Wednesday, September 14, 2022

Why doesn't DirecTV Stream carry NFL Sunday Ticket?

Fans of the NFL who are streamers are sometimes frustrated that they can't get NFL Sunday Ticket with a streaming package.

In fact, some NFL fans won't fully cut the cord because of this. NFL Sunday Ticket is that important to some fans of the league.

For those that don't know -- and yes, NFL fans, there are those that don't know -- NFL Sunday Ticket is a service where you can watch out of market games. It won't carry local games that are available over the air or on a local cable system, but is very useful to fans who want to watch games otherwise not available.

In the USA, DirecTV, the satellite service, is the only way to get it. DAZN, a streaming service, has it in Canada, while SKY Mexico, a pay TV service, covers most of the rest of North American. Some other cable services handle the Caribbean and South America. But here in the USA, it's DirecTV.

Do you ever wonder why it's not available on DirecTV Stream? So do others. Recently, TV Answer Man Phillip Swann was asked the question. And he found the answer, though it's not really the answer most are looking for.

Simply put, the contract that DirecTV has with the NFL is only for satellite, and does not authorize streaming. And the NFL won't discuss a streaming option.

The TV Answer Man column does a great job of laying it all out, and I would suggest going there and reading it, if you've wondered why DirecTV carries it, but DirecTV Stream doesn't.

So, if you've been wondering why you can't get NFL Sunday Ticket as part of your Streaming Life, you now know. But, there's hope that could change next year, as the current contract is up soon.

Tuesday, September 13, 2022

Roku Express will FINALLY be dual-band WiFi

When I got my first Roku device in 2010, it operated on both the 2.4 GHz WiFi band and the 5 GHz band. That wasn't that common. And, in fact, only the top tier Roku device -- the most expensive one -- supported 5 GHz as well as 2.4 GHz.

If you aren't familiar with the differences between the bands, just understand that 2.4 GHz is older and has some issues. 5 GHz is newer, and has its own issues, but is generally better performing overall for most people.

Smaller and older devices support 2.4 GHz only. Most devices these days are dual band, meaning they can connect to either. Most will use 5 GHz if it's available and a decent signal.

Around 2015, 5 GHz became much more widely used, and became more common on cheaper devices. Roku had included dual band on all devices except the entry level ones by late 2013.

For the past nine years, that has remained the case. The low tier, entry level Roku devices have been 2.4 GHz only. The Roku 1 and Roku LT were 2.4 GHz only. When the Roku Express and Express+ replaced them, they were 2.4 GHz only.

In one of Roku's weirdest naming decisions, the Roku Premiere and Premiere+ originally was dual band, and was essentially a Roku Ultra with a few bells and whistles missing. It was dual band. However, in 2018, they downgraded the Premiere and Premiere+ from a scaled down Ultra to a souped up Express. And it lost the 5 GHz connectivity, being 2.4 GHz only. Like I said, merely a souped up Express.

When the newer but primitive Premiere line was replaced with the Express 4K series, that had dual band, leaving only the basic Express as the last 2.4 GHz only device.

That finally changes on October 13, 2022. The Express will be upgraded and the new model 3960 will be dual band. For the first time, all Roku devices will be dual band.

Roku is late to the party on this. Other lineups by Apple, Google, and Amazon have been all dual band for a while. And with the recent behavior of ISPs that changed the 2.4 GHz settings on leased devices, many Roku Express users have had major issues with connectivity. The ISPs were wrong for just up and changing settings like that, but Roku was way behind on technology by not offering dual band on their top selling, cheapest device.

I'm glad to see it. Only I know people, and some people will say that Roku is simply trying to get folks to buy a new device by making the older one stop working, when it's actually the fault of the ISPs. Roku should have done this years ago. But, in a month, it will be done, and the issues will start to go away as fewer and fewer of the older 2.4 GHz only devices remain.

If you're thinking about getting into streaming, or simply looking to add an additional but cheaper device to a second (or third) TV, either do not get a Roku Express, or wait until October 13 to get one. Make sure it's dual band. That will make your Streaming Life so much easier.

Monday, September 12, 2022

Watching the Emmys in 2022

As much a fan of TV as I am, you'd think I'd be watching the Emmy Awards. You'd be thinking wrong.

I cannot remember the last time I watched the Emmys. Probably over 40 years. Why is that?

