Cordkillers 91 – 4 Kurious

Cordkillers / October 12th, 2015

Cable companies want control of their boxes, do you care? Hulu’s going VR and Roku dominates many things including 4K.

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CordKillers: 91 – 4 Kurious
Recorded: October 12, 2015
Guest: Roberto Villegas

Intro Video

Primary Target

  • Does the Future of Television Belong to the Device or the App?
    – Congress directed the FCC to evaluate new standards for downloadable security on set-top boxes.
    – Last protocols established in the mid-1990s allowing for TiVo and the like to offer competing cable box devices
    – Cable industry and Hollywood proposal
    – Allow content operators (cablecos) to provide own apps and interfaces
    – Third-party devices could only display software designed and controlled by MVPDs.
    – Tech companies “virtual head-end” proposal
    – Programming forced into simple format
    – Device-makers create user interfaces and implement features
    – Could disrupt contracts dictating channel placement
    – Could allow app services like HBO to unbundle

Signal Intelligence

  • Hulu’s virtual reality app is set for its close-up next month
  • Hulu poised to see bigger growth than Amazon and Netflix over the next four years.
    – Hulu VR experience ready for November when Gear VR goes on sale
    – Hulu head of distribution Tom Connolly said Friday its considering original VR series.
    – Freddie Wong making VR short film “The Big One” alongside Hulu original series
    – Typical virtual environment for watching normal content. Sit in Jerry’s apartment to watch Seinfeld.
    – 70% of Hulu viewing on a TV. Roku the most popular.
    – Live programming in ‘if’ mode. As in not sure if they’ll do it.
    – Emarketer forecasts Hulu will have bigger growth than Amazon and Netflix over next 4 years
    – Next year, Hulu will see 11.8 percent growth in subscribers, compared to 11.1 percent for Netflix and 12.3 percent for Amazon.
    – Later this year: miniseries “11/22/63” will debut, starring James Franco.
    – This year 63 percent of OTT users subscribe to Netflix, compared to 36 percent for Amazon and 33. 1 percent for Hulu.
    – By 2019, that will rise to 71.7 percent for Netflix, 44.4 percent for Amazon, and 41.2 percent for Hulu.

Gear Up

  • Roku finally gets into 4K with new streaming box, updated software
    – Roku 4 streaming player
    – Supports 4K content playback 60fps (better framerate than Apple or Amazon, same as TiVo Bolt)
    – Auto-adapt to quality of streaming video
    – 802.11ac
    – Button on box makes remote make sounds (buzz or ring)
    – New 4K row in channel store, as well as 4K spotlight app
    – Send photos from phone to 4K screen
    – Pre-order now shipping Oct. 21 $129.99
  • HBO Now comes to Roku
    – HBO Now available in Roku Channel store now. Sign up through Roku and get a 30-day free trial.
    – Roku 7.0 os
    – Will come to Roku 3, 4 and streamign stick
    – cleaner UI
    – universal search displays results in descending order by price
    – search for actors, dorectors as well as specific ttitle
    – Track all that using Feed. Can alert when new content available
    – App can now browse content, add things to feed, add channels
    – Later this year will allow app to work w/o being on same network as device.

Front Lines

Under Surveillance

Dispatches from the Front

I found it interesting that Tom suggests that TiVo look to Roku for inspiration on how to proceed going forward. Given that Roku was started by ReplayTV founder Anthony Wood, there’s probably some institutional bias against adopting Roku’s model for, well, anything.

Keep up the good work,

– Mike

 

 

Hey Brian and Tom!

A few episodes ago, you had on the guy who runs pluto.tv, and after checking it out, I’ve fallen in love. It’s great to be able to “flip through the channels” again. They also have a lot of great programming.

Thanks for bringing this great site to our attention!

Love the show

– Drew

 

 

Hey guys. You’ve had several people say why they want the ability to download streaming video for later playback, but my situation hasn’t been mentioned yet. I have satellite internet service that has a low monthly bandwidth cap – except for a few hours in the middle of the night when I can download anything without a cap. If a service allows downloads, I can grab shows I’d like to watch during the “free” times, and watch them later without worrying about quickly blowing through my cap. In fact, because Amazon just added the download feature, I finally got Amazon Prime. If Netflix ever adds this feature, I would order Netflix, too.”

