Topic: 4k

C-SPAN is reportedly joining the YouTube TV lineup, a shift from its traditional funding model via cable providers. The discussion covers the presence of ads on C-SPAN's web stream and the "Moment of Zen" placeholders on YouTube TV. Additionally, technical glitches in ESPN's 4K college football feeds are noted, where commercial breaks are often replaced by silent stadium shots.

YouTube TV experienced significant technical difficulties with its 4K feed during the Super Bowl LIX broadcast, resulting in "uh-oh" error messages for subscribers. The failure highlights the limitations of current streaming architecture when handling massive concurrent audiences compared to traditional over-the-air antenna signals. Discussion includes the historical failure of the M-Bone multicast backbone and the rising costs of digital television subscriptions.

Google's YouTube TV has announced a price hike, raising the monthly subscription from $72.99 to $82.99 effective January 13th. The service, which originally launched at $49, continues to increase costs due to rising carriage fees paid to major networks. Despite the price increase, the platform remains popular for its "unlimited" cloud DVR capability, though users must still pay an additional fee for 4K content.

The 1960s sitcom Hogan's Heroes has seen a resurgence in popularity among younger viewers due to syndication on MeTV and free-to-air television. The show, produced by Bing Crosby and DesiLu Productions, was considered controversial at its launch in 1965 for its mockery of Nazis. Discussion shifts to the technical standards of Over-the-Air (OTA) television, including the lack of 4K broadcasting and the potential for interactive streaming features in future standards.

Predictions for Super Bowl LVII favor the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles respectively. Fox holds the broadcast rights for the 2023 game and intends to transmit in 4K resolution. Technical details reveal the broadcast is an up-converted 1080p signal enhanced with High Dynamic Range (HDR) rather than native 4K.

Dimitri Bernabeck and other executive producers are thanked for their significant financial contributions to the show. The discussion shifts to home entertainment technology, where John Dvorak warns that High Dynamic Range (HDR) can shorten the lifespan of OLED televisions by "blowing out" pixels. They also praise the quality of live sports broadcasts in 4K resolution.

A transition from Mac to Windows 10 is underway, utilizing a Dell multi-device 4K monitor to run both systems simultaneously. The hosts compare the current state of operating systems to the failure of Microsoft Vista and Windows ME. Concerns are raised regarding the risks of staying on the Apple platform due to the company's tendency to force sudden changes on users.

A discussion on Netflix's 4K service and the importance of maintaining separate user profiles. Sharing a login can "taint the algorithm," leading to unwanted recommendations based on another person's viewing habits. The cost of 4K upgrades on various streaming platforms is compared.

The show concludes with a consumer tip about finding high-quality electronics and bikes at local pawn shops. Final thoughts are shared on the Super Bowl, and the hosts sign off with their traditional credits and a reminder of the next broadcast on Thursday.

The hosts wrap up the episode by briefly mentioning the 2017 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), dismissing most of the new products as gimmicky or unnecessary upgrades like 4K TVs with built-in Roku. They joke about doing a remote segment from the floor of CES in the future. The show concludes with a reminder to check the show notes for the Clinton Foundation research and the John McAfee video before signing off from Austin and Silicon Valley.

A new LG Smart TV featuring WebOS 3.0 is praised for its fast interface and seamless integration with 4K streaming services. The TV's software automatically recognizes 4K content on Netflix, providing a superior user experience compared to external streaming sticks. This upgrade followed an accidental screen failure of a previous 4K set caused by improper handling during a hardware setup.

A demonstration of new IMAX laser projection technology at the AMC in San Francisco revealed that the system uses three separate laser light sources to produce images on screens up to 100 feet wide. It was disclosed that many IMAX films, including "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," are only partially shot with native IMAX cameras, with the remainder of the footage upscaled from lower resolutions.

Coverage of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) focuses on the push for 4K and Ultra High Definition (UHD) televisions. While 4K content remains scarce, manufacturers are already promoting High Dynamic Range (HDR) as the next major advancement. Other recurring themes at the show include self-driving cars, hoverboards, and an abundance of drones.

The new Apple TV launched without 4K support, a move the hosts find baffling given the availability of 4K content and televisions. Conversely, the Amazon Echo is praised for its new "Skills API," which allows developers to add custom voice-activated functionality. The hosts suggest producers create a "No Agenda" skill for Alexa to play the latest episodes or search show notes.

The hosts discuss the marketing of 4K and Ultra HD televisions, noting that Grand Duke David Foley's company, UltraFlix, received an award at CES. Adam Curry then shares a detailed story about his positive experiences getting pedicures at high-end salons in Austin, describing the relaxation and foot massages involved.

A discussion regarding a Seiki 4K upscaling cable reveals that the device causes visual flashing when used with certain Dish Network boxes. The hosts debate whether the issue is caused by incompatible HDMI signals or faulty hardware, planning to test it further with a Roku 3.

A discussion on technical failures involving a Seiki 4K upscaler cable leads to a broader conversation about the "death of broadcasting." The hosts react to criticism from ham radio enthusiasts on Reddit regarding their views on the obsolescence of traditional airwaves.

A call to action for producers with video skills to create 15 and 30-second advertisements for the show to run on the UltraFlix 4K network. This is followed by a tangent about a "guard bird" named Skylar, a parrot that mimics voices and creates immense volume, leading to a discussion on the physics of bird vocal cords.

A listener reports that Suddenlink has implemented a pricing model based on data caps, charging $10 for every 50 gigabytes over the limit. The hosts argue this is a fair way to manage network saturation caused by high-definition streaming. They predict that the transition to 4K streaming will eventually force all users to accept paid priority to maintain service quality.

The hosts acknowledge the album artwork for episode 612 and thank the "Value for Value" producers. A significant donation from Australia mentions a new "deficit levy" being introduced by the Australian government, which the donor describes as a tax by another name. The segment includes the reading of executive producer credits and a discussion on the early end of the college school year in May.