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Instant Netflix’s Internet Takeover

For several years, it seemed like Netflix was in the process of merely killing off the brick and mortar video rental store. As it turns out, this was an understatement: Netflix is in the process of consuming not just video rental stores but the entire internet. With 16 million subscribers as of this October, Instant Netflix is now responsible for 20% of all primetime internet traffic. The service streams video to computers, handheld devices such as the iPad, video game consoles, set-top boxes, televisions, and just about anything and everything else with a screen and an internet connection. Furthermore, out of the 16.9 million people subscribed to Netflix, only 1.8 percent are responsible for this huge amount of bandwidth being consumed every month.

Most signs point to this trend continuing as time passes. To watch Netflix develop as a business in the 2010s will be to watch Netflix cease to be a provider of physical media, moving entirely to the streaming media system it has made so popular recently. As of November 22, Netflix now offers a low cost, DVD-free rental policy for users solely interested in streaming the website’s online content, a marked transition from when the service was a convenient bonus of having a Netflix DVD or Blu-Ray rental account.

In addition, Netflix has raised the cost of its shipping plans, built on how many discs at a time one has (plans can range from 1 disc at a time to upwards of 10) by $1 for lower tiers and by several dollars for plans offering large amounts of physical media. All of this points to the fact that Netflix will gradually phase out the DVDs that it built its reputation (and remarkable selection) on and instead solely function as a provider of online content, an ultimately more cost-effective, environmentally sound, and—for many customers—preferred means by which to receive content.

As a consequence, Netflix will quite possibly face two major hurdles in the next several years. The first is the company’s risk of losing customers who opened Netflix accounts in order to receive actual DVDs. Many users prefer the fidelity and bitrates of DVD (and especially Blu-Ray) over streaming video which lacks the definition and resolution.  There are also those who will find themselves alienated by price increases and perhaps by increasing unavailability of certain films. Losing access to Netflix’s huge selection of films may quickly drive users to other similar services or to specialty physical stores where such shops still exist (I, for example, joined Netflix in 2005 originally so that I could rent movies that I otherwise couldn’t ever find in the town of 3,000 in which I was living at the time).

The real struggle for Netflix’s growth, however, will be the one over bandwidth. As Netflix’s streaming service’s market share continues to grow, its users will continue to move huge amounts of data—a problem considering the increasingly restrictive internet access policies that attempt to meter bandwidth.

Despite these potential hurdles, however, Netflix has found a way to capitalize on emergent streaming media and plentiful bandwidth, leading to a service that its customers have found more useful than the one that the company once offered, and one that still has a fair amount of room to grow. The company’s change in strategy has so far worked extremely well for them, and it’s likely to keep them going well into the next several years.

Andrew Hall is a guest blogger for Pounding the Pavement and a writer on the subject of technical schools for the Guide to Career Education.

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The Best Gaming Headphone Set

Computer, video, DNS and more, digital games are firmly part of society in the 21st century. In years gone by kids would be playing baseball, football and other outdoor activities after school. Nowadays its computer games like Dragon Quest that are seemingly stealing the imagination of our children. Most parents today have accepted this swing from sports to fantasy and supply their kids with the right computer gaming USB headphones as well as soft and hardware. Many adults have also migrated from watching TV to playing computer games and they too have invested in a USB gaming headphone or two. This movement away from TV to computers is all because of the Internet. Like some sort of invisible wizard the Net has given the world the magic of online games and the ability to download software. No wonder people get hooked on the Wizard.

If you are one of these hooked people and you’ve got all the right gear, including the very best gaming headphone – a USB gaming headphone, then no doubt you are classed as a pro. It seems that no matter how bad a person is at a sport, computer game or even something like carpentry; if he or she has the best gear then the rest of us assume that person is skilled.

With that in mind, the next time your friends come over to check out the new software you bought, slap a new pair of USB headphones on your buddy’s head and let him or her experience the sounds of realism. He or she will be overwhelmed by what blasts into their heads. The sounds of monsters, laser and machine gun fire and the detailed sounds of people walking and doors opening, all comes through the digital ear muffs covering their heads. Computer games will continue to evolve gamers will be able to become part of the game – actually inside the software itself like some sort real Tron.

