Tag Archives: TV

How Netflix Uses Big Data to Drive Success

Netflix has taken over online streaming, but this didn’t happen over night and a lot of work has gone into making Netflix a well-oiled machine. This infographic from Frame Your TV looks at how Netflix has used big data to help drive their business forward.

Even when Netflix was still primarily a DVD-mailing business they launched a competition and offered $1 million to the group who came up with the most efficient algorithm for predicting how customers would like a movie based on previous movie ratings. Even though the winning algorithm has been revised since, the key elements remain the same.

Each time you put on Netflix it’s vital that you find something to watch quickly or you might go on to YouTube or download a movie instead. Netflix estimate that its algorithms save $1 billion a year in value from customer retention as we always find something to watch when we visit the site. Check out the full infographic now.

Is There a Real Future in TV?

 

Even though online television and streaming services have become very popular, television is still a big part of households across the globe. In fact, revenue for global television actually increased by 5% to $350 billion in 2014. This growth is being led by subscription TV revenues climbing by 5.4% to $179 billion (a little over half of the complete global television revenue).

Television is still the number one source of news for people worldwide. 53% of people choose television as their go-to-source for getting their news. Compare this to those sourcing their news from search engines such as Google, Bing and Yahoo (at 38%) and those utilizing the news feeds of popular social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter (at 33%).

For more fasts facts on the future of television, how the Millennial generation is watching television and a snapshot of television viewing around the globe; see the below infographic created by Frame Your TV.

Is-There-a-Future-in-TV-IG-Final

How To Choose Your Next TV

 

With so many options out there, and technology that changes so fast, it is easy to get overwhelmed by all of the choices.  In this article, We’ll give you advice for deciding on the best TV for you to purchase.

There are three things to look out for when deciding on your next TV set, and those are:

  • 3D
  • size
  • internet connectivity.

In addition to that, with so many 1080p and 4K TVs, and now UHD TVs, choosing  the right size TV is more difficult than ever before.  You also need to consider the size and weight of the TV very closely. However, no matter what television set you have, you can enhance it with Direct TV for your home to get the most out of your viewing experience. Conversely, you must select a package keeping in mind the kind of television set you have. For example, there is no point in paying for 4K content if you do not have a television that can display such such quality.

With older big screen TVs, the clarity was lost the closer you got to them.  Now, technology has advanced so that high-definition big-screen TVs look just as good or better close up.  Screen sizes are getting bigger and bigger.  Now you can get good deals on TVs as large as 90 inches with HD, and 110 inches with UHD.  Consider one of these if you have an extremely large living space to take full advantage of what they have to offer.  You’ll also need a pretty large bank account though.

 

How Do You Measure Up? 

Break out the tape measure before you head to the electronics store.  You need to know just how big a TV your living space can accommodate before you make a choice.  Keep in mind that televisions are measured diagonally, so even a couple of inches can make a large difference in terms of both height and width.

Measuring before you go shopping will also help you in keeping perspective.  It is very difficult to guess which TV will work best when you are faced with an entire wall of them if you have no numbers in hand.  When you approach things in this manner, you are less likely to make a mistake.

In most cases, a bigger screen is better, as very few people spend a lot of time wishing they were watching a smaller screen.

 

Weight 

You need to know if you want to mount your TV, or place it on a stand.  If you are planning on putting it on a stand, you need to know how much surface area you have on the stand, and must be sure that it can support the weight of any TV you have in mind.

If you want the TV mounted on your wall, there are several other factors you must take into account.  You must have a wall mount that is strong enough to support the weight of any TV you are considering.  That mount may also need the wall mount to be anchored to studs in your wall.  The last thing you need is your your expensive new TV to fall and break because your drywall gives way.

In general, you can expect most flat screens to weigh around 45 pounds.  That number can increase with larger screens and display size.  Edge-lit LEDs are the lightest, around 25 pounds, while UHD displays will add more weight to the equation.

Take all of these factors into account when you go shopping for a new TV. There is a number of options out there which is why it is important to act wise.