Well, it's one of those things where if you stop doing something, and you find you don't really miss it, you don't go back to doing it. I watched the Emmys because I was home and it was on. And whatever was on the other channels -- there weren't that may channels back then -- was either a rerun I didn't want to see, or some other show I haven't seen and didn't want to see. I watched the Emmys by default.

I got a job working nights and didn't watch a lot of prime time TV for a few years. And when I stopped working nights, I didn't really pay attention when the Emmys came on, because I really didn't miss them.

However, I may decide to watch them tonight. I looked up the nominees and found that a couple of shows I watch got nominations. I'll be pulling for Better Call Saul and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel to win in the categories in which they were nominated.

To watch the Emmys, I'll need to be able to watch NBC or Peacock. I can do that. And if you cut the cord, you can too.

Peacock

Peacock is a standalone streaming service that carries NBCUniversal programming. Peacock Premium is $5/month, but is included with Xfinity Internet plans.

NBC

  • Antenna (free)
  • Sling TV (Blue) ($35/month) (11 markets only)
  • Vidgo ($60/month)
  • YouTube TV ($65/month)
  • Fubo TV ($70/month)
  • Hulu+Live TV ($70/month)
  • DirecTV Stream ($70/month)

If you want the Emmys in your Streaming Life, you have options.

Sunday, September 11, 2022

Privacy phone, part 6: rethinking things

Every now and then, when you start a project, you should have a sanity check along the way. Rethink things. Ask yourself if where you're going is in line with your initial goals. If not, did the goals change? If so, was it for a valid reason? Or did you simply forget the initial goal and veer off course?

With this privacy phone project, I had to do this recently. And I'm not sure just where I'm going to go with this, because it brought home something I had not considered. Well, I had, but I hadn't given it proper consideration. Here's what's going on.

When I set a privacy phone as a goal, it was to reduce being tracked by a big data company. Apple and Google each are able to gather a lot of data on you, and I really don't like that. That was one of the reasons behind my trying out a Pi Hole device on my network; not to block ads, but to reduce tracking on my online activity. Google has a lot of data on me, and I'm just not comfortable with that. They sell it and make money. Remember, if you can use the product for free, it's not actually the product; you are the product.

So, my trying out three different phones with operating systems that focus on privacy and allow you to not be tracked is happening. But I thought I should do a reevaluation of things, and make sure I'm going about it the right way.

Well, I'm not sure about that. You see, the three phones I've been trying are using three different operating systems. And they all have their drawbacks. But there's a fourth phone I'm now evaluating, and it's doing surprisingly well.

The Pine 64 phone is using a mobile Linux (Manjaro) OS. This is the one that's the least likely to be my final choice. I've all but ruled it out.

The Google Pixel 4a is using Lineage OS. That's an open source Android based operating system. It replaced Google Services with another service that anonymized your data when it does have to communicate with Google. There's no way to entirely keep your phone from contacting Google, but the data being anonymized can prevent Google from knowing it's you. Google knows there is activity, but it doesn't know whose activity it is. It has an open source app store that allows apps that don't use Google Services to be loaded. Some actually work quite well. Some, not as well.

The Teracube 2e is using /e/OS, which is a variation of Lineage OS. It acts the same way when it comes to contacting Google. The data is anonymized and Google cannot track you, when it does have to contact Google. It also allows you to install apps from open source app stores, including some of the same that the Lineage OS phone uses. That makes sense, since the OSes are very similar.

Then there's this other phone I have. It has to utilize services from a big company, but can actually be prevented from contacting Google altogether. It's possible to run this phone and never contact Google, and the services work well. When it does reach out to a service that serves the same function, it anonymizes the data, meaning that the service never knows it's you. Yes, it does keep track of where you've been, but that data is never sent to a big data company. It stays on the phone and isn't shared with other devices or services. And it can be deleted at any time.

And, the battery life of this other phone is really good. It's easy to use, but it has one drawback. The app store doesn't carry a lot of open source content. Most of the content in its app store is proprietary. However, some of the open source apps that are available for the /e/OS and Lineage OS devices are also available on this other phone.

On the phones I'm testing, some open source apps are simply not available. For those, I have replace many apps with browser shortcuts where I can. For example, I do not have the Facebook app on any of the four phones I'm testing. Instead, I have a browser shortcut saved to the phone. Launching it launches the mobile version of the Facebook Website, and operates a lot like the app. This works for Twitter, Amazon, Walmart, and for many many other situations. With location services not shared with the browser I'm using for these, it eliminates much of the tracking that goes on with these apps.

