Netflix Streaming Video – What’s it all about?

by: Bryan Lambert – December 06, 2009

If you’re a high speed internet user, then no doubt you’ve seen the explosion of ways that you are able to instantly watch movies and television programs legally on your computer. In fact, it may have already changed the way you have traditionally thought about getting entertainment into your home. In this week's Tech Tip we’ll look at Netflix’s “Watch Instantly” streaming video and see what it is all about. No doubt with this new digital landscape, you may be looking at that monthly cable bill and wondering if you could pare it back a bit – or maybe that big collection of DVDs taking up space in the entertainment center and thinking you could sell a few off. Whether it’s the Hulus of the world, the neighborhood Redbox rental kiosk in your supermarket or your Netflix subscription that is responsible for the change; you can see that change is coming. It’s now easier than ever to get the entertainment you want, when you want it and on your terms.

Instant Viewing – Streaming with a Twist

If you are not a Netflix subscriber or maybe have tried them out in the past (let’s face it, they do advertise incessantly and they give away A LOT of free trial subscriptions) you may think of them just as “that place that mails you DVDs.” But if you are a current subscriber or have heard any media reports in the last year and a half, then you know that Netflix has also introduced a service called “Watch Instantly.” With Netflix’s Watch Instantly feature you actually have access to a big chunk of the titles (about 17,000 of the 100,000) that they offer that you can instantly stream to your desktop PC or notebook computer; bonus if you have a nice large computer monitor! Even if you subscribe to their most basic unlimited plan (one DVD mailed out to you at a time) then along with the DVD subscription you also have right to unlimited streaming video – with no commercials and no trailers at no extra charge.

But Netflix did one better – they added a twist – because not only can you watch the streaming videos on your PC, but if you have a Netflix Ready Device, you can watch it directly on your TV with no PC needed (you still need Internet). True, if your PC has an HDMI port out, you can just plug that into most TVs and watch the streaming videos that way – but with a Netflix Ready Device, you don’t have the hassle of carting your laptop over, getting it all ready (being sure that the HDMI audio out is set; being sure that you set your power management to NOT put the computer to sleep when generic viagra pharmacy you close the lid, etc.) You just plug it in and go. You can easily queue up programs and movies to watch instantly like you would DVD rentals and watch them on your schedule. Also, because the viewing is unlimited, you can watch the video again and again as well and stop, fast forward, rewind, etc.

So, what exactly is a Netflix Ready Device?

Well, an Xbox 360 is a Netflix Ready Device and as of November, 2009 a PlayStation 3 is one as well (as of now, you’ll need to get a free disc from Netflix to set up the PlayStation 3). Also many Blu-Ray players, TiVo DVRs, some HDTVs and even devices made specifically for this purpose (such as the Roku digital video player) are available to use as Netflix Streaming Devices. Netflix is not sitting on their laurels either – they have big plans to expand this service even further – as they say, stay tuned for details (a current, complete list of Netflix Ready Devices can be found on the Netflix website).

There are some drawbacks to the Watch Instantly program however. One big one is that not all studios have signed onboard (which is why not all titles are available) as they feel that this may eat into the video rental and video purchasing side of things. Also, most new releases are usually not available for some time and, as with most streaming technology, the video quality may be lacking (though many of the titles are very good quality – if you’re looking for Hi-Def then you still need Blu-Ray). Obviously, you also do not own the video, so if you cancel your subscription you no longer have access to the media (since it is streaming and not available for copying and storing). In addition to this, the devices that are Netflix Streaming Devices will have an up-front cost of purchasing them as well (which is why some may just opt for the cheap laptop with a HDMI cable option). But even with these drawbacks, the Netflix Watch Instantly service is hard to beat.

In Conclusion

The way we watch movies, like many other things in the digital age, has changed rapidly and continues to morph. These changes are often for the better however, giving the consumer more choice, greater flexibility and more power in an ever changing landscape. Netflix Watch Instantly video streaming service is just one of many exciting new services available to the consumer to bring the digital fun home.

5 Fantastic Gift Ideas for the Gadget Lover on Your List

by: Scott Nesbit – November 29, 2009

It's that time of year again. The Christmas shopping season is upon us and many of us are making lists and checking them twice. And we're sure that more than a few people have at least one gadget lover on their Christmas lists. But with all the choices available, what do you get your gadget-loving geek? Here are a few suggestions. The gadgets highlighted in this TechTip are a bit higher end and a little pricey, but they're definitely worth it.

TonidoPlug

Everyone seems to be talking about cloud computing. For many, the biggest drawback is that you're putting data in the hands of others. When you can't get to that data – either because a site is down or the company goes out of business – then you're in trouble. But what if you could create your own computing cloud?

