Missed that last episode of Ugly Betty, Law and Order or 60 minutes?

No problem.

You can watch it on hulu.com and the best part of all is that it's free.

Except now it's looking more and more likely that the online video site, that replays television shows and movies, could start charging in the near future.

The site doesn't make enough money from advertising to sustain itself.

Chase Carey, president and chief operating officer of News Corp, which owns part of hulu, said at a conference last week that subscription fees for the service could come as early as next year.

News Corp. chairman Rupert Murdoch has also said the company is considering charging for Hulu.

The question is will people pay for something that they're used to getting free. Newspapers have struggled with the same problem. Many would like to charge for access, but aren't sure if readers would go for it.

I am not sure I would pay to watch an episode of a television show. I'd just wait for the reruns. Or watch it on a television network site since many of them are airing their shows on the Internet. 

I understand that Hulu needs to make a profit, but not sure this is the way. But what is the way? Any of you have ideas?

Posted by Andrea Walker at 11:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (21)
Categories: Digital television
        

Comcast cable subscribers, have you noticed any channels have disappeared from your lineup?
You may have, if you have analog cable rather than a digital cable package.

Reader bryanintimonium mentioned that the latest station to go MIA was the Cartoon Network. Bryan has digital cable but uses analog for other televisions in his home. When he called Comcast, he was told that the government was to blame for the change, and that all the cable networks would migrate over come June.

Let’s shed some light on this: Comcast *did* migrated the Cartoon Network over to digital service last month, said spokeswoman Alisha Martin. So have as other channels such as G4 and AMC. Other Consuming Interests readers first noticed cable networks such as G4 or AMC disappeared last year due to a similar switch.

So, fans of shows on Adult Swim must upgrade to the cable company’s Digital Starter package to continue watching those shows (available at the same price as analog service -- $57 in Baltimore, $56 in Anne Arundel County, about $61 in Baltimore, Harford and Howard counties and $59 in Carroll County). PBS station WETA has also moved digital-only on Comcast.

But to be perfectly clear, these changes have nothing to do with the government-mandated digital television transition.

Continue reading "Comcast cable channel changes: 1 more moving from analog to digital only " »

Posted by Liz Kay at 10:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

Need help installing a digital converter box? The Federal Communications Commission is offering FREE, IN-HOME digital converter installation in Maryland through contractors.

These installers are not allowed to charge consumers for labor but may have to sell consumers cables, antennas or other items if necessary. Folks should get their converter boxes ahead of time. And according to the FCC, you can still get a digital converter box coupon  by June 12 if you apply by June 1.  However, coupons will be available through June 30.

Here's the list of FCC installation vendors for Baltimore and the surrounding area:

Continue reading "DTV: free in-home digital converter installation is available" »

Posted by Liz Kay at 2:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Cable/Satellite/TV/Comcast/FiOS, Digital television
        

Digital converter coupons are available again! If you didn't get one before, you can apply now, and if you were on the waiting list, they're mailing one to you. You also can apply for replacements of expired converter coupons. 

Here's the link to check the status of a converter coupon application that has already been submitted.

This time, they may prioritize requests from people who rely on over-the-air signals to watch television who will be affected by the change, unlike those who have cable or satellite television.

You can request two coupons per household, but if you or your relatives live in a nursing home, you need to fill out the converter box application for nursing home residents.

Here's a recap of the converter situation: 

Continue reading "Digital converter coupons now available!" »

Posted by Liz Kay at 11:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Cheap/Frugal, Digital television, Technology
        

If you rely on over-the-air signals to watch television, Congress gave you a little more time last month to figure out how you're going to continue to follow your favorite shows after the digital television transition takes place on June 12.

Remember, if you have cable or satellite TV, you don't need a converter. And if you bought your television in 2004 or more recently, you *probably* don't need a converter (here's instructions for confirming whether you have a digital tuner).

Here's some information to help you decide what kind of converter you need to buy.

Consumer Reports offered this link to an FCC Web site that will help you determine how powerful a digital antenna you will need to continue to watch your favorite channels.

Then ...

Continue reading "Digital television transition: Consumer Web Site of the Week" »

Posted by Liz Kay at 6:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Consumer Web Site of the Week, Digital television, Technology
        

I hope you've already applied for your digital television converter coupon, if you have an older television and rely on over-the-air broadcast signals to watch your favorite shows after Feb. 17.

The federal government has started a waitlist for digital television converter coupons because the program hitting a $1.34 billion funding limit set by Congress, according to the story.

Anyone who applies after Sunday (Jan. 4) won't get a $40 coupon of their own until some of the ones already issue expire without being redeemed, returning some of that cash into the system.

Already, there are about 103,000 requests are on the list, so officials with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, part of the Commerce department, are telling people not to wait. 

