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 Hello Email class! I am using this old blogger as my Mailchimp subscription site. As I did, you are going to put the subscription code in the header html (video about that, it's easy) and you are going to post some of your forum posts on your blogger so you get used to using it. If you had a blog to sell things (as I used to with this one) you would want people to subscribe, then you would send them emails or notices that you had things for sale. That's why you hook a website to Mailchimp and then have a subscription popup as you are about to make. 

Since the subscribe to email on Blogger doesn't work anymore, we will just rely on Mailchimp. 

You are really going to be sick of emails when class is over! 

Nancy

Using Blogger to learn about Social Media

Welcome to my very old Blogger account, Social Media Management students! Blogger is a great tool for a portfolio site, posting technical finds, or showing an employer you can manage content.
Enjoy this very old video I produced for Sutton Bay Golf, the golf course where I grew up! Yes, that's my voice.

Love Sky News

I don't have cable, thus when breaking news happens I am at the mercy of illegal live links on Youtube, or the networks if it is a big enough event and they may or may not be live (I have a window antenna for local stations).
So thanks, thanks, Sky News. I have Roku and Apple TV which allows me to have the one live news source worth having - Sky News.
But you can also find Sky News in the live section of Youtube.

Save a gif from Twitter and make it a video

You can't save a gif by right clicking it on Twitter. But you can save it. Thanks to a number of websites like Tweet2Gif  you can save it for download or make it a video.

1. Go to the tweet with the Gif
2. Click the more icon in the top right corner of the tweet.
3. Use Copy Link to Tweet
4. Go to the website Tweet2Gif or Google Gif from Twitter download, either on your phone or computer.
5. Paste the link and make either a Gif or an mp4 or both.
6. Then if you want to alter it (don't alter copyrighted gifs), take the mp4 into a video editing program and speed it up or down, etc.

Phishing GoDaddy email System Alerts # 4565

I am not often fooled by phishing or spam emails but this one I received this morning with the subject line - Go Daddy System 4565 - looks very real. Before I send it off the the phishing file, I wanted to share. When you glance at something like this all you see is suspended, unpaid, disabled, deleted.  I of course did not click the link but called GoDaddy, again, something I seldom do with scams. Good work, spam email writers. You didn't hook me, but I paused over it longer than normal.

Avid Media Composer Color Correcting

Adding Comments to a clip in Finder on an Imac

If you need to write comments for a particular clip, document, photo or other item you see on a drive in a Mac finder window, it requires opening the dialog box. 

Select the clip, then command>I which opens the dialog box. 

There you can add tags, comments and look at the permissions for the clip. You can also select a different default video player or Open With item (you can also do that system wide in
System Preferences).  You can't just click on the comments box in the menu bar. 

Creative Cloud Student and Teacher Edition (One Year Subscription - Monthly Price)(Mac / Win)

How long I coveted having the Adobe Master Suite and now it is here in one bundle for $29.99 a month! A student of mine was using it last semester and he loved it. When I get my new computer, I am doing this. You do have to have Windows 7 and above and I am still using XP... sigh.

Creative Cloud Student and Teacher Edition (One Year Subscription - Monthly Price) for Mac,Win Creative Cloud Student and Teacher Edition (One Year Subscription Monthly Price) Produce breakthrough designs without breaking the bank. An Adobe Creative Cloud Student and Teacher Edition membership gives you all the tools you need to impress both your professors and future employers. Get all of the Creative Suite 6 desktop applications, online services and every new app as soon as they are released – all for a low monthly price. Whether you are working with print media, websites, mobile apps, film or music, Adobe Creative Cloud gives you the latest version of Adobe's industry leading tools that you will need to excel both as a student and as a professional. You will also be able to use Adobe's cloud based tools to collaborate and share your work with students, educators and future employers – both locally or anywhere in the world. Adobe Creative Cloud Student and Teacher Edition Highlights: Get access to the latest version of all of the Adobe Creative Suite 6 products and the newest services, features and workflows as soon as they are released. Master the tools, apps and services used by the professionals across multiple creative fields. With 20GB of Cloud Storage on creativecloud.com along with device syncing, you will be able to access your creations from desktops and mobile devices. Get your foot in the door with prospective employers by publishing your personal website and electronic publications using Creative Cloud tools. Collaborate with students and educators and join a wise interconnected community of professionals, companies, students and educators Use Adobe's web hosting service, Business Catalyst, to publish your websites with ease. From simple to complex, Creative Cloud's tools will host any level of website. Use the Adobe Digital Publishing Suite, included in the Cloud, to create apps and content for mobile devices without writing code. From conception to design all the way to the Apple App store, Creative Cloud gives you the tools to turn your ideas into reality and income. Be confident in your tools with Creative Cloud. Cloud users will receive not only the newest version and all upgrades as soon as they are released, they will also receive updated features between releases – making sure that that they always have the most advanced tools.

