AEREO TV Is Now Available In Utah! A first look at AEREO in Utah.

 UPDATE: AEREO IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE, FILES FOR BANKRUPTCY AFTER SUPREME COURT RULING.

Aereo has now opened the doors to its "over the top" video service to all Utah residents. It is offering a free month of service to new customers through this link: http://aereo.com/i/bq211F

For those that don't know about AEREO, it is a service that uses individual antennas and tuners assigned to each subscriber to deliver local OTA broadcast TV channels over the internet. It also provides a program guide (1 week into the future) as well as a cloud-based DVR service that allows you to store 20 or 60 hours of content, depending on your plan. The cost is $8 a month for the 20 hour plan, and $12 for the 60 hour plan that allows watching or recording 2 programs at once.

From Wikipedia:

Aereo is a technology company based in New York City that allows subscribers to view live as well as time-shifted streams of over-the-air television on Internet-connected devices. Immediately following Aereo's launch in New York City the company was sued by a consortium of major broadcasters, including CBS, Comcast's NBC, Disney's ABC and Newscorp's Fox for copyright infringement. On April 1, 2013, a federal appeals court upheld a lower court's ruling, finding that Aereo’s streams to subscribers were not "public performances", and thus did not constitute copyright infringement.

Aereo's technology allows subscribers to view live broadcast content and to record it for later viewing. As of October 2012, Aereo can be used on Windows, Mac, and Linux PCs  with a compatible browser or iOS devices including the iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch or Apple TV (2nd & 3rd Gen) via AirPlay. A Roku video player can be used also. Monthly plans start at $8 for 20 hours of DVR storage. Aereo provides this service by leasing to each user an individual remote antenna. This distinguishes Aereo from purely internet-based streaming services

I've had AEREO for just 3 days now, and while I'm not an expert on AEREO by any means, here's my first impression.

A Plea To TV Stations For Proper PSIP/EPG Data

I know some TV stations and networks monitor this blog, so I'm hoping that someone that can do something about it will read it and act on it. (I know, I'm a dreamer, right?)

For some time now, many TV stations have had inaccurate, incomplete, or missing PSIP (Program and System Information Protocol) data. For me, this has been an inconvenience mostly, until now. I have an OTA PVR (HomeWorx HW-150PVR, for under $50) that is dependent on PSIP data for recording. I know some of the blame for inattention to PSIP goes to TV manufacturers (For example, my top-of-the-line in 2008 52" Philips TV only tells me what is on now, and only on the channel I am watching now!), but broadcasters should be doing what they can to keep their PSIP data accurate. Manufacturers are only following the specs for our ATSC standards, which stations are supposed to follow - but rarely do.

FTA Satellite, Part 3: The Equipment

In the third installment of our Free To Air (FTA) satellite series, we'll cover the equipment needed to set up a simple, one satellite system that will get you started. We'll assume that you are going to set up your system for Galaxy 19 at 97 degrees. While there is lots of programming on other satellites, Galaxy 19 has over 200 unencrypted channels available (although most are foreign language and/or religious) and it is the logical place to start.

While you can add a motor drive or use multiple LNBs to get more than one satellite, at this point we'll be focused on just a single satellite. For this, you need just 4 things: A dish, 30" or larger with mount, an "LNB" (a Low-Noise Block down converter), a receiver, and some coax cable. I would also suggest an inexpensive satellite finder to make setup much easier. 

Here's the low-down on all that you need:

AEREO Internet TV Comes To Utah August 19

UPDATE: AEREO SERVICE IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE!

Aereo, a service that allows subscribers to view live as well as time-shifted streams of local over-the-air television on Internet-connected devices, has announced that it is coming to Utah.

“We’re excited to be launching our technology in Utah, or what is fast becoming known as the Silicon Slopes,” said Aereo CEO and founder Chet Kanojia. “Utahans are connected, tech-savvy and interested in innovations that can add value to their lives. When it comes to how you watch television, Aereo’s technology will bring more choice and flexibility to Utahans across the state, whether you live in Salt Lake City, St. George or Ogden. We believe consumers want and deserve a better television experience and our work is focused on delivering the best customer experience with the highest quality technology.”