That's what TonidoPlug promises. It's a small, low-power home server that you plug into your home wired router or wireless router. Just connect some USB flash storage to the device, do some simple configuration, and you're ready to go. TonidoPlug is more than just a place to dump your files. It's a real server that comes with several applications like a file share, a blog, a personal information manager, a jukebox, and a personal torrent server. And it's all accessible using a Web browser over a secure connection.

A TonidoPlug costs $99. But many people pay that much to use several Web-based services. And since it's your server, you're taking back control of your data.

Note: An upcoming TechTip will cover the TonidoPlug in more detail.

WikiReader

A recent TechTip looked at the WikiReader, which is a portable touchscreen device that lets you carry the entire contents of Wikipedia in your pocket.

The WikiReader is a great gift for the gadget lover who is looking for something a little different. It's not only a useful tool for research and reference, it's an addictive little device. When you're bored or just need to kill a few minutes, you'll find yourself flipping through the entries on the WikiReader and actually learning something.

Some will balk at the WikiReader's $99 price tag, but that hasn't stopped its maker from selling quite a few units.

RedFly Mobile Companion

Back in the day when PDAs were a hot commodity, people were using them as more than personal information managers. The devices actually became portable workstations. Of course, typing a memo or working in a spreadsheet was tough to do with a stylus. So, a few enterprising companies marketed portable keyboards just for that purpose.

Since the advent of the smartphone, though, the PDA has gone out of vogue. But guess what? People are using smartphones in the same way that they used PDAs. While you can get Bluetooth keyboards, the screen for the average smartphone is quite small. If you use a Blackberry or Windows Mobile device, the Redfly Mobile Companion not only gives you a keyboard but also a larger screen for your smartphone.

The RedFly Mobile Companion looks like a discount netbook. You get a small but comfortable keyboard and a seven or eight inch screen (depending on the model). But, as the product's Web site points out, it's not a computer. It's more or less a generic viagra overnight title=”http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_terminal”>dumb terminal that you hook a smartphone into – either with a USB cable or via Bluetooth. The RedFly Mobile Companion is more of a convenience and productivity tool than anything else – it gives you easier access to the applications on your smartphone.

Of course, that convenience comes at a price. The seven inch model costs $199, and the eight-inch model will set you back $249.

Flip Cam

We discussed flip cams in detail a few TechTips ago. A digital camcorder that records very good quality video and that fits in your pocket makes a great gift for your gadget-loving geek.

The good thing about these devices is that you're not just limited to the original anymore, although there's nothing wrong with it. More and more companies are putting out these devices, including Memorex, Creative, Kodak, and others.

Most of the newer flip cams have the same specs, more or less, and most of them can record high-definition video. What you'll be paying for is the name or for some frills.

The great thing about flip cams is that you're getting useful and flexible device for under $200. If you do a little hunting, you can find a good one for under $100.

Myka Ion

Something that's become popular, thanks to sites like Hulu and YouTube, is video and actual TV shows streamed from the Internet to a PC. But who wants to watch their favorite shows on their desktop computer or laptop computer? We sure don't. Why not watch the shows from those sites on your full-sized television instead?

It used to be that you needed a bunch of cables, the right kind of video card, and a bit of luck to connect your computer to your television. The Myka ION does away with all that. It's a little box that streams video from the Internet on to your TV. Not just the fuzzy, sometimes jerky video you see on YouTube, either.

The Myka ION is a small computer. A wireless connection downloads video to the Ion's hard drive, and the on-board software plays it back. Not only does the Ion have support for Hulu, it also can get videos from Netflix and a service called EzTakes. If you own a flip cam, you can hook it into the Ion and play back your videos too.

The Ion is pricey, though: about $379. If you want to add more features, like a bigger hard drive or more memory, expect to pay a little more.

HP DreamScreen 100

Anyone remember Internet appliances? Back in the late 1990s and early 2000s, these devices were supposed to revolutionize the way in which we used the Web. That didn't happen. But some of the ideas that were incorporated into Internet appliances have been taken a few steps further with a nifty device called the HP DreamScreen 100.

The $249 DreamScreen is something of a cross between an Internet tablet, a digital picture frame, an Internet radio receiver, and a video player. All in a package that measures 10 inches across and can be put practically anywhere.

The device can stream music, photos, and video from a PC or off a flash drive or a memory card. You can also get streaming music from the popular site Pandora. On top of that, the DreamScreen also enables you to access your FaceBook account. The interface is controlled either with a simple remote control or the device's touchscreen. Everything is easy to use and is quite user friendly. You can also get weather forecasts and can use the DreamScreen as a world clock or an alarm clock that lets you choose the music you want to wake up to.

7 Fantastic New Windows 7 Features – "7 on 7"

by: Bryan Lambert – November 08, 2009

This last month we have seen Microsoft’s newest operating system, Windows 7, debut to much fanfare and praise. In light of this, this weeks Tech Tip looks at 7 things that help make Windows 7 the next “must get” operating system for your desktop pc or notebook computer.