– Micah

 

 

“How many people have speakers with headphone-sized jacks on them.  My home speakers are all wired up with speaker wire.
 
Am I missing something with this Chromecast speaker thing?
 
– Walt

 

 

 

“I did it! I cut the cable cord, but i did go Dish with there 2 year price lock (50/mo), and I have to tell you.. Dish doesn’t get enough credit. Great tech, great price, and a free year of Netflix, that works on the Hopper Sling box.. all included in that 50/mo price tag. And I have been traveling a lot in the past 2 months, the Sling capabilities have made it nice and easy to get my Dr. Who/Mr. Robot fix without the torrents. 

If it wasn’t for my pesky kids (it’s really their technophobe grandmother) ;), I would have completely cut the cord long ago, but this option is the best deal i found if you have to keep some ‘normal tv’ around. Thought i would chime in. Keep it up!

– Joe from LA 

 

Links

patreon.com/cordkillers

2015 Winter Movie Draft

 

It’s Spoilerin’ Time 90

Cordkillers / October 7th, 2015

Winter Movie Draft, Triage (Utopia, Narcos), The Martian, Rick and Morty (210), The Shield (708)

01:04 – Winter Movie Draft

05:11 – Triage (Utopia)

06:52 – Triage (Narcos)

07:31 – The Martian

16:54 – Rick and Morty (210)

24:41 – The Shield (708)

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Cordkillers 90 – When You Don’t Know What You Want

Cordkillers / October 5th, 2015

We interview Pluto.TV co-founder Ilya Pozin about the best cord-cutter service for the lazy and bored. Plus: Amazon bans Chromecast and Apple TV, Verizon goes nowhere, and the new Chromecast proves to be well designed.

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CordKillers: When You Don’t Know What You Want
Recorded:  October 5, 2015
Guest: Lauren Perry

Intro Video

Primary Target

  • Amazon kicks Chromecast and Apple TV out of store
    –     Amazon sent email to marketplace sellers
    – No new listings for Chromecast or Apple TV
    – Existing inventory will be removed Oct. 29
    – “It’s important that the streaming media players we sell interact well with Prime Video in order to avoid customer confusion.”
    – Developer emailed DTNS pointing out that Chromecast SDK requires Google Play Services on Android, meaning no FireOS device works
    – And an Amazon rep told David in email “… we’ll expand Amazon Video to the upcoming Apple TV 4th Gen in the near future.”

Signal Intelligence

  • Verizon Go launches
    – Verizon Go90 launched for iOS and Android
    – Various shows from traditional nets and MCNs
    – Daily Show and 30 for 30 alongside HuffPost Live, Michelle Phan
    – VZN wireless subscribers get some exclusives
    – Live NCAA football, basketball, and international soccer.
    – Go90 will launch with 8,000 titles and over 35 exclusive original series, which will nearly double by year’s end
    – 15 of the 30 most viewed network shows and 9 of 15 most viewed web shows
    – Social network aspect to follow celebrities and join crews
  • Comcast, Verizon Launch New Video Services Watchable, Go90
    – Watchable from Comcast
    – Free on Web, iOS and Comcast X1 set-top box
    – Web videos from Buzzfeed, Maker, Vice, Vox, etc

