New Technology Talk

Cable TV providers can give the entire family quality entertainment that everyone in the house will enjoy and appreciate. Cable TV providers offer a quality programming package for in the one that wants one. These programming packages include fun and entertainment for the entire household.

Cable TV providers have over 250 channels to choose from with digital and HD channels. These channels make it simple to get all of the action, adventure and excitement that a family wants, without the expensive pricing. Cable TV providers also offer the use of the DVR, or digital video recorder. This recorder can record and store standard and HD programming. To the DVR can record on one channel as the family watch is another, or record on multiple channels is the family watch is programming that was stored to the DVR hard drive. The DVR is a great tool for recording the programming the family will want to watch when they get home from work and school. The DVR also comes with parental controls that make it easy for parents to enforce their TV viewing rules, even when they're out of the house.

The DVR can also fast forward, rewind and pause the program that is stored on it and the programming that viewers can watch through on demand and pay per view services. This makes it easy for viewers to get the programming they want, and the control they need for convenience. On Demand is a digital library with thousands of viewing selections that make it easy to get the program in the family wants, when the family wants it. On Demand also provides access to newly released movies, the entire family can enjoy the best that Hollywood has to offer in the comfort and privacy of the family home.

The Pay Per View Service can put the entire family ring-side for the biggest events of the year. Familys get to watch their choice of UFC fights, pro boxing and pro wrestling matches.Cable TV providers can also deliver a high-speed Internet connection that can download even the largest files in seconds. Many cable TV providers are now offering online viewing services, with access to popular programming. With the broadband Internet Service and speeds that these providers offer, familys have alternative viewing options that allow them to stream video, HD movies and other programming. Or, families can play their online games and download music. This service also comes with Security Software, providing a safeguard against bots, trojans, spyware, popups and viruses. This software can also help protect the family from identity theft. Many families are happy with the service due to the parental controls that help the monitor online activities and block inappropriate websites.

Cable TV providers take their services even further by providing digital voice services. Digital voice services are more reliable and provide higher quality for calls than traditional analog services. Cable TV providers make this service even more convenient and affordable with the unlimited local and long distance calling to any location in the United States in Canada. Some providers even offer Puerto Rico as part of their calling area. This calling service also comes with traditional calling features, like caller ID, call return, call forwarding, call-waiting and others, depending on the provider. This service can even come with digital voice mail with instant online access to new voice messages.

Cable TV providers can offer all of the services and products in one monthly bill through a bundled service package. Bundles provide a way for families to get all three services, through one proven provider, for one low monthly rate.

Dish Network has partnered with Logitech to provide Dish Network customers with the Logitech Revue with Google TV.

This new service was designed to provide Dish Network customers with a digital platform that integrates the internet with Dish Network programming.

With the Logitech Revue with Google TV, Dish Network subscribers can get all of their home viewing options, plus online benefits that can be enjoyed on the TV.

Any Dish Network family with a HDMI-ready TV can a set-top box can enjoy the experience with the companion box and Logitech Keyboard Controller that is offered with the Logitech Revue with Google TV. For families that want a more in-depth experience, Logitech is also offering applications and other accessories to broaden the overall experience.

“We are delighted to be working with DISH Network to offer consumers what we believe is a transformation TV experience- through a combination of DISH’s programming and DISH’s integration with the Logitech Revue with Google TV, that includes unique DVR search and control.” stated the Vice President and General Manager of Logitech’s Americas region, Greg Rhine.

“DISH Network’s partnership with Google features a unique “pairing protocol’ that offers DISH network customers with a Logitech Revue the most advanced Google TV experience available. The integration includes robust search capabilities spanning Web and DVR content as well as DISH Network Video On Demand programming. The active communication between the Logitech Revue and DISH Network will allow for the development of applications which will continually enhance our TV service with web content and data. We are excited about our exclusive partnership with Logitech to bring the rich entertainment capabilities of Google TV through Logitech to our customers.” stated the DISH Network Chief Marketing Officer, Ira Bahr.

This system has been designed to provide the ultimate in information and content for any Dish Network subscriber that wants it. The Logitech Revue with Google TV system makes it possible to get the best of both television and the internet at the same time.

Logitech is recognized world-wide for the hardware and software the company provides for digital communications, entertainment and networking. They specialize in providing the necessary tools for music, gaming and video content.

Dish Network is a national provider for home entertainment options, with up to 300 channels and digital features like On Demand and Pay Per View. They offer a large number of programming packages, including their International programming, which currently offers the largest selection available for home entertainment on the market.
Dish Network has been recognized for their work and award-winning achievements, helping to shape the face of the home entertainment industry for almost twenty years.

Some of their award-winning achievements include the design and implementation of their DVR. This piece of equipment evolved until it can now record in HD, from multiple channels at the same time, storing up to 1000 hours of programming, indefinitely. The DVR is instrumental in controlling content from the On Demand and Pay Per View menus, giving the viewer almost complete control over what is watched and when.