In Utah, which is served by Comcast in some areas, consumers will be able to record and watch networks such as KSTU-HD (FOX), KSL-DT (NBC), KUTV-HD (CBS), KTVX-HD (ABC) and KUED-HD (PBS), as well as other over-the-air special interest and foreign language channels, including BYU-TV, AntennaTV, ION, Qubo, Estrella TV and others. In addition, consumers will also be able to add Bloomberg Television.

Aereo said that anyone who is interested in trying the service can pre-register on its website, which will give them priority over those that don’t. Aereo’s service will be available to consumers across all 29 counties in Utah on Aug. 19.

Full Story here: http://www.cedmagazine.com/news/2013/07/aereo-heads-to-beehive-state?et_cid=3382143&et_rid=43973232&location=top

Aereo heads to Beehive State

Aereo heads to Beehive State

Aereo heads to Beehive StateWhat's interesting about this is that Utah has an extensive translator network that delivers a majority of Salt Lake City's channels to most of the state. Therefore, Aereo will available to pretty much the entire state, rather than just a limited metro area as in other markets like New York city. https://aereo.com/coverage/slc Aereo’s service will be available to consumers across all 29 counties in Utah on Aug. 19

 I hope this really puts the screws to Comcast. Profit is one thing, greed is another.

Not only are they encrypting "Limited Basic" cable (the lowest price cable, consisting mostly of some of your local channels), they're killing QAM, and the "Digital Transport Adapter" they provide is NOT HD, and you need a box for every TV. Aren't they also charging rental for those boxes now, too? I think they call it a "Digital outlet charge" or some sort of doublespeak. Yea, the box is "free", but they still found a way to charge you every month for it.

What DOES Comcast charge for "Limited Basic" cable in Utah now, anyway? Does anyone know? They are really good at hiding the price, I can't find it online anywhere. EDIT: I FOUND IT! It's about $30 a month, plus fees and taxes - lets call it $40.

AEREO is $8 a month, it's HD, and you don't "rent" a box. You can BUY a Roku to watch it on, and watch on 5 devices - at no extra cost. It comes with 20 hours of DVR. For an additional $4, you can record 2 shows at once, and get 60 hours DVR.

Say what you will about Aereo, but competition is GOOD for the consumer. If we had 3 different cable companies to choose from, you bet your a$$ Comcast wouldn't be charging as much as it does. I'm signed up for the preview, and I'm looking forward to giving you all a review. I'll give them a test drive, but I'm sure I'll stick to watching TV with my antenna - as God intended!

FTA Satellite, Part 2: Is It For You?

FTA Satellite TV
Part 2

(Read part 1 here)

FTA satellite TV is not for everyone. But is FTA Satellite TV for you? That depends on a number of things.

Consider that you'll need to install a satellite dish at least 30" in diameter to get FTA Ku band programming - that's about 2x the size of the smallest (18") Dish Network or DirecTV dishes. Satellite dishes are covered by the FCC's OTARD regulations, which allow for the installation of satellite dishes up to 1 meter diameter (or any size in Alaska), in an area that you have "exclusive use" of. Basically, you can put a FTA dish anywhere you can put an antenna or DirecTV / Dish Network dish.

If you aren't allowed to have a satellite dish where you live, you can stop right here. Otherwise, read on to see if FTA satellite TV is something you may be interested in.

Using FTA Satellite To Get Free TV

Today, we are going to dabble a bit in the "black arts" of free TV. No, we aren't going to do anything illegal. It's all perfectly legal, the equipment is inexpensive, and the programming is FREE.

Let's get this out of the way first: it's not a replacement for pay TV. No HBO, ESPN, or Showtime here. No HGTV. But there is a lot of content that you would find in a basic pay TV package, and free over the air (OTA) broadcast TV can be found. You can also find some unencrypted premium content as well, albeit most of that is international (non-English) programming.

In this multi-part series of posts, we'll walk you through what free satellite TV is and what is not, what content is available, what it will cost you, and how to set up a simple single satellite system for about $100-$200.

Lets start at the beginning: the 1970's, the dawn of satellite TV.

KUTO 15.4 Goes Info-mercial

KUTO-15.4

If you haven't noticed, KUTO's .4 subchannel has dropped the TUFF TV network and replaced it with 24/7 infomercials. PSIP ID now identifies 15.4 as "KUTO-INFO". I believe that they didn't want to drop TUFF, but were forced into it because another LP station in SLC has aquired exclusive rights to TUFF TV in Utah. (Correct me if I am wrong, KUTO!) There is the chance that TUFF may be back on the air in Cache Valley in the future, or that some other network could show up on 15.4 (May I suggest The Cool TV, or Movies!)

