My family bought their first television in 1963. It was black and white. The broadcast signal was captured by “rabbit ear” antennae. Before the purchase, our home entertainment was transmitted via radio (and so limited to sound).
Today feeds from the internet, satellite and cable provide the path for digital entertainment to make it’s way into our home. Back in 1963 the picture was transmitted via an analog signal (this is basically sound waves with picture information, that is electron’s moving in a wave like pattern through the air.)
Over the years competition in transmission of video signals intensified from a few channel (in 1963 we received basically two) to the large number that exist today – we can receive hundreds if desired.
The business model for the service has totally morphed as well. Originally TV was totally free to the consumer supported by paid commercials. then cable service was introduced enabling more channels from farther away (for a cost) up to today where many different business models are practices. That is, from free to pay on demand to pay services , etc.
The addition of downloading and streaming digital video via the internet increased the access to movies, home videos (e.g., you-tube) and a plethora of options for searching and viewing media.
Commonplace Way’s to Access Media Entertainment
Just as an example I list all of the ways I can access digital media from my home. I offer this as an example recognizing I might be a bit atypical with the number of options I have. Still it shows the wide variety of options available and even my hardware probably just touches the surface of what is available.
Viewing Sources
- HD TV
- Digital TV
- Media Projecter (can display video on a movie size screen or wall
Signal Options (can provide signal to all of the above wired or wireless)
– digital cable (both standard and high definition
-Apple TV – download and stream digital media via an internet connection
-PS3 (Playstation) – download and stream digital media via an internet connection
-Rasberry Pi (fully functional linux based desktop computer that retails for $40) – runs XBMC software which recently renamed Kodi, which searches and streams movie, tv, video, and audio from online sources
-Boxi Box – media hardware which searches and streams from online sources (you can jail break the proprietary software and install Kodi)
-NLSU2 (jailbroken running linux O/S)- basically a twonky media server which which can stream from any digital collection on a source hard drive.
-Chrome Cast – connects and streams from mobile devices like android tablets, I-pads/pods, phones, etc.
-Desktop Computers (Mac, Windows, Linux) – streaming from the proprietary stores (Microsoft, Apple, even Raspberry Pi has one) or just using a bit torrent software to download media.
Although an extremely popular source I do not have Netflix or any of the emerging online services like it (e.g Shomi), don’t really need them.
And the point
Today’s post is just a random musing about the dramatic changes in home entertainment I have seen in my so far short lifetime, what’s next, I wonder?
The biggest anoyance about TV is the Cable Companies insistence on “bundles”. I hate having to buy channels I don’t want to watch just to get the channels I want to watch. The excuse is “well you are grandfathered into this bundle and to change would be more expensive”. Arrgghhhh!!!! Thank heavens for Netflix , Apple TV and computer downloads.
Brian….I agree. There are apparently 999 channels available to me (Fireplace Channel, really?) and I really only want to watch a few shows/events on any given day.
That said, I’ve managed to keep my Cable/Internet/HomePhone bill at a pretty constant $150-155 for the past few years….just by suggesting I’ll switch to another provider. (you’ll have to decide for yourself how far you want to go – ethically speaking – with this approach….but I’m pretty much viewing it as a game of poker, in which both sides know there is the potential for bluffing)
Most providers will give you a price cut in exchange for a commitment to stay with them (contract) for “x” period of time. The thing to watch for is that,, they don’t remind you when the “deal” you had with them ends.