Here's a refresher on who needs a converter: 

Continue reading "DTV: Waitlist for digital television converter coupons" »

Posted by Liz Kay at 1:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Cable/Satellite/TV/Comcast/FiOS, Digital television, Technology
        

It's coming ... the transition from analog to digital broadcast television signals.

Maybe you have cable television or have a satellite and won't be affected by the digital television transition. But, if you rely on over-the-air signals to watch your favorite shows, you might want to tune in at 5:45 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17 to see whether your television is DTV-ready.

Those who will need to take additional steps will see a message at 5:45 p.m. instructing them to take action.

Most televisions sold after 2004 have digital tuners, but some do not. The on-air test will help you figure out which one you have.

But even if your set is older than that, don't feel pressured to trade it in for a newer model. You can apply for a $40 coupon (two per household) to purchase a digital converter that will translate the signals for your TV.

UPDATE: WBAL and WJZ say the test will only last one minute, so tell your friends and neighbors (particularly seniors or others who aren't as tech-savvy but really like their TV).

(photo: Glenn Fawcett/Baltimore Sun)

Posted by Liz Kay at 4:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Digital television
        

How big a geek am I? I can't remember what day it was last week, but I spent half an hour watching the guys from PBS' This Old House talk about the coming digital television transition on Maryland Public Television.

Thinking I already knew everything I needed to know about DTV, I was surprised to find out that you still need an antenna to hook up to the converter box to get digital TV broadcasts. So yay PBS and This Old House dudes for teaching me that important piece of information.

You do know about the DTV transition, right? Come Feb. 17, 2009, broadcast television channels will stop broadcasting on analog airwaves and start broadcasting only in digital.

Continue reading "Testing a Digital Television Converter Box" »

Posted by Dan Thanh Dang at 11:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Digital television, Technology
        

Maybe you listened to our advice and already requested your government coupon worth $40 toward the cost of a digital television converter box.

The boxes will allow owners of older televisions who rely on over-the-air television signals to continue to watch their favorite shows after Feb. 17, 2009, when a government-mandated switch from analog to digital television signals goes into effect.

However, if you got your coupon too early, it may have expired before you got a chance to redeem it. Most stores started stocking the converters only within the last few months, although consumers could request coupons since February.

So what can you do with an expired coupon?

Continue reading "Got an expired digital converter coupon? " »

Posted by Liz Kay at 4:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Cheap/Frugal, Digital television, Shopping
        

Anyone looking to get their TV and movie needs through other methods outside of pay TV must be ever so hopeful that more and more choice is coming. Today, Google-owned YouTube and Metro Goldwyn Mayer announced a new partnership that allows the video-sharing website to host some full-length television shows and films from the famous Hollywood studio.

YouTube's new partnership, of course, is an effort to do battle against increasingly popular Hulu.com, which has already created an extensive list of movies and shows available to viewers.

According to this AFP story:

Another channel, youtube.com/impact, will feature clips from action movies such as "Rocky" and "The Magificent Seven" and full-length films such as "Lone Wolf McQuade" and "Bulletproof Monk." YouTube and MGM said in a joint statement that the videos will be free but will contain advertising. They said new channels would be launched "in the near future."

Continue reading "YouTube + MGM = More Full-Length Streaming Movie Options" »

Posted by Dan Thanh Dang at 4:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Cable/Satellite/TV/Comcast/FiOS, Digital television, Technology
        

 During all that cable talk these last couple weeks, Reader Sean asked a question about the competition:

Does anyone know if Fios will be available in Harford County anytime soon?

We just got an answer for you Sean and any other Harford Countians out there. Verizon spokesman Sandra Arnette says:

Unfortunately, I can't provide a specific timeframe when Verizon will offer our FiOS services in Abingdon.  But, we are in the process of negotiating a franchise agreement with Harford County government.  

Earlier last month, Verizon won unanimous approval from the Town of Bel Air Commissioners to offer FiOS TV to Bel Air residents.

Continue reading "Verizon FiOS Offered to Bel Air & Annapolis Residents" »

Posted by Dan Thanh Dang at 1:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)
Categories: Cable/Satellite/TV/Comcast/FiOS, Cellular/Landline/Voice over Internet, Digital television
        

It might seem like we've been picking on Comcast a lot lately, but ever since Comcast started moving more channels from analog to digital, raised cable prices, and made changes to improve customer service, we've had more to talk about lately. And readers have had more questions, too.

Reader Jenna Hody asked last week: 

I was reading the article on increased prices of cable this morning; maybe you can find the answer to this question - If I drop back to Limited Basic Service with Comcast, $14.10/month vs. $61.30/month for Standard Service, what channels will I get? After 3 calls to Comcast, and 3 different representives on the phone, all I got for an answer was, "about 20 - 25 of the 'usual' channels." There doesn't seem to be any info online about Standard Service. How is a consumer to decide?!