Filmmaker Chris Barrett records the first arrest captured on Google Glass

According to NPR , filmmaker Chris Barrett is one of 1000 non-developer "citizen testers" for Google Glass. He was wearing the eye camera during 4th of July celebrations in Wildwood, New Jersey and witnessed activity leading to an arrest. Tech blogs and writers are making much of the hands free filming and the ease of being a bystander while capturing the whole event. I was at first nonplus-ed about the "walking in the crowd" cell phone footage but around 2:35, it is startling when Google Glass puts you right there during the arrest. Bloggers and Barrett are right that a big video camera or a cell phone would negatively affect the pure capture of the scene. Citizen journalists will literally be policing the streets in their Google Glass.

Turnkey Video Editing System from B & H Photo - Mac Pro

I have built editing systems and I have had them built for me. Having them built is much better! It is hard to know what hardware specs go with the latest software, what new peripherals are out there to make your system run at maximum efficiency. Here is a turnkey Mac Pro system that is ready go, software, hardware, storage - open the box and create.  It has a 4TB Raid system for the safest backup and storage and the Blackmagic Ultra 4k that lets you route your media quickly and easily. For more detailed specs and information, click this link -  Turnkey Video Editing B&H Photo Mac Pro Workstation 15.4" MacBook Pro with CS6 Production Premium & UltraStudio 4K
                                    
                
                          Turnkey Video Editing System - Mac Pro

Super Sale! Our favorite Sony camcorders DCR & HDR - dramatically on sale !

 We used the Sony DCR series camcorders in my high school media class for 7 years. They are absolutely the most reliable, best quality camcorders on the market. They are dramatically reduced at B & H Photo through the end of July so if you want one, hurry!

 

Save! Sony 16GB DCR-SX85 Camcorder Black & Silver
  

Click this link for more details and specs

Sony 16GB DCR-SX85 Camcorder Black 

Click this link for more details and specs

Sony 16GB DCR-SX85 Camcorder Silver Reduced!

The HDR-CX210 HD Camcorders are also on sale - 

Save!

Sony HDR-CX210 High Definition Handycam Camcorder 

Black & Silver 

On Sale!

Click this link for more details and specs

Sony HDR-CX210 High Definition Handycam Camcorder (Black)

Click this link for more details and specs

Sony HDR-CX210 High Definition Handycam Camcorder (Silver)

House of Cards Changes Television Viewing Forever

We are lucky enough to be sitting in the media audience when television makes an historic change. Netflix's House of Cards is available (in all its 100,000,000 million dollar glory) all at once. Immediate delivery, no waiting a week. No commercials. Network television will change forever as of 2/2/2013. Excellent analysis here Spacey and Fincher make a house of cards

I have  been irritated at Netflix of late. I have pondered saving $7.99 a month. But I have a Roku, I cut the cord so Netflix supplies me with entertainment, mostly British series like Midsommer Murders. Netflix movies have been seriously lacking in the past year and they continue to give and take away my Midsommer episodes. In the middle of watching an episode they pulled it off the server! I called and he said no one watches Midsommer on Netflix anyway. Good customer service.

But all is forgiven with House of Cards. Kevin Spacey involves me in the story directly, I am part of the evil plot without knowing what will happen next. Superb. The editing is tight and spectacular. I have much to do in my personal life lately but like the Portlandia "One Moore Episode"  I am really tempted to do nothing but  watch Episode, 2,3,4..... (they lost everything for Battlestar Galactica - really funny)

I am always years behind everyone when it comes to movies but with my Roku, Netflix and Hulu Plus, I have my own comfortable seat in the theatre. I was recently at someone's house with 700 cable channels. I surfed and there was nothing to watch which is why I cut the cable cord. It was still the right decision. Buy a Roku, get Netflix and make 13 episodes worth of popcorn because this is the future of entertainment.

