New Technology Talk

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.

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.