What do these mean?

NetFlix, Hulu, Ala Carte, VOD, PPV, PVR/DVR IPTV

     I am sure you have heard all these 'buzzwords' and wonder what they mean. Basically they are a way for consumers to have a choice in their ability to watch programs when they want to and not necessarily when the networks show the programs.   

     NetFlix - Is a service that will allow you to see movies and TV programs on any authorized device. There is a small monthly fee for unlimited viewing.

     Hulu - Is a service that will let you watch TV shows, including whole seasons, over the Internet on any authorized device. They have a premium service, Hulu Plus, which gives you more choices of what programming you want to watch, but there is a small monthly charge.

     Ala Carte - This is the ultimate utopia for the consumer - to only watch and pay for the programming they want to watch. Technology is not quite there for most cable or satellite companies to offer this service. The networks control how the media can be delivered and they can lose large amounts of money; so it is not in the foreseeable future.

     VOD - (Video On Demand) This is where you can use your cable box to view movies when you want to see them. You can view the movies listed anytime you press the button. These can be a set monthly fee or on a per view basis. You will also pay a rental fee for the cable box or the satellite receiver.

     PPV - (Pay Per View) In the 'old days' you could pay to see movies through your cable box. You are limited in that you have to watch them when they are scheduled to play. You pay per event and have to have an authorized cable box to be able to view them. There is usually a monthly fee for the rental of the cable box  or the satellite receiver.

     PVR/DVR - (Personal Video Recorder/Digital Video Recorder) PVR/DVR have completely replaced the antiquated VCR as a means to record programs to play back later. Features vary wildly between models, the problem is that you have to remember to set up the device to record your programs. You usually have to pay a rental fee for the cable box  or the satellite receiver.

     IPTV - (Internet Protocol TV) This term covers a lot of ground, but is basically referring to any service that will stream video over the Internet. There are many video sites around the Internet. You can stream music videos, music, funny videos, and a wide assortment of entertainment. All is required is an good Internet connection

     
Most people who use the services (or want to use these services) do so because they can't be at their TV when their favorite shows are broadcast. With a traditional cable or satellite box, you are paying a monthly fee for the box rental. If you subscribe to any pay services HBO, Showtime, Cinemax, Starz, or others - you still have to be at your TV when the program is scheduled to be broadcast. This is what makes the PVR/DVR so popular. Since there is no legal way to do anything else with the recordings stored on these devices; what is the difference to watch them 'recorded' on a device or from a service like NetFlix or Hulu? Nothing.

Now I can hear you saying, "That is fine, but I don't want to watch movies or TV shows on my computer." Technology has come to your rescue! There are many ways to watch these services in the comfort of your easy chair on your big screen (or small screen) TV. These devices will let you watch TV on YOUR schedule on YOUR TV. You pay for what you watch, when you want to watch it. NetFlix and Hulu Plus charge a small fee per month that is usually less then the rental of a cable or satellite box. If there are other services you want to subscribe to; you control what you pay for.

This is the closest thing to Ala Carte available today.

You pay for and own the device so there is no monthly rental. The drawback is that you can watch the major network shows you enjoy, but there will be no 'live' local content. So this solution is not for everyone to use as a complete cable/satellite replacement.

If you currently have cable/satellite and like to watch movies and network TV programs and are using a PVR/DVR to record them to watch later; you may be money ahead to try one of these options. These devices are a great and inexpensive way to take control of your entertainment budget. These are the devices we have personally tested and used. There are others options out there, but we have no 'hands on' experience with them to give an honest review.

Will these devices work for you to save you some money? You need to see if they can replace what you are doing currently. Go to the sites and look at them and make an informed decision.

Let's take a look!

Roku - The Roku player is both a device and a service. The Roku is a very small device that will let you stream content from the Internet on your TV. All the Roku devices are less than $100. They can connect from either a WiFi or wired connection. Either way, you just plug the device into your TV and power it up. You go through a very simple and easy setup; then you can start watching TV shows, Movies, Channels, and Videos on your TV. It will play movies in SD or HD and off of a USB stick depending on what device you purchase. In the Roku channels are both free and paid programming. You can COMPLETELY control your entertainment budget.

Ease of Set up - Excellent
Selection of Entertainment - Excellent, many different channels to choose from in both free and premium services. There are also some actual networks that are streaming through the Roku and more to come in the future. There is the MLB, NBA, NHL, UFC and other sports networks. If you are a member of these, you can link them to your Roku and watch sports. There are also movies channels, music channels, see pictures, play your own movies from a USB disk (on some models) and a variety of other features and channels. They are continually adding features and channels so it will be growing in content as time goes on.
Formats - Depending on the device you purchase, you can go from SD to Full 1080p HD.
Internet Connections - WiFi or wired Ethernet
Drawbacks - Has no provisions to play any disks. You can only watch what is in their channel system. It has no web browser.

PS3 - Most think of this device as a game console (which it is). The advantage is that it also plays DVDs and BluRays. You can use the PlayStation Store to purchase movies, TV shows, and Games. You can also surf the Internet with its internal browser, rent movies and TV shows through the PlayStation Store, rent movies through the VuDu movies service, use NetFlix, use Hulu Plus, and a wide variety of other things beside playing games. There is no charge for using the device on the Internet. You can purchase prepaid cards at Walmart for rental or purchases through the PlayStation Store.

Ease of Set up - Excellent
Selection of Entertainment - A very good selection of entertainment choices. The movies and TV are the thrust, though you can connect to other online services through the web browser. Has internal (don't need a disk or anything for getting service) NetFlix, Hulu Plus, VuDu, and a few others; just lick on the icons install.
Formats - Depending on your TV set you can have from SD up to 1080p HD. You can playback DVD and BluRay disks.
Internet Connections - WiFi or wired Ethernet
Drawbacks - More expensive than the Roku (around $300); but you can playback DVD and BluRay disks.

XBox 360 - This is another game device that also will playback movies. You can use the XBox Live Marketplace to rent or purchase movies. It does have the ability to use NetFlix. There is no option at the present time for being able to use Hulu or Hulu Plus. There is no internal web browser. The only disk format that can be played back is DVD, no BluRay. There is a charge for using the Internet service from Xbox Live.

Ease of Set up - Good, you need to set up a credit card acount to access the online marketplace.
Selection of Entertainment - Descent selection of entertainment, though not as good as the previous devices.
Formats - Depending on your TV set you can have from SD up to 1080p HD. DVD playback only.
Internet Connections - WiFi or wired Ethernet
Drawbacks - No BluRay playback and charge for Internet access to their products. Prices start around $199 and up.

Wii - Besides being a game system you can also play back movies through NetFlix. You do have to contact NetFlix to get a disk to access the system.

Ease of Set up - Good
Selection of Entertainment - NetFlix
Formats - SD only - No HD or disk playback capabilities.
Internet Connections - WiFi only unless you purchase an extra device
Drawbacks - Very limited in your choices. If you have an old TV (non-HD) and NetFlix has everything you want, this is a good choice. Pricing starts around $199

     There are also BluRay players and TVs that have some of the capabilities of these devices. Your choices are growing all the time. The problem is that you would have to buy a new TV to get these features in the TV without an external device.

     As you can see, you can actually watch TV from Internet content like you do with Cable or Satellite. You can save some money and have more control of your entertainment dollar with these devices. A 5M Internet connection will work in most instances; but, the faster the better where this type of entertainment is concerned.