Barb Gonzalez

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Media Server Reviews
Roku Ultra Streaming Player
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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CES 2017
Streaming Gets Refined at 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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CES 2017
Redesigned NVIDIA Shield Streaming Player Does 4K, Gaming, Home Control
Barb Gonzalez  |  Jan 08, 2017  |  0 comments
NVIDIA demonstrated some revolutionary features on its new NVIDIA Shield streaming player. The Android TV based player has been fully redesigned both in hardware and menus.
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CES 2017
Virtual Reality Headsets Are Everywhere at CES
Barb Gonzalez  |  Jan 08, 2017  |  0 comments
Virtual Reality (VR) goggles were shown everywhere at CES this year. Exhibitors virtually took over the back half of the South Hall of the convention center. A few year ago, this area had booths with Health and Fitness that has now grown to fill its own hall. If VR follows suit, it won’t be long before we are all donning headsets to view videos.
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CES 2017
Zeeq Pillow Streams Music, Stops Snoring
Barb Gonzalez  |  Jan 08, 2017  |  0 comments
If you share a bed, or a bedroom, Zeeq may just be the best thing that ever happened to your bedmate or roommate. Deep inside the Zeeq pillow are blue speakers and a microphone. It is designed so that only the person whose head is on the pillow can hear the music or sounds without disturbing the person next to you.
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CES 2017
Rock Band VR - Fulfill Your Dreams of Being a Rockstar
Barb Gonzalez  |  Jan 08, 2017  |  0 comments
Video game fans can take their rock-and-roll fantasies to a whole new level with the virtual reality version of Harmonix's popular guitar playing game, Rock Band.
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CES 2017
Dish Anywhere Comes to Fire TV
Barb Gonzalez  |  Jan 08, 2017  |  0 comments
The Dish Anywhere app has expanded beyond mobile phones to the TV on Fire TV sticks and media players. The app can access a Dish Hopper receiver’s live TV, guides, and DVR. Users can start recording or set up scheduled recordings.
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CES 2017
DEG Moves from Disc Swag to Digital Codes
Barb Gonzalez  |  Jan 07, 2017  |  0 comments
On the eve of the Digital Entertainment Group’s (DEG) 20th Anniversary CES party, a profound statement was made when invitees were given digital codes instead of physical discs
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CES 2017
AirTV Adds Local Channels to Sling TV
Barb Gonzalez  |  Jan 07, 2017  |  0 comments
Dish and Sling TV showed off the AirTV, the newest device that will make it easier to cut the cord on cable or satellite. AirTV streams from Sling TV, as well as over the air local channels, and from other streaming services and can stream in 4K.
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CES 2017
Portal Router Improves Internet Speeds in Crowded Areas
Barb Gonzalez  |  Jan 07, 2017  |  0 comments
If you find that there are dozens of WiFi networks that show up when you go to connect your wireless devices, the Portal Router may be for you. In congested areas, like apartment buildings, dozens of users may be fighting to get an internet signal over the same channel on the same band (either 5 GHz or the extremely crowded 2.4 GHz band). The Portal router offers technology that can move you away from the crowds to get the best internet access possible.
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