 

[Image by Adrian Black via Flickr http://flic.kr/p/5ggqca]

Lengda's Stainless steel X10K Netbook Introduced

One of the cool things about tech shows, is that you get a chance to find products and companies you wouldn’t hear about on a daily bases, and speaking of which, a company named Lengda has recently introduced the first stainless steel netbook ever made, with the usual 10.2-inch display and other regular specs, you already know, but also with additional extended 3G / TV-tuner antenna and a hefty 1.37 kg of weight, resulted from that stainless steel alloy, the chassis is made of. Still no word on price or availability, but apparently the company is prepping an aluminum version as well, in case that steel is too heavy to carry (Not!) . Meanwhile, you can hit the break and watch the video.

[via netbooknews]

Continue reading Lengda's Stainless steel X10K Netbook Introduced

Kohjinsha To Launch a "Gachapin & Mukku" Netbook Edition

For many of us, Gachapin (Dinosaur) and Mukku (Bigfoot) are totally strangers, but for the vast majority of Japanese kids they are huge TV stars, that conquer their screens for long hours. To leverage these characters, Kohjinsha and Bandai Creation have decided to bring the two into an ML-based netbook edition, boasting a vivid green chassis, combined with a whitish keyboard. Other than that, it’s just another regular netbook with Intel ATOM N270 processor inside, 1GB of RAM, 160GB HDD, 8.9-inch 1024 x 600 display, a 1.3 megapixel webcam, WiFi connection and the usual outputs. Interestingly, this new device will sport a 1Seg Digital TV Tuner, to let the children watch their heroes on the new lappy, rather than your telly. Still no word about price or availability but we like the idea of teenagers hanging with netbooks, instead of just books.

Update: Shockingly, you’ll have to spend ¥79,800 ($866) in order to get this one for your kids.

[via akihabaranews]

Continue reading Kohjinsha To Launch a "Gachapin & Mukku" Netbook Edition

SlingPlayer Mobile For iPhone Announced

It was back in March, when we first reported that Sling wants to have an iphone application, and we’re glad to relize it’s actually happening, as the company announces that the long awaited app is ready to be released and will be demonstrated in San Francisco moments before the software will get to Apple app Store. Still no pricing info, but the full press release is after the break.

Update1: Regretfully, older SlingBox devices won’t be able to stream any TV content directly to iPhone machines (except Slingbox PRO). That means, if you happen to have one of those first editions, you’ll have to shell out extra money and upgrade to Slingbox SOLO or Slingbox PRO-HD in order to enjoy a complete mobility via handhelds, and not just because of technical issues, but more of a greediness from the company itself. We do hope this weird desicion will eventually end up somewhere in the history pages of “failed-to-be-executed”.

Update2: May 12th 2009 – Regretfully, AT&T has issued an official statement, claiming it’d pull the plug out of Sling’s 3G streaming capability, which was integrated into the iPhone with the SlingPlayer. According to the company, this application –

“which would use large amounts of wireless network capacity, could create congestion and potentially prevent other customers from using the network. The application does not run on our 3G wireless network. Applications like this, which redirect a TV signal to a personal computer, are specifically prohibited under our terms of service. We consider smartphones like the iPhone to be personal computers in that they have the same hardware and software attributes as PCs.”

That said, users will be able to use WiFi connectivity in order to log into any web site that lets them view videos. In simple words, 3G – Out, WiFi – In. Now, it’s up to you to search one of the 20,000 hotspots AT&T has deployed across the US, in places like Starbucks, McDonalds, airports, etc.

[via engadget]

Continue reading SlingPlayer Mobile For iPhone Announced

Quantum To Launch a New Video Touch PMP With Navigation Capabilities

The new Video Touch PMP from Quantum has been officially announced, featuring GPS navigation capabilities, including traffic and weather updates, plus a built-in digital TV with up to 30 channels, using Siano DVB-H receiver inside. In addition, the new PMP supports mp3 audio files – to listen to your favorite music, images  – to collect your entire digital album and video – to watch your movies on the go. The touchscreen is compatible with gesture interface so the UI is expected to work smoothly. Still no word on price or availability.

[via techfresh]

iTunes 8 Goes Live With HD Shows, Genius Playlists And The Great Magnetosphere Visualizer

iTunes 8 officially goes live at Apple’s “Let Us Rock” event, introducing HD shows from ABC, NBC and Showtime, to run for $2.99 per episode (the rest priced at $1.99). In addition, the 8 version comes with the new “Genius” sidebar feature, which lets you automatically create playlists from songs in your music library that go great together. Meaning, iTunes has a smart music reccomendation tool that helps users to rediscover favorite songs in their existing music library and suggests related music on the iTunes Store they might want to add to their music collection (sort of Pandora like). Furthermore, you can visualy browse your iTunes’ music / video libraries, using your album or video cover art and enjoy some new stunning Magnetosphere visualizations, once you turn your favorite music on. Tunes 8 is now available for download via Apple’s website.