Editing Audio on your IPhone

Will wonders never cease?  I tend to be slightly behind the times when it comes to Apps and cell phones and I usually don't care. But I will be showing this fantastic app to my students tomorrow.  Voddio App from VeriCorder  lets you record and edit audio on your phone quickly and easily. Here is a great indepth article-  How one radio reporter ditched his equipment for an Iphone.

And here is that reporter demonstrating the ease of editing audio on his Iphone. Amazing.

LIVE WeatherNationTV on Roku TheNoWhereMan

I need live weather on my TV during winter. Just feels comforting to know when we will get another foot of snow. I also like to know what the weather is in all parts of the country. But I cut the cable tv cord - no live TV- I have my wonderful Roku box. I did some internet digging and found WeatherNationTV, but it took more digging to find where it is on my Roku.  Leave it to the The No Where Man (thenowhereman) to have everything every Roku owner wants. If I haven't said it to him before, I wouldn't have survived this long with my Roku without thenowhereman. CBS This Morning, local television news from all over the country, the best choices on Roku.
So if you have Roku you need thenowhereman , then go to "Featured" and you will find them - WeatherNationTV .

Someone in the forums said watching it feels like the old Weather Channel and I completely agree. My mom used to have the Weather Channel on just for company as she did housework and I adopted that habit. "And now here's your local forecast" said that great announce voice. Then the muzac rolled and some of it was excellent. WeatherNation has that same format.  Now I have it again 30 years later! Yeah!  The weather man just put his coffee cup to the green screen image of a rainbow and tried to "capture" it. Wonderful and campy-just like I like it. OH my gosh - he just called my area the "Sioux Empire" which it is exactly. They are my new favorite tv personalities.

Deep Dish Chicken Cooker

                          Techies have to eat!  

                                             

• Easy Pour Spout
• Rugged Stoneware Construction
• Recipe included on gift box
• No preheating of oven
• Cooks a meal in one cooker

Gumdrop Cases Case for Apple iPhone 4/4S - Pink/White (DS4G-PNK-WHI)

I finally have an Iphone - free from Verizon (well - free...) and I have decided on this case. Pink! In honor of Sophia Grace and Rosie. Click the picture to buy!

• Model Compatibility: iPhone 4, iPhone 4S
• Features: Openings for All Ports and Controls
• Not Included: iPhone
• Material: Plastic, Rubber
• Protective Qualities: Scratch-resistant, High-impact Resistant, Dust Resistant
• Dimensions: 1.65 " L x 4.05 " W
• Weight: 0.25 Lb.
• Waranty Description: 90 Day Limited Manufacturer Warranty

How to Connect MiniDV and Hi8 Camcorders to a PC

This is the best way to connect your "old" format camcorders to a computer so you can upload and play the footage digitally.  I am sure you recognize the familiar red, white and yellow cable connections.

              Avid Technology Dazzle DVD Recorder HD V14.0

Most camcorders ship with that RCA cable so you can connect your camera to a TV or VCR.  But computers don't have an RCA connection.  This contraption allows you to plug the red, white and yellow end into the Dazzle and the USB connection into your computer. DVD burning software comes with the Dazzle so you can send your camcorder footage directly to DVD. But I use it to capture my footage and then edit it using my video editing software. Either way, it is in your computer! People constantly ask me how to transfer old footage to a computer and this is the best device on the market.

Product Description

Featuring a high-quality video capture device plus powerful Pinnacle Studio HD v.14 editing software, Dazzle DVD Recorder HD makes it easy to create movies like a pro. Quickly import videos and photos, then edit scenes and add professional polish with an extensive library of effects, transitions, and soundtrack options

Closing Ceremonies Olympics 2012 LIVE on Roku BBC News

Watching the Closing Ceremonies live now on BBC/Roku player. Quality is excellent! 