I really do enjoy TUFF programming, but I also understand that someone has to pay the bills. And remember, back in the days before digital TV and subchannels, many LP stations existed solely to broadcast infomercials. At least KUTO is still broadcasting worthwhile network and local programming on their three other subchannels.

New Interface Update for Roku 2 Devices

Over the past 2 weeks Roku has been silently and randomly rolling out a new firmware release to Roku 2 series players. As of the 14th of May, you can force this update by going to:

• Settings
• Software update
• Check now

This new update gives older "2" series Roku players the same interface as the new Roku 3.
 From the Official Roku Blog:

PBS and PBS KIDS channels come to the Roku Channel Store!

Since I got my first Roku player, I've wondered why PBS doesn't have their own Roku channel - and I'm not the only one who has wondered that. I've been asked by several people where to watch PBS on Roku, and the only answer I could give them is Hulu - which, as we all know, is a paid service when using a Roku. I couldn't understand it myself, since PBS has always been an early adopter of technologies that can spread their programming to a wider audience.

But now at last, PBS and PBS KIDS have their own Roku channels!

iView 3500STB: An HD Tuner / DTA Converter Box / DVR / Media Player for about $50?

UPDATE: until iview fixes the problems in its firmware, I am no longer recommending the  iView 3500STB.  I am recommending the HomeWorx HW-150PVR. 

A lot of people have asked me about digital converter boxes, HD TV tuners, and DVRs, and where to get them for cheap.

How about a device that does all that, and costs under $50?
What if you could also play videos from USB devices, too?

The iView 3500STB does all that! 

KBYU TV Channel 11.3 Drops "PBS Create", Now Showing BYU International

As of today, May 1, 2013, KBYU channel 11.3 from Salt Lake City has dropped "PBS Create" in favor of "BYU International". For those that want to watch PBS Create, it can be seen on Idaho Public TV channel 10.3 from Franklin County where most of PBS Create's programming is on the "Learn" channel. For those with FTA (Free-To-Air) satellite, it's one of 14 PBS Ku band channels on AMC 21 (125.0 W)

BYU Television International is a cable/satellite television channel operated by Brigham Young University. BYU Television International broadcasts simultaneously in English, Spanish and Portuguese, with most of the programming also seen on its sister channel, BYU Television. Content originates from BYU, BYU-Idaho, BYU-Hawaii, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and independent producers. Broadcasting via Satellite and as KBYU's 11.3 subchannel, BYU Television International is available in most parts of the world. It aims to provide viewers worldwide with high-quality, educational and inspirational programming. It is available through direct satellite broadcast services such as Dish Network and DIRECTV, as well as on the internet as two separate Ooyala streams: one for Spanish and the other for Portuguese.

I have mixed feelings about the change myself. Channel 11.3 was the only full-time PBS Create channel available in Utah, but here in Northern Utah I can get most of Create's programming on Idaho PTV's 10.3 "Learn" channel. On the other hand, I hate "duplicate" channels that show the same programs, and I appreciate that there are many here in Utah who will appreciate another unique free TV channel.

BYUtv International's schedule can be found here: http://www.byutvint.org/schedule/ 

Yes, You CAN Have An Outdoor TV Antenna!

Can I Haz Antenna?

I've had a lot of people tell me "I would like to put up a TV antenna, but my Home Owner's Association prohibits it." Yes, a lot of HOAs try to prohibit TV antennas and/or satellite dishes. But did you know that if you OWN your own single family detached home, no HOA - or local government entity, for that matter - can prohibit you from putting an antenna on you roof? The FCC has prohibited these sort of shenanigans since 1996, and there are very few exceptions. Even renters, mobile home park residents, and owners of townhouses are afforded some protections from the  tyranny of HOAs and landlords according to the FCC's OTARD ( "Over-the-Air Reception Devices")rules. Since October 1996, the FCC has banned "restrictions that impair the installation, maintenance or use of antennas used to receive video programming." The rules have since been expanded it to protect the right of renters to set up antennas in areas they control, such as balconies or porches, and to cover wireless-broadband receivers.

There are some exceptions to the rules, but they aren't very difficult to understand.