Barb Gonzalez

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Hands On: Hulu’s New Live TV Feature
SMARTSTREAM
Barb Gonzalez  |  May 10, 2017  |  0 comments
Hulu has released a public beta of its Live TV feature in a completely redesigned app so I tried it out to see if it is it a bona fide replacement for pay TV.
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Hands On: Dish’s AirTV Combines Sling, Local Channels
SMARTSTREAM
Barb Gonzalez  |  Apr 26, 2017  |  0 comments
Designed for cord-cutters, Dish’s AirTV combines premium and local channels with online streaming and attempts to mimic the experience of watching cable or satellite. We take it for a test drive.
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Hands On: HDHomeRun TV Tuner and DVR
SMARTSTREAM
Barb Gonzalez  |  Apr 12, 2017  |  2 comments
In the search for ways to free ourselves from the escalating costs of pay TV, the missing piece of the puzzle is the ability to stream and record live local TV broadcasts. We can stream movies, previous TV seasons, and many cable channels—from Food TV and A&E to Cartoon Network on Sling TV— but getting local TV is another matter.
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Hands On: Apple’s New Watch Anywhere Feature
SMARTSTREAM
Barb Gonzalez  |  Mar 22, 2017  |  1 comments
Apple is finally getting around to allowing users to rent a video once and watch it on all devices. I took the new feature for a test drive.
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Hands On: Facebook Video App for Apple TV
SMARTSTREAM
Barb Gonzalez  |  Mar 10, 2017  |  0 comments
It would be easy to dismiss the Facebook Video app as unnecessary and just another way to waste time. The new app,recently launched for Samsung TVs and the fourth generation Apple TV, is a lot better than I had expected. And oddly, I find that I’m spending less time using it.
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Alexa Finds More Ways to Say 'Your Wish Is My Command'
SMARTSTREAM
Barb Gonzalez  |  Feb 23, 2017  |  0 comments
Voice control is getting smarter and smarter every day and Alexa is leading the way.
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Hands On: Plex Adds DVR Features and Alexa
SMARTSTREAM
Barb Gonzalez  |  Feb 09, 2017  |  0 comments
We revisit Plex to see how its new DVR and voice-control features work.
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NVIDIA Shield TV: My New Favorite Media Streamer
SMARTSTREAM
Barb Gonzalez  |  Jan 26, 2017  |  7 comments
The NVIDIA Shield TV was created as the best streaming player for gamers. Features including Home Control, improved search, and all the content a cord-cutter could want in one device, makes the new Shield TV a top media streamer choice for everyone.
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Roku Ultra Streaming Player
MEDIA SERVER REVIEWS
Barb Gonzalez  |  Jan 17, 2017  |  6 comments

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value
PRICE $130

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Excellent 4K HDR picture and sound quality
Optical audio output for full Dolby Digital Plus surround sound
Agnostic voice search finds movies/TV shows on most streaming channels
Minus
Playback control for music and slideshows is awkward
Doesn’t play Dolby Atmos from Vudu

THE VERDICT
Roku has once again upped the streaming game by including HDR and more in its highly recommendable Ultra 4K media player.

Continuing to up their game, Roku has introduced new products that add HDR (high dynamic range) to 4K streaming while maintaining their anyone-can-use-it simple menu structure. A slew of new models range from the Express player to a new top-of-the-line player, the Ultra. While both the Premiere+ and the Ultra support 4K and HDR (the standard 4K Premiere lacks HDR), the Ultra has a few more features for those who insist on the best picture and sound, and more. It’s proof of how far the streaming player has come from the low-quality picture of its first generation.

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Streaming Gets Refined at CES 2017
CES 2017
Barb Gonzalez  |  Jan 12, 2017  |  0 comments
CES 2017 didn’t knock my socks off with any groundbreaking news. Still, there were definite trends repeated at every booth corner. Streaming video and music is no longer news. Now companies are coming up with new ways to entice those disenchanted with their current TV provider as they try to capture the cord cutter market. UHD streaming will be increasingly available in HDR as more devices support the higher quality format. YouTube 360 videos are available on TVs and media players that have mouse capabilities. Many media streamer manufacturers are moving forward with voice commands. They will be incorporating Alexa or Google Home for either controlling the device or using the device to control the rest of the home.
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