Tag: streaming

Tubi’s “Boss Key” PR Stunt Encourages Workplace TV Streaming

Tubi, the free streaming TV service, has released a Chrome extension aimed at people who sneak in some streaming while at work. The extension includes what’s known as a boss key which will stop the video and instantly replace it with a productivity-looking website, giving your boss the impression you’re working.

While this is just a stupid PR stunt, the extension turned out to be more robust than I anticipated. It also got me thinking back to some of the fun boss keys that used to be included with computer games in the 80s and early 90s.

See the Tubi boss key and a few classic ones in my latest video!

Tubi promoted this with a press release that claimed 84 percent of Gen Z users watch movies or TV shows at work. That number seemed high to me. Back when I worked in an office, I might throw on a podcast while doing mindless tasks, but full shows felt like more of a commitment. Still, the extension itself turned out to be worth a closer look.

Inside the folder where the extension is stored, I found some customization options. The HTML page that appears when the boss key is triggered can be edited or replaced, so it’s possible to swap in something from a corporate intranet or a more believable screen. There’s even decent documentation included for modifying its code.

The extension only works on Tubi out of the box, but it looks possible to adapt it to work on other sites too. I ran the code through Google Gemini to see if it was sending anything back to Tubi, but it appears benign and limited to their site.

The idea of masking your screen with a fake productivity page has a long history. Back in the early 80s, computers could only display one program at a time, so a quick swap was the only way to hide what you were really doing.

The earliest example I came across was on the Apple II. A game called Bezare, written by Roger Wagner, had a boss key that displayed a fake VisiCalc screen—the spreadsheet program that was the Apple II’s killer app. Later, a DOS version of Tetris had one too, swapping to a Lotus 1-2-3 lookalike when triggered. Sierra Online built them into several of its adventure games as well. Leisure Suit Larry popped up a colorful chart of sales data for contraceptives, while Space Quest III flipped the idea on its head by ratting you out with a dialog box showing how long you’d been playing.

I spent part of my weekend firing up emulators to revisit a few of these boss keys, and it was fun to see how far back the tradition goes. For something a little more modern, the NCAA has long had a “boss button” on their March Madness website.

A Review of Roku’s $2.99 Howdy Service

Roku has launched a new streaming service called Howdy, priced at $3 a month. I subscribed to see what it offers and shared the experience in my latest video.

The marketing is straightforward: “almost everything you want to watch,” ad-free, for around the cost of a cup of coffee. At the moment, it’s only available through Roku devices, including Roku TVs, streaming players, the Roku Channel website, and their mobile app on iPhone/iPad and Android. While it may eventually expand to other platforms, this is currently a Roku-only service.

Comparing titles through JustWatch, I found that many Howdy offerings can also be found on other platforms, sometimes for free but with ads, or for a rental fee. For example, Reservoir Dogs can be rented on a few services for more than the monthly cost of Howdy, or streamed free with ads on Plex. The series Southland is available on Howdy without ads, while Prime Video offers it with ads for a higher subscription price. So far it looks like there are not many exclusives, but the content that is available is not always widely available either.

The interface is basic, and while there is a search function, browsing can be clumsy. You can save content that you want to watch for later so you don’t have to go hunting for it on subsequent sessions. Like other streaming services, I expect content to cycle in and out as licensing deals change.

One surprise was that some of Roku’s own popular exclusive productions, like The Spiderwick Chronicles and Die Hart, aren’t on Howdy at all, even though they’re available on the free Roku Channel with ads. On the other hand, Weird: The Al Yankovic Story is available ad-free. I’m guessing Roku may rotate its original programming on and off the service much like it does with licensed content. So unfortunately Howdy is not the gateway to watch all of Roku’s exclusives ad-free.

Kids & family content is limited—about 20 titles in the “family favorites” section—and there’s no dedicated kids’ mode. That’s a missed opportunity, since ad-free children’s programming at a low price could have been a strong draw.

Overall, Howdy seems designed for people who already enjoy free streaming content but dislike ads. For three dollars a month, you get an ad-free experience with a mix of familiar and lesser-known titles, most of them older back catalog type of stuff. It’s a low-cost way to remove interruptions, but given the small library and lack of exclusives, it may lack value for many.

Disclosure: I paid for the Howdy subscription and the Roku player demonstrated with my own funds.

