Jan 05
RyanMovies, tech, television instant queue, netflix, streaming, tivo
This is an update from my previous
post regarding Netflix on TiVo. Since that post, the Netflix service on TiVo has gone downhill. Anytime I try to watch a title in my Instant Queue, the video constantly buffers.
When a title loads, the video starts downloading and picks a video quality (which is always low). Once this initial buffer is done, the title plays for no more than 5 seconds and then buffers again. This goes on repeatedly until I decide I’ve had enough and can’t stand 5 seconds of video and 10-30 seconds of buffering.
Initially, I thought it was my network, or my broadband connection with Comcast. I did multiple bandwidth tests and even powered down everything on my network (except the TiVo) so as to alleviate any other processes that could be taking up bandwidth. No improvement. I also have the latest TiVo firmware.
Since the Netflix software on my PS3 works flawlessly (and has more features), I finally realized it must be the Netflix software that is on the TiVo. Or perhaps it is the TiVo server I am connected to which provides all my subscription information. This is unfortunate. Netflix on TiVo, and being able to stream music and photos to my TV, was the main reason I purchased the TiVo box and the subscription.
Now I wonder why I pay for the monthly TiVo service if I can get the same and more features (which seem to work better in my case) on my PS3.
Has anyone else had similar performance issues with their TiVo and Netflix? I welcome any comments regarding this issue.
Dec 04
Ryantech dns, internet
Yesterday Google launched their
Public DNS and many rejoiced in the future of a faster browsing experience. Not me. I have to admit, this worries me a great deal. Call me a cynic, but all I see here is the potential for Google to control the end user’s browsing experience. Those who use this service have no way to control what sites are blocked and which are allowed. Google takes care of it for you. And that is a scary thought. Let’s not forget that Google is the largest advertising and redirection site on the Internet. Why wouldn’t they use this to their advantage and control your Internet experience?
Don’t get me wrong, I think making the browsing experience faster and more safe is a fantastic idea. I love Google. I use Gmail, Google Docs, Google Reader, Google Code, Google Calendar, Google Wave, etc. But Google is not the company I want to control my DNS.
I prefer the
OpenDNS approach to DNS rather than Google’s “Public” DNS option.
Why, you ask?
Because OpenDNS allows you to create your own controls to manage your browsing experience the way YOU want, based on your environment; not the way Google has decided for you.
OpenDNS also allows the community to help dictate what sites are malicious and which are not. They also give the community the opportunity to correct a domain tag if it is incorrect, or add a new domain to the list via
Domain Tagging. You can also create your own custom set of filters to block sites for your particular environment. For example, if your environment is at home, then you may want to restrict certain sites from your kids. If you are in an IT department environment, you may want to block malware sites. OpenDNS does all this and more, largely driven by what the
community wants. Google Public DNS won’t do any of this for you. You get what Google prescribes, no customization available.
In conclusion, there is no way I would consider using Google Public DNS until it becomes more open and allows me to create my own custom set of filters. But even then, I’m not sure they could provide a better free service with all the features that OpenDNS provides. I will stick with OpenDNS. I want to control my own Internet experience, not the other way around.
Jan 29
Ryantech, television cablecard, comcast, tivo
UPDATE: The comcast trickery continues. What they don’t tell you on the
website is that if you have additional services, the pricing for a second CableCARD rapidly increases. For example, the digital preferred package (which I have) brings the price of a second CableCARD to $7.95 as opposed to $2.95. Talk about getting nickled and dimed….
Comcast customers beware. If you are want to get a CableCARD to replace your current cable box, you might notice on
comcast.com that your first CableCard from them is free. CableCARDs are a necessity if you want more advanced DVR services like TiVo.
Before you start jumping for joy, nothing is free… the CableCARD is free, yes… but in order to get the CableCARD, you must schedule an installation appointment, which will cost you $24 (in my area).
