1. TV Over the Internet and Trends in TV Viewing
Allan Hide
Fairfax County
Communications Policy and Regulation Division
May 18, 2017

2. Introduction
Communications Policy and Regulation Division (CPRD) assists County residents with cable-related problems
Topics today:
Ways to get Video over the Internet - Over the Top Video (OTT)
Demonstration of OTT with a Smart TV (if technically feasible)
Other trends
VR (Virtual Reality)
-Demo of VR (if technically feasible)
Getting TV using a TV antenna over the air (OTA)
Demonstration of OTA TV

3. Trend Toward Video Over the Internet
Most people have received video over cable in the past 30 years
Sources of dissatisfaction with cable:
Rates
Customer service
Packaging of programs or channels (vs. “à la carte”)
Therefore other sources for video are developing, including “over-the-top” (OTT) (video over the Internet)

4. Over-the-Top Video (OTT) or Internet Video
OTT is often referred to as "over-the-top" because these services ride on top of the service you already get and don't require any business / technical affiliations with your cable provider – except you do need Internet service for it to work (usually from your cable provider)
OTT is streaming video (on demand) (movies, TV shows, clips, etc.) over the Internet. Includes YouTube (mostly free), Netflix ($), Hulu ($), Amazon (some free if member). Not much live programming available.
Original content offered. E.g., Netflix’s House of Cards, Orange is the New Black, Game of Thrones [HBO Now or HBO Go (via cable provider)]
Millennials sometimes “cord-cutters” or “cord-nevers” and often access OTT; but many access OTT in addition to cable service
Trend is toward watching TV via OTT

5. Over-the-Top Video
Many sources: General content - Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, YouTube, iTunes
OTT packages (similar to Cable “Tier” Packages):
YouTube TV (expected this month): $35 Live local TV in cities
Hulu (similar package to YouTube): expected later this year
Sony PlayStation Vue: $30/month live local TV in select cities
DirecTV (by AT&T): $35/month incl. live local in cities (3/3/2017)
Dish’s Sling TV (with ESPN): $20 (1/2015)
HBO Now: $15 (10/2014)
CBS All Access: $6 (10/2014)
Nickelodeon: Noggin preschool app, $6 (1/2015)
Showtime: $11 ($8 via Hulu) (6/2015)
Apple TV: on hold for now

6. Roku’s ad for Sling TV

7. External Devices That Get You TV over the Internet
Smart TVs
Roku TVs(Smart)
Blu-Ray or Ti-Vo Players
Apple TV
Amazon Fire
Roku
Game Boxes
Laptops
Chromecast
Sticks

8. Over-the-Top Video from the Cable Company
Comcast, Cox, Verizon operate in Fairfax County
Cox Contour (in home) and Cox “tve” TV Everywhere (home) and TV Online; Verizon’s “Watch FiOS Now”; and Comcast’s “TVGo” allow streaming of channels online and on demand
Comcast:
Cox:
Verizon:
Comcast has other initiatives:
“Stream” $15 (for its broadband customers - 28 channels) – Boston trial
“Watchable” no need to be a customer (Internet content, not TV channels)
“Seeso” (comedy channel, 1/2016, $4)
Verizon: “Go90” app - Free for now, Internet content, some live sports

9. Smart TVs to Get Internet TV Programming

10. To get Netflix on a Smart TV, select the Netflix icon

11. Netflix Menu

12. Hulu Menu
Where will OTT go?

13. YouTube Menu

14. ROKU Smart TVs
ROKU has also placed its streaming media player facilities directly into TV sets (similar to a smart TV) instead of having to hook up a ROKU device separately. TV Manufacturers of the “ROKU TV” include - Haier, Hisense, Insignia, Sharp.
Pros: Cheaper than main brand smart TVs. Supports 4K content, easy to use to get Internet content.
Cons:. The latest Roku device doesn’t support HDR content (as of 3/3/2017).

15. What an AppleTV Player May produce on a TV screen

16. Pros and Cons of OTT OTT still requires Internet service
Needs a robust Internet connection
Pricing –Must add cost of Internet service to cost of chosen OTT content
Data caps may be an issue
Real time programming currently hard to access using OTT – especially live broadcast TV
Some sites require a cable subscription

17. Trending: Virtual Reality (VR)

18. Virtual Reality (VR)
VR seeks to create what appears to be a life-size, 3D virtual environment without the boundaries we usually associate with TV or computer screens
Many potential applications: real estate, education, gaming, touring etc.
“How does wearable tech make you think you're standing on Mars when you're actually about to bump into the kitchen counter?”