Walmart Onn 4k Plus Google TV Streaming Box Review

Walmart just refreshed their sub $30 Google TV device with the new Onn 4K Plus (compensated affilate link). These are designed mainly for situations where a TV’s smart features are outdated or no longer functional, and in that context, it ends up being a surprisingly capable solution that feels a lot more powerful than its predecessor.

You can see it in action in my latest video review.

The device itself is a small puck—slightly larger than the last version—with HDMI out, a USB-C port for power, and a reset button. Performance over Wi-Fi was surprisingly solid. It supports Wi-Fi 6 and pulled around 430 Mbps down and up.

The 4k Plus supports USB-C hubs for peripherals, and I was able to get Ethernet working through one, though compatibility was inconsistent depending on the adapter. It looks as though the port is limited to USB 2.0 speeds as the best I could get out of my adapter was 100 megabits per second.

Internally, this version runs on an Amlogic S905X5M processor with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage. That’s a bump up in both performance and storage compared to earlier models. It still won’t satisfy power users, but general performance is responsive, especially when navigating Netflix and other streaming apps. The interface felt much zippier than I expected for this price point.

It runs Android 14 under the hood, and the front-end experience is standard Google TV, which remains very ad-centric. You’re presented with promotions and suggestions based on viewing habits, and it integrates content from services that support Google’s recommendations. The usual suspects like Netflix, Disney+, and YouTube are present, although there are some quirks—Netflix shows can’t be added to the watchlist, for example. That’s a long-standing limitation tied to how Netflix handles integration.

The remote includes voice control, which worked well for searches, and a new “Free TV” button that jumps into Google’s curated free content offering. It’s not vastly different from what Roku or other aggregators do, but Google has added a prominent shortcut to it on the remote to steer users onto their free platform.

Video and audio performance was mixed depending on the app. Netflix ran fine with Dolby Vision and Atmos audio on my 4K setup, but Disney+ didn’t deliver Atmos, and also failed to switch into 24p mode for content that needed it. This isn’t unusual—frame rate switching has been a persistent issue on Android boxes. You can enable it in settings, but results still vary app by app. Netflix behaved the best in my testing.

Gaming was better than expected. Android games ran smoothly, and GeForce Now performed decently over Wi-Fi at 1080p60. There was one crash and reboot, possibly related to the 2GB RAM ceiling, but overall stability was reasonable. Emulation is limited; PlayStation 1 works, but GameCube and PS2 emulators wouldn’t install.

As a Plex client, it handled browsing quickly, which made navigating a large local library feel snappy. But it lacks features more serious users might expect—no support for Dolby Vision from Blu-ray rips or lossless audio passthrough. So while it’s fine for casual Plex use, it’s not going to replace a higher-end setup in a home theater environment.

This box isn’t for enthusiasts, but it’s the kind of product they might still find a use for in a guest room or second TV. For most people, especially anyone looking to upgrade an old smart TV without spending much, it feels like a substantial upgrade. Even if it’s not perfect, it is probably the most value packed TV box on the market.

Streaming TV Box Platforms Head-to-Head!

Every couple of years I like to take the most popular streaming box platforms and put them head-to-head. In my latest video, I compare Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and a Google TV-powered Onn box. Setting them up side-by-side offered a firsthand look at what makes each platform unique.

Apple TV has always been known for its clean, straightforward interface, and that’s still true. It’s all about the apps here, with minimal ads or content suggestions on the home screen. If you’re deep into the Apple ecosystem, Apple TV feels natural, especially since you can set it up to display your photos in the background. I’m not met with random promos or suggestions, just a rotating view of my photos. The Apple TV does come with a higher price tag, but it feels like that’s partly because they’re not relying as heavily on ads to make up the cost.

Google TV, which I tested on an Onn box, really leans into recommendations. Google pulls from your viewing habits and other things it knows about you to suggest movies and shows. It’s personalized to the point where even my own YouTube content was recommended back to me! Google TV gives you room for apps and has a nice user profile setup, making it ideal if multiple people are using it and want separate recommendations. But there’s a lot of promotional placements integrated into the interface.

Amazon’s Fire TV is where things start to feel busier. Since it’s an Amazon product, it’s heavily integrated with Prime content, which works out if you’re already a Prime subscriber. The home screen is packed with ads, recommendations, and Amazon’s own content. You get a row of a few favorite apps at the top, but overall, it feels like Amazon’s trying to keep you within its ecosystem. If you don’t mind this and want easy access to Amazon’s library, Fire TV could work well.