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Watch Movies on the Internet

Did you know that it is actually very possible to watch movies on the internet? There are several services providers that offer this amazing service. You can actually watch all your favorite movies including TV stations online. You can watch movies that you would otherwise miss during lunch breaks at your workplace. Now it’s bye to missing out on those juicy and engaging movies that are aired during the day with this innovative service. Utilize all your lunch breaks and even the short breaks catching up on all your favorite movies. This service is also ideal at the home situation especially during those times when the TV is being watched by other family members. There also happen to be TV stations that are not available on cable but they are available online. In such a situation, the internet movies and TV service comes in handy.

Note: The best movie site is www.66stage.com

Despite these services being offered by many online broadcasting companies, there some which are rip offs. As a result, extreme caution is advised especially before paying for some service. There are those service providers who provide shoddy services and yet they charge you exorbitantly. However, if you do some careful research on the internet as well as use reviews of past clients, you are bound to find a very reliable service that will offer you great entertainment 24-7, 365 days a year. There are several requirements that are necessary before you start receiving internet movie streaming. The first one is a broadband connection. This is ideal due to its high speeds. Dial up connections are not advisable as they do not have the requisite speeds to be able to stream live video.

DSL connection is ideal for live internet video streaming. Really, a top notch service coupled with some really good software packages which are provided by the service provider is all that you need in order to be able to watch movies on the internet. Apart from the movies, you also get to watch lots of comedy channels, foreign TV channels, music channels, sports channels, reality TV and many more.

This depends to a large extent on the service provider that you are hooked up with. These services require the payment of entry fees which are guaranteed to have you receive the streams for a lifetime. You might be charged approximately $50 for these services and you literally get access thousands of channels. They are cheaper than most cable TV service providers who charge around $60.

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What You Need To Know About Avatar Episodes

Take note that Avatar episodes were a series of cartoons which originally came out back in 2005. An Avatar movie with the title the Last Airbender was then produced in 2010. The film was set in a planet that is divided in four nations – fire, air, earth and water. The nation of fire is seeking to actively defeat other nations after Aang – the final airbender – as disappeared mysteriously. Then, 100 years later he is seen by two young teens Katara and Sokka as a frozen being. When they revive Aang, he then reveals that he is the final airbender. The two siblings then make it a commitment to protect Aang as he masters the water bending art in order to defeat Fire Lord Ozai – the evil ruler of Fire Nation.

Aang is later captured after he was released from the frozen ice. However, he and his friends later escape. They then go to the Earth Kingdom village by starting a rebellion. Katara also acquires a water bending scroll which assists her and Aang to excellently perform water bending. From then on, they then liberate the villages of the Earth Kingdom. Unfortunately, Aang is apprehended by Admiral Zhao. Fortunately, he is liberated by a masked marauder. Because of this, Zhao the Admiral chases the masked marauder. The marauder later escapes Admiral Zhao’s attempt against his life.

Then, Aang travels along with his companions towards the tribe of Northern Water. Sokka then tries to be friends with Princess Yue. Pakku also teaches waterbending to Aang. Pakku is the village master. Unfortunately, Fire Nation soldiers arrive. Aang is later captured by the son of Ozai, Prince Zuko. When Zuko and Aang fight, Katara arrives and freezes Prince Zuko. The fight then becomes heated until it reaches a grave stage as Tui – the moon spirit – is captured by Admiral Zhao. Admiral Zhao is then murdered. Aang finally recaptures his ability to perform water bending and utilize the ocean to drive back the fleet of the Fire Nation.

By the movie’s end, Aang finally accepts who he fully is and what he is supposed to do. Sokka and Katara then focus their attention onto assisting Aang locate a master of earth bending who then assist him to learn such a skill. Then, Lord Ozai of the Fire Nation appoint Azula – his daughter – to manage the Avatar whilst advising her that she needs to fulfill her mission prior to comet Sozin’s return.

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Android Phone to Get Netflix Watch Instantly

Android Phone to Get Netflix Watch Instantly

Netflix has confirmed to be working on building an app for the Android phone; it has been confirmed by Netflix and an online job listing. The company has two jobs listing on its website; both postings are for Android developers. One of those job posting is specifically asking for an “Android Video Playback Expert”.