So, what is this mysterious fourth phone? Well, it is the phone I'm looking to replace: an iPhone 12 running iOS.

Yep, turns out that the tricks these open source Android phone are using when they have to reach out to Google to keep you anonymous are already being done by Apple. Now, you can choose to share the data with Apple, and they'll accept it gladly. But, you can choose to not share it as well. And that's what I'm doing. I'm also replacing proprietary apps (non-Apple, such as Facebook) that can track activity with the mobile version. The alternative is to not use the services, and of course that is an option. But, if I want to use Facebook, the way I would do it on an open source Android phone can also be done on an iPhone, and is as secure and private.

So, if the phone I'm already using is as secure and private as what I'm trying to go with an open source Android phone, why am I even trying this privacy phone project?

Well, it goes back to Apple dropping support for my MacBook. I'm going to lose a lot of functionality unless I pony up the money to buy a new computer. It would cost me $1,500 to replace it with the current equivalent device. Just to get the new operating system. So I'm looking at replacing macOS in my day-to-day life with GNU/Linux. In fact, I've already loaded Linux on an older MacBook Pro and running it regularly. It's working well so far.

If I drop macOS, I'll lose a lot of the functionality of my iPhone. However, I won't lose everything. And, so far, I've not seen that an open source Android phone will be able to function any better than an iPhone with no Apple computers in the mix. I'm not sure that switching to open source Android will do anything for me.

However, I'm still testing things. Only I'm testing four things, not three: mobile Manjaro Linux, /e/OS, Lineage OS, and iOS. I'll keep testing all four until I weed them out one at a time. Last phone standing will be the winner.

Saturday, September 10, 2022

Watching college football games this weekend: Week 2

For college football fans, it's now Week 2, which is the third weekend of football.

If that doesn't make sense to you, welcome to the world of college football. I don't blame the colleges for this. They didn't name it. Sports broadcasters and reporters did that. Blame them.

Or, don't worry about it and just watch some football. That's what I'm going to do. I gave up on broadcasters and reporters a long time ago. And not just the ones that carry sports.

It's Week 2 of college football, and after just two games ahead of today, both last night, there is a full Saturday of football in store. And, if you cut the cord and are a streamer, you have ways to watch the games.

My needs are simple. I have an antenna for the ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC games that I want to watch. There are a few interesting games, plus the usual early season Power U vs Cupcake U games. But, if you know which network your game is on -- see the NCAA broadcast schedule here -- you can watch the game with your streaming device or over the air antenna.

So where can you watch the games? The games that are broadcast will be on one of these networks:

  • ABC
  • ACC Network
  • Big Ten
  • Big 12 Network
  • CBS
  • CBS Sports Network
  • ESPN
  • ESPN 2
  • ESPN 3
  • ESPN U
  • SEC Network
  • ESPN+
  • Fox
  • Fox Sports 1
  • NFL Network
  • Pac 12 Network

How do you watch these networks? Keep reading.

ABC

  • Antenna, over the air, free.
  • Vidgo Plus, $60/month.
  • YouTube TV, $65/month.
  • Fubo TV, $70/month.
  • Hulu+Live TV, $70.
  • DirecTV Stream Entertainment, $70/month.

ACC Network

  • Sling Orange, with Sports Extra, $46/month.
  • Sling Orange+Blue, with Sports Extra, $65/month.
  • Vidgo Plus, $60/month.
  • YouTube TV, $65/month.
  • Fubo TV, $70/month.
  • Hulu+Live TV, $70.
  • DirecTV Stream Choice, $90/month.

Big Ten Network

  • Sling Blue, with Sports Extra, $46/month.
  • Sling Orange+Blue, with Sports Extra, $65/month.
  • Vidgo Plus, $60/month.
  • YouTube TV, $65/month.
  • Fubo TV, $70/month.
  • Hulu+Live TV, $70.
  • DirecTV Stream Choice, $90/month.

Big 12 Network

Big 12 Network games are available through ESPN+.

CBS

  • Antenna, over the air, free.
  • Paramount+ Premium, $10/month.
  • Vidgo Plus, $60/month.
  • YouTube TV, $65/month.
  • Fubo TV, $70/month.
  • Hulu+Live TV, $70.
  • DirecTV Stream Entertainment, $70/month.