Roku’s interface is the middle ground between Apple’s app-centric approach and Amazon & Google’s ad heavy interfaces. Roku hasn’t changed too much since it debuted, which is great if you’re used to it. It’s simple, straightforward, and easy to navigate, though there are more ads now than there used to be. You get live TV options, streaming channels, and even a curated “Featured Free” section that offers a ton of free content without needing a subscription.

One big difference between each is how each device handles free content. Apple TV doesn’t offer much in the way of free options, but you can install apps like Pluto TV or Plex (which sponsored this comparison video) for free content. Roku, on the other hand, is big on free streaming and live channels with plenty of live and on-demand options. Amazon and Google TV also offer live channels through their own platforms.

For households with multiple users, profiles can make or break the experience. Google TV, Fire TV and Apple TV let you set up individual profiles, so each person can have their own recommendations and watch history. But if each family member is not diligent about logging themselves in, watch history and recommendations quickly get messed up. This happens in my house. Roku, unfortunately doesn’t offer different profiles.

The kid-friendly features also vary widely. Google TV’s kids’ profile was the most impressive, offering a separate, safe environment for kids with no upcharges. Fire TV also has a decent kids’ section, but a lot of its content is behind a subscription that is above and beyond what you’re already paying for with a Prime account. Apple TV takes a different approach by setting restrictions across the account, which apply to all devices in the Apple ecosystem, and Roku’s offering is limited to its kid channel without much else in terms of parental controls.

All four platforms have some gaming options but none of these devices are designed as gaming consoles. Apple TV has the most gaming potential under the hood, but the library of games is mostly limited to TV ports of popular iPhone and iPad games. Fire TV and Google TV each have android mobile games that run on the television and Roku has some very limited games that work with the remote control. If you’re serious about gaming, it’s worth looking at an Xbox, PlayStation, or even a Nintendo Switch, as these all offer streaming options and much better gaming libraries. One area we didn’t explore is game streaming which is something I may cover in the future.

If you’re considering one of these for an older TV that doesn’t support 4K or HDR, the lower-cost Roku or Fire TV models are good choices. They provide solid streaming without the need for high-end hardware features. For newer 4K HDR TVs, investing in a device that supports those formats can make a noticeable difference in quality.

In the end, each of these devices has its strengths. Apple TV shines if you prefer an ad-free, app-centric interface and are already invested in the Apple ecosystem. Roku is affordable and packed with free content. Fire TV is great if you’re in Amazon’s ecosystem, and Google TV offers an impressive level of personalization. Depending on your needs, any one of these could be a good fit.

See more of my TV box reviews at this playlist.

The Google TV Streamer Review

I recently had the chance to test out Google’s latest TV streaming device, which is set to replace their lower-priced Chromecasts. Priced at $99 (compensated affiliate link), this device enters the more premium side of the market without the premium features enthusiasts might be expecting.

You can see more in my latest video.

The packaging includes a power adapter, a USB power cable, and a remote, but no HDMI cable, which is worth noting for anyone planning to hook it up to a 4K TV. The remote control has a new customizable button that can be programmed to launch apps or switch inputs. I also found it to be very responsive for voice queries.

The Streamer does include gigabit Ethernet offering faster connectivity if you have an ethernet connection nearby.

Surprisingly it does not feature the latest Wi-Fi technology. While lower cost devices now have Wi-Fi 6 onboard, this one is running with the older AC technology. It’ll still work with any Wi-Fi access point, but it may not do as well on busy wireless networks.

The device performs smoothly, and I found its responsiveness to be impressive, especially when navigating apps like Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney Plus. Dolby Vision and Atmos audio worked as expected through those services. However, it still hasn’t solved the 24p playback issue that affects many TV shows and movies shot at 24 frames per second. Netflix handled it, but Prime Video and Disney Plus did not switch properly in my tests. This will likely be a deal-breaker for home theater enthusiasts.

Another deal breaker for enthusiasts is that the device does not passthrough lossless audio or HDR formats from high bit rate Blu-Ray rips.

The box is running Android 14, although I did not notice many differences from prior versions of Android with Google TV. Google is now integrating some AI-powered synopses of show details and audience reviews but these are mostly very brief summaries. But issues with Google TV’s universal watchlist persist – such as not being able to add Netflix shows to it.