Comcast Cable has a new weapon to help their customers fight cyber crimes, like identity theft and fraud. They have called it the Constant Guard Bot Detection and Notification system. This service is planned as a notification and removal system that works to notify customers when their computers have become infected with “bots”, a type of virus that can actually take control of a computer without the owner’s knowledge or consent. It has been launched and is currently being expanded to customers all over the nation.

Once a “bot” or virus has control over a computer, it can use it to host Phishing sites, send spam or even infect other computers, all without the owner’s knowledge. Comcast Cable has provided the Constant Guard Bot Detection and Notification system to give the owners and users of a computer the notification they need to be aware of the virus and to remove it. The system is designed to notify the owners or users of the computer through an open browser or through email, with immediate assistance on removing the virus for the maintenance of the computer and for the prevention of infection to other computers.

Why all the special concern for “bots”? According to the Javelin Strategy and Research company, over 11 million citizens fell victim to identity theft and fraud in the United States, last year, alone, with a total price tag of about $54 billion. Much of this damage was caused by “bots”.

“Internet users need to be aware of online threats- bots being among the most serious- and Comcast’s Constant Guard Bot Detection and Notification service is designed to help protect and educate our customers about this growing danger,” said the Senior Vice President and General Manager of Communications and Data Services for Comcast Cable, Cathy Avgiris, “With October being National Cyber Security Awareness month, it’s an ideal time to generate awareness about Internet security and start rolling this program out nationally.”

Ray Cooper, the National Association of Attorneys General President and North Carolina Attorney General said, “I encourage proactive efforts by Internet Service Providers to help educate and protect consumers from Internet crimes like malicious bots. It is important for business and government to work together to keep Internet users safe.”

Rob McKenna, the Washington State Attorney General and President-elect for NAAG, added this: “Cyber criminals cost our state tens of millions of dollars every year both in financial theft from our citizens as well as the cost of funding law enforcement resources to fight them. Bots are a real and emerging threat to American consumers and this is a welcome initiative for customers in our state and across the country.”

Comcast Cable currently offers high-speed broadband internet service to over 16 million customers a month. Comcast Cable recently switched to XFINITY brand products and services that can provide their customers with 100+ Mbps. Comcast Cable also provides their customers with online entertainment in the form of XFINITYTV. com. They are the largest provider in the United States for digital Cable TV services, digital Voice services and digital Broadband services.

As technologies are expanding and opening more doors for different types of media to be played on the web, cable TV providers like Charter Cable are expanding their horizons and services.

Recently, Charter Cable announced their introduction of EPIX online, available for customers that are already subscribing to EPIX through their channel packages. This online service comes at no additional charge and provides an alternative for household members that would rather watch their content online. Online subscribers will, of course, still have access to their EPIX subscriptions through their regular channel package and through the Charter Cable On Demand menu. EPIX is accessible through On Demand from channel 1, then the Premium Channels menu, under EPIX.

"EPIX is a total viewing experience - traditional television, on demand, and online - that enables our customers' TV viewing to evolve through this exciting multiplatform technology," said Charter's Vice President of Product Management, Rich DiGeronimo, "Television is an important part of our lives, and Charter continues to invest in new technologies and services that further enrich our customers' viewing experience."

Allowing online access is an easy way for Charter Cable customers to enjoy the movies this channel has to offer, providing it through a reliable portal with broadband speeds that make streaming them effortless. This allows Charter Cable customers to take some of their Charter Cable services with them, in any location with traditional internet, WiFi and a compatible device.

The process for viewing EPIX online is simple. Charter Cable subscribers simply need to sign into their Charter Cable accounts. When Charter Cable customers sign on to their accounts, they will also have a large lineup of other viewing materials to enjoy. These viewing materials will include new releases, like Shutter Island, Tyler Perry’s ‘I Can Be Bad All By Myself’, Star Trek and Precious. They will also be able to view the Godfather and Raiders of the Lost Ark. Charter Cable is also providing programming with music and comedy artists like David Cross, Madonna, Lewis Black and The Black Eyed Peas.

Rich DiGeronimo also stated, "Charter's early launch of the EPIX multiplatform service recognizes the importance of choice and control for customers whose viewing habits are multidimensional. Our goal is to help guide our customers through this dramatic evolution in TV viewing by providing high-quality programming on whatever platform or technology they choose."

For those that are interested, certain Charter Cable internet customers have free online access to EPIX until December 1, 2010.

EPIX currently provides access to over 15,000 movie titles from the libraries of Viacom, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, Paramount Pictures and Lionsgate. It is unique in that EPIX is the only monthly service that supplies an entire month of viewing selections with nothing but classics, newly released Hollywood movies, comedy and music specials and original series.

Charter Cable is the fourth largest provider in the United States, offering digital cable, high-speed broadband internet and digital voice services. Charter Cable currently provides Charter Cable, Charter Phone and/or Charter Internet for an estimated 5.5 million customers.