[Apple]

Dcube Releases The New D9 Mobile TV

D’cube announces the release of their new D9 mobile TV, combined with a media player and a 3.5-inch LCD TFT 260,000 color screen (320 × 240). The D9 features a Micro SD / SDHC card expansion, a built-in speaker, T-DMB tuner to watch/record your videos from digital TV (Korea only), 2GB or 4GB storage capacity, and more. It supports wide variety of formats, including AVI, WMV, MP3, WMA, OGG and JPEG files. The measures are 109 × 78 × 11.8 mm – 108 gm and the battery lasts 15 hours of audio or 8 hours of video. This digital TV-PMP device is priced at $130 for the 4GB model, so if you have planes to go to Asia, you can get one immediately. 

Dcube-D9-portable-TV

[via imp3]

Hulu Video Content Portal Goes Live

Finally, after 18 weeks of closed beta, Hulu.com opens its doors to everyone in the U.S who looks for free video streaming service. The site offers over 100 full-length movies, full-length episodes, and other content line-up from libraries of giants like FOX, NBC Universal, MGM, Sony and Warner Bros. Among the videos, You can find hit shows like The Simpsons, The Office, classics like The incredible Hulk, Miami Vice and Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Arrested Development, Firefly and Friday night lights. Among the full movies you can find The Usual Suspects, The Big Lebowski, Myself & Irene, Three Amigos and many more. As for the sports, it seems the guys from Hulu have teamed up with the NBA management to bring you the best moves and clips, and we expect more events to be added soon. Mind you, the TV episodes will be available for only 5 weeks after broadcasting date. Meanwhile, you can enjoy hours of fun clips, videos or movies, read users reviews and share them with others in your web site – COOL !!

hulu

[via Hulu]

Asus HDTV Brings HDTV To Your Monitor

Asus intros a new HDTV box, providing a TV tuner and some nifty inputs like s-video, component, and HDMI for your computer’s monitor. The Asus box is capable of upscaling any signal source up to 1080p, for maximum picture quality. It is also equipped with DVI or VGA outputs and sports PIP functionality. The device supports both NTSC and Pal tuner so you can use it around the globe. Price and availability details are missing.

asus-hdtv-box

[via slashgear]

Motorola Launches A New 4.3" TV With GPS

Motorola wants to go all the way with the new DH01n portable 4.3-inch DVB-H TV, sporting GPS navigation system and Tele Atlas maps. The new DH01n is a personal DVR device, including pausing and playing back live TV signals, automatic channel scan, High-quality widescreen LCD display with stereo sound, SD/MMC slot and more. No details concerning price and availability.

 motorola-dh01n

[motorola via engadget]

Toshiba Storms With New Gigabeat PMP Series

Toshiba announces an update release for its Gigabeat lineup, including the Gigabeat V81, T802, U407 and U408 players.

Gigabeat V81 (Replacing the V41 model)

  • Display: 3.5? LCD TFT screen (320×240).
  • TV Tuner: 1Seg (Japanese digital signal).
  • Storage: 8GB.
  • Audio: WMA , Lossless, MP3, WAV.
  • Video: AVI, WMV.
  • Pictures: JPEG.
  • Features: portable digital TV, USB 2.0, SD slot.
  • Battery: audio – 40 hours, video – 13 hours, broadcasting – 10 hours.
  • Size: 115 x 75 x 14.2 mm 168gm
  • Price: $330. Available in Japan from this month.

toshiba-gigabeat-v81

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SanDisk Sansa TakeTV Video Player

TakeTV Sandisk finally announced on its new USB TV video player. The new Sansa presents an easy way to take your video from your PC to your TV, as simple as using a USB flash drive – just drag files to your TakeTV player, slip it into the TV cradle, and press play on the included remote.

The TakeTV player comes with 2 sizes configuration: 4GB (100$) & 8GB (150$). The player supports DivX, xVid, MPEG-4 formats, with Resolution of up to 720×576, in 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios and a range of viewing modes.