Old North State Community Association Volume 19 , Issue 3, March 2020 Old North State Living www.oldnorthstateup.org www.myoldnorthstateup.org 336.461.5344 [email protected] Serenity Unspoiled Understanding Television Service Options Within Community By: Olin Giles Now that Randolph Telephone has announced that they are exiting the TV business later this year, a number of people have asked what other options are available. While I was never a Randolph TV customer, I recently switched from a satellite-based TV service (DirectTV) to a streaming TV service by AT&T called ATT TV Now (www.atttvnow.com). I March 8 made this change for cost reasons. Daylight Savings Time Begins March 17 Overall, I am pleased with the change. Today, however, I would definitely choose St. Patrick’s Day YouTube TV over ATT TV Now. I believe that YouTubeTV, a Google company, March 23 (https://tv.youtube.com) is a superior offering at a much more favorable price. Let me ONSCA Board Meeting 9 am at Clubhouse explain some of the basic concepts behind streaming TV and what I recommend. April 15 Streaming TV is the future of TV. With internet service increasingly delivered by high Tax Day speed fiber optic networks, it makes perfect sense to deliver TV channels over the same April 16—20 internet network. While Randolph provided TV service over such a network, they simply Men’s ACC Golf Championship didn’t have the customer base or scale to negotiate favorable pricing from the various TV channels/networks. Randolph did an admirable job, but in the long run, their efforts were April 12 doomed to fail. Easter April 27 The article on pages 10-12 of this newsletter provides a good summary of some seven ONSC Board Meeting streaming TV service providers that you may want to consider. One of the services is free 9 am at Clubhouse and others range from $5 to north of $100 per month. I recommend that you read this _______________________ summary and make a service provider choice based on the channels offered versus Members may attend any the price and other features. Most offer 30-day free trials, and you are generally free to regular board meeting as an switch services without penalty. observer. In order to address the board on a specific topic, you must be added to the Typically, the various streaming services allow you to stream up to three different channels agenda one week prior to the concurrently to up to any three TVs. In my case, I can stream up to three channels from meeting date. ATT TV Now to a number of TVs around the house, but only three TVs can be streamed from the streaming service at any point in time. One neat thing about streaming is that a “big box” is not required because the DVR feature or storage is cloud-based (remote storage). There is usually a video storage limit and storage duration before the video is automatically erased. To accommodate three concurrent channels, you will need an internet speed of at least 25 megabits per second (MBS). At first, I had 25 MBS, and I experienced occasional network overload warnings, so Randolph increased the internet speed to 50 MBS. This is adequate to cover three concurrent TV channels, plus NetFlix, and a number of computers during the holiday season, when we have so many guests. You will need a “Smart TV” or a high definition digital TV. Most of the new TVs in the last several years are smart TVs. With a smart TV you simply download or use an App for the service provider that you select, and for which you set-up an account. If you have an older high definition TV (one with an HDMI connector), you can buy a dongle-like device (about the size of a large memory stick) with a small remote control that allows you to receive streaming TV channels after you sign-up for a plan. ROKU (www.roku.com) and Amazon Fire Stick TV (www.amazon.com) are the leading suppliers of such devices, and their cost is in the $25-50 range. Apple offers a somewhat larger device that costs approximately MARCH 8 $100-$150. Even though I have several smart TVs, I chose to equip most of my TVs with 2 Streaming Options (continued) the Fire Stick 4K TV dongle and remote control so that all TVs function in the same manner. I also have one TV with an Apple TV device, but the Apple remote is very sensitive and more difficult to use. If you choose the Fire Stick TV dongle, I recommend that you select the 4K version. It features a faster processor and takes less time to power-up each time you use it. It also positions you for the newer 4K TVs and their higher definition displays. All of my TVs are fed over WiFi from one central point in the house. There is no need for individual coax cables or cat5 wiring to each TV location. You just plug the TV in the wall and connect the dongle to the HDMI jack on the back of your TV (if not a smart TV). If you have an audio sound system for your TV, plug the dongle into the HDMI connector on the audio system. Of course, if you prefer, you can run a cat5 cable from your internet modem/router to your TV. In my case, the WiFi approach works great. Some of the streaming services offer local channels. With my current ATT TV Now service, I have the Charlotte local channels for the main networks and PBS. In order to receive the Charlotte channels, I had to indicate that I live in Stanly County, as our zip code encompasses several counties, some of which will result in Greensboro/Winston Salem local channels. YouTubeTV will ask whether you want the Charlotte or Greensboro/Winston Salem local channels once you enter your zip code. You will have to check out the other streaming services. As I said at the outset, today I would choose YouTubeTV for my streaming service. I like the channel lineup and the cost. My ATT TV Now service just raised the monthly cost to just over $100/month, compared to about $75 just a few months ago. Compare this to about $50/month for YouTubeTV and over 70-80 channels. One reason that I didn’t choose YouTubeTV at the outset is that the Hallmark channel movies are not offered on this channel. I have since learned that you can subscribe to the Hallmark channel as a stand-alone streaming service for $5/month. Keep in mind that you are free to use more than one streaming service to get the channels you want. I hope these suggestions help you get started. (Stay tuned: Additional information and community learning sessions are being planned for the next few months.) ONS Maintenance Staff Performs Adopt-A-Highway Clean-Up To show their love for our community, ONS Golf Course Maintenance staff performed the Adopt-A-Highway Cleanup on February 14th. The clean-up took about an hour and the group gathered 19 bags of litter along Uwharrie Point Parkway from the Badin Family Restaurant to the Main Entrance of Uwharrie Point. Please make it a point to THANK them when you see them working Thanks to everyone who around the course. participated in the February Shred Event! The Old North State Community We ended with 1,200 pounds Association (ONSCA) of documents to be shredded. has adopted the roadway just outside Another event will be planned our community since 1997. later in the year if there is enough interest. 3 Shag & Line Dancing in Denton Join a group of your community neighbors for a night of fun and dancing! Several neighbors who have danced at this club say wonderful things about the people, the large dance floor and the great sound system. Date: Friday, March 20th Time: 7:00-10:00pm Cost: $10 at the door Where: Meet at Association Office parking lot at 6:40pm to carpool OR meet the group at the dance hall at 7:00. Location: Larry Furr Presents Theater & Event Center 18639 South Hwy 109 Denton, NC 27239 Phone: 336-859-4332 (Larry Furr) RSVP: [email protected] For information or to view photos and a calendar of events, www.larryfurrpresents.com. **Make sure you check out the article on page 8 as a community resident reminisces about the early days of Shag in the Carolinas. Mah Jongg March Madness Description: Mah Jongg originally came from China,and uses small rectangular tiles stamped with symbols and characters.The object of the game is to be the first to assemble combinations of tiles into specific patterns that make up a hand. You assemble these combinations by picking and discarding tiles. Mah Jongg is played weekly at the Club, after this 3 hour tutorial you will be ready to join in! Date: Monday, March 23rd Time: 1:00—4:00 pm Class Size: 4 Cost: Free Leader: Becky Miller Location: 122 Tindall’s Lane (Miller residence) What to bring to class: A clear mind Sign up: Email Becky Miller [email protected] or call 336-461-3399 4 Pre-Historic Point Discovery Description: A presentation of the events leading to the discovery of a cache of pre- historic points on the Shelor property on February 22, 2014, the involvement of East Carolina University and subsequent findings and conclusions. The actual points discovered will be on display and all questions concerning their origin and intended use will be addressed.