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“Stream thousands of movies instantly to your TV.”
“Setup is a breeze.”
“Open the door to a whole new world of entertainment.”
DIRECTV’s video on demand service sounds great! Only one problem. My router is way over there, and I’m not crazy about running an ethernet cable across the room…or down the hall for that matter. No worries. Drop some cash on a wireless adapter…problem solved!
The Wireless-N adapter offered up by DIRECTV is a hundred bucks; and if you don’t have one of those money trees, then that’s another problem. There are a few less expensive options that offer the same quality and streaming capability as the one endorsed by DIRECTV. Of the choices I found while lurking around on the satellite forums, the best all-around option based on price and reviews appears to be the TRENDnet Wireless N Gaming Adapter (Model TEW-647GA).
SETTING UP YOUR ADAPTER. One of the common issues regardless of which adapter you use seems to be setup. But I found this process to be a breeze. My TRENDnet came with an AC power cord, ethernet cable, and a setup CD. I tried using the Wi-Fi protected setup (WPS) method; but after a couple of failed attempts, I used the setup CD. The directions that come with the adapter are perfect. Take your laptop with you to the room with your HD DVR. Setup involves plugging your adapter into the laptop via the ethernet cable, powering up the adapter, and following the TRENDnet setup menu.
Once setup completed, I removed the ethernet cable from the laptop and plugged it into the DIRECTV Plus HD DVR (I’m using model HR22). Next I pressed the MENU button on my DVR remote, chose “Parental, Fav’s & Setup”, and then “System Setup”. Go to “Network Setup” and choose “Connect Now”. This will prompt your DVR to begin accessing the VOD menu. You’ll get a message that says something about taking 24 hours to complete the process. Regardless, there should be VOD offerings to begin watching immediately.
So far, my experience has been great. Streaming quality is excellent although that’s helped by a buffer. It’s important to point out that I’m using a cable connection piped through a Wireless-N router; but if you have an opportunity to use dual-band wireless router (like the Linksys E3000), you’ll better off in the long run especially if you have simultaneous usage across your home network.
Now go watch something. I’ve got Hot Tub Time Machine queued up.
Popularity: 5% [?]
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If you’ve been waiting around for this as long as I have, then you’ll be thrilled to know that DIRECTV has released its DVR Scheduler application for the BlackBerry. And, of course, it’s in Beta (v1.1.2). But it’s better than nothing.
Even in Beta form, it’s faster by design…making the same functionality from the “m” website a little quicker by placing all options front and center rather than having to click through a list of links thanks to the easy user interface.
The app allows you to search for any television show up to 14 days in advance; browse programs by channel or date & time; get program information instantly, including description, length and rating; record a single episode or an entire series; order DIRECTV Cinema™ right on your phone (only available for iPhone, Android, and Palm for now).
Popularity: 6% [?]
A couple of weeks ago, my DVR decided not to record one of my shows (I refuse to admit user error…ok, it was user error). Since Jack Bauer on my 15.1″ screen just isn’t the same, I booted up the PS3 with the hopes of pulling up Hulu on the PlayStation browser. Apparently I’ve been under a rock.
Back in November, Netflix brought streaming video to the PS3 making it the only Netflix-friendly device that allows for gaming, streaming video on demand, and Blu-Ray capability. But the ability to stream Hulu to my HDTV from my PS3 all of a sudden became more important.
Then I found PlayOn — developed by MediaMall Technologies — which allows you to watch all your favorite, shows, movies and sports with a networked PC and a Wii, PS3, XBOX 360, or other compliant device.
Popularity: 7% [?]
Robert Downey, Jr. Gwyneth Paltrow. Mickey Rourke. Don Cheadle. Sam Rockwell. Awesome suits. Groundbreaking technology. Jon Favreau behind the camera. Sorry…just watch the trailer.
Popularity: 5% [?]
It slices! It dices! It plays DVDs & Blu-Ray discs! It streams TV shows & movies from Netflix! Beginning in November, you can add Sony PS3 to the list of devices that jive with the Netflix Video On Demand (VOD) service. However, it’s the only one that allows for gaming, streaming VOD and Blu-Ray capability. The service is available to Netflix members at no additional cost to the monthly fee of $8.99 (more information on Netflix membership).
Initially, watching movies instantly streamed from Netflix via the PS3 system will be enabled by a free, instant streaming Blu-ray disc that is being made available to all Netflix members. The free instant streaming disc leverages Blu-ray’s BD-Live™ technology to access the Internet and activate the Netflix user interface on the PS3 system, which must be online via Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
Netflix members simply slide the disc into their PS3 systems to reveal movies and TV episodes that can be watched instantly. These titles are conveniently organized into a variety of categories based on members’ personal preferences, popular genres, new arrivals and members’ individual instant Queues. Members can use the Netflix Web site or navigate directly on their PS3 systems to add movies and TV shows to their Queues. They also have the ability to read synopses and rate movies. In addition, they have the option of fast-forwarding and rewinding the video stream via the Wireless Controller.
Netflix VOD service is also compatible with the XBOX 360, the Roku HD player, one of a few LG Blu-ray Disc Players (including the BD 370 or BD 390, several Samsung Blu-Ray Disc Players (including the BD-P2500, BD-P3600 and BD-P4600) and internet-connected HD TVs from LG (with NetCast Broadband).
For more information and to get notified when Netflix is available for use on the PS3, visit netflix.com/ps3.
Popularity: 17% [?]
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The NFL Network always has a little fun with the “Fantasy Files” commercials as the season nears. Most feature a player’s strength with some far-fetched footage (my favorite this year is the Andre Johnson commercial). But when I saw the following Adrian Peterson plug, I “Whoa”d like the ETRADE baby. AP looks ready.
Popularity: 13% [?]
Due to not caring about a DVR scheduling conflict, I missed this year’s ESPYs. But I kept hearing about a great commercial with Devin Hester and Deion Sanders called “Mission” that made its debut during ESPN’s award show. Nothing special about the usual suspects that star in the commercial, but the point of view and edit are particularly clever. It also includes tweets from Devin Hester. UA sorta missed the true essence of the viral-ness by opting to use a fake handle instead of Hester’s real Twitter handle, @D_Hest23.
Anyway, if you can’t tell by my last couple of posts, I’m so ready for football season. This is a good warmup.
Popularity: 12% [?]
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