January 21, 2012 – 12:22 am | No Comment

Happy 2012! This year I am going lean–downsizing to control my budget and getting in shape. I am “cutting the cord” –discontinuing my cable TV service–and I am losing weight and training for another Olympic-length …

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Triathlon Training Technology -Fitness-Weight Loss

How to use technology for losing weight and training. Features, tips, and my journey toward an Olympic-length triathlon.

Cutting Out Cable-Streaming Media & Home Networks

Can you live without cable TV? See my experience. How to get movies, TV shows, your videos, photos and music WHERE and WHEN you want it. What you need to stream.

iPhones, IPads, ITunes & Gadgets on the Go

iHow-to and iNews: How to use your iPhones, iPods, iPads, Android SmartPhones, MP3s, GPS…What they are. What you want. How to use it. Troubleshooting and tips.

Photography

Making photography and cameras simple. Explaining features to help you get your best photos.

TVs, Home Audio and Home Entertainment

All about TVs, and home audio includes components like Blu-ray Disc and DVD players, and DVRs, TIVO, and anything else you hook up to your TV… Satellite, Antenna, Cable

Antenna & More, Cable, Cutting Out Cable-Streaming Media & Home Networks, how to, IPTV, Online Video, Satellite-Cable-Antenna & More, Television, TVs, home audio & home entertainment, Uncategorized, What to watch »

After Stopping Cable TV…Cutting the Cord
January 26, 2012 – 6:13 pm | No Comment

I have decided to “cut the cord,” that is, I have turned in my boxes and cable cards and I no longer have cable.  As I have been focusing on writing about streaming media from online, I wanted to experience what it is like to get rid of my cable bill. What, if anything, would I miss? Would I truly be saving money?  Services like HuluPlus and Netflix cost money too. How much would I save?  To be clear, I am NOT cutting my broadband internet connection, so the cable company is still getting a big chunk of money.

By journaling about my experience, I hope that I can give you an honest look at whether cutting the cord would be right for you.  Each day I hope to have a tip, resource, or how-to, to help you find the shows you want to watch and to choose what devices may be best suited to what you like to watch.

It is difficult to make concrete recommendations about how to switch to a cable-less lifestyle. Everyone has different circumstances, preferences, and resources. You may like to watch different programming than I do. Your internet speeds or access to broadcast TV–NBC, CBS, ABC, and Fox– may be limited if you live in a rural community.  Where I can, I will offer alternatives that I find to cover other scenarios than my own.

Because I write about technology, I have access to a number of borrowed network media streamers, players, network TVs, routers and other devices.  The devices that I write about are not high-end and can be readily purchased at major retailers or online.  Nonetheless, it will be a great benefit to be able to compare these devices for you.

Here is my situation…

I have:

  • broadband high speed internet – (at the ridiculously fast speed of 60 to 100 mbps) –Note that I also have a 150 GB monthly cap on my internet with hefty overage fees. This means that while I can stream any kind of content I want, I am financially limited regarding how many TV shows and movies I stream and download.
  • strong reception of local channels using a set-top antenna
  • paid subscriptions to HuluPlus, Netflix, and Amazon Prime (annual subscription)

Your Resources

While you don’t need the ridiculous download speeds I have available, if you do not have fast internet access (above 3Mbps), your only hope will be to occasionally stream video to your computer rather than to your TV, (yes, you can connect your computer to your TV too) and use an antenna for broadcast TV (how 60′s!).  By the way, if you live in a rural area, this summer, DISH is bringing you fast satellite internet, so you may just wait for that.

I have a set-top antenna, but if you really want to get broadcast TV and a set-top antenna doesn’t work for you, there’s always the old roof top antennas.

You don’t have to pay for streaming services.  There are services like Crackle that show TV shows and movies with commercials.  You can connect our computer to your TV or use a TV or device that has an unlimited web browser (coming out later this year). Another option is media server software–Plex, PlayOn with subscriptions starting at about $50 per year–for computers that can stream from network TV websites like CBS and Hulu.com (not the paid Hulu plus). 