Gear Up

  • Google Announces Chromecast 2 And Chromecast Audio To Bring Intelligence To Your Living Room
  • Chromecast adds video from Showtime, Sling TV, NBA and more
    –     Chromecast
    – Showtime today and Sling TV in next few weeks
    – NBA NHL coming
    Chromecast
    – circle with integrated HDMI cable (Black, lemonade and coral) 5GHz wifi 802.11ac, new adaptive antenna system
    – New Chromecast app collects cast-enabled apps/content from your phone
    – Universal voice search across services
    – App update within next weeks
    – Fast Play 80% reduction in app loading
    – Multiplayer gaming
    – New feeds getty images, FB and Flickr
    – Available today in 17 countries for $35
    – Chromecast Audio
    – Plugs into existing home speaker
    – Same shape but with minijack (RCA and optical as well)
    – Works with any device on network as well as ‘guest mode’
    – Spotify now supports chromecast
    – Can mirror audio from Chrome or Android
    – Supports multi-room sync
    – Avail. today in 17 countries. $35 in US
  • TiVo Unveils BOLT, A Modern, 4K-Ready DVR Designed For The Streaming Era
  • TiVo exec explains Bolt strategy, Fire TV app and new Pro next year
    –     TiVo Bolt on sale at Best Buy and Amazon.
    -4K support, can handle cablecard and Over the Air signals and has a bent design to help with cooling and make it look cool.
    – QuickMode which plays back content 30% faster with pitch-corrected audio
    – SkipMode which lets you skip past commercial breaks on 20 channels for programming that airs 4PM to Midnight.
    -500GB model costs $299 and a 1TB model runs $399. Both models get a year of service for free after which it’s $15 a month or $150 a year.
    – TiVo Chief Marketing Officer Ira Bahr on company forums to TiVo enthusiasts: “we already have a roadmap plan to bring you something you’ll like way better in 2016 (more on this shortly).”

Front Lines

Under Surveillance

Dispatches from the Front

Dear Tom,

It’s October which means our beloved Redbirds are once again in the hunt for a World Series title. As a cordkiller I’d like to know the best way to see the action.

It is a confusing process to know where to watch the team with or without cable. I have a Roku and am willing to pay to watch the games. I don’t believe MLB At Bat has playoff coverage.

How are we going watch, Tom?

– Michael (Great) Daehn

 

 

 

Dear Tom and Brian,

I continue to enjoy your show and appreciate all your hard work.

I want to make a suggestion that I think will help everyone: you should recommend that your bosses switch their payment method in their Patreon accounts to PayPal. Here’s why:
PayPal will notify users when their card is about to expire, so they can fix it before it actually starts being declined. This will help Cordkillers get their money on time.
Merchants don’t see PayPal users’ card numbers, so there’s less risk when a database is hacked (you probably already knew that, but it’s timely information considering recent events).
See how everyone wins?
PayPal wasn’t available on Patreon when I first signed up, soon after you started Cordkillers. So some of your bosses who signed up in the beginning might not be aware they even have this option. Tom should tell DTNS listeners, too.
Love the show!

– Beelissa

 

 

 

 

Hey Brian and Tom,
I like the idea of using VR for virtual theaters and be able to sit back on my comfy couch with nice headphones and get a real theater experience minus the seat kicking.

Brian’s comment about being able to look around the virtual theater and see the shocked expressions of the people around you reminded me of a DTNS story about the software that is able to read emotions.

If down the road our VR gear is able to do that, then it would be possible to have our virtual avatar display the same surprise, shock, disgust, etc, that we’re feeling as we watch the movies.

This would be good for that community feeling if the theater is full of our friends, or even a selection of strangers that also happen to be watching the movie at the same time.

It would also be useful for film makers and studios to see the data that is fed back so they can make better movies.

– Andy from Michigan

 

 

Links

patreon.com/cordkillers

2015 Winter Movie Draft

Cordkillers 88 – Involuntary “Dammit!”

Cordkillers / September 21st, 2015

Why the new Fire TV beats Apple TV and BBC streaming is a bad thing.

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CordKillers: 88 – Involuntary “Dammit!”
Recorded: September 20, 2015
Guest: None

Intro Video

Primary Target

  • Latest Amazon Fire TV Features 4k Video, Alexa Voice Assistant
    – Amazon Fire TV $100 ships Oct. 5
    – supports 4K HEVC (High efficiency video codec)
    – Alexa integrated into voice search (discover content queue up media; it cannot set timers or alarms just yet.full feature set coming next year)
    – New 64-bit quad-core processor and a dedicated GPU.
    – $50 Fire TV Stick with voice search ships Oct. 22 ($40 w/o voice still available)
    – A bundle called the Amazon TV Gaming edition packs a Fire TV with a game controller a 32GB microSD card and two free games for $140. Ships Oct. 5
  • Amazon boasts Fire TV is better at turning you into a couch potato
    – Amazon says Fire TV ranks among the top for customer loyalty for Internet-television app Sling TV. 16 hours per week on Fire TV
    – Amazon says it has more channels apps and games than any other
    – Roku claims 2500 channels