If you have a Roku player,Roku.com - For Streaming Movies....Play, Rewind, Pause Through the Internet! Click here! you can see the Closing Ceremonies of the Olympics 2012 LIVE on the BBC News private channel (NBC is streaming it live online also if you have a cable subscription). (if you need to know how to install the BBC channel, scroll down to the Opening Ceremonies post) According to the BBC Internet Blog, here is the schedule. The times are BST (British Summer Time) which if you live in US Central Time, is 6 hours ahead:

12th August 2012 

Olympic Games review          

20.00 - 21.00

12th August 2012 

Olympic Closing Ceremony    

21:00 - 00:30 (approximately)

(followed by highlights of the day)

USA Closing Ceremony times LIVE (approximate) on BBC News/Roku:
Pacific Time - 1pm
Mountain Time - 2pm
Central Time - 3pm
Eastern Time - 4pm  

If you live in Britain and have a 3D television, the closing ceremonies are evidently in 3D. Roku users have an internet stream picture so not quite that quality! I don't care, I am grateful just to see it live. Since NBC aired Ryan Seacrest interviewing Michael Phelps instead of the memorial to the bombing victims during the opening ceremonies, I think I might buy a Roku to avoid their coverage! 

Team USA women Make a Music Video!

Team USA members have been making music video lip dubs as they settle in at the Olympic Village. This is my favorite from the women's team. When they are so disciplined for their event, it's nice to see them having fun. It is also amazing that with just a cell phone and an Ipad you can make a music video. At the Olympics 20 years ago TV people had to haul heavy cases of video tape machines, huge video cameras, often $150,000 worth of video gear. Now it fits in your pocket.

Olympic Coverage on Roku BBC without Cable TV

I watched the Live Olympic Opening Ceremonies yesterday on my Roku on the BBC News channel, 3 hours before the NBC coverage. I am watching live BBC news coverage (NOT streaming coverage - NBC owns those rights) and competition wrap-ups now, Saturday morning, the first day of the games.
Those of us who have cut the cord with cable have been searching the forums for some hope that we could see even a little of the Olympics. The forum I found yesterday said those in the UK with Roku could get the BBC live coverage but fortunately I didn't read all of that, I just saw Roku, BBC, turned it on and had live Opening Ceremonies. 


***To install the BBC as a private channel, go to your Roku account on the internet. At the My Account page, look for Add a Private Channel under Manage Account. Type in BBCN for the code and click Add Channel. That will show you the BBC icon and confirm you want to add it. Then when you use your Roku again it will automatically look for updates. (I just discovered there is a BBC News app for my IPad so I am listening to Live BBC radio and it is continuous coverage. Yeah!)


I am perfectly content with the BBC coverage. It feels like getting to watch the local channel for an international event. They have live reporters everywhere, they are doing features on areas of London, local color and visitors. I just watched an interview with the parachuter who played the queen's stunt double during the opening ceremonies. It is slanted to Team GB but when I am not watching the BBC
I am watching British TV dramas like Midsomer Murders
                                                         or       Downton Abbey anyway so I am fond of Team GB. 
If you want NBC coverage you have to have a cable subscription. Some Roku or internet TV forum posters say they borrowed a license from their friends.  I can buy a converter for my  old TV and get free local TV with rabbit ears if I feel like I have to have live, full Olympics coverage.  


I didn't know when I killed cable last spring that I was part of a big movement of "cord cutters". If you google cut the cord, there are many articles about dumping cable in favor of internet tv and the alternatives. It has taken awhile to get used to my Roku but now I love it, I wish I had two so I didn't have to move it all the time but that's easy to fix.  I dumped cable because all I watched were Law & Order reruns. I occasionally miss local news coverage, but again I can get a converter to use with my old rabbit ears. During the Aurora shooting tragedy I watched San Diego and Denver TV coverage, channels my cable company doesn't have.  I like my Roku very much! 
Roku.com - Digital Video Players Connect to the Internet Wired or Wireless! Click here!

CHEAP Canon PowerShot A2200 Blue Refurbished

Want a great starter digital camera for your kids or you? This refurbished Canon PowerShot A2200 is just $83.99!

PowerShot A2200 Blue Refurbished Smart AUTO intelligently selects the proper settings for the camera based on 32 predefined shooting situations. Capture memories your way as either still images or in 720p HD video. Easy to use, powerful A-Series camera has 14.1 Megapixels with 4x Wide-Angle Optical Zoom (28mm wide). Large, clear 2.7-inch LCD makes taking and viewing images a breeze. CANON iMAGE GATEWAY Qualified Product

Canon PowerShot A4000 IS Blue

PowerShot A4000 IS Blue 8x Optical Zoom with 28mm Wide-Angle lens and Optical Image Stabilizer deliver stunning images A 16.0 Megapixel Image Sensor with DIGIC 4 Image Processor for exceptional performance Smart AUTO intelligently selects the proper camera settings based on 32 predefined shooting situations Shoot brilliant 720p HD video with a dedicated movie button CANON iMAGE GATEWAY Qualified Product

The LP And Cassette To CD/Digital Converter

Such a good idea all us baby boomers need.

