First Post of 2014

Wow. It's been ages and I completely forgot I had this blog. I'm sure no one reads it on a regular basis but I like its simplicity and look. I left MySpace today. Closed the account. Don't really need it anymore. I also closed the Facebook pages BillElderRadio and BillElderVoiceovers. I have my regular account to promote that if needed.

With the constant changes in social media and the high speed constant change in our attention span it's difficult to stay focused. I'm going to make a new video on BillTvMacon2 about where this is heading. Thanks for reading.

How much do you spend a year on YouTube?

YouTube Sub Drops

Here are a couple of screenshots of my YouTube channel BillTvMacon indicating the most recent drop in subs. If YouTube was a radio station and I got numbers like this, I'd be working in the mail room.

It's obvious to me that this ship has sailed, the plane has left the airport, the Pope has blessed his last mass, the sheep's wool has made it's last sweater...you get the point. Thanks to everyone who has been so kind as to join me in this effort to communicate with the outside world. I still do BillElderRadio on Mixcloud and have this nifty blog!

(knock knock on the door) Um, Mr. Elder? You actually think people are reading this? Come with us, sir. We'd like to give you a sedative to help you relax.

Proud To Be A Streamer

I know, ay my age that could mean something completely different. About half a year ago I decided to become a "cord cutter." When I moved in my first apartment in 1974 I got cable TV. You pay monthly for that, which I did until I left their services somewhere in the year 2001. Then I joined DirecTv. They were great. Clear inexpensive and had a TIVO that allowed you to time shift. Six months ago I became what is known as a "cord cutter." My monthly bill from DirecTv was somewhere around $65 which is very inexpensive for them. I didn't have any Hi-def packages or specialty channel. I even had an antenna I installed in my attic to get local channels. My friend, Pete, who is an old radio bud had discovered a way to "cut the cord" and I started talking to him about it. I'm an equipment research kinda guy so I studied all the options and decided o get a Roku. Now my monthly bill is about $16 a month (for Netflix and Hulu Plus subscriptions) and I still get beautiful Hi-Def local channels from my attic antenna. And it doesn't stop there. There are loads of channels that cover everything. My two favorites are Nowhere TV for loads of content and Video Buzz that allows me to watch YouTube.

This month, Roku released that it has some 5 million units of their produce. It comes in many configurations but I've narrowed it to two. The LT (light purple box) is Hi Def 720p MDMI / composite out and gets and sends its info by Wi-Fi. The other is the XS or Roku 3 (different models, the three being the newest) which has Hi-Def 1080 and uses Wi-Fi or an Ethernet port. Every model has built-in wireless (Wi-Fi b/g/n compatible), new on-screen experience with one-stop search

and plays 720p HD video. The XD / XS and Roku 3 are 1080.

The down side is you're going to lose the ability to watch the newest programs on The History Channel. And, I have to buy a season pass from Amazon to watch the new Doctor Who episodes at $2 each. By my calculations, I'll save about $650 this year by not having DirecTv.

And here in my country we get digital off air channels that are free with all the networks and and side specialty channels. Amazing ease of use, quality and selection. If you're not seriously considering this, you need to be. But, you do need a decent internet connection. I have the AT&T 6MB/ps plan and everything works fine. No problem watching content while using my iPad. Just for a test I was able to stream two different programs on separate TV's...and use the iPad with no problem. 

Here are some links for more info. 

Roku Products: http://www.roku.com/roku-products

UK Review LT version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHe13ojmjxs

Cord Cutters Roku 3 Review: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgw72BSU1zM

Apple Tv / Roku Comparison: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBgck_QrOK4

First post of 2013

I just read a Blog from the great Barry Aldridge here on Blogger. I had forgotten I had a Blogger account until just now. Since Google now owns everything but the "car wash" I'm pretty much fully involved. Hey, Google. Ever thought of buying MySpace? Certainly you could integrate it into something else you own. I guess not. Why rattle the cage of Google Plus.

More to come.

Blogger Now

I can't believe I slept 8 hours last night. This morning I tried to remember my name but that part of the brain isn't working yet. It'll come, I hope. I'm curious as to where Google posts these blogs in addition to Blogger. We'll see.

A New ACB

I’m pleased that there will be a new ACB posted soon. The one year anniversary of the collaboration will be soon. We’re all very excite about this and will keep you posted on our Twitter, AliChrisBill. Ali is about to go to sleep, Chris is in the middle of a busy day an I’m just waking. So, these things can take days to plan. But, we’re ready to go again. It feels really good. I’ve been missing this more than anything.