One fun addition is the integration of AI-generated screen savers. You can request custom artwork directly, which is a neat feature. The AI-generated images it created, such as a Siberian Husky playing video games, were a whimsical touch but not something to base a purchasing decision on.

The Streamer supports the Matter home automation standard, making it compatible with a growing range of smart home devices, although my experience with Matter devices has been mixed. The one device I have on hand compatible with the standard did not work correctly.

Gaming performance doesn’t match the price point, especially when compared to the almost-ten-year-old Nvidia Shield which absolutely smokes the Streamer in benchmark tests. Even simple games like Crossy Road lag a bit. Game streaming worked fine, however, but I did notice quite a bit of input lag when using a bluetooth game controller.

Overall, the device works well for casual streaming and home automation, but the price feels steep given that other devices offer similar features for less. If you’re invested in Google’s ecosystem or interested in the future of Matter-compatible home devices, it may be worth a look, but budget-conscious consumers will find better value elsewhere.

See more reviews of devices like this one here!

Cable TV Strikes Back with New Streaming Bundles

It seems like what’s old is new again, as cable TV companies are now selling bundles of streaming services in an attempt to retain subscribers. Will it work? It might, and in fact, it could be a significant money-maker for these companies. I dive into the details in my latest video.

Comcast recently announced a bundle that includes Peacock (which they own), Netflix, and Apple TV Plus at a “vastly reduced price.” The catch of course is that it requires customers to have an Xfinity Internet subscription first. The goal is to add value for their customers while simultaneously taking a bite out of other streaming companies’ profits.

This move by Comcast is intriguing for a couple of reasons. First, it’s another bundle they can offer to try and keep customers from leaving. Second, it highlights the stark difference between the cable TV business and the streaming business.

Cable TV plans often come with hefty price tags, in my area ranging from $24 to $90 per month, plus usually another $30-40 in local broadcast and rental fees. These plans include the infrastructure to deliver TV to your home and fees that Comcast has to pay back to the networks for each subscriber. This model puts cable companies at the mercy of big cable networks, who demand fees and prominent channel placement.

On the other hand, the internet side of their business is primarily infrastructure-based. Comcast doesn’t have to pay anyone for the bandwidth you use to access the internet. This means most, if not all, of the money you pay for internet service goes back to Comcast, making it a significant profit driver. As people cut the cord on cable TV but keep their internet, Comcast actually benefits because they make more money per internet subscriber than per TV subscriber.

To make things even sweeter for Comcast, they not only avoid paying for content but also get paid by streaming providers. Streaming services like Netflix have to pay Comcast to place their servers within Comcast’s network to ensure smooth streaming performance for Comcast customers. This arrangement, while seemingly at odds with net neutrality principles, is perfectly legal and remains opaque to consumers.

Comcast is a master of bundling, offering various services like Xfinity Mobile, cellular phone service, and discounts for bundling multiple products. This strategy makes it difficult for customers to leave because buying these services separately would be more expensive.

Smaller ISPs are also getting in on the bundling action, partnering with streaming services to offer convenient packages. Streaming providers like Roku are offering discounts on lower-tier streaming services to lock you into their ecosystem. Even competing services like Disney and Warner Bros. are bundling their streaming platforms together.

The financial struggles of streaming services are a driving force behind this bundling trend. Disney Plus, for example, lost subscribers after raising prices, and Paramount is facing internal turmoil. These companies are realizing that consumers demand high-quality original content and are quick to unsubscribe if they don’t find it.

Shareholders are pressuring streaming companies to reduce churn rates (the rate at which customers cancel subscriptions) and become more like Netflix, which boasts a low churn rate despite price increases and restrictions.

So, who stands to win in this bundling war? ISPs like Comcast are likely to benefit as they retain customers and make it harder for them to switch providers. Streaming providers also win by reducing churn rates, even if it means slightly lower subscription revenue.

The future looks to be shaping into a a familiar landscape where consumers are disincentivized or completely unable to go a la carte with their streaming services. It will become less convenient and more expensive to subscribe and unsubscribe to individual services as many consumers do now.

Consumers are in the driver’s seat but will these bundling discounts be enough to buy back some of that freedom? We shall see.

Broadcasters seek FCC regulation of streaming providers

Broadcasters in the United States are now petitioning the FCC and Congress to regulate streaming platforms like YouTube TV, potentially driving up costs for consumers. You can learn more in my latest video.

