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https://www.theverge.com/2017/10/2/16394942/roku-2017-streaming-tv-box-stick-ultra-express-os-8-operating-system

Roku has officially announced some new models alongside a new OS. What makes this release unique is the new remote and OS8. OS8 has a couple of new features including Single sign on and an emphasis on OTA TV, where the new OS can list live TV content if you search for a show (if available). Roku OS8 should be coming out soon for most of the Roku lineup, though not all of them will get the update (First gen aka models with a model number below 2400)

The other big change is the hardware. Roku Express and Express plus now have a CPU that is 5x more powerful than last year which should bring an improved experience for those who like to stream their content in HD. Express Plus is still only available at Walmart, but there probably is not that much demand for a SD capable streaming box.

Not to be forgotten, the current 1080p streaming stick gets a CPU that is now...

https://zatznotfunny.com/2017-09/universal-roku-remote/

Apparently, Roku is working on a new 4K Streaming Stick with HDR that will retain the stick form factor and not a dongle like the Chromecast. Plans are to include a new remote on some models that can control your TV better, along with a new Roku Express with a significantly better CPU for those who dont have a 4K TV, or just want a basic streamer. Not sure if there will be a Roku Express+ for those with SD TV, perhaps there will be one available. No new information on better models other than the remote. Rather than using IR for this new enhanced Roku Remote, perhaps it will use HDMI CEC (if your TV can support it). Expect these new Roku devices to be available later this year.

Edit: Seems like the new remote will be IR not HDMI CEC.

Yesterday, XETV had their final day of broadcasting as an English station. Yes, you have heard the rumors on this site that it will be changing to Canal 5 (Mexican station). I have decided to take off the XETV forum in the main OTA section. Those who wish to view the section can now do so in the General OTA forum. I might consider making a Mexican OTA forum, but not sure what the demand is for that particular forum.

XETV going away is a sad thing. People did lose jobs in regards to this change, but a lot of them find jobs. I wish from San Diego HDTV, that those at XETV who are still looking for a job, will find one that pays well in this current job market.

What is considered to be a sad day to those who like San Diego TV, this is only the beginning as I wish KFMB very well with their new venture and I hope it does well and last another 64 years, just like XETV, but then again the FCC and "special interests" want to change the OTA service to ATSC and give OTA operators as...

I have decided to turn on Tierrasanta 2.0 which is an updated version of Tierrasanta which is more optimized for modern web usage. Like all themes on this site, this theme is indeed responsive, so it works on any and all devices out there.

New Features

• When scrolling down, the main header will scroll down, allowing easy access to your profile, resource manger, media gallery, messages and notifications.
• There is a up and down arrow on the lower right corner when scrolled down allowing you to quickly go up or down.
  
• Revamped log in screen instead of the pulldown.
  
• Brand new footer with good information and in the future a donation section, that you are not required to use at all.
  
• Social links are at the top and bottom of the site.
• New more professional font.
• New revamped side post bit with visual icons for posts, likes and trophies.
• New Menu system for mobile devices with an icon for newest content.

Otherwise, not much else has really...

http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/sd-fi-kfmb-sale-20171218-story.html

It appears that KFMB has been sold to TEGNA for $325 million. Deal has not been approved yet, but this has been known for a while on TVNewstalk. I guess this means that KFMB is getting MMJ's and Tegna could be an interesting operator. Not sure if they are going to keep the AM and FM stations as Gannett company has not operated AM/FM stations in a while.

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/currency/azteca-america-adds-new-affiliate-san-diego-market/163808

On March 15, XHDTV will be broadcasting Azteca America as a subchannel in a new affiliation deal with Azteca America and Entravision. The plan is to air Azteca America as a subchannel until July 1 when XHAS will no longer be broadcasting Telemundo and will move over to XHAS. 90 minutes of Noticias en Espanol will be aired at 5-6PM and 11-11:30PM.

Not sure what will happen with Scripps but I guess they did not see Azteca America as profitable and what not. Maybe Scripps will put another channel on KGTV as they seem to have other channels in other markets. KGTV was formerly a McGraw-Hill station so they were the ones that have the channel 15 on Cable as well as made the Azteca America deal.

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/local-tv/nbc-launching-telemundo-owned-station-san-diego/163150

I guess Comcast is thinking of the long term viability of KNSD by offering a new Telemundo station. Yes, KNSD will have terrible PQ, but this is really for Comcast (NBC) to lock up the Spanish viewers in San Diego, as Comcast has a nearly unlimited budget for a proper operation on a full power transmitter. This should not add much to the cost as they can use a lot of the same infrastructure and their new state of the art Kearny Mesa studio. Since it will be a subchannel, I guess that TELX (39.2) is just a place holder and this will be the spot for Telemundo in HD. I wonder if there will be a major channel like 12 or even 14 on Cable, as that would make a significant form of branding instead of the current cable channels.

XHAS would likely go to Azteca America or even Univision. Univision is a possibility as Televisa is investing in Univision as a part of their future...

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161022005014/en/ATT-Acquire-Time-Warner

It seems like AT&T wants to control the content distribution by acquiring Time Warner. Maybe this is the plan to stop cord cutting as they know that they can keep big bundles. Trump and Sanders are against this merger, and I agree with them. This merger will be just another Comcast/NBC deal where the concessions were not strong and enforceable to make this deal palatable. AT&T will probably be pushing up to $200 billion in debt, so I wonder if this is a ploy to file for bankruptcy so they can "rightsize" the company and offload wired assets and go to profitable wireless. I don't think there is a concession good enough to make this deal ok. This deal will probably keep the status quo of high cable prices and big bundles, not skinny bundles which a lot of consumers are starting to catch on to.

http://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2016/9/26/13048578/roku-new-express-streaming-video-box-cheapest-least-expensive-30-dollars

While this may not be the latest news, Roku did announce new streaming video players. Express, Express + (Walmart Exclusive), Premiere, Premiere +, and Ultra.

