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Tech News & Commentary
Terry in Carthage, Missouri listens to the podcast – calling in via the App asked us: “I have a Dish Hopper unit. I do not have a SlingBox. I’m trying to find out a way I can download my weekly shows to my Computer or tablet and watch them on the road. I don’t want to use Internet because I have a limit on my home internet and don’t want to use it up.”
Terry, As far as we know you can’t transfer shows from your Hopper unless it has Sling built in.
The offline viewing feature was announced with the introduction of the Hopper with Sling, before that you could watch live TV on the go, 
but not save recordings to another device for offline viewing.
You could call Dish and ask about upgrading, sometimes they have promotions where they will upgrade your hardware for free or little money, and the monthly cost may be similar to what you’re paying now, otherwise unfortunately you may not be able to do much about transferring your shows for viewing on the go.
There’s one thing to keep in mind though, a lot of the Hopper services do go through the internet, so check and make sure that if you upgrade your DVR won’t be eating up too much of your limited bandwidth without you even knowing.
For more information, tune in to Hour 3 of our podcast.
“Into Gaming Update” Weekly Feature with Mark Lautenschlager
Tom in Columbus, Ohio calling in via the App asked: “I’m in the market for a new TV. I know there are big TVs which are very expensive and smaller ones that are cheaper. I’m wondering if there is a certain size TV that hits a “sweet spot” between a good value and a lot of features.”
Tom, The problem with answering that is that we can’t define “good value” for you. Some people watch TV non-stop and spending $1000 makes a lot of sense, some people barely ever turn it on and spending $400 is unthinkable for them.
Now, having said that, there is a wide range of TVs and prices in the 50-60 inch categories, and one of them is bound to meet your needs.
We’ve seen TVs ranging from $350 to $1500, from hard to pronounce, chinese, direct-from-the-factory brands, to regular ones like LG and Samsung. If you don’t mind dumb TVs, you can’t argue too much with a $500 50″ Samsung, that you can always attach a Roku to. An extra $1000 on top of that will bump you up a few inches and make it a smart TV, and add 3D if you’re into features you’ll likely never use. Again, that may be worth it to you, but it’s hard to tell without knowing what you consider a good value.
For about $2000 you can start getting into the ultra thin TVs, with built in cameras, with more full featured web browsers and video conferencing software. If you’re looking to buy a TV you can browse the web and Skype on, those may not be a bad deal for you, as they replace a lot of functions that expensive computers used to take care of like video conferencing, web browsing, email, Netflix, YouTube, and other video streaming, so those may also make sense to you.
If all depends on where you personally find the value, if all you want is a pretty large TV with no frills, look into 50-60 inch dumb TVs, those can be had for reasonably cheap.
The other thing to consider is plasma versus LCD/LED. The LCD/LED TVs will be generally less expensive than plasmas, but you will pay a price in picture quality. Plasmas generally have better contrasts, with blacker blacks and brighter colors, as well as better off angle viewing. LCD/LED units will wash out a bit if you’re looking at them from too much of an angle.
So, skip the 3D, keep the size to no more than 60″, and go for the LCD/LED models. That will usually yield the best price, value for dollar.
For more information, tune in to Hour 3 of our podcast.
Guest Segment:
Amit Manna, Co-founder & COO – Fashioholic
There are different types of winter hats for women these days.
“IFA History Feature” brought to you by Messe-Berlin
At the beginning of the last century, something absolutely stunning was invented: people could talk in a room somewhere, and somewhere else, other people could hear it. Music could be listened to which was played in a concert hall in another city. Radio transmission was born. But how to receive it somewhere else, through the air? Complicated equipment had to be developed, and it had to be shown to the people. So the idea of an exhibition was born. It would become the mother of all electronic shows. On December 4th, 1924 the Big German Radio Show premiered, that show is known today as IFA. And it shows off a whole lot more than just radios these days.
Greg in Tennessee listening on SuperTalk 99.7 FM asked: “I got a windows phone and I’m trying to use my computer to text and have it sync with my same number from my cell phone and do it from the computer keyboard. I’ve seen some program for androids and I know how you love Androids, but I’m trying to find something that will work with windows phones, and see if there is an app out there that can help me.”
Greg, There is an online service called Zipwhip, it allows you to send text messages on their website or from a program available for Windows, Mac and Linux, and have them go out from your phone number.
We haven’t actually used the service ourselves, but we know it’s compatible with AT&T T-Mobile, Sprint and Verizon, so you will most likely be covered, and since the text goes out through their server, your phone doesn’t matter.
You can also look at Google Voice. This VOIP service gives you a single phone number you can use for voice calls and text messages. Calls can be routed to any phone, whether it’s a mobile phone or a landline. Text messages can be sent and received using both a mobile phone and your computer, simultaneously. The service is completely free.
That’s the good news. The bad news is that Google doesn’t love Windows Phone very much. While they support iOS and Android with an official Google Voice app, Windows Phone users are stuck with third party applications. MetroTalk has been probably the best of these.
We say “has been” because the other bad news is that MetroTalk will be closing down this month, when Google begins enforcing a ban on third party Google Voice apps by shutting down the API they use. There is an HTML5 app designed by Google itself that was intended for BlackBerry users, and we hear that it works okay on Windows Phones as well.
So, kind of a mixed bag there, but it sounds like you may have some options Greg.
For more information, tune in to Hour 3 of our podcast.
Carol in Miami, Florida listens to our FREE “Into Tomorrow” Podcasts asked: “How do you feel about the Hisense products? I’m looking particularly at the new 3D flatscreen TV, priced under $800 for the 55 inch.”
Carol, I can tell you that I have visited their factories and offices in Quingdao China and for the price they have some decent products, some are even loaded with features. If you are shooting for a true cinematic experience then you will certainly want to aim for more like a Samsung or Sony, but if price is your concern, Hisense may be a brand that you should at least look at. They are cheap and really trying to get in to the US market.
But that being said, HiSense hasn’t tested very high in terms of quality and we’ve found plenty of users with complaints about the warranty as well. If the price works for you, then it may be worth the risk, but keep in mind they’re marketing themselves as budget manufacturers, expect their quality to match that.
For more information, tune in to Hour 3 of our podcast.
If you have any questions about any of this week’s show info, please email us here.
This Week’s Prizes for Our Listeners
Other World Computing (OWC): Nuguard KX phone cases for Samsung Galaxy S4, iPhone 4/4S and 5
Phone Halo: StickR TrackR — Find any object you attach it to with your smartphone
PURE: Jongo Wireless Adapters — Allows you to stream all your music wirelessly to your home audio system.
Tylt: A plethora of USB charging cables for iPhone and Android phones and iPhone battery cases.
“Into Tomorrow”: Microfiber Screen Cleaning Cloths with Dave’s cartoon on them, for all your smartphones, tablets, TVs, camera lenses and computer screens!