The LP And Cassette To CD/Digital Converter.

This is the combination recorder and stereo system that preserves classic vinyl records and cassette tapes by recording them to audio CDs or digital format. It faithfully transfers an LP or cassette to a digital audio CD-R or CD-R/RW, and at any time during recording you can pause to select only certain songs, turn the album or cassette over, and change albums or cassettes to make compilation recordings. Using the included Audacity software that works on Windows 7, XP, Vista, or a Mac, it can convert LPs and cassettes to MP3s for use on a computer or MP3 player. More than just a recorder, the system plays 33s, 45s, 78s, and cassettes through two 3 1/2-watt speakers, and has a built-in AM/FM stereo with digital tuner and single CD playback tray, all in a footprint less than 2' sq. Two RCA inputs in the rear enable you to connect the device to another stereo system or external speakers. Includes automatic/manual track, increment control, record-level indicator, record-level control, backlit LCD, and remote control that requires two AA batteries. Needle plays LPs for up to 50 hours before requiring replacement. Plugs into AC. 9" H x 19" W x 15" D. (23 lbs.)

Hotel Del Coronado - My favorite hotel in the world. (I know, right - big talk!)

I want to put a picture of the Hotel Del Coronado on Pinterest but the Del's website is flash! So Pinterest can't see pictures. Solved it this way. My favorite hotel in the world.

B & H Photo - Free Shipping on Video Equipment

This is why I buy everything from B & H. Free shipping. When you are buying video equipment, cameras, tripods, bulky big stuff, free shipping is a very big deal. Secondly, and as important as free shipping - B & H always has the lowest price. It's amazing that whenever I am ready to buy a large video item, they always seem to be at or below everyone else AND they have free shipping. I do my comparison shopping on Nextag which brings up all the good camera and video retailers and B & H beats everyone. Combine prices with their knowledge, service, warranties, fast shipping and there is just nowhere else you should purchase professional video products. And they have free shipping. Did I mention that? :) It's a blog. I can add a smiley face if I want to.

 

Portable Softcase Lowel Light Kit

My light kit - only newer and better! Everyone has always been jealous of my light kit. The softcase, durable, protective AND light as a feather travels so well. Standard lights for almost any simple shoot, this kit works so well for a one "woman" band. I also have a great collapse-able cart so camera case, tripod and light kit go anywhere easily.

Lowel Omni-light Action Kit, LB-35 Soft Case Lowel Omni-light Action Kit, LB-35 Soft Case, 1500 Total Watts, Three Omni-light Focus Floods, Bulbs, Barndoors, Stands, LB-35 Soft Case Action Tungsten Lights & Lighting Kits Omni-light Action Kit, LB-35 Soft Case

Looxcie 2 Wearable Camcorder - record your life!

The Looxcie 2 Wearable Camcorder records as soon as you turn it on, recording continuously for 5 hours in MPEG 4 (great looking format). This would be just fun to have, but would also work for police, job sites, office work, anytime you need to record what you are seeing. Reviews say the Looxcie 2 is more comfortable, fits better over the ear and does an excellent job recording movement.

Looxcie Looxcie 2 Wearable Camcorder Looxcie Looxcie 2 Wearable Camcorder, MPEG-4 Video, Camcorder You Wear, Continuously Records When On, Lightweight: Less Than 1 oz, 1 Hour Video Record Time, Doubles as Bluetooth Headset, Smartphone Acts as Viewfinder, Looxcie Apps for iPhone and Android, Earbuds Included, Right and Left Wearable Looxcie 2 Consumer Video Camcorders Looxcie 2 Wearable Camcorder

Looxcie Looxcie 2 Wearable Camcorder & Ball Cap Clip Bundle Looxcie Looxcie 2 Wearable Camcorder & Ball Cap Clip Bundle, MPEG-4 Video, Camcorder You Wear, Continuously Records When On, Lightweight: Less Than 1 oz, 1 Hour Video Record Time, Doubles as Bluetooth Headset, Smartphone Acts as Viewfinder, Looxcie Apps for iPhone and Android, Earbuds Included, Includes Ball Cap Clip Mount Looxcie 2 Consumer Video Camcorders Looxcie 2 Wearable Camcorder & Ball Cap Clip Bundle

Sony DCR Camcorders now under $200!