I find this to be a bit confusing for the non tech consumer, but it is pretty easy and straight forward. No streaming stick but Roku did lower the price to $30 for the Express which does 1080p, but no fancy remote. If you do not have a 4K set, I do recommend last years Roku 2 and 3, if you can find a good deal.

Here is the breakdown!

Express is the basic 1080p wifi streamer with basic remote. Express+ (Apparently a Walmart exclusive) adds composite video for SDTV's. Uses a USB port for power, so you could use a USB charger or power it through a TV's USB port. $30 for Express, add $10 for the Express+ ($40).
Premiere and Premiere Plus add 4K at 60 fps support while Premiere+ adds...

After trying to get another site on this server, which knocked us down, we are now back! Back to our regularly scheduled programming!

http://www.theblackfriday.com/

It's that time of year again, let the deals and fighting begin. Some stores have some good TV deals and Best Buy is offering a 49" Toshiba TV for only $149.99 and that does top the $200 Panasonic 50." Stores are also offering pre Black Friday deals for those who want to shop earlier and take advantage of good deals. Hopefully, people who do decide to shop on Black Friday stay safe, and I do feel bad for those who have to work during Thanksgiving/Black Friday. If you see other deals on Black Friday or Black Thanksgiving, then post a reply.

http://zatznotfunny.com/2015-11/roku-se-black-friday/

Appears to be a Roku 1 but with a different name, but model number is similar, but with SE instead of R (2710SE). The price is only good $25, which is competitive to Chromecast and Fire TV stick. No voice remote, but if you need a cheap streaming box for another TV for Netflix or even TWCTV for Roku, then this is a good option.

I added a dark version of the current theme, since some people might want a dark style for their device, or prefer dark styles overall. Go to the bottom of the page, and in the lower left hand corner, it will say Tierrasanta or whatnot. Choose Tierrasanta - Dark for a dark look.

http://www.theverge.com/2015/9/29/9419725/tivo-bolt-review-walt-mossberg
https://www.tivo.com/discover/

Looks like Tivo has a new DVR now available called the bolt. Only 4 tuners this time, but maybe later a 6 tuner model will come. Nice that they are paying for the first year of service, and then after that, you have to pay a monthly or $149.99/year fee. There is lifetime for the super low price of $599.99 instead of the yearly subscription minus the price of the bolt itself, which is an extremely good deal, as you can get a new 4 tuner Cable/OTA box with gorgeous 4K support. UI is in HD except for two small sub menus. Should be out soon, but I think most are keeping their Roamio's as this does not really offer much improvement.

Clarified on lifetime subscription. There is a comskip feature for some channels.

http://www.sandiegohdtv.org/community/media/

As a part of the new board software, we invite you to check out the media Gallery at http://www.sandiegohdtv.org/community/media/ . This Gallery allows you to upload your own images and even Youtube or embedded online videos as a gallery. You can use it to show off your HT and/or AV setups, or post pictures of yourself or whatever. Feel free to use it and enjoy it. If there is any feedback on the new board, please post it http://www.sandiegohdtv.org/community/forums/new-board-feedback.41/

http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2015/sep/10/google-fiber-ultra-high-speed-san-diego/

This might be very big, now that Google wanta to have fiber here. I would definitely embrace google fiber in San Diego, but the city of San diego might make it a bit hard for them to install it. I would definitely ditch time warner for this service.

http://www.sandiegohdtv.org/cgi-bin/discus/discus.cgi

Archives are now back, but they have never really been deleted, I just have forgotten to put in the link for them, thats all. However, if you do find that they have a wealth of information, that is still relevant, you can put that into the Resources link at http://sandiegohdtv.org/community/resources/ and there are some categories, and you can make resources, so you can put such information there. Also, it does allow for comments, and if anything is broken, feel free to comment or put it in the feedback forums, especially new board feedback (incase you have not really gotten the feel for this new software.)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2015/07/02/tech-five-att/29608815/

Looks like the DOJ has approved the DirecTV-AT&T merger. All this merger has to go through is the FCC, and that could happen anyday; however, FCC can impose conditions that the DOJ did not put in, as the FCC might want to make sure AT&T is responding to the needs of Americans and not shareholders.

Edit: Looks like it is tentatively approved, but it is likely to be approved. If this merger goes through, then I could see Charter-TWC likely being approved.

Trying out a new Blog/website based article layout for front page articles/threads. I am trying one thread out to see if it will work. If the new layout is not good, then I can try to change it back to a forum layout.

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/ATT-Might-Agree-to-Neutrality-to-Get-DirecTV-Deal-Approval-134058

Looks like AT&T and DirecTV are close to getting their merger completed, albeit with a few conditions. One of which is fast 25/3 broadband, and possibly offer an internet only tier, for those who do not want TV and Phone. I have a feeling this merger will likely be approved, despite AT&T and Directv having more subscribers than Comcast. AT&T and DirecTV do not really compete with each other, except TV. Of course, AT&T can always use their legal power to sue the FCC, saying that the regulations are unconstitutional, later once approved.