1. Task Bar

One of the most obvious things that is different about Windows 7 is what Microsoft did with the Task Bar. With larger pinned icons that quickly and easily navigate through the various tasks being done, Windows 7 makes the old Quick Launch a distant memory. If you are hit with a bit of nostalgia, then just Bing “quick launch windows 7” for directions on how to get it back – but believe me, you won’t miss it. With this improved Task Bar, you can switch around how the programs are ordered, get full screen previews and even pin more of your favorite programs directly to it. Right- click on any of the icons, and you get a “Jump List” that shows the recent files (or web pages) used by that program – and yes, you can pin your favorites there too. Windows 7 makes navigating downright fun and fast.

2 Networking

With Windows 7, setting up a home network turns literally into a no-brainer. Setting up a home network that actually worked well in older versions of Windows sometimes was not something that the feint of heart would want to attempt, but the Windows 7 HomeGroup feature makes it a down right sin NOT to set up all your PCs with a home network. Not only do you get the essential files shared (photos, music, videos, documents), but you can literally make one of your PCs a multimedia hub feeding streaming entertainment to the other PCs on the network (you can even access your media remotely with “remote media streaming”). For HomeGroup functionality as well as remote media streaming, you do need the PCs to all be running Windows 7 – but really, you’d want to because it IS that slick and easy!

3 Better, Bigger, Faster, Stronger

One of the big gripes about Windows Vista was that it needed A LOT of horsepower behind it to really run effectively. With Windows 7, you not only get vastly improved boot up times, but you get snappier program response, better recover from sleep time and faster shut down time. All around Windows 7 is leaner, meaner and just that much better than all other versions of Windows before it. It basically does more with what you have (there’s even a version of Windows 7 for cheaper netbooks). With laptops, because of Windows 7's better power management and its very cool location aware printing features (it switched default printers between the home and office), Windows 7 will quickly become your operating system of choice. Believe me, if you’re a Windows XP holdout, Windows 7 will quickly make you a convert!

4 Handling Devices and Printers

Microsoft looked for a way to improve its handling of devices and in Windows 7 it has hit a home run. Cell phones, digital cameras, music players, printers old and new, even your PC – Windows 7 has made one easy place to manage all your device

5 Improved Search

One of the really nice features that Windows Vista introduced to the Windows family was the Search Box in the Start Menu. Honestly, it is like regressing going from that back to Windows XP and having to root around with its search functions. With Windows 7 you get that search box on steroids. It is now faster, more inclusive and easier to use than before. Want to find out what’s new in Windows 7, just click on Start and type in the search box: “what’s new with Windows 7”; or perhaps you are looking for ways to get started with windows 7, then simply type in “getting started”; or perhaps you’re thinking or getting started with HomeGroup, then type in, you guessed it: “HomeGroup”. It works great with searching your documents, photos and music too (down to a word or phrase included a document). Basically, you find the things you are looking for faster and easier than ever before.

6 Snap, rattle and peek

Windows 7 has taken actually using your open windows on the desktop and whipping them into shape to a whole ‘nother level with Snap. With the snap feature, you simply “snap” the windows against the side of the screen to resize and arrange them. For example, you can take a window, drag it by its top border to the top of the screen and it “snaps” into maximized size. Do it again to that window and it returns to its previous size. You can even snap two windows side by side for easy comparison. The similar “shake” feature lets you grab the top border of an open windows and with a quick “shake” of the mouse, make all the other windows minimize. The Peek feature is kind of like the old “show desktop” from the quick launch bar – but with a twist. This handy little button on the far right of the task bar (right next to the clock) will minimize all the windows when clicked on once, and bring them back again with another click – but if you hover over it with out clicking you can “peek” at your windows desktop (including any gadgets you have).

7 Windows Live Essentials, Security and more Flexibility

As we have seen, Windows 7 is quite a robust operating system in itself. Microsoft had the forethought to also add what they call “Live Essentials” to the mix. This is a set of free programs that you can pick and choose from in one convenient package. They are downloaded, so you will need internet access (which if you’re reading this Tech Tip – you more than likely already have). With Live Essentials for Windows 7, (which is a little different than the Windows Live Essentials package for other versions of Windows) , you get a bunch of free basic programs such as a photo editor, an e-mail program, instant messenger, etc. Not to be overlooked is Microsoft’s newly released “Security Essentials” package that provides virus, malware and spyware protection for your PC. And not to be overlooked is the greatest flexibility ever offered with a Windows package. With Windows 7, you can quickly and easily turn on and off Windows features to suit your needs (such as Internet Explorer and Windows Media Player).

So, give Windows 7 a go and we’re sure you’ll find that it is simply the best operating system that Microsoft generic viagra in canada has ever put out.