Continue reading "Comcast Answers Pricing Question" »

Posted by Dan Thanh Dang at 12:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Budgeting, Cable/Satellite/TV/Comcast/FiOS, Digital television
        

First comes love. Then comes marriage. Then comes streaming movies and TV shows right into your home!

I know. What am I, 5-years-old?! And yea yea, it doesn't rhyme. But I've made my point.

The two companies announced a new partnership today that will allow you to view Netflix movies on TiVO boxes with no extra cost other than Netflix's own fees. TiVo customers with a TiVo Series 3, TiVo HD, or TiVo HD XL will be able to do this come December.

Wicked cool, yes? If you remember our previous confab about the upcoming Comcast rate increase, a few of us mentioned getting rid of pay TV altogether. I know my work spouse Gus (who is at home taking care of his new, wee baby girl. Congrats babe!) has been talking about hooking up a computer to his big screen for all his TV needs.

Continue reading "TiVo and Netflix sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G..." »

Posted by Dan Thanh Dang at 2:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Cable/Satellite/TV/Comcast/FiOS, Computers, Digital television, Rent, Technology
        

Consumers can get answers to questions about next year’s digital television transition and sign up for a $40 coupon for a converter box at the Baltimore State Office Center tomorrow evening.

The state’s Department of General Services will host experts from the FCC, the Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration and the National Association of Broadcasters to speak about the change from analog broadcast signals to digital. There will also be technicians available to demonstrate how to use the boxes.

As we've told you before ...

Continue reading "Learn more about the digital television transition" »

Posted by Liz Kay at 2:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Digital television
        

Consumer Reports led us to the Better Business Bureau's warning to consumers not to fall for advertisements promising free TV, without a government coupon.

The company, Ohio-based Universal Techtronics, is running full-page newspaper advertisements for converter boxes that translate digital television signals to analog ones.

That's what consumers who rely on over-the-air television signals will need to watch television after February 2009, but Universal Techtronics is charging a $59 fee for a 'five-year warranty' as well as shipping costs for the equipment.

Don't be fooled. The federal government is offering two $40 coupons toward the cost of converters, which retail at about $60!

Continue reading "Scams: no free TV with converter box" »

Posted by Liz Kay at 11:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Digital television, Naughty businesses/NBotW, Scams
        

 (photo: Glenn Fawcett/Baltimore Sun)

Digital TV decisions got you down?

The folks at Consumer Reports want to help you pick the right digital television converter model to best convert the new digital signals that broadcasters will be sending out starting next year.   

If you rely on over-the-air television signals and an older television,  and haven't already cashed in your $40 coupon from the federal government for a converter to turn your broadcast signals into analog ones that your old television can process, check out their digital television converter reviews. Today's models retail for $50 or more, but $40 options are on their way. 

CR's advice?

Continue reading "Digital TV converters: which one is right for you?" »

Posted by Liz Kay at 11:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Digital television
        

A new Harris Interactive survey shows that while 7 out of 10 people know that the format war is over and that Sony's Blu-ray beat Toshiba's HD-DVD, only 9 percent of non-Blu-ray player owners are planning on buying one.

This InformationWeek story cracked me up:

Harris found that nearly nine in 10 people own a standard DVD player, but fewer than one in 10 reported owning devices available today for playing HD content, namely, HD DVD or Blu-ray disc players, Sony PlayStation 3, and the external HD DVD player for Microsoft's Xbox 360. These numbers are surprising, given that more than a third of consumers overall report owning an HDTV.

Continue reading "New survey say consumers snubbing Blu-Ray" »

Posted by Dan Thanh Dang at 7:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Cable/Satellite/TV/Comcast/FiOS, Digital television, Technology
        

Did you catch Whiz's tech column last week on the uneven quality of reception you get from the digital converter boxes people (who still get their TV the old fashioned way through rabbit ears) must buy to watch TV after Feb. 17, 2009? You know, when the whole digital conversion hits us?

Whiz did not give those converter boxes high marks, saying reception can depend on the age of your old TV, the box and location:

When it comes to old-fashioned analog TV reception, all sets are not equal. Some are much better at finding distant channels than others. Reception depends on many factors, including the converter you have, the quality of your set, your antenna and - as Realtors love to say - location, location, location!

But the more channels you receive today by antenna, the more likely you are to be disappointed - or hopping mad - when the broadcasters turn off those analog transmitters. This is particularly true if you watch sports or news on Washington stations or other distant channels.

With that said, one wonders whether this whole conversion is a big colossal mistakegood idea, possibly leaving people with perfectly good sets without TV come February. In an effort to avoid widespread disaster, the guvmint is launching a test run in Wilmington, NC.

