can save $40 a year per cable box by doing this.
7. Switch to satellite TV. You might find that you can get all the channels you want at a lower price with a satellite TV provider. For example, Dish Network's cheapest plan is $19.99 a month versus $39.99 for Comcast's basic cable TV plan. The two major satellite companies, Dish Network and DirecTV , often have promotions for a free satellite dish and installation. Worried that switching to satellite TV means giving up local channels? There's a good chance you won't have to. Both Dish Network and DirecTV provide local channels in most locations.
Final note:
Cable, satellite and telecom companies advertise bundles of services --
TV, Internet and phone -- as a way to save money. You'll see discounts
on Internet and phone services in these packages, but bundling doesn't
usually lower the cost of TV services. And there are better ways to save
on the other services, Woroch says. For example, you could drop your
landline and use your cell phone only, use free or low-cost VoIP
services such as Skype or Vonage, or make free calls using the Ooma Telo
device.
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