All
  • All
  • Products
  • Articles
  • Videos
  • Galleries
  • Conversations
  • Social

digital cable

2011 Golden Globes Livestream
Editor's Pick

How to Watch the 2011 Golden Globe Awards Without Cable

I've ditched cable, but that doesn't mean I have to miss out on all the ritzy Golden Globes coverage going down this weekend.
by

I've ditched cable, but that doesn't mean I have to miss out on all the ritzy Golden Globes coverage going down this weekend. The awards kick off this Sunday at 5 p.m. PST on NBC, but here's how you can keep up with all the goings-on without a cable-connected tube:

  • NBC.com — NBC will be hosting red carpet and backstage access live online, along with photos and exclusive video.
  • APLive — AP's official Golden Globes channel will bring you live coverage from the red carpet and interviews with the celebrities starting at 3 p.m. PST.
  • PopSugar Network — PopSugar, BuzzSugar, FabSugar, BellaSugar, and CelebStyle will be online and bringing you live coverage of the best beauty and fashions, as well as covering the red carpet as the celebs arrive. Be sure to follow them all on Twitter as well!
  • E! Online — You'll get Golden Globes red carpet coverage, photos, and video on E! online, who's also hosting a live TV broadcast starting at 2 p.m. PST if you've got a cable subscription.
Canceling Cable or Satellite For Internet TV
Poll

Will You Be Canceling Your Cable or Satellite Subscription This Year?

So, let's see. You've set up your new HDTV and now you're ready to start reaping the high-definition rewards.
by

So, let's see. You've set up your new HDTV and now you're ready to start reaping the high-definition rewards. If you're like many, that doesn't mean upgrading your cable package; instead, according to the Los Angeles Times, this is the year that many will forgo cable and satellite altogether in favor of Internet-connected TV.

The availability of traditional network and cable TV shows on the web is ever-increasing, and there are already several options to choose from for hassle-free streaming. And with CES promising to cast some spotlight onto new Internet streaming devices (including Microsoft's rumored answer to Google TV) and web-capable TVs, the general public may be ready to cut the cord in order to save money. What about you: will you be saying goodbye to cable or satellite this year?

Networks Block Google TV Access
News

Things You Can't Watch on Google TV

Ah, the joys of Google TV.
by

Ah, the joys of Google TV. The magic set-top box can bring the Internet to your TV, and also allow you to browse available shows and clips from around the Internet in one clean interface . . . well, that's what it was supposed to do, anyway.

It seems that not all is going well for Google's new TV system, as major cable networks are lining up to block Google TV's access to their sites. ABC, CBS, NBC, SyFy, Hulu, and now FanCast are all blocked for Google TV users, which means the simple interface that searches web, video, and cable content will come up with fewer search results. Want to watch The Office? You're out of luck if you want to use your Google TV to do so from NBC's site or Hulu. But there is a way to avoid this problem altogether. Find out how, after the break.

Mad Men and AMC May Be Dropped From AT&T U-Verse
News

Brace Yourselves, U-Verse Customers: You May Lose Mad Men

Well this isn't the greatest way to end a Friday: Rainbow Media Holdings — the parent company of AMC — announced today that its upcoming contract deadline with AT&T could spell doom for Mad Men fans.
by

Well this isn't the greatest way to end a Friday: Rainbow Media Holdings — the parent company of AMC — announced today that its upcoming contract deadline with AT&T could spell doom for Mad Men fans. Rainbow Media has been warned by AT&T that if contract terms aren't agreed upon and renewed by midnight on July 14, U-Verse customers will no longer have access to the company's three major cable networks — AMC, IFC, and WeTV — which is especially upsetting since that's just days before the season four premiere of Mad Men!

I'm not personally a customer of AT&T's U-Verse so it won't directly affect my retro gadget watch this season, but this definitely does not bode well for the company's already deteriorated reputation when it comes to service.

Want to know how you can help keep AMC and Mad Men on your dial? Find out after the break.

Female Comcast Cable Technicians
Poll

Have You Ever Seen a Female Cable Technician?

Yesterday morning, PetSugar had cable installed in her new digs.
by

Yesterday morning, PetSugar had cable installed in her new digs. Afterward, she told me about her experience and disclosed that her Comcast cable technician was a woman. You know me — I'm all about sisters doin' it for themselves but for as many times as I've had Comcast employees in my apartment, I've never once had a woman install my cable. I admit that I was a bit surprised. Sure, it's a well-known fact that the number of men outnumber women in the tech industry, but I never thought twice about tech service jobs like cable installers. Did I just perpetuate a double standard by always thinking that my cable guy would be . . . well, a guy?

Tell me — have you ever had a female cable technician?

Do You Pay for a Cable/Phone/Internet Bundle?
digital life

Do You Pay for a Cable/Phone/Internet Bundle?

Even though I previously got rid of a landline, I let one sneak back into my life when I wanted to upgrade my Internet service, and the best deal in town happens to be bundles.
by

Even though I previously got rid of a landline, I let one sneak back into my life when I wanted to upgrade my Internet service, and the best deal in town happens to be bundles. Combining cable with voice and Internet yielded the best deals, and I'm not alone; a survey shows that customers prefer subscribing to bundles offered by phone companies, rather than cable companies.

Around here, no phone companies offer bundles like the cable company does, so that's not an option for me, but I think it's interesting that so many people are going for bundles, rather than cherry-picking each service. I do it for the price and supreme convenience, even though I now receive a service (voice) that I don't care that much about.

What about you? Do you subscribe to some kind of a bundle of cable, phone, and Internet service?

Source

Mandated Shift from Analog to Digital Cable Will Affect Many
Poll

Do You Still Have Analog Cable?

I can't even pinpoint when I switched to digital cable in my life — it just happened naturally (and probably when I moved), like tech evolution.
by

I can't even pinpoint when I switched to digital cable in my life — it just happened naturally (and probably when I moved), like tech evolution. So of course, like anyone else with digital cable already, I don't have to worry about how I'll be affected by the federally mandated shift from analog to digital cable.

For people who aren't already on digital (or have a newer, digital TV) though, there will be some unpleasant transitions. Converter boxes will run about six bucks per TV set, service installations of said boxes will cost people upwards of $60, and despite the availability in some places of government subsidies to help out, it will most likely be a big inconvenience. So I'm wondering, for cable subscribers, do you still have analog cable?

Source