Continue reading "Wilmington, NC to test run digital TV in September" »

Posted by Dan Thanh Dang at 7:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Digital television
        

The federal government has issued more than 197,000 coupons for digital converter boxes to Maryland residents and more than 12 million nationwide since the program kicked off in February.

As we've reminded you before, each $40 coupon --- two per household --- offsets the cost of purchasing a converter if you rely on antennae drawing over-the-air television signals to watch your favorite reality shows. Cable subscribers don't need to worry.  

Starting Feb. 17, 2009, broadcasters will switch to digital signals, which should come in clear on most new televisions with built-in digital tuners. If you're not sure, the National Telecommunication and Information Administration recommends you hunt around for an input connection labeled “digital input” or “ATSC” (for Advanced Television Systems Committee, the DTV format).

Already applied but haven't seen anything in the mail yet? 

Continue reading "Got yourself a digital converter box?" »

Posted by Liz Kay at 8:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Digital television
        

Digital TV is coming. Are you prepared? (If not, check out our earlier posts for help.) Better yet, are broadcasters and the technology behind it prepared?!

Read my esteemed colleague and tech guru Whiz's terrific column today. If you aren't nervous about the conversion before you read it, I'm betting you will be after you're done.

No worries, though. Whiz wouldn't leave you hanging. He offers tips to find out if your signal is acceptable, how to buy a digital converter box and then how to test it when you get it home.

If you've already gone through this ordeal and want to share it with the rest of us, do let us know whether you agree with Whiz or if you think the technology works brilliantly for you.

Posted by Dan Thanh Dang at 12:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Digital television, How To
        

Just in case you missed my colleague Chris Emery's story on digital TV coming and how to obtain a TV converter box, read it here.

As Chris told us, households that use "rabbit ears" or a roof-top antenna to receive broadcasts on an older, analog TV will need a converter box. Coupons expire 90 days after they are mailed. Who can apply? Each U.S. household can apply for two $40 coupons to be used separately to purchase a TV converter box. Applications must include a home address. Applications that use post office box as address will be rejected.

How to apply:

Continue reading "Get yourself a digital converter box" »

Posted by Dan Thanh Dang at 12:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: Digital television, How To
        

More on the transition to digital broadcast television and the misinformation that is being perpetuated as a result:

A reader e-mailed this morning to say that she heard bad info at stores in Carroll County and Glen Burnie last week, just like the secret shoppers from Maryland PIRG found in their survey, Mixed Signals. She will be able to watch television after the February 17, 2009 deadline with a digital converter box and her outdoor antenna, despite what she was told.

Someone also commented yesterday, pointing out that you don't need an expensive 'digital antenna' to pick up those signals --- just a digital converter box. The PIRG study found that some sales clerks were directing customers toward pricey converters with lots of bells and whistles that aren't eligible for the coupon discount. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration posted a list of eligible converters on their transition Web site, where you can apply for the coupon as well.

And for cable or satellite television subscribers,  

Continue reading "A clearer picture" »

Posted by Liz Kay at 2:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Digital television
        

 
Yesterday, we told you that people who own older televisions will have to buy a digital converter box to continue to watch broadcast channels after February 17, 2009. But how do you know whether you need it?

All televisions purchased before 1998 have analog tuners, according to www.dtv2009.gov, a Web site about the coupon program we discussed yesterday. It's run by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. 

Some giant screen projection televisions --- 42 inches or larger -- purchased before 2004 might have digital tuners, and most televisions sold after 2004 at major retailers have them, as well.

But not all!

Continue reading "How old is old?" »

Posted by Liz Kay at 7:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Cable/Satellite/TV/Comcast/FiOS, Consumer protection, Digital television, How To
        

Digital TV? HDTV? Direct TV?

After February 17, 2009, about 22 million consumers who watch broadcast television --- using an antenna to pull signals from the air --- will need a digital converter to continue watching their soaps and sitcoms on an older TV set.

But according to Mixed Signals, a report from the Maryland Public Interest Research Group, consumers can't rely on retailers for information about the transition, including the $40 coupons the federal government is giving away to help people buy converters. Check out my story about it here.

Nationally, about 40 percent of staff did not know when the transition would take place, and one in five clerks tried to convince secret shoppers to purchase a new television or a converter box with additional features that would disqualify it from the coupon program. 

Also, more than a third of stores were still selling analog televisions, which will be obsolete after the conversion without a converter. But at nearly 70 percent of those shops, sets had hard-to-read or incorrect labels.

Steve Hannan, executive director of the Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition, says that part of the confusion stems from a mix-up between digital television and high definition, or HDTV, which is a digital television format that offers enhanced picture quality.

Direct TV is a satellite cable provider, and no, you don't need that either. 

Here's the bottom line:

Continue reading ""D" = digital, dilemma" »

Posted by Liz Kay at 2:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Cable/Satellite/TV/Comcast/FiOS, Digital television