Tag Archives: Rick Stella

MH…what? Here’s an explanation on MHL and how it works with your TV

A band of electronics companies including Sony and Nokia developed MHL — short of Mobile High-Definition Link — in 2010 as a way to connect a growing list of smartphones, tablets, and other various devices to thousands of compatible HDTVs. The standard takes smartphone and tablet content to another level, allowing you to showcase 8K video and astounding surround sound with a single cord. Said cable, which features a microUSB port compatible with nearly all smartphones and tablets, plugs into what essentially looks like an auxiliary HDMI port. – Rick Stella, Digital Trends

How to live stream NBA games online

Sites like First Row Sports or VIPBox Sports are some of the most popular picks when it comes to watching streams of sporting events online. While these might be of use, the hassle of having to avoid spam and deal with low quality streams makes these services more of an inconvenience than a help. As a rule of thumb, never click on any link which asks you to download any HD Players, update your streaming software, or install any “required” media players. These are often just spam links which could infect your computer with malware. – Rick Stella,Digital Trends
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If you suspect your Netflix is dragging, here’s how to test and find out

The quickest and easiest gauge of Netflix streaming speed and resolution is a test clip that Netflix itself makes available. This short reel allows you to test your streaming speeds using actual content. As the clip runs, it displays your bitrate and the resulting video resolution in the corner of your screen. To run the test, navigate to a search box and enter, “Example Short 23.976.” Afterward, click the blue Play button directly right of the first result and view your streaming information in the corner as the 11-minute montage of video footage plays in the background. The streaming information updates in real time, but don’t fret if the numbers start out low — they’ll likely increase as the video buffers. Also, expect a barrage of tranquil waterfalls, blinking circles, a sunset time lapse, and a random guy juggling soccer balls. Once the numbers stay consistent and stop fluctuating, you’ll have a solid idea of your streaming speeds, which you can then compare to the reported speed of your ISP in Netflixs speed index, which we cover below. Don’t be surprised to see your results vary depending on time of day. Often, streaming speeds will slow during peak viewing hours. – Rick Stella,Digital Trends