Digital Entertainment

Week 7 – CLR, Tech Talks – Tech for Seniors Glen Maxson Digital Entertainment defined

Digital Entertainment refers to accessing and experiencing your favorite entertainment – TV shows, movies, book, music, radio broadcasts, newspapers, magazines, and audiobooks- using the Internet and available technologies.

Source: My Digital Entertainment for Seniors, Jason R. Rich Types of Digital Entertainment • Audiobooks • Video Games • eBooks • Movies • Music • News Papers & Magazines • Radio • Television • The Web Digital Entertainment – terms • On-Demand – when and where you want it • Digital Publication – versus traditional paper-based publishing • Streaming – content available on-demand, not downloaded • Downloading – copy of content made available locally • Subscription-based – pay-per-view, or subscription, not free • Devices – ‘appliance’ designed to receive and display streamed content • Security – payment methods, accounts and passwords still a factor Getting Started • Don’t be afraid • What you’ll need • A connection • A device • A subscription (service)

Word to the wise: Don’t pay for things you don’t need or want, and don’t pay too much for the things you do want Connection In our area Comcast/Xfinity and Verizon seem to own the market

• Comcast/Xfinity – Connection (continued)

• Verizon FIOS – OK, I have Internet access, now what?

• TV today • Smart vs Dumb TVs • Streaming device choices • Apple TV • Roku • Amazon Fire TV • • Others Streaming Basic Advanced Devices Apple (refurb) Apple TV gen 4 $ 129.00 X Basic configuration: Roku Premier $ 70.00 Roku Express $ 30.00 X This is a complete setup that allows you Roku (used) Stick $ 16.00 to start streaming with good audio and Google ChromeCast $ 35.00 X video quality. Add to this your monthly Amazon (refurb) Fire TV $ 85.00 Amazon Fire Stick $ 40.00 internet and subscription charges. Asus (2gb) $ 160.00 X Asus ChromeBox (4gb) $ 205.00 Logitech Wireless Keyboard $ 26.00 X Advanced configuration: Builds on the Basic configuration to add Sound Vizio (used) 2.1 soundbar $ 125.00 X Apple TV, a ChromeBox/keyboard to access programming on the internet Interface (like BBC America), a better HDMI Tendak HDMI switch 4x1 $ 31.00 X Portta (basic) HDMI switch 3x1 $ 9.00 X switch since you’re adding more Amazon Basics SPDIF cable $ 5.50 X devices that require HDMI access, and Amazon Basics HDMI cables (ea) $ 7.00 X X another HDMI cable. TV (many) Samsung 40" monitor $ 279.00 X Cheetah Wall Mount $ 29.00 * S/PDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interface Format) DVD player * HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) Sony (refurb) DVPSR210P $ 30.00 X

getting started $ 520.50 plus upgrades $ 344.00 OK, I have a streaming device, now what? • (Mostly) Free content • ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, PBS, BBC America… • Subscription-based content • Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Netflix, AcornTV… • YouTube Red(?) • Pay-per-view content • iTunes Store, Amazon.com, • Streaming from your DVR – Xfinity TV example • Sling TV vs Sling Player

Getting Set Up • Google/YouTube • Apple/iTunes • Amazon Prime • Subscriptions • Netflix, Hulu, AcornTV…

And a word about Sports packages Reason Service provider Current monthly cost Service Entertainment TuneIn $9.99 Providers Entertainment Netflix 2 HD + 1 DVD $19.06 X Entertainment Pandora Plus $4.58 X Entertainment Hulu + no commercials $12.71 X Entertainment Acorn TV $4.99 Cell Phone x2 Republic $28.67 Home Phone Ooma $4.22 Entertainment + Internet = $99.60 Home Phone ObiHai $0.00 This is my minimum monthly cost to Internet/TV Verizon 50m $55.00 support my internet access plus Pass Mgr LastPass $1.00 streaming service subscriptions. Pass Mgr RoboForm $1.67 Backup Carbonite 2yr $4.70 Storage Google 100g $1.99 Prime Amazon $8.25 X totalentertainment $44.60 internet $55.00 phone (land line) $4.22 cellular (2 phones) $28.67 backup & storage $6.69 password mgmt x 2 $2.67 $141.85 These headphones are great for those with some hearing loss for two reasons: - Provides sound amplification close to the ear - Allows others to adjust TV sound volume in the room that’s comfortable for those with better hearing

Oh, and they do look cool!

This is the best price I have found which is a great value for these headphones! The Evolution of Radio • Streaming options • Streaming internet radio stations • TuneIn, Radio.com, iHeart, NPR… • Sirius/XM • Streaming music • Amazon Prime, Apple Music, Google Play • Pandora (paid vs free), Spotify • Podcasts Digital Music • Vinyl, 8-track, cassette, CD, DVD – obsolete • ‘Digital’ music sources - paid • Amazon Music Store • Google Play – Play Music • iTunes Store – iTunes Player • Windows Store – Groove Music Player

• Or if you don’t need to ‘own’ the music • Consider Spotify (free or paid version) • A word about ‘explicit’ filters Game and ‘Interactive’ Entertainment • Ratings • Free or fee • Online gaming • In-app purchases • What’s popular (top 15) • Angry Birds, Bingo Bash, Bridge Baron, Candy Crush SagaDoubleDown Casino, Heads Up, Mahjong Deluxe, myVegas Slots, NYTimes Crossword, Scrabble, Solitaire Deluxe Social Pro, Sudoku, The Room Three, WordBrain, Words with Friends Digital Newspapers and Magazines • Evolution from print to online news • Access digital content • Download an app • Subscribe to a publication • Read – online or downloaded content • Free News Apps – network access required • , (Google) Play • What’s available through our local library? • Zinio eBooks • Devices • Kindle , Nook, tablets, smartphones • Pros and Cons of each • eBook sources • Apple iBooks, (Google) Play Books, Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble Nook • Your local library: Overdrive, Hoopla, OneClick Digital • A word about eBook formats… AudioBooks • Devices • Kindle , Nook, tablets, smartphones • Pros and Cons of each • Audio book sources • Audible.com, iBooks, Google Play, Amazon Kindle (Kindle Unlimited), Nook • Local Library resources • Overdrive, Hoopla, OneClick Digital Security Tips and Tricks • Parental Controls • Purchasing Tips • Passwords • Piracy • Accessing Content on the Web