CBS Sports Network

  • YouTube TV, $65/month.
  • Fubo TV, $70/month.
  • Hulu+Live TV, $70.
  • DirecTV Stream Ultimate, $105/month.

ESPN

  • Sling Orange, $35/month.
  • Sling Orange+Blue, $50/month.
  • Vidgo Plus, $60/month.
  • YouTube TV, $65/month.
  • Fubo TV, $70/month.
  • Hulu+Live TV, $70.
  • DirecTV Stream Entertainment, $70/month.

ESPN2

  • Sling Orange, $35/month.
  • Sling Orange+Blue, $50/month.
  • Vidgo Plus, $60/month.
  • YouTube TV, $65/month.
  • Fubo TV, $70/month.
  • Hulu+Live TV, $70.
  • DirecTV Stream Entertainment, $70/month.

ESPN U

  • Sling Orange, $35/month.
  • Sling Orange+Blue, $50/month.
  • Vidgo Plus, $60/month.
  • YouTube TV, $65/month.
  • Hulu+Live TV, $70.
  • DirecTV Stream Entertainment, $70/month.
  • Fubo TV Elite, $80/month.

ESPN3

ESPN3 is usually included with a service that carries standard ESPN/ESPN2.

  • Sling Orange, $35/month.
  • Sling Orange+Blue, $50/month.
  • Vidgo Plus, $60/month.
  • YouTube TV, $65/month.
  • Fubo TV, $70/month.
  • Hulu+Live TV, $70.
  • DirecTV Stream Entertainment, $70/month.

ESPN+

ESPN+ is a standalone sports programming service. It is not the same thing as regular ESPN that you get with cable or one of the live streaming services. Some content from ESPN, ESPN2, or other ESPN networks may be available on ESPN+, but often, it's content that is only available on ESPN+.

  • ESPN+, $7/month.
  • Disney Bundle, $14/month.

Fox

  • Antenna, over the air, free.
  • Vidgo Plus, $60/month.
  • YouTube TV, $65/month.
  • Fubo TV, $70/month.
  • Hulu+Live TV, $70.
  • DirecTV Stream Entertainment, $70/month.

Fox Sports 1

  • Sling Blue, with Sports Extra, $46/month.
  • Sling Orange+Blue, with Sports Extra, $65/month.
  • Vidgo Plus, $60/month.
  • YouTube TV, $65/month.
  • Fubo TV, $70/month.
  • Hulu+Live TV, $70.
  • DirecTV Stream Entertainment, $70/month.

NFL Network

  • Sling Blue, with Sports Extra, $46/month.
  • Sling Orange+Blue, with Sports Extra, $65/month.
  • Vidgo Plus, $60/month.
  • YouTube TV, $65/month.
  • Fubo TV, $70/month.
  • Hulu+Live TV, $70.

Pac 12 Network

  • Sling Blue, $35/month.
  • Sling Orange+Blue, $50/month.
  • Vidgo Plus, $60/month.
  • Fubo TV Pro, with Fubo Extra, $78/month.
  • Fubo TV Elite, $80/month.

Peacock TV

Peacock is a standalone streaming service that carries NBCUniversal programming, including much sports from NBC as well as exclusive sports programming. Peacock Premium is $5/month, but is included with Xfinity Internet plans.

SEC Network

  • Sling Orange, $35/month.
  • Sling Orange+Blue, $50/month.
  • Vidgo Plus, $60/month.
  • YouTube TV, $65/month.
  • Hulu+Live TV, $70.
  • DirecTV Stream Choice, $90/month.
  • Fubo TV Ultimate, $100/month.

These services will cover all but eight of the Division 1-A/FBS college football games this weekend. Those eight are not being broadcast nationally.

So how do you watch them all? That is, the ones that are being broadcast? As you might expect, it's a little complicated. You need several services. The cheapest configuration is:

  • Fubo TV Pro, with Fubo Extra, $78/month.
  • ESPN+, $7/month.

That's $85/month. Keep in mind that Longhorn Network isn't required this weekend. If it was, the price would jump quite a bit, since Longhorn is only part of Sling TV's packages, but CBS Sports Network is not. That means you would need Sling TV Blue with Sports Extra, YouTube TV, and ESPN+. That totals to $118/month.

It can get complicated, but the up side is you can find a way to watch however many games you want. If college football is a part of your Streaming Life, it may cost you a bit. But you can watch.