Despite all this, I scheduled an installation appointment. I eventually got the appointment free of charge because there are some major issues between what the 1-888 number folks tell you compared to what the actual local office offers. Evidently there are self-installation CableCARD kits you can pick up from your local Comcast office, but the local office in my area doesn’t offer that option. After going down to my local office and complaining about the inconsistencies of the information I got from the 1-888 number and the information I got from the office, they waived the installation fee.
Once the tech arrived he informed me that they don’t use multi-stream cards because they “don’t always work as expected” with TiVo boxes. So he had to install two single-stream cards. Conspiracy to get you to pay more for not using their Digital Service? I think so…
link here.
The Comcast verbage regarding the cost of CableCARDs reads:
…additional regulated fee of up to $2.05 for the second CableCARD in addition to the digital service charge…
I get my cable bill this month and I am being charged for both single-stream cards… $7.95 extra per month.
Thanks Comcast… I have really enjoyed the web of contradicting information regarding your services. I wish Insight still existed.
So be fair-warned. You can research the price difference between CableCARDs and a standard cable box, but what you find out will most likely not be what Comcast decides to charge.
Dec 10
RyanMovies, tech, television instant queue, netflix, streaming, tivo
Overall, I am very satisfied with this new feature! This is one of the main reasons I bought a Tivo and it is finally here.
The activation process is very easy and straight forward. Once you get the activation code from you Tivo box, simply navigate this address: http://www.netflix.com/Activate and activate to view your queue.
Two things that need improvement.
- The ability to view all available titles that can be viewed instantly. Currently, you can only view your Instant Queue titles. I have two separate queues (one for me and one for my wife) and I can only see the main queue. Would be nice to see both Instant Queues. It would also be nice to see all titles that are available for instant viewing.
- There is an issue if you are streaming a title and your Tivo is also recording. This was especially apparent when both tuners on the Tivo were recording AND I was streaming a movie. The streaming movie stopped playing and the Tivo box went directly to Tivo Central. This happened a few times, but didn’t occur again once the recordings stopped. It wasn’t a big deal since you can simply go back to your Instant Queue, select the movie you were watching and resume playing from where it stopped playing previously. Hopefully this is a minor glitch that will be fixed in the next firmware.
With that said, it is very easy to add titles to your queue if you goto netflix.com or use the mobile version for your iPhone or iPod touch. The changes are immediate on your Tivo as well.
This is a great feature to Tivo, the first release is amazingly polished. I hope they work on fixing a few minor glitches.
Aug 04
Ryantech internet, survey, web development, web professionals
Anyone whose career revolves around creating anything for the web, be sure to take this survey. The fine ladies and gentlemen at
A List Apart have created a survey again this year to gauge how are professions are practiced. You can be a part of shaping the future of professional working in and around the Internets.
A List Apart 2008 Survey
Feb 18
Ryantech
We all knew the format war was all but over once
Warner Bros. announced their backing of Blu-ray in January. But some of us still hoped and dreamed that somehow, HD-DVD would be the victor. Other undecideds were expected to cross the line into Blu-ray’s camp soon after. And they did,
Netflix,
Target, and
Blockbuster joined the rank and file of Blu-ray’s army.
Even though I traded my
Toshiba HD-DVD player in for a
Samsung Blu-ray player shortly after Christmas, I still hoped that Toshiba would come out on top.
As many expected, the format war has been predicted to end now that the juggernaut that is
Wal-mart has sided with Blu-ray.
Poor Toshiba. In the end, I fear you won’t make it past the
Travelator and be forced to throw in the towel, like many
American Gladiators before you.
Those of you that own HD-DVD players, I would exchange them for Blu-ray players if you still have the receipt and it hasn’t been 30 days since you purchased the player. Otherwise, you might want to keep it and possibly get some great deals on the remaining HD-DVD movies. Gobble them up while you still can.
If you plan to keep your player in hopes of selling it as a collectible in 20 years. I wouldn’t expect to get much of a return on it. Take a look at what betamax players are going for on
eBay. There won’t be any Victorious Shoppers with this item.
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