What You Need to Know About Streaming Movies and TV programs
Streaming media (movies and TV shows) to your TV, tablet, and even your smartphone has been very popular. The largest sources for streaming are Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon.
What is streaming? Simply stated, Streaming is defined as a method of receiving videos (movies, TV shows, etc.) and audio directly from the Internet without having to download them into your computer, tablet, or smartphone. CLICK HERE to read my blog for additional information.
TV manufacturers today are selling “Smart TVs.” A Smart TV is a television set with Internet access. Connected to your router, it contains apps for streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon and many others. Most TVs being sold now are Smart TVs.
However, those of you that have older TVs can purchase “set-top boxes” such as AppleTV, Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, and Chromecast. These devices allow a digital signal to be received by your TV so it is possible to access media sources such as Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon.
I recently purchased a new TV (Smart TV) and can now watch the streaming services directly on my new unit. However there are other older TVs in my apartment, and I am able to stream using one of the set top devices listed in the previous paragraph. I chose the Roku device, since it gave me flexibility at a good price.
CLICK HERE to read a review of the new Roku stick and a comparison of all the leading set-top devices.
When streaming from your tablet and smartphone, remember to only do so from wi-fi locations, since Internet access through wi-fi is free. Using your wireless carriers (Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, etc.) for Internet access can be costly (ie: Streaming 2-3 movies in the course of a month could use your entire data plan for that period).
How to connect an iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch to your TV
I have dozens of home made video and audio files filed in my Dropbox app in the cloud. From my various iDevices (iPad and iPhone), I am able to view them on my large screen TV. Since I do not have Apple TV, I am using a simple lightening Digital AV Adapter from Apple for the setup. One end plugs into your iDevice, while the other attaches to an HDMI cable, and finally, into your TV (or receiver). If you do not have one of the latest iPads and iPhones, the answer is Apple’s 30-pin digital A/V adapter,
Of course, for those of you that own an Apple TV, all you need to do if connect your iPhone or iPad to the same Wi-Fi network as your Apple TV.
To read more information, CLICK HERE
Intel, Apple and Others Rethink How We Watch TV – WSJ.com
Major vendors are looking to reshape the way we watch TV.
According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, “Intel’s plans include a server farm to record every piece of programming aired—local, national and international—and store it for at least three days in the “cloud.” With an Intel-designed set-top box, people won’t have to own DVRs or even plan to record programs.”
Read the entire article
Intel, Apple and Others Rethink How We Watch TV – WSJ.com.
There is no timetable, however once in place, you will probably see a substantial reduction in your cable bill. Good News!!
Google Makes Another TV Push With $35 Chromecast Device
Are you ready to start watching Internet based content on your TV?
Do you really need cable TV?
All you need is a wireless network and a TV with an HDMI outlet.
The Wall Street Journal reports that the Chromecast, is compatible with mobile devices powered by Google’s Android software as well as Apple iPhones and iPads. Read the full article below.
Google Makes Another TV Push With $35 Chromecast Device – WSJ.com.
What’s New At Apple?
Do you have either an iPhone or iPad? Once the dominant resource for smartphones and tablets, Apple is now facing stiff competition from Microsoft, Samsung, Google, and other resources which has impacted Apple’s market share in both the smartphone and tablet markets.
This week, Apple unveiled a revamped version of its mobile operating system iOS 7. scheduled for a Fall release.
Other features of the the new operating system include a “lot smarter” and voice makeover for Siri, new photo sharing options, and automatic updates of your apps.
Also previewed was iTunes Radio, which is built right into the Music app in iOS 7 for the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad, as well as iTunes on the Mac and PC and Apple TV.
Will these enhancements impact your decision to stay with your Apple products?