Computer Club Meeting

Friday July 18, 1:30pm

[Note for you snowbirds: I decided to type out most of the presentation in this email/post.  Sometimes looking at the attached presentation file isn’t enough.  So here are the notes!  Woohoo!]

Let’s face it. PrismTV, Comcast, Dish and Directv aren’t cheap. And most of us already have high speed internet anyway. So why can’t we use the internet to augment our TV viewing and just maybe stop needing to pay $1000 a year for crappy cable?

If you’ve been thinking the same thing recently, then this computer club session is for you. Some of you may remember a similar session last summer. This one is similar but with more of an emphasis on what you can actually do – and do easy.

One big caveat. If you are using Verizon or AT&T hotspots for your internet this will not work for you. You need CenturyLink’s highspeed option. Greater than 10Mb/sec is good. More is better.

Let’s look at how cable and satellite work today. You have a receiver that connects to your provider and also to your TV. You control the receiver (switch channels) to see what you want. Using the internet is no different.

But instead of a receiver you have your PC, use your TV as your monitor and you use your internet browser to go to websites to watch videos inside your browser. Or your TV may already be “internet enabled” meaning there’s a teeny PC inside it with a browser and applications like Netfix and Hulu. The bottom line is the same. Instead of your show coming from PrismTV or Comcast it come from somewhere on the internet.

So what do you need to do this?

You probably already have most of what you need. But for sure you’ll need and additional HDMI cable ($10) and a wireless keyboard (Logitech $30). Your big flat screen TV already has an HDMI input and your NEWER laptop already has an HDMI output. Plug in cards for a desktop PC run $30.

If you have a smartphone or tablet (apple or android) you can purchase a $35 device (that plugs into an HDMI port on your TV) that is basically a little PC. This is a Chromecast device. Phone and tablet apps (Neflix, Youtube, Hulu, etc) control what shows on the screen. Very easy and very cool

Why do this at all?

Simply to get more for less money. That’s it. And this is the direction the WORLD is going in so why not jump on the bandwagon?

Viewing benefits:

• The networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, etc) all have some** but not all of their shows online.
• You can watch your shows whenever you want without a $10/mo DVR.
• Netflix and other online providers have entire seasons of shows. (right now Cindy & I are binge-watching The Killing on Netflix)

So what does it cost for the non-free sites?
Netflix: $9/mo
huluPlus: $8/mo
Amazon Prime: $99/year and you get free 2-day Amazon shipping

Free sites: Crackle, hulu

**networks have agreements with cable companies so they can’t show entire seasons of shows

So You Want to Cut the Cable Cord?

• Get a 20Mb/s connection from CenturyLink
• Get an HD antenna for local channels
• Get a small PC to put near your TV
• Get a wireless keyboard with a trackpad
• Enjoy!!

Links to some new components you may need
New PC: a $250 mini Dell desktop would do it
New HDMI Cable: $10
New wireless keyboard: $30
New HD antenna $60 for local channels

Where the internet sites are
Netflix
Hulu+
Amazon Prime
Crackle free
Hulu free

What’s the downside?
Your favorite cable programs like Lifetime, TNT, USA, ESPN, etc. might not be available over the internet due to the contracts they have with cable companies. CNN.com does stream it’s news and live stuff. If you can live without those you might be happier without cable.

The Math
Today I pay $142 for Phone/Internet/PrismTV. I have one bump above basic tv to get the NBC sports channel – for european soccer. I used to pay $70 for Phone + Internet (Dish was separate for about $80). So that means I spend $864 for cable. ($142 – $70) * 12 = $864
Leaving $864 to use to pay for on-line entertainment

More Math
So let’s say I wanted to spend some of that $864 for some internet services like Netflix. How does that math work out?

Come to the Computer Club session (if you can) it’ll all be fun and informative.