The Sony DCR Camcorder series is still the best personal camcorder out there for capturing high quality home movies, gift for a student or anyone who wants a simple to use video camera. Because technology is changing so quickly, this first flash memory camcorder is under $200.  We used these camcorders for 4 years in my media classes and we loved them. They are rugged (many students used them everyday through the school year), easy to upload into a computer and have a beautiful video and still image.Some of the camcorders below have additional accessories included like a flash card, extra battery and camcorder bag.

Sony DCR-SX45 SD Flash Memory Camcorder (Blue) Sony DCR-SX45 SD Flash Memory Camcorder (Blue), SD Flash Memory, Memory Stick Duo / SD Memory Slot, 1/8" 680k Pixel CCD, 3.0" Wide Clear Photo Touch Panel LCD, CZ Vario Tessar Lens, 60x Optical Zoom and 70x Extended Zoom, Built-In USB Cable and PMB, Direct Copy, Stereo Sound Recording with Link to Zoom, Video Light DCR-SX45 Consumer Video Camcorders DCR-SX45 SD Flash Memory Camcorder (Blue)

Sony DCR-SX65 Flash Memory Camcorder (Red) Sony DCR-SX65 Flash Memory Camcorder (Red), 4GB Internal Memory, Memory Stick Duo / SD Card Slot, 1/8" 680k Pixel CCD Sensor, 3.0" WIDE Clear Photo Touch Panel LCD, CZ Vario Tessar Lens, 60x Optical Zoom / 70x Intelligent Zoom, Stereo Sound Recording, Video Light, Direct Copy, Intelligent AUTO DCR-SX65 Consumer Video Camcorders DCR-SX65 Flash Memory Camcorder (Red)

Sony DCR-SX45 SD Flash Memory Camcorder with Basic Accessory Kit (Blue) Sony DCR-SX45 SD Flash Memory Camcorder with Basic Accessory Kit (Blue), SD Flash Memory, Memory Stick Duo / SD Memory Slot, 1/8" 680k Pixel CCD, 3.0" Wide Clear Photo Touch Panel LCD, CZ Vario Tessar Lens, 60x Optical Zoom and 70x Extended Zoom, Built-In USB Cable and PMB, Direct Copy, Stereo Sound Recording with Link to Zoom, Video Light DCR-SX45 Consumer Video Camcorders DCR-SX45 SD Flash Memory Camcorder with Basic Accessory Kit (Blue)

Sony DCR-SX65 Flash Memory Camcorder with Basic Accessory Kit (Silver) Sony DCR-SX65 Flash Memory Camcorder with Basic Accessory Kit (Silver), 4GB Internal Memory, Memory Stick Duo / SD Card Slot, 1/8" 680k Pixel CCD Sensor, 3.0" WIDE Clear Photo Touch Panel LCD, CZ Vario Tessar Lens, 60x Optical Zoom / 70x Intelligent Zoom, Stereo Sound Recording, Video Light, Direct Copy, Intelligent AUTO DCR-SX65 Consumer Video Camcorders DCR-SX65 Flash Memory Camcorder with Basic Accessory Kit (Silver)

Roku and Pandora - SWEET! Easy Activation

I love Pandora and I recently bought a Roku. I just used Pandora on Roku for the first time. The Roku window told me to go to www.pandora.com/roku and enter an activation code. It automatically entered my Pandora playlists and favorites in seconds and Pandora is on my TV! Excellent integration.

Wacom Pen Tablet - We need these in class for Maya, Illustrator, everything!

The large Intuos4 Tablet is perfect for creative professionals who work in large format or who are trained to work from the shoulder or elbow. With 102.5 square inches of working area, this tablet provides a generous workspace. The large has eight ExpressKeys with illuminated displays that provide easy reference for your assigned functions. Weight: 3.96 lb. Software Included: Tablet driver software and electronic User Manual. Color: Black. Active Area: 12.80" x 8". Dimensions: 18.70" Width x 12.60" Length x 0.60" Height. Input Device Type: Mouse, Pen. Pressure Levels: 2048. Interfaces/Ports: 4-pin Type A USB. Click the picture to learn more -

Roku Review - Roku Radio not Roku's fault

I wrote in an earlier post that I was buying a Roku. My daughter took the Wii to college, making me lose my Netflix/TV connection. I love British dramas on Netflix and I am frankly sick of cable reruns. So I killed my cable as an experiment and bought the Roku .


