New Technology Talk

The world of home entertainment is evolving quickly, offering more and more options that integrate the digital worlds we live in, as in digital cable and digital broadband into one. While strides have already been made to interact TV with the internet, Dish Network is taking it to a whole new level.

Dish Network has recently teamed up with Logitech to provide Dish Network customers with an integrated system that will allow the combination of television and the internet. Logitech, with Dish Network, is bring customers the Logitech Revue with Google TV.

This system was designed as a way to give Dish Network customers an uninterrupted viewing experience between online Dish Network services and web content, using Google TV. This means that a customer can search online for a particular program and have full the full benefit of the web and Dish Network resources, as well.

This new service is available for existing and expected Dish Network customers to add to their convenience and viewing options.

“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 experiences available. The integration includes robust search capabilities spanning Web and DVR content as well as DISH Network Video On Demand programming,” said the DISH Network Chief Marketing Officer, Ira Bahr, “ The active communication between the Logitech Revue and DISH Network will allow for the development of applications which will continually enhance partnership with Logitech to bring the rich entertainment capabilities of Google TV through Logitech to our customers.”

“We are delighted to be working with DISH Network to offer consumers what we believe is a transformational 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,” said Vice President and General Manager of Logitech’s Americas Region, Greg Rhine.

This service includes a Logitech Keyboard Controller and a companion box and is set for anyone that has an HDMI-ready television set. There are more applications and settings that can be used with Google TV, for those that are interested.

Logitech is a digital provider that specializes in connecting people in the digital world, through platforms that include computing, entertainment and communications. Logitech distributes hardware and software to aid in networking, gaming and other forms of entertainment and communications for the internet. Logitech is an international company that was started in Switzerland in 1981.

Dish Network offers several digital services including HD Free for Life, On Demand and Pay Per View. They offer local and national channels, plus International programming, in over 28 different languages from over 170 different countries. Dish Network has won awards for several of their products, including several of their DVRs. One of their models had more storage space for programming than any other model on the market at the time. Dish Network was also the first company to offer the DVR with a built-in Slingbox. Dish Network currently provides service for over 14 million households in the United States.

In the last two decades, cable TV providers have used evolving technology to enhance their service packages and the quality of the services. This means that any home can get the quality programming and other features that it wants, all at a reasonable monthly rate.

With the upgrades to cable TV platforms, cable TV providers can now give their customers over 250 quality channels and a large selection of HD channels to go with it. These channels now span a variety of genres, offering quality programming no matter what the taste is for.

These channels come with alternative viewing options, like On Demand and Pay Per View. On demand is a digital library that provides thousands of viewing selections the the entire family can enjoy, including children's programming, sports programs, network shows, music videos and more. This programming is available 24/7, so that any family member on any worker school schedule can enjoy the benefits of digital cable programming in the home. On Demand can even provide how instant access to the newest Hollywood releases, making it convenient to get the best entertainment options at home.

Pay Per View provides live programming for live entertainment. These selections include live UFC fights, live professional boxing and wrestling matches, what golf tournaments and more, plus live music and comedy events. These selections offer a range of live entertainment choices without the live entertainment pricing.

Families also enjoy the benefit of the DVR, or digital video recorder that these companies can offer. The DVR is a digital video recorder that can record programming from multiple channels at one time, offering everyone in the house an opportunity to enjoy the programming they want to see. The DVR can store up to 60 hours of programming so that it is there anytime the family wants to watch it. The DVR offers more control over viewing choices from Pay Per View and On Demand menus because the DVR makes it possible to rewind, pause and fast for the selections.

Cable TV providers want to keep their services family-friendly so they provide parental controls at no additional charge. These parental controls can block content of from specific channels, or block entire shows so that parents can get the programming they want with peace of mind.

With cable TV providers, their service packages can also include broadband high-speed Internet and digital voice services. The broadband high-speed Internet offers some of the fastest speed available for home use on the market today. These speeds make it possible to get even the largest files downloaded quickly. Families enjoy a the speed that they can get their HD movies, music files, videos, and online games in. These speeds make it possible to surf, shop, network, bank online and perform other online activities without worry or hassle. Cable TV providers are also giving their customers free online Security Software. The software is able to help safeguard against spyware, viruses, popups and even identity theft. These companies can also give their customers online parental controls that help parents monitor online activities and block in decent content.

Families can also enjoy the benefit of digital voice services that allow for unlimited local and long distance calling to any location, at any time in the United States and Canada. These calling services also provide calling features like call forwarding call waiting and call return in the same set monthly rate that is charged for the unlimited calls. Some providers also offer digital voice mail that can be checked and managed online.

With a cable TV provider of family can get all of these services and a bundled package. The bundle allows for a set monthly rate, through one bill, from one provider for three services. This adds convenience and affordability to any Home Entertainment Service the family has.