19. Virtual Reality (VR)
Most current VR headsets fall into one of two categories:
High- end dedicated headsets (Vive, Oculus Rift, PlayStation VR, etc.) that connect to a console or PC
Smartphone holders (Samsung Gear VR, Google Cardboard, etc.).

20. Virtual Reality (VR)
These lenses focus and reshape the picture for each eye and create a stereoscopic 3D image by
angling the two 2D images to mimic how each of our eyes views the world slightly differently..

21. Virtual Reality (VR) Search You Tube “Swissair Virtual Reality 360°”
View using Laptop with Google Chrome browser or smart phone

22. Virtual Reality (VR) – 360o Cameras
VR Cameras

23. Over-the-Air (OTA) TV
June 12, 2009: FCC-mandated switch from analog to digital signals for local broadcast stations such as WETA,NBC, ABC, UNIVISION
With new digital technology, broadcast TV pictures appear crisp, not “snowy”
Can receive either High Definition (HD) TV or Standard definition channels. For example:
Channel 7 – WJLA, ABC
7.1 HD
7.2 SD Me-TV
7.3 WJLA CMT

24. TV Set Needed (to get OTA)
Digital TV
To receive HD signals, need an HDTV (720p or 1080p)
Analog TV (older type of TV)
Requires digital-to-analog converter box
Old TV’s (electronics) can be disposed of free of charge 7 days a week (all opening hours) at the County Landfill sites (West Ox Road or Lorton)
Digital TVs are typically thinner and lighter, analog TVs
wider and heavier

25. Antenna Needed The higher the better
Rooftop antennas/masts MUST BE GROUNDED!!

26. Antenna should be pointed in right direction
TVFool.com, Antennaweb.org, AntennaPoint.com

27. Need to scan for channels
Go to Menu – Change input to “Over the air”
Scan for available channels. Will only get local broadcast channels – NOT HBO, History Channel, or similar cable-only channels
Rescan regularly, as channels are added frequently

28. Ways to Lower Your Bill 1. PARE DOWN SERVICES:
TV – call cable operator – just ask or reduce services, tiers
Voice – Can reduce to cell (only if cell connection is robust) – phone long distance/International using Internet either video or audio for free e.g., WhatsApp/Skype/FaceTime (iphones only).
Internet – Switch to lowest “high-speed” connection available to suit your needs

29. Ways to Lower Your Bill 3. SWITCH TO ANOTHER PROVIDER
2. SWITCH TO ANOTHER TECHNOLOGY
TV - OTA (Over the Air) (local channels)
TV - Use OTT (Over The Top) TV to get movies over Internet (Apple TV, Hulu)
3. SWITCH TO ANOTHER PROVIDER
Offers: Take Advantage of Offer Competition! –Next Best Thing to Rate Competition
offers come in the mail or online
To get the best deal with your existing provider, get an offer in hand from the competition and talk to the “loyalty” or “retention” level representatives.

30. Ways to Lower Your Bill 3. (Continued) SWITCH TO ANOTHER PROVIDER
You may have 30 days to get out of a price lock guarantee/offer
Try to negotiate getting free installation / connection fees when you switch

31. Questions
Communications Policy and Regulation Division (assists with cable-related problems and cable safety and construction issues)
● Call: ●
● Web:
Consumer Affairs Branch - (incl. cable billing and all complaints against a business in the County)
● Call for advice:
● File complaints:
consumer/complaints.htm

32. Tips on Buying a New TV
Where Can One Get 4K (or High Dynamic Range) Content?
Netflix: $12 per month. Limited 4K shows available (e.g., House of Cards)
YouTube: Free (limited selection)
Amazon Prime: Included with a $99 per year Prime Membership, plus select titles for rental or purchase around $20 to $30
Xfinity: (Comcast) free to Xfinity TV subscribers
Sony’s Ultra Streaming Services: ($30 per movie purchased)
Fandango Now: $7 per rental (approx. $25 per purchase)
Google Play: $3.99 rent, $14.99 buy
Satellite: DirecTV, $4 to $16 per movie title on demand; Dish, $8 per title
Vudu: $10 for rental, $20 for purchase