At issue here is the retransmission negotiation dynamics between broadcasters and streaming providers. Unlike cable services, streaming services currently negotiate content fees directly with networks rather than local affiliates. This means local channels like your ABC or NBC affiliates must go through their national networks for re-transmission fees, which they believe sells them short. By contrast, federal law requires that cable providers negotiate directly with local broadcasters.

Even without this regulation the costs of streaming TV services have surged over the years, very much in line with the increase cost of cable. Take YouTube TV, for instance; what started as a $35 monthly service now costs $73. This hike is largely attributed to the rising costs of content—networks charge more, so streaming services must adjust their fees accordingly.

Opposing the local broadcasters are the streaming providers who have joined forces with the broadcast networks. Both sides have created astroturfed websites complete with .org URLs. The broadcasters founded the “Coalition for Local News” in an effort to appeal to members of Congress who like to see their faces on TV, and the streamer/network alliance launched their consumer focused “Preserve Viewer Choice Coalition.”

With both sides poised to fight fiercely, a negotiated compromise might be the path forward, though this, too, will likely lead to higher costs for consumers. The looming question is whether consumers will reach a tipping point, opting to cut not just the cable cord but the streaming one as well.

Frndly TV Review – A low cost “skinny bundle” streaming service

In my latest video, we take a look at Frndly TV, a service that positions itself as an affordable option for those looking to cut the cord with traditional cable services.

One of my biggest issues with TV streaming services is that they are not all that much more affordable versus a traditional cable subscription and ultimately have channels the consumer will pay for but never watch. Frndly picked out a few popular channels that are sometimes not found on other services and positioned themselves as the “add-on” to complement other streaming subscriptions and OTA watchers.

The service’s pricing structure is straightforward, offering annual billing options that provide a discount in exchange for a commitment. The entry-level “basic” plan streams only at standard definition and lacks DVR capabilities. The “classic” plan is the better value, offering HD resolution, two simultaneous streams, and 90-day DVR retention. The classic plan currently retails for $95.88 if purchased annually.

You can see a full breakdown here (compensated affiliate link).

The channel lineup of Frndly TV, though limited when compared to more expansive streaming services, includes a mix of popular channels such as A&E, History, Lifetime and the Hallmark Channel. The full channel lineup can be found on their website. (affiliate link)

Frndly TV has apps for a wide array of devices, from Android and iOS mobile devices to various smart TVs and streaming sticks. Unfortunately LG televisions are not supported right now so a low cost Roku or Fire TV would be needed.

The service promotes ease of use, featuring a traditional channel guide for live television alongside features such as a 72-hour lookback, which allows viewers to access recently aired content without having to set up a recording.

Frndly does not offer profiles, meaning all users on an account share viewing preferences and recommendations. This lack of personalization might detract from the experience for those accustomed to more sophisticated streaming platforms.

The on-demand and DVR capabilities of Frndly TV offer flexibility in content consumption, with options to record future episodes of shows or access a range of on-demand content from specific networks. It neatly organizes recorded, lookback, and on-Demand content into TV show landing pages with an easy to navigate interface. You can see how it all works in my video above.

Overall Frndly fills a void for those looking to piece together their cord cutting solution by offering a few specific cable networks. At this price it’s unlikely the service will expand much beyond its current offering but if they’re able to sustain the offering over time it’ll be a nice part of the ecosystem.

Free Broadcast TV Streaming Service LocalTV+ Launches in Boston

LocalTV+, a non-profit streaming service, has made its debut in Boston, offering those within a 100 mile radius of the city the ability to stream free broadcast television on their Apple devices. LocalTV+ works off the same legal theory as Locast, a previously shut-down service, by aiming to avoid repeating Locast’s mistakes.

In my latest video, I look at some of the headwinds LocalTV+ faces as it begins to build out its user base.

I am situated just beyond the 100-mile radius required to access LocalTV+ personally. After I published the video I was able to access the service by changing the location settings on my iPhone to provide a less precise address to the app. The video quality looks good and things spin up quickly.

Local TV+ is exclusive to iOS devices – iPhones, iPads, and Apple TVs. This choice is because the developer’s expertise with iOS and helps in more accurately determining user locations, crucial for adherence to federal law.