TV Shows I Want to Get After Quitting Cable

I watch what my boyfriend considers to be a lot of TV. I like to watch shows weekly and often want to see an episode when it airs or soon thereafter.  The shows range from CBS shows like “The Good Wife,” “How I Met Your Mother,” “Survivor,” “Hawaii Five-0” to “Glee” and “American Idol” on Fox.  On occasion, I plan to scout out other popular titles and sports to let you know how you can get them.

This will be a journal and while I’d like to take a methodical approach, the journey may meander.  I’ll be sure to tag the posts well so you can find answers to your question.

Here goes…SNIP!  (***static****)

Using Gadgets/Technology to Get in Shape, Train, and Lose Weight—or Why Should You Care about Tri-Training With Tech?
January 25, 2012 – 1:23 am | No Comment

You may not think of yourself as someone who is comfortable using technology, but I bet you have at least thought about using technology to make it easier to get in shape. If you have …

Triathlon Training Tech Plan
January 22, 2012 – 9:59 pm | No Comment
Triathlon Training Tech Plan

I’m not new to triathlon training, nor am I a competitive athlete.  I do triathlons because it keeps me working out.  Having just returned from CES (the Consumer Electronics Show), I was inspired by the …

Cutting Out Cable, Tech Triathlon Training and Revue Contest
January 21, 2012 – 12:22 am | No Comment

Happy 2012! This year I am going lean–downsizing to control my budget and getting in shape. I am “cutting the cord” –discontinuing my cable TV service–and I am losing weight and training for another Olympic-length …

Logitech to Stop Production of Logitech Revue with Google TV
November 14, 2011 – 3:15 am | 18 Comments
Logitech to Stop Production of Logitech Revue with Google TV

 
NOTE: If you are looking to win a Google TV, I’ll have the email list back in order by November 15th.  In the meantime, use my contact form to express interest.  We’re looking for 100 …

Where’s the iOS5 iPhone Camera Icon in the Lock Screen? How to Use the New Camera Features
October 16, 2011 – 9:57 pm | No Comment
Where’s the iOS5 iPhone Camera Icon in the Lock Screen? How to Use the New Camera Features

NOTE:  THESE FEATURES ARE AVAILABLE ON ANY iPHONE THAT CAN ACCEPT THE iOS5 UPDATE–including the iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4.  Some people have made the mistake thinking that these features are only on the new iPhone. …

In Mourning–Honoring Steve Jobs
October 6, 2011 – 8:51 pm | No Comment
In Mourning–Honoring Steve Jobs

 There is other tech news but I feel that any of us that earn a living writing about or selling products related to Apple, need to take a moment to honor Steve Jobs, a man …

Should You Buy the Apple iPhone 4S? Pre-Orders Begin October 7th- For AT&T, Verizon and…Sprint!
October 4, 2011 – 8:44 pm | No Comment
Should You Buy the Apple iPhone 4S? Pre-Orders Begin October 7th- For AT&T, Verizon and…Sprint!

Apple surprised us with the announcement of their new phone, the “iPhone 4S.” After a year of rumors, we were all awaiting the announcement of the “iPhone 5″ at today’s Apple press conference held at …

Cure for CellPhone Cancer Scare
June 1, 2011 – 1:01 am | No Comment
Cure for CellPhone Cancer Scare

I’m not panicking, I already have the cure for the cellphone cancer scare. The big news today is that scientists are saying that cellphones really are carcinogenic–they contribute to or cause cancer. They claim that the electromagnetic …

All About Digital Media Players, Home Networks and Online Streaming
May 16, 2011 – 8:15 pm | No Comment
All About Digital Media Players, Home Networks and Online Streaming

Digital media players, network media players, media streamers, networked TVs, networked Blu-ray disc players, and networked home theater a/v receivers can stream music, movies and photos to play on your TV.  And it’s getting easier …

Be Ready for Your iPad 2 With an iPad Purse-Best Way to Carry Your iPad
March 2, 2011 – 11:22 pm | One Comment
Be Ready for Your iPad 2 With an iPad Purse-Best Way to Carry Your iPad

The big news today may be the  iPad 2 with its  cool new cover.  You still won’t want to just throw it into your laptop bag or a big purse. After all, the iPad2 is …