While we at Consumerist are saving our $35 for frivolous things like bread and milk, our pals at Consumer Reports went and got themselves one of those fancy new Google Chromecast streaming video dongle thingamabobs. CR’s initial thoughts — it’s a “compelling, innovative option for those who’d like to add online content to their TV.” [ConsumerReports.com] [More]
streaming video
Is Google’s Chromecast Streaming Video Dongle Worth Its $35 Price Tag?
By 7.24.13 — Updated: 7.26.13
Earlier today, Google announced its new Chromecast device, an HDMI dongle that allows users to wirelessly stream video from a computer or wireless device straight to their TV. For some people it may be a low-cost godsend, for others it might be a redundant waste of money. [More]
Viacom Goes Running Into Amazon’s Streaming Arms After Split With Netflix
By 6.4.13
Now that Viacom and Netflix are over, done with, broken up, splitskies, never ever getting back together, don’t think the cable programming giant is crying into its pillow every night, soaking it with the desperate tears of the unloved. No, it’s moving on — straight into the loving arms of Amazon’s streaming video service with a new, multiyear licensing deal. [More]
The End Of Saturday Mail Delivery Is Awesome For Netflix, Not So Much For DVD Customers
By 2.7.13
While there are plenty of people greeting the looming end of Saturday mail delivery with a shrug (“Less junk mail on the weekends, awesome!”) there are those out there who see the change as a significant upset in a valued service. They are the DVD-by-mail customers, the ones who try to squeeze every bit out of their subscriptions. And yes, some people do still get DVDs. Ahem. [More]
Here’s A Bunch Of Stuff That Might Actually Be Cheaper In The Months To Come
By 1.2.13
For lots of things you buy, the general trend is for prices to increase over time. But there are some things that forward-looking folks claim will drop in price — at least for a bit — in this, the year 2013 CE. [More]
Netflix CEO Calls Amazon Prime Videos A “Confusing Mess”
By 9.27.12
In the time since Amazon launched its streaming video service — which includes a library of free movies and TV shows for members of Amazon Prime — it has grown to become a competitor for Netflix, especially after that company angered many customers by doubling the subscription rate for customers who wanted to keep receiving DVDs by mail. But Netflix CEO Reed Hastings says he’s not worried about Amazon, and in fact, he’s not quite sure what they’re offering consumers. [More]
Amazon Launches Video Streaming App For iPad
By 8.1.12
While Amazon’s Kindle Fire was initially touted as a low-price iPad competitor for customers who primarily wanted a tablet for reading books and watching video. But today it became obvious that Amazon is not being selfish about its video content, releasing an app that allows iPad users to watch, purchase, stream and download titles from its Instant Video collection. [More]
Report: Hulu Thinks Maybe You Shouldn't Cut Your Cable Cord Just Yet
By 4.30.12
Hulu is one of the many streaming services that have led a growing number of cable and satellite subscribers to cancel their subscriptions and get most of their TV entertainment via the Internet. But a new report claims that Hulu is now looking to appease cable companies by eventually making the service available only to those who are also paying for cable. [More]
At Least Netflix Streaming Doesn't Take 6 Weeks To Reach My House
By 4.12.12
Like many other Netflix customers last year, Chris was frustrated with the service’s price hikes, loss of content, and wacky re-branding efforts. He canceled and took advantage of a free trial offer from competitor Blockbuster. His happiness about switching didn’t last long, especially when it took Blockbuster six weeks to get his first DVD to him. Sure, he lives in Alaska, but it’s not like they were delivering it on horseback. [More]
Amazon Instant Video Hitches A Ride On PS3 To Hit More TVs
By 4.4.12
Access to Amazon Instant Video’s streaming library has been a nice perk to signing up for Amazon Prime. But the service was never particularly useful to many customers who like to sit back on their couch and watch stuff on TV rather than stare at a computer screen. Now Amazon has cut a deal with the PS3 that draws it closer to competitors Netflix and Hulu Plus, which both stream on the Wii and Xbox 360 in addition to Sony’s console. [More]
Why Are NBA League Pass Games On A 1-Hour Delay For Roku Users?
By 3.16.12
Darren is an NBA League Pass subscriber: a very useful subscription to have if you enjoy watching live basketball. The problem is that beginning this past Sunday, the games aren’t live anymore. Roku viewers–and only Roku viewers–are getting them on an hour delay. And nobody knows why. [More]
You'll Need A Working Credit Or Debit Card To Use That Hulu Gift Subscription
By 1.26.12
G. wanted to buy his daughters a six-month subscription to Hulu Plus to watch some shows, but didn’t want to give Hulu the ability to keep billing his credit card into perpetuity. Hulu offers prepaid gift subscriptions, though, so he could simply purchase a code, and the streaming-video party would stop when the subscription ran out. Right? Not so fast. [More]
NBA And Roku Wrecked My Dad's Great Christmas Present
By 1.12.12
John bought a really thoughtful Christmas present for his dad, a basketball fan: an NBA League Pass subscription, and a Roku so he could watch games on his TV instead of huddling in front of the computer. At least, this gift seemed like a really great idea until the League Pass app just stopped working. John and his dad aren’t the only ones who have this problem, but no one at Roku or at the NBA seems to care about the poor, game-less customers. They’ve already got fans’ money, after all. [More]
Sony Will Make "Moneyball" Downloadable Before Offering It On Disc
By 12.5.11
As watching movies online — legally — becomes more popular, discs are gradually moving to the wayside. Sony is helping things along in this direction by announcing it will offer Moneyball online Dec. 22, 19 days before it hits shelves on Blu-ray and DVD. Indie films often get this sort of treatment, but it’s rare that you see a major studio film take the increasingly popular distribution plan. [More]
I Miss Sunday Ticket Football Games, Get Refund In Sony Online Store Credit
By 9.16.11
DirecTV’s Sunday Ticket To Go is a service for football fans who can’t have or don’t want a satellite dish bolted to the side of their house. It streams Sunday afternoon out-of-market football games to computers, mobile devices, and as of this week, to the Sony Playstation 3. At $340 for the season, it’s not cheap, but football fans love it anyway. The service’s Playstation debut on Sunday didn’t work all that well for most customers, and didn’t work for Edward at all. He called for a refund, which was issued, then canceled. Instead of a refund to his credit card, he and other users will receive a store credit. For $25. To the Playstation Network store. “As if that is somehow comparable!” he fumed to Consumerist. [More]
Starz Won't Renew Netflix Deal When It Expires In February
By 9.2.11
Come March, Netflix’s array of video streaming options could be considerably thinned. Starz announced it’s stopped negotiating an extension with Netflix and all its movies and TV shows will vanish from the service when the current deal expires February 28. [More]
Vizio Takes Advertising Broken Amazon Streaming Very Seriously
By 8.23.11
Perhaps it was naive of Josh to assume that his Vizio Blu-Ray player came with free Amazon.com video streaming. It’s listed as a feature of the player, Amazon is one of Vizio’s “Internet apps,” and the Amazon logo is featured on the product box and on Vizio’s site for the product. All that doesn’t mean that Amazon streaming actually works, though. [More]
Netflix Lets You Downgrade Video Quality So You Don't Hit Bandwidth Caps
By 6.23.11
With providers like AT&T and Comcast adding on limits to how much bandwidth you can use per month, Netflix has rolled out a feature that lets you downgrade the streaming video quality so you don’t use as much data and incur overages. [More]