Signal Intelligence

  • BBC to offer streaming in US
    – BBC will offer a streaming service in US
    – Programs that aren’t already screened on TV channels or available on existing streaming services
    – No price announced
    – Coming sometime in 2016

Gear Up

Front Lines

Under Surveillance

Dispatches from the Front

 On your last show you guys talked about how it would be nice to easily be able to download Netflix shows for off- line viewing. I’ve been able to download shows from all the major online sites ( Netflix, Hulum amazon, YouTube, the networks, and many more using a companion program to playon called Playlater. HD quality, easy to use and then to transfer to my Tivo using Tivo desktop or my ipad using itunes. one time cost right now for both programs of $49 and no monthly fees

– Anonymous

 

 

 

 Do you know of a way to translate DVDs into digital format? I know DRM makes this hard, but I was hoping the production studios would get behind this as we transition from DVD to digital as a society.

Secondly, what options do you know of for renting movie content? iTunes and Amazon are great for this, but subject to delays in the studio’s distribution plans (movie is available to buy only for a few months before rental is an option). 

– Tyler

 

 

 

I was listening to episode 87, where the listener wanted to use an antenna and split it off to multiple TVs. Let me tell you what I did. I bought four “flattenas” from Channelmaster.com. Each cost me $10. I went to Alltex computers in Austin Texas and bought some coaxial cable, some end thingies, and a crimper thingy. Oh, I also bought four switches that could switch from cable to antenna. I did not want to run the cable from my attic to the TVs. I just split the existing cable from Time Warner (that was already in the attic) and added the splitter. I then added a piece of new coax that went to each of the flattennas and connected it to the splitter (that was mounted where I cut the Time Warner coax). I mounted the antennas with a pushpin toward the bottom of my roof (as high as I could get them). I then put the switch to the antenna side and now each of my cable connections in the house go to the antenna instead of to the outside cable box. Now I can always switch it back to the cable side in case I ever want to subscribe to cable again. I learned how to create those correct cables by watching YouTube videos. It was simple. And cheap. I get about 23 English-speaking channels here in Cedar Park Texas. Works great!

Thank you for all you do,

– Steven
Cedar Park, Texas

 

 

 

 

Dear Tom and Brian,

I want to keep you updated on the new revolution in cord cutting in the Middle East and North Africa: icflix.

The Netflix clone just surfaced in the area with a huge selection of movies and TV shows and it costs just 8 US$ a month. It comes pre-installed in all new LG and Samsung smart TVs and has apps on consoles, smartphones, and tablets.

The price includes simultaneous streaming for 5 devices of libraries of movies of Hollywood, Bollywood and Jazwood (the latter two are Indian and Arabic movies.)

The Walking Dead is the first thing I searched for and surely, it was there.

And since all major Football (soccer) are already available for paid streaming on Bein Sports, and NFL Game Pass available for the middle east, everyone in the Middle East and North Africa can finally cut the cord and never go back.

Yours,

– Fares

 

 

I can already stream Cordkillers on my Apple TV, through the Podcast channel.

– Sara in Sunny Seattle

 

 

 

Brian and Tom,

On the most recent show, you were talking about scenarios where offline streaming would be useful outside of planning trips. I watch a ton of video on my tablet in my tractor. I’ve got an unlimited data plan, so the 70 gb or more per month of mobile data doesn’t cost anything, but there is a lot of my farm where Verizon doesn’t work well enough for streaming video. I usually fill up my tablet at night using Plex, which isn’t always as legal as I’d like, so having an offline option with Netflix would be huge. Imagine burning through a 12 episode season of TV every day for a month, and you can see just how nice it would be to have to work a little less hard at sourcing content.

– Aaron @Traffas from smoggy Sharon, Kansas
 

Links

patreon.com/cordkillers

2015 Winter Movie Draft

It’s Spoilerin’ Time 87

Cordkillers / September 16th, 2015

Movie Draft Wrap Up, Triage (Mr. Robot), Mr. Robot Finale, Rick and Morty (207), The Shield (705)

00:47 – Movie Draft Update – Summer 2015 Wrap Up

03:47 – Triage (Mr. Robot)

09:07 – Mr. Robot 110 (season finale)

16:06 – Rick and Morty (207)

20:28 – The Shield (705)

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