Television Entertainment a TWO PART CAT SERIES
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Television Entertainment A TWO PART CAT SERIES CAT Web site: sirinc2.org/a16cat/ Television 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 video content: • Service provider (Xfinity, AT&T, Wave, 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 I 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 now 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 Hulu, Netflix, STARZ, SHOWTIME, HBO Max, Prime Video, etc. • Can be used to “CuttheCord” • Access millions of websites like Facebook and YouTube as well as music streaming services, podcasts and live radio stations • Play content (cast) from your computer or mobile device 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 Google TV Apple TV Amazon Fire TV Cube Amazon Fire TV Stick Roku Streaming Stick Roku Ultra It depends on who you ask… Best Media Streaming Devices (PC Mag.) • Best for handsfree 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 • Chromecast 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 Remote Control, Hub and App • Bluetooth 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 – Wave Broadband 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 • 123Movies • VidCloud • Netflix • Sling TV • GoStream • SpaceMov • STARZ • Playstation • IMDb TV • Sony Crackle • SHOWTIME Vue • Movies Stars • FlixTor • HBO Max • AZMovies • StreamM4u • Yes! Movies • Prime Video • Tubi • Moviesjoy • OakMovies • Kanopy • Solar movie • Vudu • 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.) Amazon Prime 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 • Friends (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 • Amazon Prime Video • “Lies of Others” movie • Peacock (NBC) • “Call the Midwife” PBS series Streaming Search Engine: • JustWatch The end….