It is too expensive to justify it as just a Netflix player but I liked the other available options. So it's a brave new internet TV world and I wanted to try it. Unfortunately in many cases it is Roku Radio on my TV. Here is my review:

First, Netflix works perfectly. I am all caught up with Downton Abbey and on to the second season on the PBS site.

But other options that Roku offers as "television channels" or show options, especially news, have been a huge disappointment because the channels themselves don't offer TV, just audio. The Roku forums are full of voiced disappointments like mine and all say Roku doesn't control the channels content. Much of the daily news broadcasts are audio podcasts. Anderson Cooper 360 - audio podcast. CBS Evening News - audio podcast. Anything else that is a 30 minute television program is broken into small segments, individual stories without an auto play function such as the CNN news videos on their site. They are labor intensive to watch. I read a Roku forum complaint that NBC Nightly News was in a whole chunk as video, but it disappeared.

This is especially glaring on the weekend. On Sunday night, I don't want to watch/listen to news from the previous Friday but that is all that's available. The Roku forums say the problem lies with individual networks who are slow to update, don't have the streaming capability, etc excuse after etc excuse. Why would I want an audio podcast of small segments of a two day old television newscast? The bottom line is they don't want to give it to you on Roku, they want you to go their websites - to click their ads, look at the sponsors - I get it - commercial TV. It paid my salary for 30 years, I appreciate commercial TV.

A google search for specific shows and channels has helped, and I will admit it has taken me a while to figure out how to find things on Roku. The biggest savior has been Nowhere TV, because that led to my finding live CNNi and BBC news live which is really all I need to feel up to date (and in the case of the BBC - 6 hours ahead of the game).

A quick, unscientific survey of Roku Newscaster and some of the other channels had this result:
Fox News - individual segments from their commentators that I have to launch, launch again and then play something else when that 6 minutes finishes. Most of it is from yesterday (which I get - this isn't commercial TV).

NBC News - a complete mess. Dates all mixed up, thumbnails of stories so it's a lot of work just to see what is there. Not worth my time. I do see they have the Today Show clips similar to my CBS This Morning viewing - more below.

WSJ - News Hub - Almost never there unless I hit it at just the right time. And their anchors and reporters are - forgive me - not meant to be on TV. Delivery is terrible, interviewing is embarrassing. The rest of them are thumbnail pictures of stuff I have to scroll through. Not interested.

Weather4us and other weather sites. The Roku remote isn't sophisticated enough to make typing into their online keyboard comfortable. I can get my current weather on the internet in 1/100th of the time the Roku channels would take me. Not worth it.

Livestation - stations from around the world. Interesting but not of daily use for me.

WTHR Indianapolis - again - many thumbnails to scroll through and I don't live there. I thought having other stations would be fun - too much work. Was interesting during this year's Super Bowl.

Blubrry - not news.

KLAS Las Vegas - ditto WTHR

Democracy Now! - not news

Nowhere TV - thank goodness for that channel. They have everything in video. I have taken to watching the CBS This Morning clips there when I get home from work. That has been worth my time. Huh - right next to CBS This Morning is Anderson Cooper 360 - video podcast. It's only 10 minutes but the CNN exclusive site has his 43 minute 'audio' podcast. It must all be about bandwidth and streaming. I gave up my cable - but I don't want to substitute audio podcasts!

I like having NPR, PRI, CNBC, PBS - but for the radio options I will just re-activate my Sirius rather than use the Roku. I also think all the personal channels individuals are creating are fascinating. This is citizen TV at it's infancy and it will be interesting to see what's around the technological corner after Roku.

In conclusion, if you buy a Roku and are disillusioned - here is my advice. Google what you are looking for and you might find a Roku option. The Roku forums are up to date and very helpful. Don't think this has anything close to real TV, nor was it meant to be. If you can live on movies and some TV shows for viewing you will be fine. If you want news, it's Roku Radio. EXCEPT for my beloved CNNi live and the BBC. This morning the CNNi was streaming the deaf signer with the actual channel in a smaller box so I don't think the kinks have been worked out yet for live streaming (and I learned some sign language for soccer so that was fine). If you need news immediately in the morning like I do, the CNN 4 minute audio podcast update is as new as you will get for the United States.

Stay tuned...

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