My cable bill went up in December, so I'm starting to understand why consumers everywhere are pondering whether to cancel their cable or ditch their satellite dishes for Internet-delivered TV programming. It sounds far-fetched, but several people I know have already taken the plunge.
Broadband access is squarely behind this trend, because high-speed Internet access now makes it possible to stream high-quality video and audio. A lot of TV content on the Web is free, but even when a cost is involved, it's usually cheaper than a monthly cable TV or satellite bill.
Relying on the Web and over-the-air reception for your favorite TV programs might not suit everyone, but Internet-delivered television can offer more choices than a package of 150 channels the majority of which you rarely watch.
If you have doubts, visit
Sling Beta or
Boxee.tv, and one blogger suggests that well-known sites, such as
Joost,
Hulu or
TV.com, are just the tip of the iceberg (see "
35 Ways To Watch Television Without Cable Or Satellite.") Big names, like Apple, Netflix, Disney and Amazon, already have Web-delivered video ventures and more are coming.
Internet-delivery doesn't mean you have to watch dramas, sitcoms and movies on a computer. Game consoles and computers with compatible graphics cards can send video to a television via HDMI or A-V ports, and D-Link now makes a
Boxee Box that connects to both your home network and your TV to make accessing Web-delivered TV offerings easier. I'm also starting to see more and more small form-factor computers designed to be mounted directly to the rear panels of big-screen TVs -- all signs the Internet TV revolution is well underway.
Obviously, not all of the TV content available on the Web is free. Netflix, for example, charges $8.99 per month for all-your-can-eat, subject to restrictions. You can also buy episodes of your favorite network drama or sitcom at the Apple iTunes store, but owning an entire season quickly becomes a sizeable investment.
Dropping cable or satellite TV could also make your cost for Internet access could go up. Most cable operators and telcos offer discounts when customers sign-up for multiple services. If your cable or satellite TV provider is also your ISP, your monthly bill for Internet access could increase $10 - $20. Add this to the problems some areas have receiving local TV channels off-air, and you can see why opting out of cable or satellite TV is a decision that must be carefully considered.
Nevertheless, hundreds of products aimed at Internet-delivered television are expected to be on display at the
2010 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas next month. The convergence of television and the Internet seems inevitable, but the industry is in its infancy. This will change. Internet-delivered TV is coming, and coming fast.
That said, here's more information about the items seen this week on the
Fox 8 Morning News:
Hillcrest Labs Loop Pointer
Using a mouse, wireless or otherwise, while you're lying on the couch or relaxing in your easy chair isn't easy. One manufacturer, however, has come up with a well-engineered solution. The Loop Pointer by Hillcrest Labs lets you control an on-screen cursor with the flick of wrist. The device has a range of up to 30 feet.
The company says there are now more than 7 million US households that have connected a personal computer to their home television sets. The Loop Pointer's round, ergonomic design includes four buttons and a scroll wheel. To use the device, you simply plug a small, USB 2.0 transceiver that comes with the device into a compatible computer or device (no special driver software is required).
You can hold the Loop pointer in any position, yet easily navigate on-screen menus. Hillcrest’s technology can distinguish between intentional and unintentional movement, including natural hand tremors, so navigation is remarkably smooth.
Unlike conventional Infrared devices and optical motion-sensing devices that require “line-of-site” operation, the device uses radio frequency (RF) technology, so you don't have to point the Loop Pointer directly at the computer or TV screen. It also means that the PC or Mac could be stored in a media cabinet while in use.
The device is powered by two AA batteries (included) and sells for $99.95. For more information, visit
www.hillcrestlabs.com.
ASUS O!Play HD Multimedia Player
Picture this. You have movies stored on your laptop and hundreds of digital images saved on an external USB drive. You want to pipe them into your big screen HDTV, but you don't want to drag all that hardware into the den. What do you do?
One possibility is the ASUS O!Play HDP-R1, a compact device that provides hassle-free multimedia playback in 1080p high definition, without file conversion, and shares other multimedia, including music and digital images, with one click.
The device is equipped with two USB 2.0 ports, an eSATA port (6x faster that USB 2.0), and a 10/100 Mbps wired Ethernet jack. Also provided are HDMI and S/PDIF audio outputs, as well as standard A-V output jacks.
There's no onboard storage, but the device can stream content from locally-attached storage or over a LAN connection from a network-attached storage device or a shared folder on a PC. You might also wonder, why ASUS left out wireless networking, but experts say even speedy 802.11n isn't always up to the task of delivering streamed video.
The beauty of the HDP-R1 is that it plays almost any video/audio file format, so you don't have to worry about finding the right codec or converting files. The included remote control even has shuffle button that allows accessed music files to play randomly.
While the device lacks the Internet content browsing and integration with Netflix offered by D-Link's Boxee Box, the O!Play nevertheless offers a convenient way to get multimedia stored centrally or on portable media piped into your digital TV, all for an MSRP of $99.95. For more information, visit
ASUS.com.
ASUS MS238H Ultra-Thin HD LCD Monitor
The topic this week was Intenet-delivered TV, but ASUS sent a really nice flat screen monitor along with the O!Play review unit -- one that's worth calling to your attention.
The ASUS MS238H has a 23.6-inch 16:9 screen, which looking at it from the side is only 0.65 inches thick. Its technical specs aren't too shabby, either. The unit delivers 1080p HD video with a 50,000:1 contrast ratio and 2ms response time. The company says it also saves up to 40% on power and is constructed with 50% less hazardous materials.
The glossy, piano-black finished unit weighs less than 13 pounds and supports both HDMI and DVI inputs. A unique 16.5mm profile ring stand allows easy tilt adjustments with one finger and LED, touch-sensor buttons complete its ultra stylish appearance.
The MS238H is a brand new model, but it's expected to have a street price of under $200. For more information, visit
ASUS.com.