LocalTV+ operates through an antenna situated in Brookline and possibly other locations around Boston. The service captures the ATSC 1.0 signal, redirecting it to users through a Boston-based data center. It does not have DVR capabilities although I was able to pause and restart live TV on-device.

The service’s legal foundation is built on its non-profit status, established under the name Mass Local TV Inc. This positioning is essential for compliance with federal retransmission laws, as it seeks to avoid the pitfalls encountered by previous ventures such as Aereo and Locast.

Aereo launched a commercial service (also in the Boston area) which allowed users to “rent” a tiny antenna at their facilities to pick up over the air broadcasts. The broadcasters argued that Aereo was no different than a cable provider and was violating copyright by streaming their broadcasts. The US Supreme Court agreed with the broadcasters, arguing that there was an insufficient distinction between its offerings and those of a traditional cable service.

Locast took a different approach, setting itself up as a non-profit and depending on a provision in US law that allows non-profit organizations to retransmit television broadcasts. But these non-profits have to it “without any purpose of direct or indirect commercial advantage, and without charge to the recipients of the secondary transmission other than assessments necessary to defray the actual and reasonable costs of maintaining and operating the secondary transmission service.”

Locast asked users to make a “donation” to the service that was around $5 per month. It was possible to access Locast for free, but free users would be nagged constantly with notices asking them to donate in order to watch without interruptions. Locast used the proceeds of user donations to expand the service into other TV markets and grew to over 2.5 million users.

The broadcasters took Locast to court on the grounds that the law does not allow donations to fuel expansion. The judge agreed with the broadcasters and also agreed to make Locast’s founder, David Goodfriend, personally liable for copyright infringement. Locast quickly shut down after that. In a settlement the broadcasters collected the leftover funds and decided not to pursue additional damages from Goodfriend.

For LocalTV+ to succeed where others failed, a delicate balance must be maintained. Its operations need to not step over the line to what federal law defines a cable system to be. This includes avoiding a paid donation subscription model and ensuring that any expansion is not funded by viewer donations.

Looming over this entire scenario is the ATSC 3.0 NextGen TV standard, which is on track to encrypt over-the-air signals. Such a development, under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, would make it illegal for non-profits like LocalTV+ to retransmit encrypted signals, potentially rendering this and similar efforts futile.

Enjoy it while you can!

Walmart’s $15 New Onn Streaming Stick Reviewed

My latest video takes a look at Walmart’s newly released Onn Streaming stick,. Retailing at a modest $15 (compensated affiliate link), this device is exclusive to Walmart and primarily targets users with older televisions that support 1080p resolution.

The Onn Streaming Stick, devoid of the high-end features found in more expensive counterparts, still manages to hold its ground in terms of value. It’s particularly appealing for those who have older television sets that are no longer updated, along with those who travel frequently, offering a convenient way to access streaming shows on the go. The device connects via its built in HDMI plug and includes an extension cable for easier placement behind a television.

The Onn streaming stick has only a single micro USB port for powering the device. An interesting aspect is its compatibility with the Smays ethernet adapter, which also provides additional USB ports.

At its core, the stick is powered by an AM logic S805X2 processor, similar to Google’s HD-only Chromecast, but at half the price. It comes with 1.5 GB of RAM and 8 GB of storage, sufficient for streaming applications but limited for storing games or other large files.

The included remote features full voice capabilities integrated with Google Assistant. This allows for easy voice searches and control of home automation devices. Performance-wise, the stick handles most streaming services efficiently.

The Onn Streaming stick runs a “pure” version of the Google TV OS which allows for personalizing content recommendations for multiple family members. Google TV recently added a great new free live channel interface that brings in a lot of ad supported content from a number of providers. And because the underlying operating system is based on Android it has a deep app library along with the ability to sideload apps.

It also supports Chromecasting, enabling content from a phone running a supporting streaming app seamlessly transfer content to the TV. The universal search function, accessible via voice command, is sufficient, although it is still limited by not offering a truly universal search and watchlist functionality.

While the device supports game streaming services like Nvidia’s GeForce Now, native gaming experiences are less impressive due to hardware limitations. In terms of updates, Walmart has been reasonably consistent in providing security updates for their devices, though they haven’t explicitly stated their update policy.

The Walmart Onn Streaming Stick is a good option for those with older TVs or for travelers seeking a portable streaming solution. While it may not excel in gaming, it performs well enough in its primary role as a streaming device, offering good value for its price.