Comcast Cable is a giant in the cable TV industry, leading the nation in cable TV programming, high-speed internet services and digital phone services. They serve over 18 million customers, monthly, providing quality products and services to average families on budgets. These families enjoy reliable service, quality products and features, including a free online homepage, free email, online bill pay options and professional customer service representatives.

As the US leader in the cable TV industry, Comcast Cable provides the highest quality possible. This includes their award-winning online security suite from Norton.

“Cyber threats are very real and this year we expect to see five new threats coming online every minute,” said Janice Chaffin, the president for the Consumer Business Unit at Symantec.

Chaffin went on to add, “By joining forces with Norton, Comcast can now bring world leading protection, performance and family safety offerings to its millions of customers.”

After collaborating with Symantec, Comcast Cable is able to bring a heightened level of security to the family’s online experience. This software can protect the computer from malicious attacks from spyware, worms, viruses, Trojans, Bots and protect the user from identity theft. With the services this security suite provides, the family is able to enjoy a faster, safer online experience that provides the security the family needs, while protecting the computer, a sometimes-costly investment.

The Norton Security Suite has features like Identity Theft Protection, which helps to guard against key logging and phishing sites. It also stores and protects website passwords. Their Two-Way Firewall Protection guards against security breaches at the point of intrusion with “behavioral security technology”, stopping threats before they actually download or install on the computer.

The Norton Security Suite carries Parental Control Tools with the capability to monitor online activities, find used search terms and information on social networks the children are visiting. These tools also contain filters for maintaining appropriate web material. Concerned parents can use these tools to monitor their children, keeping abreast of online interests and activities.

This software is even instrumental in cleaning and repairing the Windows registry and finding and repairing problems that slow the computer down, keeping information, programming and drives safe and running efficiently. The Norton Security Suite is designed to work quickly, allowing the use of other functions while the suite is in use.

The Norton Security Suite also comes with customer service that is available to users 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Customers can contact Norton by phone, by chat or through email.

Comcast Cable also provides these services for Mac users with the Norton Internet Security for Mac service, meeting the needs of their customers, no matter what the operating platform is.

This security suite has a retail value of $160, but Comcast Cable provides it to subscribers for free. The Norton Security Suite provides a valuable service, offering added protection against malicious programming and assaults on the computer and family. With the Norton Security Suite through Comcast Cable, the family is granted professional online security services at an amazing value.

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.

In keeping with company tradition, Time Warner Cable is giving back to the communities they operate in by holding a contest that will award four winners with a trip for two to the Sundance Film Festival, 2011. This prize includes $500.00 in spending money, air and ground transportation and the hotel. The award also comes with an invitation to the Sundance Channel VIP party, hosting top industry executives and stars and two tickets for a film screening held at the Sundance Festival. As if all of that were not enough, Time Warner Cable is also throwing in a year’s subscription for Time Warner Digital Cable and Time Warner Cable Road Runner High Speed Online services.

The Sundance Film Festival for 2011 is to be held in Park City, Utah from January 20-30. Contest winners are being invited for a four-night stay.

The awards are being given to four winners for the Time Warner Cable Short Film Contest, being held in association with IFC. Time Warner Cable wants to reach out to all of the individuals striving to be recognized for their filmmaking talents and capability. The film is to be two to five minutes in length and applicants are to upload their entries to www.youtube.com/timewarnercable. Entries will be accepted from September 15-October 31, 2010.

“Time Warner Cable connects people to the content they’re passionate about,” said the Senior Vice-President for Marketing Communications for Time Warner Cable, Marissa Freeman,” Providing aspiring filmmakers with the opportunity to actually create the content- that takes it to a whole new level. We are really excited to see the entries.”

The entries will be narrowed down to 25 applicants. A panel of judges that includes Ti West, known for “House of the Devil”, Joe Swanberg, known for “Hannah Takes the Stairs”, host for IFC News, Matt Singer and the President of Sundance Channel and IFC, Evan Shapiro and online votes will determine the four winning entries. The public is invited to vote at the website listed above.

“This is a great opportunity for aspiring filmmakers to showcase their work and experience the inner workings of the film industry at Sundance, a festival which annually helps discover the celebrate some of the greatest films and filmmakers of our time.” said Evan Shapiro, President of IFC and the Sundance Channel,” We’re thrilled to be working with Time Warner Cable on such a worthy initiative.”

The finalists, and ultimately the winning entries for the contest will be judged on three separate categories: Content, Quality and Creativity. Votes for the entries will be accepted November 9th- November 16th. Winners for the Time Warner Cable Short Film Contest will be announced in December of 2010. No purchase is necessary to submit an entry.

Time Warner Cable currently ranks as the second largest cable TV service provider in the United States. They offer the Time Warner Digital Cable service, with Road Runner High Speed Online services and their Time Warner Cable Digital Voice service. Time Warner Cable currently provides service for 14.7 million households in the United States.