The company is looking for a veteran in apps development with 10 years of experience, someone who has worked previously on an droid app with the same qualities as its postings, with more experience on video streaming apps. It notes that applicants must have expertise in digital rights management experience and other smart-phone application development. It all would imply that they are going to create one of their Watch Instantly apps which they have already done for the IPhone and IPad. These two apps serving as a building ground for the Android Phone app.

There is already an unofficial Netflix app for the Android Phone, but with it being unofficial it does not do a great job. The problems which make it unsuitable include its ability to consume a phone’s battery and its desire to display ads like a maniac. So there is definitely a need by Netflix subscribers to have an official app for their Android phones. Then if it wasn’t complicated enough, a user in a social network site claiming to be an Netflix employee, said that the company was hiring Android apps developers. Yet he was unsure when the company might finish the application and left to the imagination the quality of the app.

At last we come to the conclusion that both Netflix and the Android phone developers want to give their customers the best possible product with both groups being in the tech business. Netflix especially would like its subscribers, with ever changing lives,  to have the ability on demand to watch their favorite movies every where they go. The bottom line is that the product is yet to have a release date, meaning we are going to have to wait some time and hope for the best. Then there is the question that comes to mind, is the app worth the wait? Or will it be just another company producing a pointless app for a new smart-phone?

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Home Theater Setup

A home theater is becoming more common than they used to be.  As our entertainment dollars have to stretch people are looking for the same movie theater experience with having to pay for a family to attend the theater once a week.  Even those on limited budgets are turning to a home theater.  You can create the desired environment without spending a fortune.  It simply takes bargain hunting and creativity.

The homeowner with a basement has the beginnings of their home theater.  Basements make good solutions because the concrete walls offer soundproofing.  You can save a lot of money by utilizing the basement area by not having to pay to sound proof the walls.  One thing to consider is if the basement is suitable for finishing.  A basement that often floods is not a wise choice.  There also has to be the ability to put in wiring for all the electronics that will need to be utilized in creating the theater. The basement must have easy access in order to make if functional to use and to be able to get the electronics down there.

Ambiance is everything.  Even with a small space and limited budget the room needs to look like a normal theater. Consider lighting options.  It is best to avoid bright overhead lighting.  You do need enough light to be able to maneuver through the room and get the electronics set up.  A pendant light with a dimmer switch works well when hung over the electronic equipment.  Consider a pendant light with dimmer switch over the operator’s chair as well.  LED lights in the ceiling or around the screen can offer appropriate mood lighting.  Utilizing rope lighting around the edges of the room will put off soft diffuse light – put the ropes on the floor so that the light does not interfere with the screen.  Tiered seating is easily achieved by using wood to create the tiers.  You can also elevate the individual seats versus putting in tiers. When using this option the elevated boxes need to be very wide and extend beyond the seat for easy access.  Seats should be comfortable with cup holders, recliners work better than any other option.  Add some velvet drapes on all the walls and you have your theater look.  Be frugal and shop around.  Velvet drapes can often be found on sale and at discount outlets.  Recliners can be found in furniture clearance sales or used furniture stores.

There is so much available on the internet that this is an excellent place to start looking for your supplies.  Places like online auctions can offer significant savings on a large variety of items.  Search engines can help identify vendors and comparison shopping tools can tell you who sells it the cheapest.  It is important to understand what you are buying and who you are buying it from.  Always read return policies, guarantees and warranties thoroughly.  The vendor should have a physical address and customer service number.  Check out the BBB for any complaints on the vendor.  Use a credit card that offers some protection against fraudulent sellers.

Do not forget to look locally.  The local paper classifieds is a great place to start looking.  This way you get to go check out the items before you purchase them.  Craig’s list will also provide a number of local options for you to search through.  Both of these options afford you the unique opportunity to preview items to determine their condition and to bargain over the price.

Outlet stores are a convenient place to save money.  Depending on how much you are buying it may be worth it to make a short trip to get to an outlet.  Keep a written list of what you need to keep from overbuying.  Do not buy with the intention of making it work.  That strategy rarely works out.

You can see that it is possible to have your home theater even without a huge budget.  The majority of money needs to go into the electronics.  The decor created can be perfect yet budget friendly with a little ingenuity and patience.