TV Articles

Aereo unveils new pricing plans, offers free hour of streaming per day

Aereo survived its early legal battles and now it's taking on the arguably tougher challenge: building its subscriber base.

The company announced a new pricing structure for its streaming over-the-air TV service, adding more subscription options to the original $12/month plan. There's now an $8/month option, which offers all of the same Aereo functionality, except you only get 20 hours of DVR storage, rather than the standard 40 hours. Aereo is also offering a discounted annual option for $80/year, which works out to $6.67/month for full Aereo functionality.… Read more

Three things Google must do to fix the Nexus Q

As you've likely heard by now, Google has decided to postpone the release of its Android-based media streamer, the Nexus Q.

Citing a desire to "make it even better," Google promised to redesign the device in one capacity or another. As to whether it will be a hardware change or a simple software update remains unclear at this point, but the Nexus Q we know today will become a thing of the past. But what lies ahead? I've come up with a few ideas as to what Google must do if it ever wants the Nexus … Read more

Roku names first Streaming Stick partners, keeps mum on exact price and release date

Back at the January Consumer Electronics Show, Roku showed off a prototype of its Streaming Stick -- a version of its streaming box miniaturized to the size of a USB drive, and designed to work with any TV equipped with an MHL (Mobile High-Definition Link) port. We thought it was cool enough to bestow it with a nomination as one of the best home theater products of the show.

The good news is that the Streaming Stick is on track for its promised 2012 release. Roku today affirmed that the product will be released "in the coming weeks." … Read more

Nexus Q launch delayed, preorderers getting free device

Google's Nexus Q played a big role in the company's Google I/O keynote, but it looks like the company is going back to the drawing board.

In an e-mail sent to anyone who preordered the device, Google explains that because of "initial feedback from users," the official launch of the Nexus Q is being postponed indefinitely, so it can "do even more than it does today." Additionally, Google is offering the people who preordered a free Nexus Q as a reward for their early support.

While it's surprising to see Google change … Read more

Apple TV quietly gets Hulu Plus app

The Apple TV is one of the best streaming boxes on the market and it just got a little better.

As of this morning, Hulu Plus is now available on the Apple TV. The app showed up without fanfare, with its icon popping up next to Netflix without an announcement from Apple or a required firmware update.… Read more

Do I need to break in a new plasma TV? (Morrison's Mailbag)

CNET Reader Mike Smith asks:

Is there some kind of burn-in procedure to run on new plasma TVs? I've read some crazy stuff online that says all sorts of things and I just don't know what is real from what is nonsense. Please let me know. Thanks.You aren't kidding, there is some crazy stuff out there.

AirPlay mirroring hands-on: Free Hulu on your Apple TV

Apple's Mountain Lion operating system is packed with improvements, but home theater enthusiasts have been patiently waiting for one feature in particular: AirPlay mirroring.

That's because AirPlay mirroring solves the question I'm most often asked: how do I stream any Web video from a laptop directly to your TV, wirelessly? With an Apple TV and a Mac running Mountain Lion that supports AirPlay mirroring (check Apple's Web site to see if your Mac is compatible), anything you can see on your computer's screen -- including Flash video and free Hulu content -- you can stream … Read more

What is the white line along the top of my screen? (Morrison's Mailbag)

CNET Reader R. Savoy asks:

I recently purchased a 60-inch plasma and used your recommended picture settings. Question: I have my picture settings set to Screen Fit instead of 16:9 and on some stations when they go from hi-def to 4:3 I get a white flickering line right above the top of the picture. This problem doesn't present itself on the 16:9 settings, please advise, thank you.

Good question. Annoying answer, sadly.… Read more

Rear projection vs. LCD vs. plasma

Rear-projection TVs used to be the only way to get the "big-screen" experience at home. With the advent, and diminishing price of, large flat-screen LCDs and plasmas, the RPTV has become something of an endangered species. In fact, only one company, Mitsubishi, still makes RPTVs.

Many people still enjoy their RPTV, and I've received several letters recently asking if it was time for them to upgrade.

Are RPTVs a viable alternative to flat panels? When should you upgrade your old RPTV? Let's break it down.… Read more

3D Olympics channel available to 80 percent of households

After the 2010 World Cup, major sporting events broadcast in 3D have been few and far between. NBC and Panasonic aim to change that by offering a new dedicated channel delivering a massive 242 hours of coverage in the third dimension.

More important, chances are you'll actually have access to it. NBC says the channel will be available to nearly 80 percent of U.S. households, which includes nearly every major cable provider as well as Verizon's Fios TV and satellite provider DirecTV. Notable absentee from the list so far is Dish Network. … Read more