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Home , Acorn TV, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Prime Video, Crackle (service), FilmRise, HBO Max

Television A TWO PART CAT SERIES

CAT Web site: sirinc2.org/a16cat/ Entertainment Two­part presentation series: • Broadcast vs. Internet Television (Streaming) – Sept. 17 • Smart TV’s and Streaming Devices • Streaming Sites • Finding Programs to Watch Television Viewing Options 3 Basic ways to get content: • provider (, AT&T, , etc.) • Streaming apps on your Smart TV • Streaming apps via external streaming device Television Service Provider (Xfinity, AT&T, etc.)

“Cut-the-Cord”

Streaming App Television Smart TV or Ext. Streaming Streaming App Internet Service Device

Streaming App

Internet Streaming Smart TV’s • Primary purpose of any TV is to display video content • Smart TV’s are “Smart” because they have apps to access a variety of additional media services • Almost all newer TV’s are Smart TV’s (some “smarter” than others) • Newer TV’s are rapidly getting “Smarter” • Depending on the age of your TV and/or needs, you may want to purchase a external streaming device Article Link to: What is a Smart TV? https://www.digitaltrends.com/home­theater/what­is­a­smart­tv/ Should get a streaming device if I already have a Smart TV? Advantages of streaming device over Smart TV apps: • Get access to more streaming services (?) (Some Smart TV’s have app stores) • A more user­friendly interface and search system • Easier to navigate between app • Search all apps at once • Faster response (?) • A way to make old TV’s “Smart” (or Smarter) What can you do with a streaming device? • Access over 500k movies & TV shows via , , , SHOWTIME, HBO Max, Prime Video, etc. • Can be used to “Cut­the­Cord” • Access millions of websites like and YouTube as well as music streaming services, podcasts and live radio stations • Play content (cast) from your computer or content such as photos, movies, documents, etc. Disadvantage of streaming devices

• Cost: Another device you have to buy ($30­$200) • Another device to connect it to your TV (via HDMI port) • Need to switch HDMI inputs on your TV each time to use it • Requires “another” remote (How many different remotes do you already have now?) What is the Best Streaming Device? Which streaming device should I buy?

Chromecast with TV Apple TV Fire TV Cube Amazon Fire TV Stick

Roku Streaming Stick Ultra It depends on who you ask… Best Media Streaming Devices (PC Mag.) • Best for hands­ home theater control • Amazon Fire TV Cube ($120) Editors’ Choice • Best for affordable Alexa access • Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K ($50) Editors’ Choice • Best for YouTube TV users • with Google TV ($50) Editors’ Choice • Best for Sling TV users • TiVo Stream 4K ($49) • Best for Apple fans • Apple TV 4K ($199) Best Media Streaming Devices (CNET) • Best streamer overall • Roku Streaming Stick Plus ($50) • Best live TV streaming services for cord cutters • Apple TV 4K ($199) • Best for Amazon fans • Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K ($50) • Best budget streamer • Roku Express HD ($30) • Best for Android and Google Assistant users • Google Chromecast with Google TV ($50) Television Remotes Television Remotes How many remotes do you have now? • I have five entertainment devices ­ Television, DirecTV box, DVD player, Sound system, Apple TV • Each device has a separate remote (5) • But I only use one remote (universal) • The remote can automatically switch HDMI inputs, settings, etc. for “Watch TV”, “Apple TV” and “Watch DVD”, “Listen to Music” Consolidating Your Remotes

Logitech Harmony 665 • Can replace up to 10 remotes • Cost: $70

Logitech Harmony Elite , Hub and App • connectivity – Line­of­sight not needed • Voice control via Alexa • Control entire entertainment system as well as smarthome devices • Cost: $350 When Streaming, watch out for data caps! Internet Service – Example

My Wave Internet: 50 Mbps (down), 300 GB data cap, $15­/month Internet Service Data Caps Video Resolution Data Usage (GB/hour) Min. Data Speed Standard Def (SD) 1 3+ Mb/s High­Def (HD) 3 5+ Mb/s 4K (UHD) 7 15+ Mb/s Data Calc based on a 300 GB/mo. Internet Cap Video Resolution Max Hours/Month Max Hours/Day Standard Def (SD) 300 10 High­Def (HD) 100 3 4K (UHD) 42 1.4 Streaming Sites WHERE TO GET VIDEO VIA SMART TV APPS OR STREAMING DEVICE Online Movies Streaming Sites • Hulu • YouTube • • VidCloud • Netflix • Sling TV • GoStream • SpaceMov • STARZ • Playstation • IMDb TV • • SHOWTIME Vue • Movies Stars • FlixTor • HBO Max • AZMovies • StreamM4u • ! Movies • Prime Video • • Moviesjoy • OakMovies • • Solar movie • • FilmRise YouTube Link to: 9 Ways to Save Money https://youtu.be/0DA3IcCTUKM “Cut-the-Cord” Streaming Services

Cable TV Alternatives Starting Cost Sling TV $30/mo. Sony PlayStation Vue $45/mo. YouTube TV $50/mo. Hulu with Live TV $55/mo. Fubo TV $65/mo. AT&T TV Now $93/mo. Pay Streaming Apps for Movies & TV Shows

Site Cost Netflix $9/mo. (4K $16/mo.) Video Prime Membership $119/yr. Disney+ $7/mo. Hulu $6/mo. (No ads: $12/mo.) Apple TV+ $5/mo. Peacock $5/mo. HBO Max $15/mo. TV Shows - Best TV Streaming Apps

Site Ad annoyance (1­10, 10 being the worst) flixtor.to 2 Pluto TV 4 watchseries.to 5 Tubi TV 4 Vumoo.to 4 Movies - Best TV Streaming Apps

Site Ad annoyance (1­10, 10 being the worst) Amazon Prime 1 MoviesJoy 1 Tubi TV 4 YesMovies 4 Vumoo.to 4 Kanopy (Hoopla) 0 My Favorite Movie Streaming Apps

Site Ads Kanopy None Amazon Prime None (only at start) HBO Max None Netflix* None

• No advertising is important to me!!! • PeacockTV.com is also good but with advertising * I don’t actually stream Netflix (still using Netflix DVD’s) Finding Programs WHAT DO I WATCH TONIGHT? 100 Channels and nothing to watch! How to find something to watch? • Scrolling through the “channels” • Scanning thousands of movies & TV shows (Amazon: ~12K, Netflix: ~5K) • TV Guide or newspaper listing (archaic?) • Get suggestions from: • Your TV service (if available) • Streaming apps • Streaming search engines • (and relatives) Streaming Search Engines Typical features: • Asks you about: • Movies and shows you like • Which services and apps you have • Make AI based recommendations for all your services in one stop • Filter results for: • Movies or TV shows • Release year, price, genres, and rating • Available as streaming app � Watch results directly • Examples: JustWatch and ReelGood “JustWatch” Streaming Service Search Engine

“ReelGood” Streaming Service Search Engine

What are your favorite streaming apps? What TV shows or movies do you recommend? Favorite Streaming Apps: Favorite Streaming Shows: • Kanopy (CC Library) • “Acorn” TV series (British) • Hoopla (Alameda Library) • “Bosch” TV series • Netflix • “Osark” TV series • • “Lies of Others” movie • Peacock (NBC) • “Call the Midwife” PBS series Streaming Search Engine: • JustWatch The end…