Philo is a Budget Friendly Streaming TV Provider

In my latest video I take a look at Philo, a budget-friendly TV streaming provider. Philo offers a selection of popular cable networks with DVR functionality for only $25 a month, significantly less than other services. However, it does not include local or sports channels.

Philo’s interface is user-friendly and consistent across the major TV platforms, including Google/Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, and Apple TV. It also offers a mobile app for Android and iOS. The service allows up to 10 profiles on an account, but only three people can watch TV simultaneously.

One of the unique features of Philo is that when you tune into a show in the middle of its broadcast, it starts you off from the beginning. This is due to the Philo servers recording everything that’s being broadcast across its channel offerings.

Philo also supports the TV Everywhere protocol, allowing users to log in directly to a TV provider and watch shows through the provider’s app. This does not count against Philo’s three simultaneous live streams. It also works with the Channels App that allows for viewing and recording shows from your own locally hosted server.

While Philo may not offer the full breadth of channels available from some of the competing service providers, it is a cost-effective solution for cord-cutters who are looking to bridge some gaps from their old cable service plan – especially for those who already receive their local channels through an antenna.

Streaming ATSC 3 Content Outside the Home

I am continuing my journey into over the air ATSC 3 television now that I have a functional antenna up on my roof. In my latest video I explore streaming ATSC content outside my home!

Unlike the older ATSC 1.0 broadcasts that are encoded in a high bitrate MPEG 2 format, ATSC 3.0 uses a modern HEVC codec. This is very similar to the video encoding used by Netflix and other popular streaming services, making these ATSC 3.0 broadcasts much friendlier for remote streaming. ATSC 3.0 also runs at about half the bitrate of ATSC 1 broadcasts for HD content.

As before we used my HDHomerun Flex 4k to tune the signals which was provided free of charge by Silicondust to review a little while back. These devices are primarily designed to work on a local network only, but because HDHomeruns have an open architecture there are third party software options that provide more flexibility.

That’s where the Channels App for HDHomerun comes in. The app can connect to an HDhomerun remotely providing a channel guide and even pause and rewind capabilities. In my use case I set up a local VPN on my router to access my home network from the outside securely. In my testing it worked just as well outside the home as it did inside the house!

For iPhone and iPad users the Channels App for HDHomerun is free to use. On android and TV boxes (including the AppleTV) the app costs $25 one time with no subscription fees. Channels also offers a self-hosted DVR service that we’ve covered in the past for an $8 monthly subscription fee.

But there is a big asterisk on this which involves ATSC 3.0’s dark side – the option for broadcasters to enable a DRM flag. This is already taking place in some markets and it’s unlikely that the Channels App will be able to tune those DRM’ed channels in the future. The AntennaMan has a great analysis of the situation on his YouTube channel.

But for now this works great for me. We’ll likely see more players support this in the future once the AC4 audio codec can be decoded using open source tools like FFMPEG.

Disclosure: Silicondust, the makers of the HDHomerun along with the Channels App are past sponsors here on the channel. They did not sponsor this video.

Xbox Series S Unboxing and Media Player Review

I got a great deal on an Xbox Series S the other day at Target. They were selling them for $249 and the deal came with a $50 gift card! When I picked it up at the store the gift card didn’t process for some reason they took $50 off the purchase price. So I ended up at $200+ tax.

Check here to see if the deal is still on (affiliate link). It does look like they have plenty of stock. I’m also experimenting with a new affiliate platform that dynamically looks for the best in stock price which you can follow at this link.

I made two videos with my shiny new Series S. The first on my Extra’s channel is an unboxing and comparison vs. the much more powerful Series X. The TLDR is that beyond the added horsepower the Series X has an optical drive which is lacking on the Series S. So those who have a large library of older disc based Xbox games will not get much use out of the S as it can’t currently access the discs!

The second video looks at the Xbox as a streaming media device. As we have previously noted the Xbox does do a pretty decent job with Plex so I was curious how it fared with streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, etc.

Unfortunately it falls short in a key area – none of the apps I tested successfully switched the television into 24p mode. Who’s fault is that? Likely the app makers as we know the Xbox is capable of doing this and even has a setting to enable 24p switching!

The Apple TV still reigns supreme when it comes to 24p playback but it’s not so great at Plex. Unfortunately we don’t have a box out on the market at the moment that does everything right !